???16mm cameras???

[Phaethon]

I know very little about film cameras. I have an 8mm, but I've never used it. I'm looking into purchasing a 16mm to make a film that I can enter into a film festival (yes, I know alot of film festivals accept video, but this is a personal preference). One of the things I need to know is whether or not 16mm use a 16:9 aspect ratio or not. What cameras do? Do I need a special lens? I'm clueless. Also, about watching what you just filmed; I want to look over what I just filmed after every shot. Will I just have to hope the shot came out okay until the film is put to tape? Fill me in here.

[eddie]

Hello
I suggest you put a few rolls through your 8mm camera before you embark on 16mm. Then you will start to get a feel for how film differs from video.
I cant quite remember the details but if you want 16:9 format then you need to use a super16 camera. This cant be projected (because it only has one set of sprocket holes) but is used to transfer to 35mm.
If you shoot on film then you send the stock away to get developed, wait a week or so, and then need to project it to review the rushes.
Like I say, try 8mm first and see how you get on with it before spending possibly a lot of money on a 16mm camera.

[Actor]

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One of the things I need to know is whether or not 16mm use a 16:9 aspect ratio or not.
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16mm cameras have an aspect ratio of 4:3. Super16 has an aspect ratio of 5:3 which is obtained by using single perf film and widening the aperture. This additional area is normally used for the sound track with 16mm.
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What cameras do?
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Strictly speaking only video cameras use 16:9. In practice a 16mm or super16 image can be cropped to 16:9 for video or to 1.85:1 for theatrical presentation. Admittedly a cropped reg16 image does not look as good as super16 but it looks a lot better than super8.
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Do I need a special lens?
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Theoretically you can use an anamorphic lens to squeeze a 16:9 image into 4:3. In practice such lenses are hard to find and very expensive if you do. Using one involves mounting it in front of the regular lens in such a way that it does not rotate. You cannot simply fasten it to your regular lens since that most likely rotates to focus.
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Also, about watching what you just filmed; I want to look over what I just filmed after every shot. Will I just have to hope the shot came out okay until the film is put to tape?
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Film does not offer instant gratification; you have to wait for it to come back from the lab. Some cameras have, or can be equipped with, a video tap which will allow you to see and tape what you are filming. However, just because the video from the tap looks good, that is not guarantee that your film will look good.

Super16 can be viewed with a regular 16mm projector but you will not see 20% of the image from the left side of the picture. If you are in L.A. or New York you may be able to rent a screening room with a super16 projector. Such a projector will either be silent or have an interlock to play the soundtrack from 16mm perforatted magnetic tape.

Generally super16 cameras are expensive. The cheapest ones are modified K-3s or Bolex. Figure on paying upwards of $10,000 to buy a super16 other than K-3 or Bolex. Renting one costs about the same as renting a 35mm camera. If you want 16:9 or 1.85:1 I recommend you shoot regular 16 and crop the picture. You will have to compose your shot in anticipation of the crop. Rodriguez filmed El Mariachi in 4:3 with the intention it be distributed on video. Columbia cropped it for festival (and DVD) presentation cutting off a lot of chins in the process.

It's worth noting that most 16mm cameras and projectors will take single perf film. If you order 16mm film from Kodak they will ship single perf unless you specify double perf.

[Generic Skinhead]

If you want to use film, I'd have to reccomend film school. I doubt you have 10 grand.

[Phaethon]

Thanks for all the help guys. No, I don't hav 10 grand. I was trying to stay under 2 thousand, If I couldn't do that I would just buy an XL1. I saw El Mariachi and I was suprised by the clarity. I had previously thought lowly of 16mm. The reason I wanted to go with film in the first place was because I wanted by film to have a gritty look. Cold, hard colors, but not video-tape like.

[Generic Skinhead]

Well at Film college you get to learn how film works and get access to the equipment. They buy us stock too!

You have to put up with a lot of krap though.

[GREATwarEAGLE]

I'd like to know what film school is an adequate substitute for less than $10 grand?

[Yammeryammeryammer]

I think what he is getting at is that people are more likely to loan you money if you have a reason like "I am trying to get an education" rather than "I need a camera".