8mm Forum: How to start shooting?

»	8mm Forum » 8mm Forum » How to start shooting?

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: How to start shooting?

Akshay Nanjangud
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 637
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2011

posted January 09, 2012 06:51 PM

Hello,

Can you someone offer advice on actually shooting on film? What would I need to get started? I can think of a few:

1. A camera is, of course, a necessity.
2. Film to shoot on. Any idea of prices?
3. After shooting .... I don't know what to do. What would I need?

Am looking at a Bolex H8 that I might purchase. Thought, I'd start a topic to know what others think.

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 09, 2012 08:44 PM

1. A camera is, of course, a necessity.

Any super 8 camera can do, but better with the newer ones that can read E100D correctly.

2. Film to shoot on. Any idea of prices?

For super 8mm fresh film is only Kodak E100D (color) or Tri-X (B/W) available in the market. Price $17/each from Dwayne Photo (before other complain...."yes there is Fuji Velvia 50D, Wittner, Pro8mm, etc....but they are expensive and not for person who is just to start)

3. After shooting .... I don't know what to do. What would I need?

You need to send to the lab. The cheapest one is at Dwyane Photo (www.dwaynesphoto.com) for $12/cart + shipping. Dwayne will not process B/W film.

Please remember that one cart is only for 3 minutes at 18 fps.

cheers,

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Akshay Nanjangud
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 637
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2011

posted January 09, 2012 09:03 PM

Thanks Winbert. But isn't there a way of setting up a small film development process at home? You see, it'd be fun to learn the whole process.

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 09, 2012 09:27 PM

Yes fun but not always cheap.

You need to buy chemicals in galon or sort of, while you are only shooting 1 or 2 carts.

Just leave that to the pro doing that, we enjoy the shooting. [Wink]

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Akshay Nanjangud
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 637
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2011

posted January 09, 2012 09:29 PM

Thanks again, Winbert. Helpful [Smile]

| IP: Logged

Alexander Lechner
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 118
From: Leoben, Austria
Registered: Apr 2009

posted January 10, 2012 02:35 AM

Hi Akshay!
The Bolex H8 is a Standard 8 camera. You get the film on a spool and you have to put it the right path into the camera yourself (with Super 8 you have a cartridge that you just push in); when the film is through you have one half exposed and you need to turn the film round to expose the other half. So it is some fiddling involved - if you like this, it's OK.
For home developing you need to get a processing tank that can take up to 15 m of film (for example Lomo). If you are experienced with negative film developing from still photography you will find a new challenge in developing reverse to get a positive image for projection (which you need a projector for!).
The Standard 8 film will have to be slit after drying, so you need a slitter as well (out of 10 m of 16 mm wide film you get 20 m of 8 mm)!
If you are really up for this all I'd recommend the Foma R100 and the Foma developing kit for a start.

--------------------
Alex

| IP: Logged

Lee Mannering
Film God

Posts: 3216
From: The Projection Box
Registered: Nov 2006

posted January 10, 2012 03:22 AM

And if you fancy trying some Standard 8mm Black & White filming try some FORMAPAN R B/W Reversal film which you can also process at home or send to a lab. If you are starting out with film making Standard 8 is a good low cost introduction as equipment may be far less expensive.

Projector? Look for a Eumig 610D It will project Super and Std 8mm silent film.
Camera? Bolex P2 or P1
If you are working on near zero funds get a Quartz which was my very first Std 8 camera but gave me some nice results.

Happy days!

| IP: Logged

Akshay Nanjangud
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 637
From: Dallas, TX
Registered: Nov 2011

posted January 10, 2012 02:05 PM

Thanks guys! So much information. Thanks!

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2