8mm Forum: Shooting 16mm on only half image as 8mm

This is topic Shooting 16mm on only half image as 8mm in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002042

Posted by Jiyuan Sun (Member # 7174) on November 13, 2019, 02:04 PM:

Hi guys

I know in the old times, people did shoot 16mm only in half image to save money by covering the lens. Then they back roll and shoot another half image. I read it as super 8mm history in the book and people's recall. Last year, when I went to the Tacita Dean's exhibition in National portrait gallery, I was shocked she used it even as trisection image in her splendid work. However, she did it on 35mm.

https://www.npg.org.uk/assets/files/pdf/press/2018/Tacita-Dean-PORTRAIT-New-Works.pdf

Have anyone really tried it before, or know how to do it? I'm very confused about the perceptivity, and how to cover the lens as no light leaking.

Thanks a lot.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on November 14, 2019, 02:49 AM:

The film frame of standard 8 is only a quarter of the size of a 16mm frame. Standard 8 stock is 16mm silent but has double the number of perforations. The film is exposed twice, one each side. After processing the films is split and becomes standard 8. The original film of 25 feet now becomes 50 feet.

To my knowledge there is no method of using 16mm as you describe. I suppose it could be done with expensive modifications to a camera and a projector.

Are you perhaps thinking of Super 16?

http://cinematechnic.com/super-16mm/super-16

Posted by David Michael Leugers (Member # 166) on November 21, 2019, 09:43 PM:

A Bolex DS-8mm camera can be modified to do what you are looking for. The gate would need to be widened all the way across the 16mm film width. This gives a very wide screen image. No real practical way of projecting the film without lots of engineering and modifications, but can be transferred and viewed digitally. Problem today is that right now there is only B+W Fomopan available in DS-8mm format. It can be had on the 100ft rolls that the Bolex DS8mm camera needs. Good news is it can look fantastic if shot carefully and developed properly. Good luck.

Posted by Larry Arpin (Member # 744) on November 22, 2019, 03:12 PM:

Covering the lens will not work. You need an aperture plate in the film plane for it to work. That's what is said in the article.

[ November 22, 2019, 09:25 PM: Message edited by: Larry Arpin ]

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2