advice?

[BolexPlusx]

The Canons have a really good reputation, so you have chosen well!

There are a lot of people who never use the internal meter because they don't trust the results they get from it, and insist on going external. I personally think if you are just starting out it pays to keeps it simple for a while, so there is nothing wrong with using the internal meter.

On the other hand, as soon as you feel unhappy with the results you are getting from the internal meter, there is nothing stopping you from getting an external one.

Kodak has reversal stocks for 125 (color) and 160 (B&W) ASA. They also have negative stocks of 200 and 500 ASA. Pro 8mm has negative stuff up to 800 ASA, but here is where the external meter comes in. In many of these cases either some cameras can't read the cartridge notch for a particular ASA (I have several cameras that can't read 125 ASA film) or in the case of Pro-8mm, the notch doesn't tell the camera the correct ASA. So now you have to go external and set the camera manually.

Personally, I stick with the kodak reversal films and am happy with what I get back. I also tend to stick with the K-40 and Plus-X (both low speed emulsions) because 99% of my filming is outdoors and I really like the way they look.

[monsterboy]

hello, im new to super-8 and was wondering if some of you could help me out with a few questions i have. 1. i recently purchased a camera and it seems to run ok. it is a canon auto zoom 814. are these descent cameras? 2. should i trust the cameras light meter or go ahead and buy one? 3. i dont know much about lighting, are their any filmstocks that dont need tons of light, and still come out looking ok? thats about all i can think of right now. id apreciate any advice you guys could give me. thanx