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Posted by Steve Meyer (Member # 5197) on February 17, 2016, 08:00 PM:
 
This is so COOL.
Kodak's New Super 8 Camera
 
Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on February 18, 2016, 12:09 PM:
 
This is ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE NEWS!!!

This actually fires me up to get that anamorphic lense, buy one of these cameras, and actually shoot a feature on super 8 film!!! I mean, I have seen the image quality of this modern super 8 film, and the sharpness is incredible!

Very ... very curious. I'm going to watch this seriously!!!
 
Posted by Mathew James (Member # 4581) on February 18, 2016, 12:42 PM:
 
It is very cool...

That is why we have now had 4 threads(including this one) generated on the topic now - he hee
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010412# 000000

http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010416# 000000

http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010433# 000000

btw- I was getting a haircut today and telling my barber about the new camera. He was interested. I think it will gain some ground...

[ February 19, 2016, 07:47 AM: Message edited by: Mathew James ]
 
Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on February 18, 2016, 11:52 PM:
 
Mathew - in fact the top one of those is about the 50th anniversary of Super 8, so this is only the 4th thread so far!
 
Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 19, 2016, 02:57 AM:
 
No mention was made of a tripod bush. The demonstrator was happily "hose piping" as he held the camera away from his body to look at the large screen/viewfinder.

There is nothing worse on screen as an unsteady camera. The old "Amateur Cine World" magazine used to say :- "The film moves, the camera doesn't".

The fact that the cine-camera user had to hold it close to his face to see through the viewfinder, and the often leather strap to slide your left hand through ensured a steady shot.

$750 for a camera with separate sound. No, I don't think any genuine amateur would be interested.
 
Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on February 19, 2016, 03:23 AM:
 
I think the idea here is very much a film negative original which will then be handled (edited / distributed / viewed) digitally.

In that respect I think it's a really nice idea. I do think it's crazy, but still exciting and brave of Kodak to give this a go.

The SD card for audio is inspired.

I do wonder how the cost of a few minutes of film will be received, but, hey, here's hoping for a success...then we may see a European launch. [Smile]
 
Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on February 19, 2016, 01:05 PM:
 
Watching the follow on video on youtube, the presenter seems to think you can get 15 minutes of filming on the "cartridge", I think he may have miss read the information on the packaging it came in, which probably states 1.5 minutes at 24fps, or maybe he
thought Kodak are going to somehow "compress" the film like the sd card in a computer, whatever the outcome I carn't help thinking if they spend all that money on keeping film alive, why not just put the stripe back on the cartridge and re introduce the 200ft cart, we'll show them how to keep it alive alright.
 
Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on February 19, 2016, 02:41 PM:
 
Paul, I really don't think Kodak are expecting the film to be projected in the traditional way; although I may be very wrong.

I think the ideology is that of originating on 8mm negative with a subsequent digital work flow, "just like the pros!"

So I reckon going back to magnetic stripe isn't ever going to be on the agenda.

The 200ft cartridge at a sensible price would be a really good idea though.
 
Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on February 19, 2016, 03:02 PM:
 
I`d guess where the pistol grip goes would be where the tripod can go on.

I would of added a normal view finder as well myself.

Its great and I hope it does well.

Best Mark.
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 19, 2016, 03:08 PM:
 
-maybe what they think is "15 Minutes" is really "15 Meters"! (The boxes say "15 M".)

A young guy like that probably thinks film time comes in "megabytes" and not "feet" or "meters".

I'm glad they are developing an "Ecosystem" to go with the camera: I love nature films!
 
Posted by Barry Fritz (Member # 1865) on February 19, 2016, 03:16 PM:
 
I thought Kodak went out of business. Obviously not. [Eek!]
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 19, 2016, 03:30 PM:
 
They seem very big on this idea of one stop process and scan.

I hope it will continue to be possible to just process!
 
Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on February 19, 2016, 03:42 PM:
 
Good point Steve, rob what annoy's me about this youtube upload is the fact that the Kodak rep has not done his homework about how sound can be synced to the film via a stripe, with out the need for an SD card, and then side steps any question's put to him over this and many other's he should know the answers to. With a company as big as Kodak, either now or before you would think they could at least have had a working camera to show what it can do. At those price's which he did not know either, at 400 quid maybe ???, they are living in cloud cuckoo land if they think they will sell enough to make a cheaper version. If it keeps film around for a bit longer, then that's great, but just give the film, we already have the camera's.
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 19, 2016, 03:48 PM:
 
The line "the video gets stored on this..." referring to the film cartridge gave me a little chill!

