kinoflex anyone?

[furleyguy]

anyone had experience using the Quarz Kinoflex cameras (specifically the wind-ups)? i have heard that several film schools use them, and that they are still being made, which really appeals to me. and for under $200.

by the way, i'm new to the group. i'm a video professional who wants to get into Super8 to intersperse with my "side" personal video projects (music videos, etc.).

Thanks!

[Hanthx]

Yo

Kinoflexs seem to me to be good cameras, but if your going to spend a little money, look into a camera that isn't spring wound. There are some really nice cameras you can find on Ebay, or yard sale for a good price. Look for names such as Canon, Nizo, Minolta, or even Beaulieu.

Many people here who can guide you in the right direction.

Scott

[trevorbr]

I just recently purchased a Quartz spring wound super8 camera from someone on ebay for around $150.00. I can't report on the image quality as I haven't processed my first series of test rolls, however, the construction of the camera is very solid.
The first camera I actually recieved had a defective aperature (the Quartz is the Russian name plate for the Kinoflex.) The person I purchased it from was very helpful and sent me a new camera immediatly.
It's manual exposure is a bit tricky in that the ASA setting is a +2 to -2 back light control and the aperature doesn't "lock" to specific f/stops, you visually align the meter needle with a given f/stop through the view finder.
I have to say the view finder is rather lousy. It's not very bright and extremely difficult to focus even in bright conditions.
My only motion picture experience is with a spring wound 16mm Bolex so that didn't bother me to much. The frame rate selection is quit good for various situation and effects.
I have to agree with Scott however, if you can find a non-spring driven camera with manual exposure and similar features you will be better off.

[Hanthx]

I should mention something about this camera, its one of the few super8 cameras still being made, so that is a plus. You dont have to worry about a camera that is 20+ years old and not knowing who has abused it.
In reply to the trevor, everybody has prefences but...I dont use a spring wound camera because the limitations of shooting a long scene cannot always be done. If im right, the spring wound motor in that camera only last for less than a minute. (please correct me if Im wrong) There is no possibility of crystal syncing the camera in the future too. But hey, its just my opinion.

[furleyguy]

yeah, the spring actually gets you about 30 secs @ 18fps i believe. i didn't see that as a problem for me, as i'll likely be very stingy with film anyway as short as the rolls are.

the comment about the manual exposure does have me concerned, though. i have a pretty decent light meter already. do i understand you correctly -- i can't just set the aperture based on my reading and run with it?

[Hanthx]

fur

Im not sure if the camera has a built in light meter, maybe trevor can answer that question. But with my experience, I'll set the fstop according to my light reading in my camera, and compensate for light loss to viewfinder by opening up half a stop, and then set my fstop. You can use your handheld meter too, Im almost positive you will get a more accurate reading than with the built in light meter, although, they work quite well. I hope that is what your refering to. Many cameras have a automatic aperature setting, but I try to stay away from using it unless Im on the run. Some cameras like my old Minolta xl 42 sound shot great pictures in the automatic mode, but maybe thats just the exception.

Scott

[trevorbr]

I'm sorry I can't find my English manual at the moment. The over/under exposure control has a total of five settings: -2, -2, 0, 1, and 2. The manual gives a chart giving a corelation between these setting and values for ASA. This is a bit of a limitation in terms of setting film speed. You may have to compensate with your aperature setting in order to have the desired exposure. There is manual control, just a bit more thought involved, not exectly a spontainious camera if your not intimatly familiar with it. As far as the spring motor goes you are correct about the roughly 30 second limit at full motion speeds. As long as synch isn't important there is nothing wrong with using that kind of camera. You do have to be carefull not to overwind the motor and remember not to run the camera without any film in it at speeds over 24 fps.

[HH3]

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI...tem=1238584054

Above is a Nizo S800 camera that is at $80 on ebay right now. This camera should sell for no more than $200 and would be a much better choice. Great lens and an excellent camera. Blows away any Russian camera. Look at the Canon's too.

Just be patient and you'll find a good camera.

[souper8]

It's kind of wierd using a wind up super 8 camera when we have so many great super 8 motorized cameras around. I also feel that Nizos such as an 801 or 800 would be a better choice. Nizos take great pictures. The metering is accurate and the Schneider lenses are crisp on Nizos.

[furleyguy]

yeah, i gotta tell ya, maybe this is unfounded, but one of my concerns with buying a used camera is batteries and battery compartments working. since i'm new to this, anyone have any idea how long these cameras that take AA's tend to run? do they chew em right up? that was one reason i kinda warmed up to the wind-up.

what about cameras (way outta my budget) like Beaulieus and stuff? don't they have their own proprietary charging system? that would scare me to death if they didn't work well or weren't properly maintained (i'm used to this with the video world).

by the way, a i really appreciate everyone's feedback around here. you've been a great help!

Gordon