Just got my first roll of Kodachrome 40 developed!

[Mike Buckles]

Just came back in the mail yesterday....I was soooo excited! Hadn't filmed a roll of super 8 in 10 years...it turned out really well! I did overexpose some of the outdoor scenes...ignoring the auto exposure, I overexposed by 1/2 to a full stop on the advice of someone on the internet...too much! But that's the fun of experimentation! The images were bright and vivid...I also filmed indoors with strong sunlight streaming in the windows...turned out subdued, soft and warm...would NEVER have that warm cozy afternoon look with Video...(listening Mr. Lucas?) Some of the colors may have been a bit softer due to the fact that the film was 10 years old. I took this board's advice, and cleaned the projector film gate with a child's toothbrush and compressed air before I threaded the film...I feel that helped keep it clean! I backed up the projector as far as I could to get a nice large bright image...I am definitely going to film some more..can't wait! Do you fellow board members get your film from Kodak online, or do you go to a specialty camera store? I have to thank you guys, 'cause when i first discovered this board, it was your comments and stories that prodded me to try super 8 again....Thanks! Mike

[Alex]

Wow! Lots of great info!

Sorry to hear that a couple of your shots came out overexposed.

If your camera's automatic exposure meter is being fooled by backlight or glinty backlight, that is when you primarily should consider overexposing.

Mainly because the light meter gets fooled into severly underexposing. So in fact, what is meant by overexposing the film is in reality overexposing the underexposure value that the camera's automatic meter is mistakenly fooled into by the backlight situation you are filming in.

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Wow, you got your projector percolating! Is it a projector that sat in the closet for a few years (how many?) and now has seen the light of day?

I assume the childs toothbrush you used to clean your projector was very soft, and won't be going back into the childs mouth!

By the way, I have never used a child's toothbrush for cleaning a projector gate, so I can't recommend that route. I assume a Q-tip with the proper cleaner is as good. Just make sure the Q-tip does not snag on the pull-down claw.

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To purchase Super-8 film...

Kodak online is one way to go.

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/nav/shopAvailability.shtml

This is how you order online, I don't know if any discounts are offered when you buy online as a film student, or if one is offered if you buy more than 5 packages. This link will lead you to Kodak offices all over the world that sell Super-8 film!

If you really want to stir the pot, ask the Walmart in your area to start stocking Super-8 film!

I buy from Kodak, Hollywood. I'm not sure if this is the right number, 1-800-621-3456, mention you want to order Super-8 film from the Hollywood Kodak Office. Kodak Hollywood only ships to the United States.

If you have documented proof that you are a current film student, you may get a 20% discount from Kodak Hollywood on your Super-8 film purchases! If you buy 5 rolls or more of the same stock, you might get another discount!
But wait, there's a catch...Kodak online has the 5 roll discount price even if you only buy one roll!

So, other than maybe getting a film student discount, it may be wiser to just order the film online at the cheapest possible price whether you buy one roll of film or 20.

But keep in mind, it costs money to be in a film school class, so don't sign up for a film school class just to get that 20% discount, and it may apply to LA film schools only, I don't know.

It's still cheaper to just buy the film wit no film-school discount rather than taking a film class to be elegible for the discount.

Kodak, Hollywood has been very fair on the shipping costs also, and they usually can ship that same day if you call in the morning.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 20, 2002 03:22 AM: Message edited by: Alex ]</font>

[HenrySuper8]

I get my film from a special KOdak Image Center!

[wahiba]

[img]smile.gif[/img] I know the feeling. Especially when it is the first film through the camera.
In my case the automatic aperture control worked perfectly,the picture was sharp and there was no unexpected movement.
So, the new dv camcorder will have to wait as the money will be frittered away on super 8 film. In the UK that means between 50 to 120 rolls of Kodachrme including processing.

[Alex]

These are excellent points being made.

The budget to buy just a mini-dv camera is enough to buy LOTS of film, developing, and a very nice, top of the line Super-8 camera. If you choose to edit with a movie viewer and project your image, then the price differential between Super-8 and mini-dv explodes because suddenly you don't need to spend between $4,000-$8,000 in additional monies setting up a properly working NLE environment.

I personally am for shooting in film and editing in a Non-Linear Editing system, but if you don't desire an NLE system, than shooting super-8 just can't be beaten cost wise when compared to mini-dv.

Especially when you factor in the learning experience you will receive.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 20, 2002 01:10 PM: Message edited by: Alex ]</font>