That's a little like referring to the audio stored on a vinyl record as "radio".

(Kind of like the time I saw somebody call a 50 footer a "file".)
 
Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on February 19, 2016, 04:05 PM:
 
It was the image goes through the elsn, then film on to a sensor by the interviewer made me tremble and the kodak chap didn`t really put him right.

Best Mark.

PS they could of done with a cut open of the film gate and claw etc.
 
Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on February 20, 2016, 11:32 AM:
 
I was going to ask if this new camera and film has a magnetic stripe to it, but it sounds like it doesn't.

However, if us super 8 enthusiasts make a campaign of asking them to provide a magnetic service to sound-stripe the films, they might just go for it, (as well as giving them a better idea as to just how many of us are out here!) [Smile]
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 11:41 AM:
 
If they striped film again I'd buy a sound camera in a heartbeat!

Even in the old days people shot Super-8 with separate sound capture. For example the black and white stocks never came in a sound cartridge and if you wanted sound, you had to stripe and sync later.

This one IS a sound camera, just in a new way. I think you could still manage sound to post stripe with this, and it would be a lot easier than lugging a tape recorder around.

Yet I take it for granted how much simpler it is to shoot silent. There is so much stray sound in the world and that's the reason they have sound stages at studios: isolation. If I'd been shooting sound the whole time I can't count how many times I'd have some yahoo saying "Ya takin' pitchas?" on my stripe!
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 12:56 PM:
 
Osi, I think there is little chance of magnetic sound film ever being produced again now as most of the process and substances used back then to produce pre striped stock wouldn't be permitted or considered safe in today's health and safety obsessed world.

It's a real shame because it would really only be sound film that I would ever be interested in purchasing if I were to start filming again now.

I used sound cartridges all of the time in the early 90's so to go back to using silent stock would be like devolution to me I'm afraid and therefore wouldn't interest me if I'm honest.

Transferring the sound from an SD card wouldn't be an issue,
but watching it on a projector while ever no viable striping services exist here in the UK, would be.

As with package movies, I really wouldn't ever have the patience to be bothered setting up a separate digital sound rig just to sync pulse every screening of each film, so that isn't an option either as far as I'm concerned.

I shot nearly two hours worth of film in my time at Florida back then and I have to say, no one batted an eyelid at what I was doing.
The live sound wasn't spoiled or impaired in any way. Quite natural to be honest and certainly much much better than if the film had just had music overlayed onto it from some post development striping, something I was never a fan of to be honest.

I cannot imagine the stage show of the newly released film at the time, Beauty & The Beast, Sea World, or the Mickey Mania procession without live sound quite frankly.It really wouldn't be half the production it is without any live sound.
The quality was also exceptionally good from the Canon boom microphone and camera used back then.

I would definitely purchase another high end Canon sound camera if stock were produced again.
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on February 20, 2016, 01:06 PM:
 
I agree that sound stock is better and easier to use that silent cartridges that you have to strip after process. But, from experience, for many subjects, there is no need to have direct sound. If you shoot your holidays, a documentary and so on, you will anyway have to record your sound after the film is edited. It is different if you shoot films with actors but how many amateurs do that ?
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 01:09 PM:
 
You would think with the computer technology we have now somebody would think of a simplified scheme of second system playback.

For example if you had all your tracks stored on a laptop and all that was encoded on a special leader was a filename for the track and a sync point.

Once the leader ended, so would the stripe.

You'd cable the projector audio and the per frame switch out to the laptop, click "go" on the computer and start the projector. After that the software would do the work.

(Won't be me!...I'm profoundly analog! I haven't done software since I discovered girls! -no coincidence, btw!)
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 01:14 PM:
 
It's all the faffing around with a separate sound system that is off putting to me Steve.

The pre stripe mag sound stripe was perfect for most people's wishes back then and would still hold its own now in the current retro revival.

What it would need without, is a new projector with an SD card slot built in that syncs the sound for you to the frames in run, before my ears would prick up to this future way of obtaining the live sound.

That'd work!
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 01:19 PM:
 
I look at it this way:

Right now I have all this hanging off my projector(s): mixer, 30 feet of shielded cable, interface box, amplifier, four speakers.

-what's one more piece?

