8mm Forum: A Question for ALL Members

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Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 21, 2015, 08:58 AM:

Not too sure how many members on these forums are actually film collectors, so i ask,
When (NOT what) did you last purchase a super 8 or 16 mm film from a dealer?
I ask this with interest because a lot of people join forums and make comments,(sometimes pointless), but i wonder if ALL forum members actually buy films.

I am NOT talking about people who are buying purely to sell or buy from other collectors but make,& therefore, support purchases from dealers?

It will be interesting to see,(bearing in mind how many members this forum has), how many people actually read this and answer it. [Wink]

Posted by John Hourigan (Member # 111) on October 21, 2015, 09:19 AM:

My most recent Super 8 film purchase has been within the last month.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 21, 2015, 09:19 AM:

Hi Tom,

I bought a couple of films from Paul Foster last summer. Every time he sends out an update e-mail I see what he has.

I got a couple of nice reels from Lou Franchetti last week, but that was in person.

-back in the day I was a very dedicated Derann customer. Their lists showed up during lunch on Friday and most of the time I was sitting at my desk waiting for it like a lion watching a herd of antelope!

I guess that means a large part of my collection is impulse buys!

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 21, 2015, 09:25 AM:

Steve, you must have been the reason i kept ringing up first thing Mondays and 8 times out of 10 what i wanted was gone. [Big Grin]

Posted by Kevin Clark (Member # 211) on October 21, 2015, 09:30 AM:

Hello Tom

I buy films regularly from the usual dealers, currently waiting for delivery of a Super 8 & 16mm used films parcel from Classic.

Kevin

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 21, 2015, 09:37 AM:

Yes, it was very useful being five time zones behind Derann!

-the downside is I didn't get to go out to lunch with my friends from work!

Posted by Dominique De Bast (Member # 3798) on October 21, 2015, 10:35 AM:

I bought films (9,5 and standard 8) last Sunday at the Get Together 9,5 in the UK.

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on October 21, 2015, 10:59 AM:

I ordered from Bert at Super 8 Warehouse in August and I'm looking forward to a package arriving shortly from Steve Osborne/The Reel Image.

Doug

Posted by Paul Barker (Member # 4318) on October 21, 2015, 11:02 AM:

purchased some 16mm items from a collector friend, but nothing from a dealer recently.

Posted by Steven J Kirk (Member # 1135) on October 21, 2015, 11:11 AM:

I don't buy from dealers because of BAD experiences. I buy from eBay when there are honest descriptions and screenshots. I received a great 16mm feature print last week and have bids for films on eBay right now.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on October 21, 2015, 11:49 AM:

I rarely purchase commercial films but I did recently get a 2 x 400' of Nosferatu in regular 8mm. The reason I'm on this forum is more for projection than film collecting. I shoot my home movies on Regular 8mm and Super 8 and view them with projectors. I also have some home movies that I have purchased at estate sales and ebay that cover subject matter that I'm interested like the 1962 Seattle Worlds Fair. Sometimes I sell off the home movies that I end up with that don't interest me. I have purchased a film from a forum member at least once.

Posted by Bill Phelps (Member # 1431) on October 21, 2015, 11:50 AM:

I am a collector and just bought one last night from THE REEL IMAGE. I get films from eBay, the forum and mainly Steve at REEL IMAGE.

Bill [Smile]

Posted by James Wilson (Member # 4620) on October 21, 2015, 12:15 PM:

6 x 16mm about one year ago,

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 21, 2015, 12:18 PM:

Steve Osborne, Bert, Alex Bartosh, several fellow-collectors at Wildwood - All most as recent as I can think of - Shorty

Posted by Antonio Costa Mota (Member # 221) on October 21, 2015, 12:23 PM:

A few months ago I bought some Super 8 and 16mm shorts from
Paul Foster. Only very occasionally I buy from EBAY.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on October 21, 2015, 02:08 PM:

A few buys of ebay a couple months ago and I bought an Elmo from a collector not because I needed it but it was a very good purchase in pristine condition. To be honest very little appeals to me on the dealers lists.

[ October 23, 2015, 05:23 AM: Message edited by: Mike Newell ]

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on October 21, 2015, 03:02 PM:

Shorty,you did meet Alex Bartosh? Tell him to send me an 8 mm film list!

