Posts: 49
From: Sydney - Australia
Registered: Oct 2011
posted October 31, 2011 12:09 AM
Hello. I asked this first question elsewhere but as there was no answer I'll try once more: 1) I stopped buying S8 by 1980 but I still have every print I bought. I screened some Disney reels a couple of weeks ago and I only noticed one going pink; "Day at Disneyland" and as I recall it was heading that way about 15-20 years ago. After reading forum comments I suppose I've done the right thing storage wise. Is it generally known or if not, how can I tell what kind of stock was used on my Disney reels and should I expect them to be going pink/fading anytime soon? 2) I've seen mention on the 8mm Forum of the Fumeo projectors. These look like a great machine. I haven't been able to find a website for the company. Does it still exist as a projector manufacturer and if so, do they still supply their S8 machines?
posted October 31, 2011 01:09 AM
Get a loupe or some sort of magnifier and examine the markings along/between sprocket holes (which means often looking several places because the holes cut off markings). You'll see stuff like "Eastman +o S*afety Film" or "Kodak SP" or better yet "Eastman LPP." The combinations of circes, squares, and triangles are date codes. The position of the * in Safety denotes which country the film was manufactured in.
Posts: 963
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Registered: Feb 2006
posted October 31, 2011 02:33 AM
William, Fumeo were around a few years ago, but now I'm not sure in 2011.
Most films made pre 82/83 will fade on Super 8. There was no Technicolor made in Super 8 and Kodachrome is very rare for all but home movies (these are no or low fade processes). Some pre-83 Fuji stock holds up OK and even the occasional Eastman or Eastman SP can be OK. Most pre 82 Super 8 will fade however.
Posts: 49
From: Sydney - Australia
Registered: Oct 2011
posted October 31, 2011 06:17 AM
Thank you Bill and David. I had a look at one of my Disney titles which probably would have been one of the last purchases (circa 1979) and sure enough found 'KODAK SP'. This is one of a few that I had not edited onto a single reel and was still in the original box. It looks to be going pink. I'm waiting on delivery of my Film O Clean before I project any more of my collection, particularly home movies. I also had a look at my 'Moon Day July 1969' which I bought in 1969 and this has no markings at all but it is going pink. It too is stored in the original box. It looks to me that the reels I edited onto 600 foot reels and stored in the plastic cans have held their colour better than the cardboard boxed reels.