8mm Forum: Newb questions

This is topic Newb questions in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Lyn Ciampa (Member # 4166) on February 20, 2014, 06:16 PM:

I have new vintage B&H and wollensak projectors. I want to shoot film now.
What cameras should I avoid? and which should I look for?
Is there a type of camera I should look for?

and most importantly,
Which camera will make me look cool:)

Posted by Christian Bjorgen (Member # 1780) on February 20, 2014, 06:30 PM:

Hi, Lyn, and welcome to the forum :-)

I'd go for Bolex when it comes to camera. It's pricey, but worth every penny. If you're thinking lower budget then Canon is a good place to start.

As for film, Ektachrome is a solid bet. You can find it on ebay or at one of the worlds film dealers.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 20, 2014, 06:36 PM:

A big warm welcome to the forum goes out to you Lyn from both myself and all members I am sure. I am not particularly familiar with either of your brands of projector but there are lots of people on here I am sure that will be able to help. Are the projectors Standard 8mm, Super 8mm or 16mm? I, am personally a Super 8 user and have knowledge of some excellent super 8mm cameras that I could recommend. I don't however, have any knowledge of note on Standard 8mm or 16mm cameras.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on February 20, 2014, 06:58 PM:

I thought Ektachrome was no longer being manufactured.

Posted by Lyn Ciampa (Member # 4166) on February 20, 2014, 07:36 PM:

Wow thanks for those quick replies!
I do like looks of the bolex cameras as well as the Dejurs

The projectors I have are Bell and Howell 122lr and Wollensak 715.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on February 21, 2014, 05:28 AM:

Hello again Lyn, having listed your model numbers I can now see that they are both very old Standard 8mm or Regular 8mm models as you guys like to call them. unfortunately I moved away from Standard 8mm projection in 1975 aged 9, so I have no idea as to what the best camera models are for shooting in this format these days. As I said earlier, plenty on here will know I am sure and will be able to advise on film availability etc.

I hope you enjoy your movie shoot when you eventually get round to obtaining a suitable camera, and of course, the results from it.

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on February 21, 2014, 05:40 AM:

Hi Lyn,
Look for a Bolex P1 or H8 or a Canon for Regular 8. These web sites give more information:
Bolex Collector
Canon Camera Museum

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on February 21, 2014, 06:34 PM:

Hi Lyn!

I have a Wollensak 715. It is a very nice projector. Used to be my favorite 8mm projector until the Bolex M8 moved in. Still very nice though. Standard 8, 400' reel capacity, manual thread, easy on film (the only thing that makes contact is the gate and sprockets)and varible speed adjustment. Does yours run well?

Bill [Smile]

Posted by Lyn Ciampa (Member # 4166) on February 23, 2014, 02:08 PM:

Thanks for the Bolex link.
I am considering a $75 Bolex b8 with a 13/1.9 SOM Berthiot Lytar And 5.5MM FINDER MASK
or the 65$ bolex B8 with 12.5/2.5 Yvar AR AND 36/3.5 Steinheil Cassar
(BTW I have no idea (yet) what all the lens abbreviations mean nor the quality of said lens packages.

then again, after more research, I think I might want super 8 for its longer shooting times (11sec for each roll of 8mm would drive me crazy! [Smile]

Any thoughts?

Hi Bill.
The projector looks essentially unused or used very little as there are no wear marks anywhere and the tray that hold the splicer has unopened bottles (Glue and water)

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on February 23, 2014, 02:47 PM:

Lyn,
Not sure I understand about the 11 sec you quote? The B8 spring motor should run for 6.5 feet, that is 32 seconds at 16 frames/sec when fully wound and in good condition. The numbers mean the focal length in millimetres and maximum aperture as in 13/1.9 - 13mm and F1.9. I would go for the cheaper camera with the Yvar lens but the Berthiot is good too.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on February 23, 2014, 03:02 PM:

Lyn

The $75 deal only gives you one lens. The Bolex B8 is a twin lens camera.

The $65 deal will give you two lenses, although the longer focus Steinheil Cassar lens was not made by Bolex. It was a reasonably cheap lens but it gave good results for its price.

The Bolex made lenses are top-notch, but so are the prices.

Here is some date on the B8.

http://www.bolexcollector.com/cameras/b8.html

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