8mm Forum: Running time?

This is topic Running time? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 22, 2010, 02:12 PM:

How much running time is on a 400ft reel of Super 8?

Forgive such a basic question, but after years of only collecting 16mm I'm starting into Super 8 as well.

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on March 22, 2010, 02:44 PM:

For a full reel it's about 16-20 minutes I think.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on March 22, 2010, 02:45 PM:

20 min at 24 FPS

50' at 18 FPS is 3 min 20 sec
50' at 24 FPS is 2 min 30 sec

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 22, 2010, 02:51 PM:

Well, y'know, I figured 20 mins but a lot of folk I've spoken to specify 18 mins - which is why I asked.

I know it's only a couple minutes but this can be important when working out whether or not a feature is complete.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on March 22, 2010, 03:06 PM:

Then of course there is the thickness...thing

-that polyester film is thinner than acetate, on the other hand sound stripe adds to the thickness of whatever stock you have, so a thicker film can fit less footage on the same reel than a thinner one, but short of measuring it with a vernier caliper and doing some math I forgot how to do three days after I graduated from college there is no way of being sure anyway!

I call it 20 minutes at 24, a little less than 30 at 18, and try not to worry too much about it!

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on March 22, 2010, 04:06 PM:

Michael, most super 8mm full features are five 400' reels or more, it also depends on the film stock used and the original running time of the film.

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on March 22, 2010, 04:40 PM:

For instance, my 4x400 print of "Tension at Table Rock" is 93 minutes, which would make it around 23 minutes pr. reel.

As far as I know, that's on acetace b/w stock.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 22, 2010, 05:03 PM:

quote:
How much running time is on a 400ft reel of Super 8?

In a normal conditon, for Acetate stock, it can be 20 minutes and for Polyester stock it will be around 23 minutes.

However, we can a little bit put the film overfill so the acetate can go to 23 minutes and the polyester can be around 25 to 28 minutes (but you have to be really careful when re-spool the film back), but definetely will not be 35 minutes like claimed by someone here two or three month ago in this forum [Razz]

cheers,

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on March 22, 2010, 05:28 PM:

See?:

It's Simple!

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 22, 2010, 05:54 PM:

Ok, fellas. I got it.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on March 22, 2010, 06:06 PM:

This is why I love the forum...when you ask a question every possible variation on the subject is covered. [Smile]

Bill

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 23, 2010, 03:53 AM:

"This is why I love the forum...when you ask a question every possible variation on the subject is covered.

Bill "

Yes it certainly is.... [Big Grin]

Posted by Roy Neil (Member # 913) on March 23, 2010, 05:05 AM:

Kodak Film Footage Calculator

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on March 23, 2010, 06:41 AM:

I know that all members here understand the terminology of film length and reel capacity.

But for non-registered members or newbies, I would like to let you know that some of members here are talking about 400 feet film length and some are stating about 400 feet reel capacity.

400 feet film length has definitely 20 minutes running time (at 24 fps) no matter it is acetate or polyester stock. It is shown at Kodak Calculator above.

400 feet reel capacity (7 inch reel) can be filled with polyester stock which is 20% - 30% thinner, so around 450-480 feet length of film can sit nicely in this 7 inch reel, thus more running time.

However please note that 400 feet reel capacity can be overfilled by both acetate and polyester stock so more running time is achieved from above.
.
It is simple huh .... [Big Grin]

cheers

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 23, 2010, 06:52 AM:

OK fellas, a simple answer was sufficient. I can work it out from there.
PLEASE STOP.... [Big Grin]

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on March 23, 2010, 07:23 AM:

.......on the other hand.......

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 23, 2010, 07:30 AM:

OK, Dave....you're looking for trouble..... [Big Grin]

Posted by Wayne Tuell (Member # 1689) on March 23, 2010, 12:30 PM:

Roy has the best fix for calculating footage/run time.

Don't always trust the markings on the reels. I have a GOLDBERG reel where the film is at the 200' mark, and on the other side it shows it running 8 minutes. WE ALL know that is wrong for 16mm....

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