Super 8mm reccomendations

[Derek Van Gorder]

I'm thinking of investing in a good Super 8 camera. Experimented with a Canon Auto Zoom 518 recently, and it sparked my interest. I want to save up for a nicer one.

After a lot of research, the cameras that most interest me are the Beaulieu 6008 and the Leicina Special; the Leicina seems capable of creating unusually crisp images for Super 8, but I am worried about it shooting 25 fps instead of 24; will this affect the telecine process if I live in the U.S.? Or editing digitized footage in an NLE?

Are there any other Super 8 cameras with interchangeable lenses that you would recommend? Also, the idea of shooting both Super 8 and Red(/Scarlet?) footage with the same glass seems pretty damn cool to me, is this even possible? The Beaulieu uses C-mount lenses, and I've read these can be used on the Red via an adapter. Any issues I should be aware of in this regard?

And, finally, what is the best way of buying a Super 8 camera? Is it better to take a chance with something online, or spend extra buying one from a place like Du-All in NYC that guarantees their stuff to be in good condition?

Thanks!

[Jim Exton]

The Beaulieu 4008 serious is a good choice, especially for C mount lenses, BUT they can be cameras that need regular maintenance in order to keep running. In other words, they are not the most robust cameras made.

I would buy one online and then send it to be serviced.

I know you want one with interchangeable lenses, but the camera I always recommend is the Canon Auto Zoom 814. I saw one on ebay last week for $150.

Great camera.

The Elmo 1012XL-S is another great camera you can find for around $250.

[Derek Van Gorder]

Thanks Jim,

Could you tell me if there are any advantages of getting the 4008 Beaulieu over the 6008? From what I hear, the 4008 and earlier require old battery packs that tend to need repairs or replacements, while the later models ran on AA. And, do the 6008 and later Beaulieu share the same problems of robustness as the older cameras? Durability is important to me.

The 814 definitely caught my eye, I like the ergonomics of the Canon cameras. I guess I am wondering how valuable interchangeable lenses will be for me; do Super 8 cameras like the Beaulieu take a wide range of glass, i.e., will most C-mount lenses just fit on and work, or are there some lenses that are specifically produced to work well with Super 8 and will pose trouble with other applications?

[Mark A. Beal]

I used to have a Canon 1014xls, which was the next step up from the 814 and very similar. It was a wonderful camera, logical and reliable and felt really solid in your hand. This was the camera that Bob Brodsky touted.

If you're planning to record sound, you might also consider a Nizo because they were so quiet (6080 is the model I'm familiar with, but I've heard the Integral series was quiet, too). Camera noise was a serious issue with super-8.

[Jim Exton]

Thanks Jim,

Could you tell me if there are any advantages of getting the 4008 Beaulieu over the 6008? From what I hear, the 4008 and earlier require old battery packs that tend to need repairs or replacements, while the later models ran on AA. And, do the 6008 and later Beaulieu share the same problems of robustness as the older cameras? Durability is important to me.

The 814 definitely caught my eye, I like the ergonomics of the Canon cameras. I guess I am wondering how valuable interchangeable lenses will be for me; do Super 8 cameras like the Beaulieu take a wide range of glass, i.e., will most C-mount lenses just fit on and work, or are there some lenses that are specifically produced to work well with Super 8 and will pose trouble with other applications?

I was told a long time ago that the 6008 series is even more fragile. In the sense, that I was told you have to use the camera regularly, you can't just put it in the closet for 5 months, pull it out and expect it to run. It might, but don't be surprised if it doesn't. This was from a top dealer of the cameras.

Yeah, the batteries on the 4008 are an issue, but you can get a new one with charger and dummy plug for around $400 on Ebay. Expensive compared to cameras that take AA batteries. And I would definitely assume you are going to have to do that. Even if the original batteries were recelled, they didn't power that many cartridges to begin with, so....

The 4008 are expensive in that sense. You will probably end up spending $1000 by the time you get a camera, get it serviced and get a new battery pack and charger.

If you do get the 4008, try to get one with the Schneider 6-70 or the 6-66. These were considered higher end than the Angenieux 8-64mm. The Angenieux 6-80mm is a good lens as well.

I think the C mount option is overrated. I think you should be able to get by on a fixed mount lens.

The lenses on the Canon high end cameras, the Auto Zoom 814, the 1014XLS, the 814XLS, the 1014 AutoZoom, they are all really good lenses.

The Nizos were really good cameras and as mentioned above, really quiet.

The Elmo 1012XLS I mentioned is also really quiet and a good lens. You might have trouble getting it serviced if it breaks though. The same could be said for most super 8 cameras. I think there are ample amount of parts for the 4008s though. You might want to check with Irv Higdon or Bernie O'Doherty on that before you buy.

[Jason Murphy]

I have a Beaulieu 4008, and while the camera is really nice, the battery is certainly a problem. Mine needs to be re-celled, and I just haven't gotten around to having it done. The c-mount is obviously nice, and I would often use a Nikon/C-mount adapter to mount some of my still glass.

All that said, though, if you don't need the interchangeable lens, I would second Mark's recommendation of the Nizo/Braun camera. Super quiet, really reliable, and a really good lens. Also runs on AA's which means I've used it a lot more than my Beaulieu.

[theinfantry]

Check out the cameras at Pro8mm (http://www.pro8mm.com) in Burbank. They modified several of their Super 8 cameras with a 16X9 gate. Recently, used it and scanned footage to Apple Pro Res files. Expensive, but very nice result.

[Derek Van Gorder]

Thanks for all the info, guys! I think I will go for the Canon 814 for now, it seems to have everything I want at that price range.

theinfantry, that's some amazing stuff you posted. If I ever have the need to shoot Super 8 professionally, that is definitely the route I will take. Do you have any HD resolution screengrabs you could post? Would love to see what that looks like.