8mm Forum: Here's your 2nd chance in case you missed it the first time...

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Topic: Here's your 2nd chance in case you missed it the first time...

Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted March 17, 2017 10:04 AM

I have to broadly agree with Kevin. These debates/arguments started by high eBay asking prices are becoming repetitive, especially as no one seems to be persuading others to change their mind, whatever their point of view is.

I'd be curious to know whether people paying the highest prices are keen collectors who will show the films now and again, but we can't ask them and if they are members here, they probably don't dare identify themselves! On a 'live and let live' basis I'd say good luck to them and I simply hope they don't put the film away as some sort of 'collectable', but I doubt that other than in certain cases where the boxes are a major part of the appeal (as applies to certain older 200' and 400' package movies) and with some Star Wars sales - but even with these we can't say how many are bought by SW collectors without projectors, and I'd guess that some would prefer a Ken SW release with a mint box to a full length Derann feature with battered cardboard boxes!

I have to disagree that this is "killing the hobby" because the ultra-high prices are a tiny fraction of sales overall. OK, the features now sold for around £300 represent far more outlay than 10 years ago, but many of us selling these are active collectors who could use the money to buy other films. I was more troubled when it was difficult to get £120 for a mint, recently-released feature run once, that I'd be selling because I'd found a 16mm print! At least the higher prices give a sense that we are interested in a product that's desirable rather than one that has had its day and is in decline, and that might make it more appealing to some. Super 8 can be seen in the wider context of a film revival that could in a smaller way compare to vinyl, and that has to be a good thing. I recall already seeing evidence of a vinyl revival over 10 years ago, before the recent more spectacular rise, so I feel it's highly premature to predict a rapid decline in Super 8 prices within 5-10 years, as desirable films (and I'd say that Speed is a fine example of its kind) in excellent condition will only become harder to find. But I take the point that such buys are a risk, because even if the condition is mint, you might find one or more reels that are unsteady; with poor sound; bluish, etc.

I'm repeating myself, but once again I'd urge those troubled about high prices to support conventions/films fairs/CHC sale weekends, etc, as these are the occasions when you're likely come away with bags full of bargains bought at prices that remind you of the 'good old days'!

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Adrian Winchester