8mm vs 16mm

[elApril04]

Just curious, what do you think is better?

[chinnyboo]

Depends what kind of look you want. I love super8mm for two reasons
1) it gives you the best, cheapest option of making something look like film, especially from the 60'2/70's
2) if you use the 'multiply' feature in most chroma keying software you can take blank footage and uperimpose it over dv, thus getting that 'film look'

Super 16mm is the best option over 16mm, as it has a higher resolution level, although it is more expansise than 8mil. It is better to shoot on a serious picture if quality is important and price is not a limitation.

[Nigel]

It depends on what you consider "Better" to be...

I used to shoot a bunch of Super8. I still feel like it has a great look for some applications I just can't get anywhere else.

However, in the last three or so years I have been shooting less and less of it in favor of Super16 and 35. S16 can be a much better value and give you far more options in the end. It will never give the Super8 look though.

If you have any questions feel free to email me.

Good Luck

[Alex]

If you're being paid by others to shoot, stick to 16mm, (unless you are being given complete creative control). If you are exploring and want to learn creative skills outside of the computer box, definitely shoot 8mm, half the fun is finding the coolest of the cool cameras that have an array of functions that you won't find on any other format, film or video.