Super 8mm Bargain Hunting Debate...

[pcg]

John's site has also gone silent: no new activity; no new info; no updates in weeks.

Perhaps he's on location rolling film. Or even on vacation!

/Pat

[Alex]

Actually, John did recently take a suggestion of mine to heart, and started a Super-8 Parts list page, both for sale and parts needed, he promptly e-mailed me back that he liked the idea and had the page up in less than a day!

I suggested he post on this site and let everyone know about his Super-8 Parts Page, but haven't heard back or seen a post here announcing his new page.

I thought it would be better if he announces the site...so I'll refrain from actually starting a new thread with the info...

But if anyone has a Super-8 part or needs a Super-8 part, John's Webpage is....

[email protected]

-Alex

[Alex]

Hey, John, how come you never post here anymore?

Anybody know?

-Alex

[Jon P]

I think the hardware is not so important to the future of super 8. It is all down to the continued availability of the film. There are a load of camera shops overcharging for s8 cameras and there always will be but the best cameras are the ones you find really cheap in antique/junk/thrift stores. It is a great feeling to find a good camera in one of these places.

What worries me is that the demand for film will be so low that kodak/fuji say "no more, there is just not enough demand for the format"
I buy my stock from a major retailler (Jessops UK). They will have a greater voice than the small guys when it comes to demanding things from the big corporates. I may be buing for a higher price but I want to send the signal "we are still here making this format work for us. Help us continue to keep Super 8 alive!"

[Alex]

As the hardware ages....can you trust the reliability as much for really important gigs.

But, there were over 50 million cameras made, it may have been as high as 100 million....so that is large pile to go through.

The film transfer cost is the final issue, If that ever drops in price...Super-8 will be chic to the masses, and not to just Music Videos, those with some money to spend, and the gimmick crowd.

-Alex

[AppleCore24]

There is a local school with a film production class - at least it's called a film production class, when in actuality its a video production class. I know the teacher, and I'm thinking of winning him over to the idea of at least having an advanced class shooting and editing super8. Using sync-sound is probably too much for this level (its a high school - I know I wouldn't have been ready then!) but they could learn how to record a soundtrack on a recording projector. If I can convince him to do this, the school is a very well-off private school. They would probably be able to get three or four cameras from pro8mm - which would be enough for the class, don't you think? I'm pretty sure the sizes don't get above 20, and if some are helping others shoot as a cinematographer, slater, etc. and some are storyboarding, rehearsing, or editing, that would be enough, right?

Any ideas on how I can help sell him?

[Alex]

The Great Compromiser has arrived.

How about they set up an "Elite-Squad".

One group out of the class does super-8, the other 3, 4, or 5 groups do not.

The Claas "Final" includes a comparing and contrasting of video versus film...in every step of the process.

The last thing you want to do is "force" teens to do something en masse...

....but it would be cool to be part of the only group shooting in film for that school semester or quarter.

If it goes over well, they keep the "Elite Squad", or expand it.

-Alex

[AppleCore24]

Wow! Thats a really spiffy idea! I'll pitch THAT!

[capul8]

You're right, Alex. I'm working on the budget for a 22 minute color (K40) sound short and a decent Rank transfer could easily eat up a third of my budget.
By the way, anybody out there have any tips for holding down the amount of time spent in transfer (at $200 -250 an hour!)
Is it wisest to already be happy with your look and NOT attend the transfer, so that you don't become caught up in all the new possibilities and subtle corrections that could cause you to spend twice as much money for a ten percent improvement? (Which I admit could make the difference between an average film and a good one)
Or is it vital to be there to defend your look or help punch it up?

[ekoe]

why so elitist?
to many of us super8 is a humble medium, as we either cannot afford to shoot super16 but refuse to sit idle, or we could not afford it at one time and we've simply grown to love it.
the super 8 filmmaking class would be wonderful. but everyone should have shared access to the film equipment, if they're paying the same tuition. don't you think?
if you can get the school to contribute funds to purchase decent equipment, right on.
but why would we want to create some sort of elite super 8mm society? it's laughable.
i don't intend to be offensive, but do you see my point?
i disagree with your statements in the original post of this thread, alex. ebay, baby, ebay. there's nothing wrong with buying from individuals. for many of us, it's the only way we can afford the good stuff, y'dig?
get the camera, an' shoot some gosh-dern film dammit. let's show them what super8 can do, and more independent filmmakers will feel inclined to put down their xl-1's and really start experimenting. super8 cameras are everywhere. we need to prove a demand for film, so the format itself does not disappear. do you understand? the money you pay to the used equipment dealer does not directly support super 8mm as a format.
kodak will hear nothing of it if your camera purchase does not contribute to film sales.
if i had paid what used equipment dealers ask for the cameras i own, i'd have spent over $2,ooo, on two cameras alone. since i paid half that amount, i can start shooting.
i'll meet you in the field and we'll compare acquisitions.