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on October 21, 2015, 03:42 PM:

Sunday at 9.5 do. Not as regular as in the past due to lack of space and not having time to both watch films and do the clear out of other things I need to.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on October 21, 2015, 04:07 PM:

My very recent purchases and orders are from:
Bert at Super8Warehouse
Steve at The Reel Image
and eBay
I also have, and will buy from Paul Foster, Barry at Indi8, Ian at Perry's, BD Cine, CHC, Rik at The Old Film Company and Michael Schneider when they have something I want. They all have provided me with excellent service...

Posted by Clinton Hunt (Member # 2072) on October 21, 2015, 04:24 PM:

I usually buy something about once a fortnight and I am always looking for films of all guages (9.5mm / S8 / R8 / 16mm) for my collection to keep, I only sell if I have bought another copy by mistake or it is in a bulk purchase and I'm not interested in keeping it.
Most of my purchases are from e-bay and Trademe here in New Zealand.
I started out buying lots of projectors - Standard 8mm - in New Zealand and now have 30+ of them so rarely is there one I haven't got or want :-) and I have 2 x 9.5mm projectors , 2 x 16mm projectors and 3 x super 8mm sound projectors and MANY standard 8mm projectors - I'm ok for projectors :-)
Dealers are great but not neccessary for me at this stage :-)

Posted by Yanis Tzortzis (Member # 434) on October 21, 2015, 07:36 PM:

Does buying films from fellow Forum members count? If yes,I bought one last week...

Posted by Jonathan Trevithick (Member # 3066) on October 21, 2015, 08:18 PM:

I bought a heap of super8 shorts from Classic when I was over in July. I've bought a few odds and ends on Ebay since then.

Posted by Mathew James (Member # 4581) on October 21, 2015, 08:28 PM:

I've been trading more lately...since our dollar is so bad....
If we were par with the US,i'd have alot more [Smile]

And yes, I do use dealers. I normally like Phil's stuff:
http://8mm16mmfilms.com/
Cheers,
Matt

Posted by Marshall Crist (Member # 1312) on October 21, 2015, 09:03 PM:

Ordered at Super 8 Warehouse during their last big update.

Posted by Jason Smith (Member # 5055) on October 21, 2015, 09:12 PM:

I just got into collecting 8mm films but I haven`t been able to find any dealers selling films in my country. So I`ve been just buying what i can from other collectors in my area.

Posted by Jason Gronn (Member # 3921) on October 21, 2015, 09:39 PM:

Always purchasing something from one of the dealers, we need to support them as they try to support us.
Really who would think new product would still be released in 2015 and without them l don't think the hobby would still be around like it is.
This also includes the likes of Van-Eck and Wittner for parts etc.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on October 22, 2015, 12:54 AM:

I bought several films at the Sunday 9.5 get together - 16 & 9.5mm. I love the Harpenden event and it's great to meet old friends again.

Posted by David Skillern (Member # 607) on October 22, 2015, 02:05 AM:

Hi all,

I try to by regularly from most dealers - the other month I bought Reach for the Sky - the Kenneth More pic from Classic and previously I have bought regularly from Barry at Independent 8 and every Christmas I buy several prints from Ian at Perrys.

David

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on October 22, 2015, 02:38 AM:

I agree entirely with Jason's earlier comments. I try to support all of the remaining UK dealers from time to time and whenever they have something I desire and don't already have.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 22, 2015, 02:44 AM:

The only dealer I have ever dealt with was Derann, they were excellent to deal with.

I still buy the odd film, but not from any dealers, that finished when Derann closed, also not into "buying to sell" or e-bay.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on October 22, 2015, 03:43 AM:

Where do you buy your films from then now Graham?

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 22, 2015, 03:59 AM:

Andrew

One local collector sold up all his films only last year, so I went along and bought some. "Trade Me" a NZ internet site often have films and projectors come up for sale...not much in the way of quantity though. Picked up a Universal print of The Hinderburg at a car swap meet last year of all places [Roll Eyes]

....Its funny when you are not really that interested in buying films they seem to just pop up in different places. [Big Grin]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on October 22, 2015, 04:42 AM:

Ah, that's great news then Graham. At least you still have a supply chain for when you want the odd one or two [Smile]

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on October 22, 2015, 04:46 AM:

Hi Tom. My contribution would be that since the 1960's and starting with 8mm I cant remember a week I have not messed with 8mm either buying for our collection or projecting the stuff as far as the hobby side goes.

8mm film making I shoot most months either Super 8 or 9.5mm.

In more recent times we seem to have seen quite a few joining the forums who reminisce even more than me, but although I can bang on a bit I know the enthusiasm is still there to collect my favourite films and carry on shooting my own movies on film.