Especially where the variables of striping and analog recording leave the equation.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 01:25 PM:
 
Yes, if you have a dedicated screening room, I suppose most equipment is already in place but for myself. I put it up and pull it down on each occasion.

More often than not, I just connect two small bookshelf speakers and I'm done unless I'm making a special effort.

Then I will additionally place a 5 pin din to 2x phono lead into a mixer and additionally feed the screen room with sound from the existing home cinema 5.1 set up on top.

Pulse sync lets not forget, still requires an exact start point between projector and source.
This currently still has to be done manually and is open to error. It's something that can achieved with practice quite easily within 3 attempts to make a recording onto stripe.
But to have to do this accurately with live screenings on each and every occasion, well not for me I'm afraid.
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 01:33 PM:
 
I don't have a dedicated screening room.

-I have the southern third (...sometimes half) of the dining room table and a supportive wife!

My end of the bargain is to return to full dining room mode whenever the need arises.

(Next house: full, finished basement!)

What my system would do is have a very low speed digital signal recorded on the leader that would tell the laptop (or tablet?) "play this audio file starting right here".

For the user it wouldn't be that different than having the track on stripe.

The beauty of it is any sound projector with a 1/f switch and an audio output could do the job. Even a monaural machine could play stereo films.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 01:44 PM:
 
Yes that'd work Steve while ever you can place a sonic blip onto the magnetic leader and recreate it accurately on your digital track.

You'd just need to get hold of an D.C. electronically driven projector with a connecting pulse socket to make this all work for you plus a piece of electronic gadgetry to make the digital track commence from detecting the first sound trigger point.
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 01:56 PM:
 
Definitely polyester stock...

If you ever had to put a repair splice in the middle of all this all bets are off!

-all conjecture anyway!
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 02:04 PM:
 
For now Steve, for now. Might not be too far off being a reality dilemma for us though hopefully! [Wink]
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on February 20, 2016, 02:10 PM:
 
Necessity is the mother of invention.

-and sometimes the mother of Production!
 
Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on February 20, 2016, 02:27 PM:
 
With virtual dj now you can add a few turn tables to the screen, so you could have the stereo tracks playing, and one single track for the "blips" to keep them in step, but as you say its getting them to start in the same place every time to keep them in sync, but a lot on here have done it. I read on article about another problem that happens when using computers to do this though, the sample rate change's on the computer and so un sync's the sound and film ever so slightly, but can be sorted if you know what your doing. The battle with analogue and digital goes on.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 02:38 PM:
 
Yep all what you speak of is possible and has the same watchouts on all the VJ programmes. Same with my own PCDJVJ set up and DAC 3 controller from a bye gone era now.

Unlimited possibilities though for sync purposes.
Trouble is, fully flightcased it is a bit weighty though for trundling up and down the stairs for each screening sadly.
 
Posted by Paul Browning (Member # 2715) on February 20, 2016, 03:15 PM:
 
I got virtual on my laptop Andrew, all you need is external sound card, these have phono sockets for the leads, and audacity free software to create the blips. Its light years ahead of pc dj mate, I have copy if you want it, very stable pro version, the configs you can do are endless. Audacity can create the blips for the gs and it locks to it forever.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2016, 03:53 PM:
 
Thanks Paul, yes I'd wouldn't mind trying it out thanks on another laptop I have.

I have an AG Gigaport sound card built into my flight case
as well as a video amplification and 4 out distribution video card for serving 4 separate displays.

I always found it an excellent tool in professional use and still do now with my film dubbing exercises.
It beat matches perfectly and provides excellent visual mixes when I used it as well great reliability.

I had red before it but n ever liked it due to poor reliability in the field, but this program cured all that for me both for audio and visual mixing.

Low latency, decent visual effects and versatility when no video was available for a tune.

It's basically an 00DJ set up but with more facilities for video out than even the best 00DJ Pro laptop ever provided.

This locks to the Bauer really well also without even having pulse sync interconnects so long as you "find and lock down the program" to the projectors running speed in advance of beginning a recording.

The Bauer's motor speed is very very stable indeed right from the off.
Works well for me anyhow.
 
Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 29, 2016, 01:56 AM:
 
Demo of the camera at the CES event:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn-AwhYOHZE
 
Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on May 29, 2016, 10:22 AM:
 
Thanks for posting the link - we seem to have all missed this item. Good to hear of the response and the hints that the film revival could also benefit 16mm users. There's some talk of projection and I wonder if the object on the lower left could be an old Super 8 projector? They don't mention negative stocks so I still hope they might consider bringing back colour reversal stock.

