Kodak super 8 camera is still on

Derek Lofgreen · Nov 23, 2023

I just got an email that the Kodak super 8 camera that wowed everyone a few years ago is actually going to be released. They say in the email and linked web page that it will be released in the US first via B&H for $5,495.00.

I singed up way back for details when they first announced it. Now they want anyone who singed up to sign up again to keep their spot in line. Things have changed and I am not going to pursue the camera, but was surprised when I got the message in my inbox. Looks like Kodak is really going to try and pull it off at some level. I think it's a pretty cool approach to shooting small gauge stock and looking forward to see what comes out of it. For now I will stick with my old Nikon super8.

Now, everyone who wants too, can pile on and bash Kodak, praise Kodak, read there silver halide crystal ball for what they are "really" up to.

Discuss....

MattKing · Nov 23, 2023

And it is being made in Canada!
Almost in my neighbourhood - in Burnaby, BC!
EK is quite excited ......

mshchem · Nov 24, 2023

This is got everything to sync sound, wider format, it's a Super 8 enhanced. Looks to be a fabulous way to train film students, also it's way cheaper than a Leica M11

dutchsteammachine · Nov 24, 2023

No audio recording capabilities at 18fps ):

Dumbest software limitation ever. Lots of people shoot 18fps for the look and extra time, I know I do almost exclusively.

There goes one of THE reasons to get the camera.

LeoniD · Nov 24, 2023

dutchsteammachine said:
No audio recording capabilities at 18fps

Wait, what?

Kino · Nov 24, 2023

dutchsteammachine said:
No audio recording capabilities at 18fps ):

Dumbest software limitation ever. Lots of people shoot 18fps for the look and extra time, I know I do almost exclusively.

There goes one of THE reasons to get the camera.

Buy a 16mm camera and some film for that price. I just don't get it, other than the novelty...

The motor has to be synchronous/crystal type motor to be capable of recording 24 fps sync, so just use an outboard digital recorder and a pair of clap sticks to sync the audio at 18fps.

It appears to be a conscious choice by Kodak; probably to avoid a lot of complaints from newbies that 18fps doesn't look right or that they are having problems with sync issues when combining it with 24, 30, (etc.) footage.

The 24 fps to whatever conversion path is fairly common today but the 18 fps to whatever is not...

Agulliver · Nov 24, 2023

I am glad this has finally made it to the market. Way too expensive for my "fiddling about with super 8" style of amateur filming but I hope it's a success among more serious film makers and students. I was lucky enough to acquire several very good super 8 cameras when nobody wanted them

Chan Tran · Nov 24, 2023

And when you send the film in for processing you get a video file back not a roll of film that you can project.

Kino · Nov 24, 2023

Chan Tran said:
And when you send the film in for processing you get a video file back not a roll of film that you can project.

It should work with reversal as well, but of course the reversal film you get back will not have an audio track, so if you want audio with it, it does have to be transferred to digital.

bfilm · Nov 24, 2023

Chan Tran said:
And when you send the film in for processing you get a video file back not a roll of film that you can project.

I would think this depends on the lab. There are still labs that send you the processed film on a reel.

dutchsteammachine · Nov 24, 2023

Kino said:
Buy a 16mm camera and some film for that price. I just don't get it, other than the novelty...

The motor has to be synchronous/crystal type motor to be capable of recording 24 fps sync, so just use an outboard digital recorder and a pair of clap sticks to sync the audio at 18fps.

It appears to be a conscious choice by Kodak; probably to avoid a lot of complaints from newbies that 18fps doesn't look right or that they are having problems with sync issues when combining it with 24, 30, (etc.) footage.

The 24 fps to whatever conversion path is fairly common today but the 18 fps to whatever is not...

Insanity

It is a conscious software limitation put on a 5K camera.

Sound syncing is easy, I have done it with 50 year old super 8 cameras that were not refurbished. Just put the audio at the right start point and stretch the end to the end of the scene. Done. I've been able to sound sync 3m20s scenes this way with only setting the beginning and end correctly.

You will literally have to do the exact same thing to even the 24/25 fps mode Because its never going to be 100% accurate.

Surely a modern super 8 camera will run more stable and at a higher accuracy than a 50 year old camera that was made without any audio capabilites at all.

18fps is THE right way to shoot the format, and it's the look many actually go for.

dutchsteammachine · Nov 24, 2023

LeoniD said:
Wait, what?

Nope, they must have disabled this with a firmware setting somewhere.

Maybe it's a 2000 usd upgrade?

Guess I will have to strap a 200 dollar gopro on it for that, as I do with my 50$ Nizo 156 camera to sync sound in post.

guangong · Nov 24, 2023

Very interesting! For the time being I’ll stick to my Nizos and Beaulieu.

Chan Tran · Nov 24, 2023

bfilm said:
I would think this depends on the lab. There are still labs that send you the processed film on a reel.

But does Kodak sell you positive film stock? I think they only sell you negative film both color and B&W which when you have the film back you really don't want to watch it on a film projector. Kodachrome is out of the question but does Kodak sell Ektachrome in super 8?
My bad, Kodak does sell Ektachrome.

