Completely new to film HELP!! 16mm or 8mm?

GeneralMILLS · Mar 21, 2004

Hi, I'm really, really new to film, I've been using digi cameras for awhile and have been editing on FCP 4 with mini dv. I heard that film can be transferred to mini dv fairly easy if you have a studio near you that is capable of that. Anyway I wanted to get a camera either 8mm or 16mm real cheap. I'm on the cheapest budget cause I'm in college and always skip to go skiing. And I thought I might as well try to make a living out of skiing by filming it and editing some movies. The digital cameras I use don't even come close to the quality of film and to make it in todays world of ski movies you need to use some film. Like in Warren Miller film the film quality is awesome, I'm not hoping to get quality that good but I was hoping to at least know"it was shot on film" kinda effect. I was looking at these cameras on ebay any tips or suggestions would help so much:
heres the 8mm camera's http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ViewItem&item=3803552251&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3803543551&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804444416&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804828453&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804682480&category=4691

here's the 16mm
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804258688&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804370560&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3804494995&category=4691

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3805216152&category=4691

These are the choices I had any suggestions would be great. I just wanted something to learn on and mess around on until I learned enough to spend alot on a camera. But I also wanted something where I could see the difference between film and dv. I'm sure that won't be a problem though no matter what i get. Also if anyone knows of any better deals or cheaper or if anyone is selling a film camera who reads this please email me at ATVEB@aol.com or just respond to this topic..
THANKS ALOT

Shot Renegade · Mar 21, 2004

Your best bet for low cost stuff would be to go for Super 8mm... and for the best quality camera wise go for a Braun Nizo!

I've got a Braun Nizo 148 - it runs like a dream and wouldn't give it up for a million

WideShot · Mar 21, 2004

Here are some threads that should help you, I got them from a search on 8mm:

http://www.indietalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1326&highlight=8mm

http://www.indietalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1156&highlight=8mm

I also had a good chat with sonnyboo in a thread about costs: http://www.indietalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1293&highlight=

check out his site too it has some good info: sonnyboo.com

Shot Renegade · Mar 21, 2004

If you want to go for 16mm you're looking at paying a hell of a lot more... but have a look at Eclair NPRs, Arriflex ST's, Arriflex SRII... but on my thread of advice I would use 8mm for general and then 16 or even super 16 for those special films

NicklausLouis · Mar 21, 2004

If you absolutely have to make the jump to film (some here would urge you to stay digital), I'd go Super 8mm first, just to get you aquainted with the process of shooting film - it's a world's difference from video.

Poke

Shot Renegade · Mar 22, 2004

Another quick tip actually... if you do go for Super 8, and do decide to buy a camera, make sure you either have an external light meter (much recommended) or ensure that the internal lightmeter within the camera you buy works fine! I've been caught out a couple of times when buying stuff off ebay... bought it and then found the lightmeter was rubbish!

scottspears · Mar 23, 2004

There a number of cameras out there that you could use. I think you'd want to go for small and portable. If you don't need sound, then pick up a Bolex (starting at $200). If you sync sound, then a Canon Scoopic MS (runs 24fps for sync) ($600 adn up) or a Eclair ACL with a 200' mag is great ($1500 and up). Film ain't cheap, but it's still better than most video formats and I think it would deal with the cold better than video.

Scott

arniepix · Mar 25, 2004

Personally, I think I'd go with video.

But it you DO want to go with film, stick with 16mm (or super 16). 8mm does not work at the standard 24fps speed, which may cause problems if you want to transfer to video. Speaking of which, there are a lot of places that will transfer 16mm for you, but very few that will transfer 8mm. You can also find a lot of lenses in the C mount that is common with some 16mm cameras.

Look at Bolex, Eclair, Beaulieu, and Cinema Products, to name a few.

Good luck & enjoy.

Shot Renegade · Mar 26, 2004

8mm!

arniepix said:
8mm does not work at the standard 24fps speed, which may cause problems if you want to transfer to video.

It does! Get a braun nizo and set the frame rate to 24fps - hey presto a super 8 camera working at 24fps! infact you can shoot at 12/16/24/36... with intervalometres and all sorts of goodies!

Frame rate is defined by the camera you get... braun nizo's are the best. 148's, 800's, 801's - beautiful cameras!

arniepix · Mar 26, 2004

Re: 8mm!

Shot Renegade said:
It does! Get a braun nizo and set the frame rate to 24fps - hey presto a super 8 camera working at 24fps! infact you can shoot at 12/16/24/36... with intervalometres and all sorts of goodies!

I didn't know that. I thought that all 8mm ran at 16-18 fps. good to know.