Super8 film in a USSR Lomo tank?

I posted this message on the APUG 'cine' group which seems to be lightly frequented, so re-posting here:

'Is it possible to process Super8 film in one of those USSR Lomo tanks? I looked at one today that was apparently for 16mm, however the boxed also mentioned 8mm but I'm unsure how this is possible.'

Tom

The Lomo tank can only process regular 8mm. Regular 8mm is 16mm wide, exposed on both sides, and split after processing. Super 8 is 8mm wide, and processed as-is.

Nick,

As I suspected. Do you have experience processing Super8?

Tom

Hello Tom,

Yes it is. Which tank are you looking at? There are two sizes (very similar) that do 35, 16, standard 8 and super 8. There are also some larger less common ones that are water jacketed. There is also a Meopta one that only does 30ft of 16mm or standard 8mm (which is 16mm wide before splitting). I have 3 of the 1-35, 2-16, 2-standard 8, and 2 super8 types and the instructions, which used to be online, but don't seem to be there any more. You can load 2 super8 films, but the second one can be a little tricky, because you have to attach more parts before loading. These tanks work very well, and are easy to load, after you get the knack of it.

Cheers,
Clarence

Clarence,

Thanks, can one process a single roll of Super8 in the tank? As the reel is the correct width for 16mm, how does the Super8 film stay in place?

Tom

Hello Tom,

If you are looking at the tank similar to the one I posted, there are a variety of plastic parts that allow either one 35mm, one or two 16mm, one or two standard 8 or one or two super8 films to be done. To do the second layer one adds the included plastic ring and other parts and loads. This has to be done in the dark. There is only room and parts for one 50ft length of 35mm.

I am not aware of a Lomo tank that does not have all these parts. I checked my 16mm only tank and it was actually made by Chemoplast in BRNO.

I will post a few more images in the next post.

Cheers,
Clarence

Hello Tom,

More pics.

Does the tank you are looking at look like this?
*Bay # 370312229097

I found a few ads for tanks on a quick search, but some of them seem to be missing parts. I can PM you a list of all the parts that should be included. You might have to be careful on this one, but if you have all the parts, they work very well. I bought mine (three) a few years ago, and they were going for about $75.00US then - new or newish in box. One came from the UK and included a splitter.

I should also add that IIRC these tanks can only take 50ft of film per layer, not the 100ft claimed in some of the ads. Perhaps there are other models that I am not aware of. I haven't used mine in about a year.


Cheers,
Clarence

Hi Tom,

You have to be careful you get the right tank for Super8 - most I have seen on the market are for 25ft std.8/16mm. Infact I have one of these, bought in haste a few years ago, and never used! They can command quite high prices due to rareity.

Personally I would recommend Andec Filmtechnic in Berlin, for convenience:

http://www.andecfilm.de/en/e_start.htm

Matt