8mm Forum: HandHeld 8mm Cine Camera

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Topic: HandHeld 8mm Cine Camera

Chris Batt
Film Handler

Posts: 33
From: Northern Ireland Co. Tyrone
Registered: Dec 2009

posted July 29, 2011 07:56 AM

Hey guys n gals, I am looking into buying an 8mm Movie Camera to do some home movies etc, can anyone advise me what camera would be suitable to a novice. I collect Super 8mm movies but this would be a new venture for me. I'm looking at a Mansfield Holiday 8mm, which looks pretty basic.

Many thanks [Smile]

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Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006

posted July 29, 2011 12:33 PM

Are you interested in a Super-8 or Standard-8 camera? (I'm guessing you want a Super-8 as you say you collect Super-8 films, so that would be the format of your projector.)

Standard-8 film is getting tougher to come by, whereas Super-8 is still readily available.

Claus.

--------------------
"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)

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Bryan Chernick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Bothell, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted July 29, 2011 03:28 PM

I shoot both standard 8mm and super 8. I like to use super 8 when I'm doing "run and shoot" or time lapse. That's because it's easier with the automatic metering that most super 8 cameras have. Otherwise I prefer standard 8mm, mostly because I enjoy using the clockwork cameras and doing all the metering manually. If you are going to shoot standard 8mm I would recommend a Bolex camera that has the variable shutter. Most 8mm cameras were made for slow film like ASA 40 and you can run into problems in bright light. With the variable shutter you can close it by half and shoot with ASA 100 film in very bright light. Plus the Bolex cameras can be very reliable. My favorite of the Bolex pocket cameras with variable shutter is the P1 Zoom Reflex model. You may find one that has a working internal meter but if it doesn't work you can still use a hand held meter. Plus it has a great lens. If you do decide to go with a Bolex 8mm research it at Bolex Collector so that you can recognize which ones have the variable shutter before you buy one.

I don't know where you can get Standard 8mm film in Europe but there are sources. I get my film from International Film Brokers in California. You could e-mail John Schwind there and see if they ship international.

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Chris Batt
Film Handler

Posts: 33
From: Northern Ireland Co. Tyrone
Registered: Dec 2009

posted August 03, 2011 04:45 PM

Many thanks for the replies and valued info, I jumped in and bought 2 Super 8 cameras, one is a Halina Super 8 and the other is a Boots 2200 Zoom SUPER 8 cine camera - F2.8 zoom lens, I know they are only basic, but it's easier for me to try out filming, I have looked at the Bolex and I own a Bolex Super 8 projector, so I know they are made to last, I will give the filming a go and then move onto a more expensive camera [Smile]

Cheers Guys [Smile]

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