new super8 camera

[richiemack]

Hi there bought my first super8 camera today, 1960 Arco zoom s if that means anythin to ye!Ive got original film that says it should be processed before 1975, will it still work?also Im wonderin how easy it is to get the end product onto my computer, also anyone know if Kodak will still honour the fact that processing was included in the price of the film?Id really appreciate someone to ask questions to, if ud like to help me please email me at [email protected], cheers

[Alex]

Process before 1975, a time-capsule adventure.

Is your 1975 film Kodachrome II? I'm beginning to wonder if those films have more value as a collectors item, especially if they remain unopened and in good shape, then actually trying to shoot with it. If your film is Kodachrome II, it can only be processed as a black and white, and film that old will probably not teach you anything about what normal fresh film looks like.

The advantage to buying new film is it that it gets you into the "flow" of the necessary steps needed to shoot, develop, and transfer super-8.

The number 1960 on your "Arco", (I've never heard of that brand before) probably means f1.9 for the maximum lens opening and it probably has a telephoto setting of 60. Probably a 7.5 to 60, aka an 8-1 zoom ratio. (how close was I to being accurate?)

Your stages for shooting film are, buy film, process film, transfer to video, import into the computer for editing.

I would concentrate on who will be processing your film first, because they may be able to give you help on the other steps. In all liklihood the lab can sell you film and do your transfer as well.
While probably slightly more expensive than finding the best price for each stage of getting film onto video, it sure will make your life easier in the beginning to have one place "do it all".

Do you need to find a lab to process your film?