tri-x film stock defective?

[[email protected]]

Hello!
For the first time I was going to run a roll of tri-x film into my camera. But When I put it in it caused my camera to engage the built-in daylight filter which I don't want because it reduces the asa rating. Well, I did cut off a part from the plastic outer casing so that it doesn't hit the button in my camera which locks the builtin filter in. Was this the right guerilla maneuver to do?
thanks.

[IndieFilmsOnline.com]

November 27, 2000

Tri-X

What Super 8 Camera do you own?

Typically the Kodak Tri-X cartridge "notch"
will set the ASA of the camera for Automatic Exposure.

Many S8 cameras have separate filter switches
to keep the 85B filter IN or OUT.

Main Question: What Super 8 Camera were
you using?



------------------
JOHN LONGENECKER |
Cinematographer |
www.IndieFilmsOnline.com | [email protected]

[[email protected]]

I am using a canon 814 it has a 220 degree shutter. So basically I think there might be something wrong with my camera, because the abscence of a notch on the film should cause my camera not to be able to engage the daylight filter, but it does the opposite and locks the daylight filter in. basically I can always get around ts by using a light meter. still alittle curious.
any recommendations ideas wrongs rights?
thanks for taking your time.

[ekoe]

fatihk,
here's a post from martin baumgarten regarding a similar problem with plus-x cartridges (he mentions tri-x toward the end of the post).

Subject: Super 8mm PXR users: Important Notice!From: [email protected] (Super8mm)
Date: 2000/03/23Newsgroups: alt.movies.cinematography.super8
---> Your Source for Super 8mm & Regular 8mm Film Services <---
MARTIN W. BAUMGARTENPlattsburgh, New York U.S.A.E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://members.aol.com/Super8mm/Super8mm.html
* Business hours Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm e.s.t. Closed for all USA holidays.
--> Visit KODAK's New Super 8 dedicated site!
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/motion/super8/Thursday, March 23, 2000
RE: Kodak Super 8mm PXR 464 FilmsDear Fellow Super 8mm Filmmakers,
I have just noticed that well over 25% of the PXR films that come
in for processing to me, do NOT have the filter notch in them! This
is a big mistake on Kodak's manufacturing part....so please double
check every PXR 464 Super 8mm cartridge prior to using it. The notch
can easily be made by breaking off a small piece of the cartridge wall
that pushes against the filter removal lever or button inside of your
Super 8 camera. PLUS-X 7276 Super 8mm films are supposed to have the
Filter Notch in them. Without the filter notch...the builtin Daylight
Conversion #85 filter is removed from the lens' optical path, and thus
the film is rated at ASA 50, and of course...no filtration (which helps
makes for better sky and cloud detail as well as reducing exposure
for proper filming in bright light). Most Super 8mm cameras will rate
PXR film when used with the filter, at ASA 25 instead of the true
rating of ASA 32. However...this is only 1/5th of stop variance, and
Kodak states that the film's exposure latitude will compensate for this
slight difference....and in practice all film exposed this way is fine.
---> If you notice that the notch is missing...insert the cartridge (if
you have a side loading Super 8mm camera...since a rear loading camera
such as Yashica, Nizo etc....would prevent you from seeing where the
notch should be). Then pay attention to where the cartridge wall pushes
against the filter removal button or lever. Mark or score that spot
with a pen or small knife. Remove the cartridge and then make a cut
down either side with a small knife or single-edged razor
blade.....about a quarter to half inch wide...then break off this 'tab'
with a pair of needle nose pliers or strong tweezers.
---> If you don't mind not using the builtin filter...then leave the
cartridge notchless...if you end up with one this way. If you rather
not film with the builtin filter at all, and have a cartridge that does
have the notch and is normal...then just use your filter switch or key
and remove the builtin filter to the no filter position.
---> A side note: I haven't seen this on any TRI-X cartridges...since
TXR film does NOT normally have a filter notch anyhow. IF you want to
add a filter notch to your TXR cartridges to take advantage of using
the builtin Daylight filter (and thus not have to add one over the lens
and tint your viewfinder's view), then by all means...break off a
filter notch. The TXR film will now be rated in better cameras at ASA
125 or ASA 100, whichever the camera defaults to. This is close enough
to the actual ASA 130 which the exposure is reduced to in daylight when
using the filter. Best wishes,Martin W. Baumgarten

so your camera's 85 wratten filter should remain engaged until you insert a daylight balanced super8 film cartridge. the lack of a notch would cause the filter to disengage.
so i'm not understanding why the lack of a notch in the tri-x would cause your 85 filter to lock in position. perhaps i've misunderstood. regardless, you'd want the 85 filter removed if your camera has auto exposure indexing, so as to rate the film at the correct 200 iso without filtration.