8mm Forum: Super 16

This is topic Super 16 in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on March 22, 2017, 08:19 AM:

Is it possible to play Super 16 film on a standard 16mm projector? I've never seen or heard of a Super 16 projector. Anyone?

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on March 22, 2017, 08:32 AM:

I`ve always wondered about scratching at the edges !!!!

Best Mark.

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 22, 2017, 08:45 AM:

Scratching, perhaps. But wouldn't part of the image also be missing due to the projector aperture size?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 22, 2017, 10:42 AM:

Michael is correct as the Super 16 frame extends over the sound-track area.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on March 22, 2017, 10:59 AM:

So are there super 16mm macines with adapted gates and rollers etc so the picture area is not damaged ?

Best Mark.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on March 22, 2017, 11:29 AM:

The Super 16 format was originally devised to solve the problems of the low quality of standard 16mm optical blow-ups to 35mm prints. The ratio was relatively wide-screen.

It was designed for use in cameras, whether any projectors were actually made for the format is doubtful, but no doubt, existing ones were probably modified for checking filmed material.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on March 22, 2017, 12:45 PM:

Seems a ridiculous situation to have a film guage without any projectors designed to play it. Is the film guage actually wider than 16mm or is it the case that better image coverage is made of what would be normally 16mm film? If so where is the soundtrack and is it optical/ magnetic or can it be either?

Posted by Michael O'Regan (Member # 938) on March 22, 2017, 01:06 PM:

It's sole purpose was as a low budget method for shooting film which would be subsequently blown up to 35. As it was not intended for projection, no soundtrack was necessary. The larger image took up the soundtrack area. At least, this was my understanding.

Posted by Alexander Vandeputte (Member # 1803) on March 22, 2017, 03:34 PM:

Indeed, super 16 is a production format, aiming to use the maximum available space on the film by also using the part that normally is reserved for the soundtrack. Super 16 negatives are either scanned, or blown up to 35mm. There are more production formats out there that are not designed to be projected (although you can with modified gear). There is super 35 and 3 perf 35mm. These formats seek to maximise negative 'real estate' for quality reasons (like super 16 and super 35) or to economise raw stock (3 perf 35mm).
Many TV shows were shot on super 16. 'The Walking Dead' is also shot on super 16.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on March 22, 2017, 04:12 PM:

Super 16mm when blown up to 35mm is 1:66. It is a perfect 16:9 fit for video. I believe CAROL was shot super 16mm.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on March 22, 2017, 06:42 PM:

Hand of God 2014 and Westwolrd 2016 TV series were shot on 35mm film.

I`m not sure but I think I read somewhere the last Doc Martin TV series in the UK as shot on super 16mm ?

Best Mark.

PS it was

http://www.kodak.com/au/en/motion/blog/blog_post/?contentid=4294991834

Posted by Martin Davey (Member # 2841) on March 23, 2017, 01:30 PM:

The BBC often used the format during the 1990s when it began broadcasting in SD 16:9. Last of the summer wine was one such program. The idea of actually projecting 16mm was never part of the equation, instead being part of the production process towards another format. It was I suppose a last gasp for 16mm in the professional world. I imagine that the new Kodak super 8 camera is also designed with a similar use in the production process, with application within digital media production process.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on March 24, 2017, 12:22 PM:

Another camera format not designed for projection was Techniscope the 2 perf pull down widescreen system that was expanded vertically to make a standard CinemaScope print.

I would hope that all 16mm projectors were designed to not scratch the optical sound track so projecting Super 16 wouldn't be too much of a danger, just rather noisy with the sound turned up as it tries to play the picture edge.

Posted by Martin Davey (Member # 2841) on March 24, 2017, 04:34 PM:

It would be interesting hear what the picture 'sounds' like!

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