8mm Forum: old 8mm camera with film in it

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Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 24, 2011, 11:02 AM:

I recently purchased a box of home movies plus an 8mm movie camera, upon inspecting the camera I noticed it had film in it, do you think this is still good? If so could it be processed? I know I’m out of luck if it’s Kodachrome. How does one know if it is Kodachrome? How can I tell if it’s done being shot? Thanks for any info.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on June 24, 2011, 11:33 AM:

I've received a few cameras that still had film in them. One was a super 8 that I finished the roll off and had it developed. It came back very washed out and faded. Since you don't know what type of film it is how will the lab know how to process it? You also don't know how many times the film door has been opened on that camera. The film could have been exposed to too much light. If the curiosity is killing you and you are willing to risk the lab costs then send it in but I don't think the results will likely be very good.

When I get 8mm film in cameras like that I save the film for testing. I use it to test the film transport and I even have a roll that I marked off to test the speed. It's not a very accurate way to test speed but it can tell you if its close.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 25, 2011, 09:03 PM:

the camera is a kodak escort 8 8mm the film can I found is marked kodak so im sure it might be kodachrome is there a marking that tells if the film is done? I'm not sure if it is new or not it was all ready to shot I think. On 8mm film new does it have the small holes at the beginning of is that and end thing?

I've received a few cameras that still had film in them. One was a super 8 that I finished the roll off and had it developed. It came back very washed out and faded. Since you don't know what type of film it is how will the lab know how to process it? You also don't know how many times the film door has been opened on that camera. The film could have been exposed to too much light. If the curiosity is killing you and you are willing to risk the lab costs then send it in but I don't think the results will likely be very good.

When I get 8mm film in cameras like that I save the film for testing. I use it to test the film transport and I even have a roll that I marked off to test the speed. It's not a very accurate way to test speed but it can tell you if its close.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on June 26, 2011, 11:56 AM:

I can't remember which end of the film had the holes since the new film doesn't have that anymore. If it's Kodachrome your out of luck getting it processed anyway.

Posted by Nathan DeHahn (Member # 2192) on June 27, 2011, 11:25 AM:

If you seen dots make letters in KMA or K-II. That means kodachrome film. If not, you could see letters that identfies what film stock is. You can tell me, if you didnt see KMA or K-II letters.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 27, 2011, 12:22 PM:

I see KM then a bunch of numbers would this be the end or the beginning?

Posted by Nathan DeHahn (Member # 2192) on June 27, 2011, 02:10 PM:

KM means kodachrome. Its always on both ends on any film stocks before discountination of Regular 8mm film in stores. There is few different letters on kodachrome, KM, KMA, K-II, and K-I.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 27, 2011, 03:19 PM:

so there is no way of knowing if it has been used or not?

Posted by Nathan DeHahn (Member # 2192) on June 27, 2011, 04:38 PM:

If you found the reel at the take up spot. that means it is exposed half or fully. And if you see the meter of how much left of footage before you opened the camera. Which it is too late for that. You already opened the camera. I always check the meter before i open the camera.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on June 27, 2011, 08:29 PM:

Live and learn I guess the film was on the top spindle the full side which made me wonder if it was new at one time or in the middle of I was trying figure out how to open it when i did I noticced the meter doing something however it was all threaded ready to go.

Posted by Nathan DeHahn (Member # 2192) on June 28, 2011, 08:01 AM:

I guess maybe a long ago, someone loaded the camera but forgot it.

Posted by Bryan Chernick (Member # 1998) on June 28, 2011, 09:27 AM:

They probably bought a super 8 camera and forgot all about it.

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