Its a tricky old one to answer as some of us on here do media for a living so I am guestimating we see an overspill from that as well from those who don't collect. One thing is sure, with a massive number of 8mm films issued we will never run out of films to look for or be surprised by...

Happy days! [Cool]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 22, 2015, 06:47 AM:

Hi Lee, wow you must have a mega collection. We recently added to our Eumig collection, just awaiting for a mint 810D LUX with the 1.2 lens. My Brother loves them. [Wink]

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 22, 2015, 08:35 AM:

Pan, I will - Known Al for years, surprised he didn't send you any list - Stay in touch, Shorty

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on October 22, 2015, 08:48 AM:

Part of the attraction of 8mm must be how much quality you can squeeze from it onto the screen I guess. I'm sure we have all dabbled with changing lenses, lamps and even more are upgrading further to these HTI Lamps so I am guessing Super 8 collecting will be here long after we are gone.

Wonderful hobby. [Cool]

Posted by David Roberts (Member # 197) on October 23, 2015, 09:14 AM:

just bought 2 very nice "Look at Life shorts from Phil at Classic. also buy from Barry and had a load from Ian at Perrys when he did his last list on here. I like all these dealers as they all put anything right you arnt happy with without any fuss.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on October 23, 2015, 12:23 PM:

In a manner of speaking, I haven't actually "bought" any new film recently (well, except for that 600ft reel of Disney, I guess that counts), but I've continued to expand my vast collection of animated shorts by selling off a friends film collection and he allows me the choice of what classic shorts I want for my "sellers fee", so that's pretty cool, as he has had many a short that I have never seen anywhere else ...period. [Smile]

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on October 23, 2015, 04:44 PM:

I bought some 8/16mm shorts from dealers/vendors such as Tony Hutchinson at the recent Rickmansworth and Harpenden events. It has hardly ever happened that I've returned from such an event without finding anything to buy.

I suspect the answers here may not be entirely representative because despite Tom's "ALL Members" phrasing, I expect few will respond to say that they don't buy films from dealers, even though I'm sure that quite a few are (e.g.) former collectors who like to stay in touch with the film collecting world.

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on October 23, 2015, 11:26 PM:

I buy films from anyone who has them pretty much. I have used Derann, Classic, Buckingham Films, Fosters, Ebay, Steve Osborne, and private.
The last film I purchased from a dealer was uncle Ian and that was almost a year ago. Maybe more. Since Derann closed down it seems the number of titles that are floating around are getting fewer and fewer and the dealers are not getting the titles they used to. They are in the hands of collectors and are either hitting Ebay or trade privately on forums like this.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on October 24, 2015, 03:22 AM:

Hope you start finding more of the titles you like soon Alan.
I know you love your films and only one in a year isn't enough to satisfy your cinematography needs! [Smile]

Posted by Dave Groves (Member # 4685) on October 24, 2015, 09:49 AM:

Bought a couple of trailers from dealers last month. I buy the occasional short but don't buy features any more. I run numerous public shows and have mostly what I need for them.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 24, 2015, 09:59 AM:

All great stuff here, as you said earlier it looks as though 90% of people registered here dont do anything other than read and keep up with stuff, if you are one of those it would be interesting for you to just pop on here and let us know that you are here but only to keep up with what's going on.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 24, 2015, 11:46 AM:

I think there are quite a few people that were active film collectors, maybe have moved on to other things and just like to look in for old time's sake.

We had someone at CineSea who sold his collection some time ago: he just came to enjoy a weekend of film.

-yet they say if you want to quit an old habit and stay quit, you really shouldn't hang out among people who haven't quit!

That's an excellent way to wind up coming home with a projector in the back seat

("It's just one!")

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on October 24, 2015, 12:35 PM:

I think both Tom and Steve are right on the money with this one.

It's a habit that never entirely leaves us I'd say once it's bitten us all

It's probably only due to practical and financial reasons why more people don't choose to stay with it over the full term I'm guessing.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 24, 2015, 12:58 PM:

& of course the increase now of film prices, and the lack of good material. I was looking at some of the universal 400 foot classic horror's on ebay, i am trying to obtain Dracula,(Bela Lugusi) and the Wolfman 1930's but there aint no way i am paying over £40 for them. I have Frankenstein, i will wait and if it doesn't come out at the right price i will go without or buy it on a disc. I love my super 8 cine films but i'm not stupid. [Wink]

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on October 24, 2015, 01:17 PM:

