Super 8- Wide screen?

Dooglestar

Dooglestar

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to shoot widescreen (16:9) with a Super 8 camera? Do some Super 8 cameras have this facility with a flick of a switch or would an internal overhaul be needed? Some 'bloke down the pub' told me that the gate would have to be changed which seems like a costly operation...

Cheers.
 
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There are two ways to get widescreen using super 8.

One is to have the gate changed and the lens recalibrated to
expose widescreen. The most common is to use a lens that
squezes the image onto the frame then a lens that "unsquezes"
it when projected.
 
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directorik said:
There are two ways to get widescreen using super 8.

One is to have the gate changed and the lens recalibrated to
expose widescreen. The most common is to use a lens that
squezes the image onto the frame then a lens that "unsquezes"
it when projected.
Click to expand...

Is getting the gate changed a costly procedure? and have you heard of any such conversions on Super 8? I'm sorry but I'm not sure what you mean by 'recalibrated' in regards to the lens.

Thanks for your help.
 
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When you get it transferred to video, you would also need a special gate, etc. etc. The costs could be high, or you could end up getting stuck in the process with no solutions. That's why I mentioned Super-16. Labs are already set up to handle this.
 
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As many of the regulars here know I am a super 8 nut. I love it.
and have for many years. I own a Bolex regular 8 camera that was
first converted to double super 8 and then to widescreen super 8.

Essentially what happens is just a little over half of the frame
is exposed - same width/half the height - creating an almost a
2.35:1 aspect ratio (app. 16x9 in video terms). So, as our
founder mentions, the lens - which records a 1.33:1 image on the
entire frame - must be recalibrated to record the wide screen
image on only half the frame. I don’t know how much it would cost
where you live or even if it could be done with your camera.

Frankly I was never too happy with the result. I was happier with
an anamorphic lens on my Nikon R10 or Beaulieu.
 
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When you film with an anamorphic lens, you need to project it with an anamorphic lens as well. Same as when you transfer to video. Rik, what did you do with your anamorphic film?
 
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Pro8mm has a widescreen 16x9 setup using a wider gate and their own telecine calling it "MAX 8". Some other indie filmmaker in Canada shot a feature where they widened their own gate calling it "Super Duper 8" and they offer tips on getting the fullest widescreen out of it.
 
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Pro8mm rents and sells a series of modified S8 cameras (Bealieu 4008, Canon 814 & 1014) under their "Max" brandname. Gate is modified to 16x9, and a new viewfinder is put in with guidelines (along the top & bottom) to help you frame.

They'll also modify your own camera, if you'd rather do that.

They are really really expensive, though. (All Pro8mm stuff - not just camera mods)

Edit: Beaten by the Boo :mope:
 
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indietalk said:
When you film with an anamorphic lens, you need to project it with an anamorphic lens as well. Same as when you transfer to video. Rik, what did you do with your anamorphic film?
Click to expand...
Back when I was making super 8 films I would cut cut and
project the original reversal film. The three shorts I made with
my anamorphic lens are sitting on the shelf along with all my
other super 8 films.

One of these days I'll trandfer them to tape.
 
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directorik said:
As many of the regulars here know I am a super 8 nut. I love it.
and have for many years. I own a Bolex regular 8 camera that was
first converted to double super 8 and then to widescreen super 8.

Essentially what happens is just a little over half of the frame
is exposed - same width/half the height - creating an almost a
2.35:1 aspect ratio (app. 16x9 in video terms). So, as our
founder mentions, the lens - which records a 1.33:1 image on the
entire frame - must be recalibrated to record the wide screen
image on only half the frame. I don’t know how much it would cost
where you live or even if it could be done with your camera.

Frankly I was never too happy with the result. I was happier with
an anamorphic lens on my Nikon R10 or Beaulieu.
Click to expand...

Thanks! very helpful
 
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Zensteve said:
Pro8mm rents and sells a series of modified S8 cameras (Bealieu 4008, Canon 814 & 1014) under their "Max" brandname. Gate is modified to 16x9, and a new viewfinder is put in with guidelines (along the top & bottom) to help you frame.

They'll also modify your own camera, if you'd rather do that.

They are really really expensive, though. (All Pro8mm stuff - not just camera mods)

Edit: Beaten by the Boo :mope:
Click to expand...

Thank you! This is exactly what i was looking for... Although you're right, it's a bit pricey. And sending a camera from Spain to have it done doesn't seem feasible: mounting costs, postage etc... There must be somewhere that does it in Europe!
 
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sonnyboo said:
Pro8mm has a widescreen 16x9 setup using a wider gate and their own telecine calling it "MAX 8". Some other indie filmmaker in Canada shot a feature where they widened their own gate calling it "Super Duper 8" and they offer tips on getting the fullest widescreen out of it.
Click to expand...

Interesting, do you have a link to the Canadian filmmaker that offers tips?
Cheers
 
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