LeoniD · Nov 24, 2023

dutchsteammachine said:
Nope, they must have disabled this with a firmware setting somewhere.

Maybe it's a 2000 usd upgrade?

Guess I will have to strap a 200 dollar gopro on it for that, as I do with my 50$ Nizo 156 camera to sync sound in post.

Lmao. I could see someone with a leica or two buying it, but with limitations like this it just feels too Chinese

Agulliver · Nov 24, 2023

Kodak still do Ektachrome colour reversal and Tri-X B&W reversal for projection (or digitising).

You could also possibly get a print from negative film. Do Andec still do those?

Kino · Nov 24, 2023

Agulliver said:
Kodak still do Ektachrome colour reversal and Tri-X B&W reversal for projection (or digitising).

You could also possibly get a print from negative film. Do Andec still do those?

As far as I know there is no print stock available for Super 8mm.

Yes, you can shoot either Reversal color/B&W or the Vision Color negative stocks that Kodak sells, but the only way to have sync sound with it is to do a digital transfer and present as a digital file.

I only know of one elderly individual in France who will post-strip Super 8mm film and lay down a mag stripe.

This camera was not aimed at the film for film crowd, but as a novelty production camera to supplement Digital productions.

bfilm · Nov 24, 2023

Kino said:
This camera was not aimed at the film for film crowd, but as a novelty production camera to supplement Digital productions.

I don't know that this is necessarily the case. Maybe it is not suited to full analog workflow, but unfortunately there are very few movies of any sort made that way anymore, even in 16mm and 35mm. I think it is aimed not as a supplemental camera for digital productions, though, but as a small format film camera for film productions working the way most of them do now, which is film origination but then digital editing and distribution.

bfilm · Nov 24, 2023

Eventually, you would have to take it to digital for editing and distribution, but I have always thought it seemed like a fun idea to match the analog film origination for the picture with analog cassette origination for the audio, for a small format combination of Super 8 + cassette.

ATR Magnetics and Recording the Masters (RTM) both still manufacture high-quality cassettes.

16mm or 35mm film might be better matched with the famous old Nagra 1/4" tape recorders.

Kino · Nov 24, 2023

bfilm said:
ATR Magnetics and Recording the Masters (RTM) both still manufacture high-quality cassettes.

16mm or 35mm film might be better matched with the famous old Nagra 1/4" tape recorder.

Don't take this personally, but I can tell you've never tried to sync audio on a wild analog recorder to a digital/crystal sync device. Unless you have a precision cassette deck with either a reference track or a crystal locked motor, the sync will drift like crazy and unpredictably.

Getting and maintaining sync on a film production used to be one of the largest issues facing Super 8mm productions.

No, you would be better off using a crystal sync Nagra with this camera than a cassette recorder,,,

bfilm · Nov 24, 2023

Kino said:
Unless you have a precision cassette deck with either a reference track or a crystal locked motor, the sync will drift like crazy and unpredictably.

Getting and maintaining sync on a film production used to be one of the largest issues facing Super 8mm productions.

No, you would be better off using a crystal sync Nagra with this camera than a cassette recorder,,,

Yes, it was more about the idea of the two small formats being a nice match for one another. Getting the desirable grade or specification of audio cassette equipment is another story.

MultiFormat Shooter · Nov 24, 2023

Kino said:
As far as I know there is no print stock available for Super 8mm.

ANDEC Filmtechnik makes prints from Super 8 negatives, based upon their website.

Europan · Nov 25, 2023

There are a number of 8-mm. cameras that can be equipped with a crystal controlled electric motor. The French L.-D. 8, the Niezoldi & Krämer with a trick shaft, the Paillard-Bolex H from 1963 on, and more. A Leicina 8 S is currently being quartzed by a gentleman in Finnland. No big gain here

The announced new Super-8 camera incorporates a mirror shutter which deflects light onto a video sensor for the LCD finder screen. Instead of offering a reflex viewfinder with a good ocular they did this. There are a number of reflex viewing 8-mm. cameras and one with a true mirrored shutter. Nothing gained in that respect

Most Double-Eight, Straight-Eight or Regular-8 cameras have sturdy metal bodies. The announced camera seems to be another plastic bomber with which I could live but serviceability most probably will decide on the future of the product. Cracked housings, broken-off finder panels and doors, I see the catastrophy coming. Kodak hasn’t spilled a word about who would service the $5495 toy. People, be prudent, invest your money in something valuable. The throw-away mentality needs to be overcome.

bfilm · Nov 25, 2023

I do like optical viewfinders, and the question of availability of servicing is a good point, but the build is metal body. From the data sheet: "Full aluminum body, anodized and painted surface"

Alan Edward Klein · Nov 25, 2023

I've got 43 reels of 8mm film of my wife's family that I still haven't digitized. That project's been on the back burner for over ten years. I also have a Revere triple turret lens 8mm camera that still works if I could find the film for it.

Kodak super 8 camera is still on

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