Newcomer: what's what?

[davejee]

Hi. I'm a relative newcomer to the world of super 8. My parents had one w/projector, editor, etc., then the bulb burned out on the projector and that was the end of it! anyways, I've recently gotten a new (read: vintage) super 8 camera and I'm ready to start shooting. The camera is a Rexamat Synchro zoom and it is in full working order. I'm just not sure what buttons do what. The record button can be pushed to either a "T" slot or a "W" slot. I'm not sure what these mean. Also, there is a switch from 24, 18, etc. is this aperture or something? Focus and zoom seem pretty simple. There is a red button on the back that may be for rewinding, though, again, I am not sure. Can anyone shed some light. The super 8's I've seen seem fairly uniform in operation. I plan on using the film for projection, with accompanied original soundtrack/score. p.s. I think Rexamat was made in Japan. anyone want help me out?

thank you,
dave

[Hanthx]

Dave.
Not familar with your camera, but check out the Hunting Hardware site on this website, and go to the super8list website. It will have a list of functions that pertain to almost (if not all) super 8 cameras. Their will also be a listing on the mondophoto website with a picture of your camera (most likely). Those two together will help you. Remember to go to Hunting Hardware and look for the modophoto website and the super 8 list. Good luck. Scott

[mattias]

the "record button" is most likely the zoom button (as in tele and wide) and the "24,18,etc" switch sets the frame rate.

/matt

[Si Dunn]

The red button may be a battery test button.
The "T" and "W" usually are for telephoto and wide-angle. These should make the lens move from one mode to the other, with "normal" view somewhere in the middle.
There is no "rewind" on any Super 8 camera I've ever heard of. The 18 and 24 are the shooting speed in frames per second. Many people shoot at 18 fps.

I don't know anything about your camera, either, but it may be a "point and shoot" type with no way to change the focus. If so, you can just zoom in or zoom out or go to "normal" view. The light exposure may be automatic, too. Most automatic light meters have a built-in battery (that very likely is dead now and needs to be replaced.) Some cameras power their light meters off the same batteries that run the camera. And some have photovoltaic cells that generate their own electricity (from light) for the light meter.

There are several very good sites dealing with Super 8. If you live in a fairly large metropolitan area, there may be at least one Super 8 filmmaking group, such as the Austin Cinemaker Co-op in Austin, Texas. Another group is getting started in Fort Worth, Texas. And others are up and running in other parts of the U.S. and overseas. Most of the Web sites with info on Super 8 have links to other Super 8 sites. www.sagecreekproductions.com is one with some Super 8 links and a few articles.

Stay in touch. We'll be glad to help as we are able.

Si Dunn
[email protected]

[chrust19]

If you still need a new bulb for that projector check out www.bulbman.com. You can find just about anything there, as long as you know what you're looking for.
The 'T' and 'W' is Tight and Wide, tight (or telephoto) will zoom in giving you a close shot, and wide will zoom out giving you a long shot.
The other series of numbers 18, 24, etc. is the frame rate at which you have th option of shooting. The standard rate for super8
is 18 frames per second (fps) that's what you'll want to set your camera at to shoot in real time. If you want to shoot slow motion any number higher than 18fps will work, the higher the better, and visa versa for fast mo.. FYI: slow motion requires a higher speed because that will increase the amount of action that is being captured, so there are more frames, and when you play it back at the standard 18fps it looks slower, this works the other way for fast mo..

I don't have a clue as to what the red button may be, perhaps it's the record button? Good Luck, and Happy shooting
Christi