The Universal 8 horror movies are never going to go down in price if they are in original boxes. A lot of the feeding frenzy is memorabilia buyers. You have horror fans film memorabilia and even 1970s kitsch. When I sold my digests they went for very good prices but every buyer was not interested in projecting I even had lots of questions as to what they were. Like are they video.? Your only chance of getting those titles now is if they are in plain boxes or a private sales with a collector. I would place a strong bet that super 8 memorabilia will be the next big thing and once they start going for serious money hundred and thousands £40 could look like a bargain in a few years. Look a cinema posters once they were binned or sold for a few pounds now they are thousands. The sad thing about super 8 once it goes that way there will be no reproduction posters to buy.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 24, 2015, 01:52 PM:

"Pushing" the original box as long as I have, it's gratifying to see collectors finally understanding the premium that is found in box-art (a/k/a "mini-posters", so to speak) - Standard 8mm has been classified in the Mezosoic age, not many bother with this gauge, which is a mistake - Super 8 will hang on a while, like 16, the unusual titles people want will surface and you have to pay a fair price - Universal Horror/Comedy will always command top-dollar with box and to a slightly lesser extant, without - All debatable - Shorty

Posted by Jack Cleveland (Member # 4485) on October 24, 2015, 01:58 PM:

I noticed several of you mentioned Paul Foster films. I have always wondered how much I will end up paying for shipping to have it sent to the US. He has great titles.

I bought a couple of shorts at Cinesea from my friend Gary Sloan, and did procure a nice print of "Babes in Toyland " from a dealer here in the states.

Everything is 16mm for me. I have that nice Derann print of GWTW, but thats my only Super 8 print.

Posted by Mike Newell (Member # 23) on October 24, 2015, 02:08 PM:

i think it will fall into two categories Joe . One will be the artist /genre on the box and the other will be the graphics/ artwork which in the case of Mountain / Portland was unique produced for them by some artist who churned them out for virtually pennies.

It will be interesting to see which ones appreciate and we will be able to tell our grandchildren we owned them when they are being sold for thousands or will it be millions!!

Original packaging and Pristine Condition of course. The way the financial tsunami is heading towards us the wise money always goes to property, precious metals and art. It way be worth a punt the way interest rates are these days [Smile]

Posted by Dave Groves (Member # 4685) on October 26, 2015, 10:43 AM:

I must admit that I often wonder just how many active collectors the forums have. The 16mmfilmtalk forum purports to have 1784 members but some have posted less than ten times in the ten years since they joined. Others have joined and posted nothing!! Of course there are many collectors who may not know (or care) about such forums and have no interest in posting anything. I just wonder if we have a lot of departed friends who should be removed as inactive, thus making numbers a bit more realistic as far as active and interested members are concerned.

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 26, 2015, 11:05 AM:

Paul is great to deal with, Jack - Mention Shorty (not that it will get you anywhere, but I like my moniker mentioned here and abraod) - Cheers

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on October 27, 2015, 04:04 PM:

Postage from America has made buying from them prohibiting but,...I had the good or, should I say, immence luck this year to be given two collections for postage only! A big big big one of about 300 titles ,features and shorts,of original silents,80% in standard 8,and one consisting ,of over 100 cartoons.As I am receiving them in instalments,so as to not be massacred by the customs,and watching and sorting them little by little,I will announce (!)the results by the end of the year.also last week I ordered a few std 8 shorts from Bert.

Posted by Stuart Finkelstein (Member # 2380) on October 27, 2015, 07:13 PM:

Ordered from Super 8 Warehouse but was disappointed. Won't buy from again.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 27, 2015, 07:42 PM:

I bought from him about a year ago. I was very pleased with the films and the service.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 28, 2015, 05:06 PM:

stuart, was it the condition of the films you were disappointed with?

Posted by David Guest (Member # 2791) on October 28, 2015, 05:20 PM:

save your money for blackpool there will be loads of bargains and plenty films in auction super 8 and 16mm wont be long now and plenty of dealers booked in

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on October 28, 2015, 06:18 PM:

This week i have spent some of my ebay sales dosh and made purchases from two UK dealers, went a bit mad but looking forward to receiving.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 29, 2015, 09:32 AM:

Kind'a nice finding a package in the mailbox,

-isn't it?!

I really enjoy getting a print of a film I've been curious about for years but only lately been able to find. I got "Tears of the Moon" recently from Paul Foster.

-Japanese pearl divers in 'Scope.

On the surface of it it's not the greatest premise for a movie but it's a beautiful print and I'm glad I finally got to see it.

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