This video also has views of the camera but refers to the restriction of only having 15 minutes of film! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmuCfeKGB2w
 
Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on May 29, 2016, 10:55 AM:
 
Yes, I saw that video that followed on!... Obvious the kids doing that one were a bit bewildered by this 'film' thing.
 
Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on May 29, 2016, 11:04 AM:
 
If Kodak announce a Super 8 sound projector with socket for the SD card and with normal magnetic sound the new camera would interest me.
Otherwise no thank you.
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on May 29, 2016, 11:32 AM:
 
The raison d'ętre for Super 8 was to make movie making cheap and easy. It has long since been replaced by other technology for that. This new camera and the service that goes along with it does simplify the process of capturing a movie on film and getting a digital copy but it also sounds like it will still be an expensive undertaking for most people.

My hope is that it creates a little more competition and volume in the processing market so that prices come down. I think there are better cameras already available on the used market. Kodak's more modern version doesn't add enough for me to make it worthwhile but I can see others wanting something with a warranty and some level of support.

The return of color reversal film would be nice too but I don't think traditional projection is what Kodak has in mind with this product. That's too bad. What I've realized recently that the film "look" is only partially achieved if it's not actually projected.

At the same time, getting people interested in Super 8 again is going to be that much harder if they have to purchase a projector and a decent screen to view it on. That's one of the reasons video replaced film in the first place, - convenience.
 
Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on May 29, 2016, 12:33 PM:
 
Regarding Maurice's point, I wonder if someone with a better understanding of sync issues than I have thinks that it might be possible to come up with a way to (e.g.) screen a film on a GS in sync with the corresponding SD card?
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 29, 2016, 12:39 PM:
 
If it doesn't use reversal film, it will be useless for most of us, I guess. Tom, no link at all with the subject but thanks to you I learned that the French expression "raison d'ętre" is used in the US [Smile]
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on May 29, 2016, 03:06 PM:
 
I guess I hadn't thought too much about the sound capabilities of this camera. Does Kodak sync the audio on the SD card with the video they get from the film? If so that's a definite upside depending on how noisy the camera is.

I'm sure the camera would take reversal film but I haven't heard anything about Kodak creating another color reversal stock. I think agfa stills make some, but I don't know how good it is or what it costs to process
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 29, 2016, 04:01 PM:
 
Agfa makes a reversal colour stock but not specifically for movie purposes and it is grainy. A small German company makes also colour reversal filmstock but in small quantities. All our hopes are now that the Italian company brings quickly their new colour film.
 
Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 30, 2016, 08:33 AM:
 
quote:

I guess I hadn't thought too much about the sound capabilities of this camera. Does Kodak sync the audio on the SD card with the video they get from the film? If so that's a definite upside depending on how noisy the camera is.

No, It's up to you to sync the sound yourself in post using an NLE. You don't send in your SD cars, just the film.
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on May 30, 2016, 10:07 AM:
 
Thanks Raleigh. Now I see that they use "crystal sync" to precisely control the motor so that syncing sound from another source (the SD card) is possible. The camera is starting to make more sense to me as it does have some nice features that are hard to find on used cameras. I know Pro8mm will modify Canons to add crystal sync but the Kodak would be cheaper.

It's still a niche market and it would appear to be aimed squarely at digital output. As I said, I get it but I do think you lose something when you capture analog and display it digitally.
 
Posted by Phil Murat (Member # 5148) on May 30, 2016, 10:53 AM:
 
Hello,

This is a very exciting new!!!!

However, I understand the model showed only accepts small cartridge (3mn) and it's a pitty.
It should have a 60M capability at least....
Moreover, I expect Film Stock Manufacturers makes pecial efforts to offer improved quality material (few grainy, best colors and durability through times) to expect approaching video HD level...
Also , hope laboratories makes special efforts to warranty great processing results at attractive prices.
At this time , the problem is not to get a camera, but finding Film Stock at an attractive price.
Anymay, this new camera can be the opportunity to renew all the chain.....
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 30, 2016, 03:05 PM:
 
Whats happening regarding the Ferrania project?
It all seems to have gone quiet on that front?? [Confused]
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on May 30, 2016, 03:13 PM:
 
