Use 16mm film in place of double run 8mm?

[ruby_love]

I have an old Bolex Paillard 8mm movie camera from the late 30's that still runs perfectly (still in its original box with instructions). I would absolutely love to make movies with this camera and, since it takes a discontinued type of film (double-run 8mm) I was wondering if anyone knew whether using 16mm film in place of it would work for this camera. I know that it would only expose 1/2 the frame of 16mm at a time, but I can work with that. I just need to know if the camera will be able to grab and pull the film through-I know the sprocket size varies from double-run 8mm to 16mm.

Thank you!

 

[removed account4]

hi there

you can still get double run 8mm film ...
try prepfilm.com

he sells the film + will process it for you as well ...
have fun !
john

 

[hpulley]

You can still buy Double-8 easily on the 'bay too... picked some up for the old family movie camera in a lot of other film though I still have to confirm that the old movie cam works.

 

[ic-racer]

Those late 30s H8 models did not have a mark for 18 fps. One way to figure out where 18 is on the knob is to use some leader and and with the lens off and shutter on "B" make a mark on the leader. Then run it a set time and count frames back to your original mark. After some trial and error you can find the spot on the knob. Later models had a frame counter, that made this easier. If you want to shoot at 24fps there is a mark for that.

 

[johnielvis]

it don't work....the sprockets will spool it but the pin won't engage it...you need to double perforate them...

you can get a perforator..they are sold...or build one maybe.....

 

[Athiril]

it don't work....the sprockets will spool it but the pin won't engage it...you need to double perforate them...

you can get a perforator..they are sold...or build one maybe.....

16mm is double perf, Super 16mm is single perf. Or is do0ble 8 more perforations altogether.

 

[ic-racer]

16mm is double perf, Super 16mm is single perf. Or is do0ble 8 more perforations altogether.

Twice as many per foot etc. They are the same size as the 16mm perforations and take up considerable space, thus the incentive for super-8 with its thin holes.

 

[cmacd123]

Last time I wanted some Regualr 8, I got it from John at International film.
http://www.zerelda.com/internationalfilm/internationalfilm.html

Kodak still makes it, but only in 400ft rolls, and with a many roll minimum. John re-spools it . From my dealings with him he is a reliable supplier. I think the camera shown as part of hius site is a bolex as a mater of fact.

Foma was making their r-100 in regular 8 and Java Photo also sometimes has re-spooled regular 8.

As others have mentioned Regular 8 film might run in a 16mm camera, but not the other way.

It is a good idea to ask for regualr 8 spools back from the lab. some suppliers need them, john seems to have a bunch of Russian spools.

 

[Scheimpflug]

Freestyle had it a few months ago, but I don't see it now... Might be worth a call though, to see if they are going to get any more in.

 

[ic-racer]

It is a good idea to ask for regualr 8 spools back from the lab.

Actually with regular8 you always keep your own spools. The one you send to the lab is the one the film came on. My spools are all original Bolex 25, 50 and 100 spools.

 

[2F/2F]

While 16mm and double 8 share a common "base" film stock, the sprocket holes are punched differently. Put simply, it won't work unless the film is re-punched. There are places that do this, however.

 

[cmacd123]

Actually with regular8 you always keep your own spools. The one you send to the lab is the one the film came on.

But if you keep the ones the film comes on, you can always spool down a longer roll, AFAIK only Foma still has spools made. John supplied the film I bought from him on Russian SMELMA spools.