Two months ago, I asked them : "Will film be on sale before the Summer holidays (July and August) ? I'm sad there is no filmstock for Easter. I hope it will not be too long to wait as I hear more and more people saying that it takes too much time.". I got this answer : "All we can say at this point in time is "probably, yes"... The work has begun in the factory, but there are still a large number of variables that must be solved - each in order, without failure - before we can announce a proper timeline." http://www.filmferrania.it/faq/
 
Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 31, 2016, 05:30 PM:
 
New videos:

Current Kodak Super 8 Film Stocks

New Video: New Kodak Super 8 Camera
 
Posted by Stuart Reid (Member # 1460) on May 31, 2016, 05:38 PM:
 
Wow. I hope their quality control is better than their spellchecker. How did some of those howlers get through?
 
Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on May 31, 2016, 05:51 PM:
 
Because a millenial intern wrote it?
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 31, 2016, 06:18 PM:
 
Dead right Raleigh and Stuart!

It's a big project is this, but to keep the interest levels up, I'd say they are going to have to find a way to keep to their deadlines a whole lot better in 21st century life than is currently being experienced here.

It's a fast paced world nowadays and people can, and do, lose interest and move onto alternative attentions.
It's nothing like the old days where people were quite happy to regularly experience a 35mm slide film or Super 8mm cartridge taking up to a month to be delivered and remained satisfied with the service provided.

The world has moved on since then and if like myself, you work in the consumer goods industry, your customer deadlines simply have to met irrespective of Bank Holidays, Christmas Day, people off sick etc etc.
The list is endless, but you get the gist.

Customer demands now, more than ever before, measure whether you succeed in a business venture, or indeed fail!

Let's hope once the service finally arrives, it is flawless and worthy of heaps of praise.

The same must be said for Kodak, a company that not so long back (2012) almost fell by the wayside due to lack of direction and focus on it's traditional customers behalf.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/jun/25/kodaks-town-de cline-and-fall-of-city-photography-built

These are more of the headlines we want to see.

http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/corp/Press_center/CANNES_ 2016_Heralds_Resurgence_of_KODAK_Motion_Picture_Film/default.htm
 
Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on June 08, 2016, 10:49 PM:
 
Kodak still can't spell PANCHROMATIC. They took the bloody video down to correct all the spelling errors, and they fixed all of them except "panchromatic" They are still spelling it "panochromatic" Kodak should know how to spell that word correctly.
 
Posted by John Hermes (Member # 1367) on June 08, 2016, 11:55 PM:
 
"Kodak still can't spell PANCHROMATIC. They took the bloody video down to correct all the spelling errors, and they fixed all of them except "panchromatic" They are still spelling it "panochromatic" Kodak should know how to spell that word correctly."

Too bad they don't have the opportunity to spell Kodachrome correctly. [Frown]
 
Posted by Raleigh M. Christopher (Member # 5209) on June 09, 2016, 01:04 PM:
 
Kodak also can't spell the word "emulsion". In another video, they spell it "emultion." Very very embarrassing for them.
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on August 08, 2016, 04:07 PM:
 
I haven't signed up for Kodak's mailing list. I'm wondering if there is any recent information on a release date.

There's been more than a few people saying that what they showed at CES was basically a prop. I'm a little worried this new camera will never see the light of day.
 
Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on August 08, 2016, 05:24 PM:
 
It's certainly looking like a market prop just to test the water.

I hope i'm wrong though.

I hope this doesn't apply to Ferannia???
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 07, 2016, 01:23 PM:
 
If I'm not mistaking, Kodak announced the camera for the Autumn so it is not surprising that nothing has been put on the market, yet. Ferrania is, frustratingly (if that word exists) slow (and not very good in commication) but they have just put an encouraging video on the net : https://vimeo.com/181814501
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on September 07, 2016, 04:15 PM:
 
I wouldn't expect Kodak to release anything before they said they would. However, I'd expect some news, and there's been nothing. They successfully made a splash and created buzz at CES way back in January. You'd think they'd want to maintain that buzz so when the product actually comes out, there will be a market ready and waiting for it.

Given that they haven't said much since, I suspect they aren't anywhere close to releasing an actual product. If they were to be able to release anything this fall, there would be fully functioning prototypes and test units by now, but there's no evidence that those exist.
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on September 07, 2016, 04:27 PM:
 
Tom, what you say is logical but the film market doesn't seem to be like that. CHC doesn't promote much their new releases nor theit projects. Some filmstock manufacturers neither. I don't know why (though I suspect, in the case of filmstock, they cannot manufacture enough for a big demand).
 
Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 19, 2016, 02:02 PM:
 
Kodak’s global chief marketing officer :"What the team didn’t expect was for Super 8 to chalk up 5000 pre-orders and become a volume product program. “Super 8 turned out to be a far bigger hit not only with consumers who became aware of it, but also in the motion picture industry and among film schools,” he says. “We didn’t think interest would scale the way it has.” http://htl.li/lMkT305l6IB
 
Posted by Mathew James (Member # 4581) on October 19, 2016, 03:28 PM:
 
well i'll be....

I thought for sure the silence would be bad news...but au contraire, they have been sideswiped with pre-orders and good interest... very promising afterall... Thanx for the update Dominique!
 
Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 19, 2016, 04:09 PM:
 
quote:
"What the team didn’t expect was for Super 8 to chalk up 5000 pre-orders and become a volume product program.
What was old actually HAS become new again!

-how 'bout some color reversal, guys?
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on October 19, 2016, 04:29 PM:
 
Sounds like good news. But when is it coming?

Tomorrow they're releasing a phone? Does it double as a film camera? [Confused]
 
Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on October 19, 2016, 05:37 PM:
 
Steve...... reversal WITH processing!
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on October 20, 2016, 12:13 PM:
 
Today's announcement was indeed a smartphone, - one that promotes the camera as its main feature. It has kind of a retro camera look:

http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/20/13333632/kodak-phone-ektra-bullitt

It also comes with an app that lets you order prints from Kodak.

Will go on sale in Europe late this year and will possibly be introduced in the US next year.
 
Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on October 20, 2016, 04:14 PM:
 
Seriously?...OMG...are they just trying to go bankrupt again...I mean, a smartphone? For real? One of the most competitive market places ever...but hey, it has a really cool camera...OMG!???

Oh, the once great Kodak... [Frown]

Too much Smoke & Mirrors from the Big K this year...

All really too weird I'm afraid...
[Confused]
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on October 20, 2016, 08:44 PM:
 
I have to admit that I'm also disappointed Rob. I could not understand why Kodak would be releasing a smart phone, especially after their first one was pretty unsuccessful.

After giving it some thought however, it does make a bit of sense. If Kodak wants to be a player in the world of consumer imaging, they almost need to have a smart phone on the market. I say that because the vast majority of photos and videos produced today are likely created on a phone.

That doesn't mean that this product or any Kodak phone will be a success but they don't seem to have any expectations of being dominant in this market. They hope this phone will appeal to photographers. I don't know if it will or if won't, but I will say that it has a unique look that will make it stand out. If some people see their phones partly as fashion accessory or a conversation piece, then I can see this one generating some interest.

So while it's definitely not the kind of announcement I was hoping for, I wish them good luck.

[ October 21, 2016, 12:25 AM: Message edited by: Tom Spielman ]
 
Posted by Mathew James (Member # 4581) on October 20, 2016, 09:47 PM:
 
I think the camera/phone is a smart move.... The brand has lost some notoriety and this is a good way to recapture the 'brand' sense...reminding people that they were once a huge player in the camera/movie industry.
Once the brand is reestablished, others products will make more sense to introduce..like the super 8 camera. I can't see them selling alot of those phones, but who knows... I do like the retro look as well.
 
Posted by Tom Spielman (Member # 5352) on October 21, 2016, 09:42 AM:
 
I'd be a bit worried about scratching up that lens over time by keeping the phone in my pocket. I'd not want to have to slip it into a case all the time.

On the other hand, the shutter button is a nice idea. I know you can usually use the volume buttons as shutter releases on other phones but they typically require a firmer push than I'd like. It also sounds like Kodak includes a couple of nice apps that give you manual control over the camera and photo editing abilities.
 
Posted by John Hourigan (Member # 111) on October 21, 2016, 11:01 AM:
 
I agree with Rob 100 percent.

Also, Kodak has had a good run, dating back to 1888, but time marches on -- as it has for some other struggling long-timers who also didn't change early enough to remain relevant, such as Sears (1886), K-Mart (1899), Montgomery Ward (1872), etc., etc.
 
Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on October 21, 2016, 11:19 AM:
 
Well from what I read in a newspaper, it certainly has a high spec. camera 21mega pixel and 4K video. Of course that doesn't automatically lead to good results, it will have to be good to sell.
 


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