Super-8 Test: The Negative Stocks

Part 1 of my Super-8 stock test.

This was the first Super-8 footage I've shot in over 10 years.

In this clip, you'll be seeing Vision2 200T first, then Pro8/45 50D. The Pro8 stock seemed to have problems with focus because of the pressure plate in the cartridge.

Shot using a Canon 514XL-S at true speed, no exposure compensation, and on auto exposure.

This footage was actually shot from November 2005 in Fort Myers, Florida to April of 2006 in Chicago.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Super8mm
• film
• Kodak
• Vision2
• Pro8
• negative

[VideVoxBR]

Hi! Good test. Very useful. I didn't understand the Pro8 focus problem. What was the reason? You said "pressure plate"...? So... I just have bought a 514 XLS. Do you have its manual? I searched in internet and I found olny a brochure. That's fine but not so complete as a manual. If you want I can send you the PDF. I sent a negative reel and got back the negative processed and a MiniDV tape, is not it? Have you tried Visio 2 200 or 500?

[cubdukat]

The manuals are very hard to find. Unfortunately I didn't get one with the cam, but I've worked with these things so much that it was more or less second nature.

I've tried both V2 200T and 500T; in fact, the first film in this clip is V2 200T. I haven't transferred any of my V2 500T stuff to video yet, but that'll happen in the new year.

[iliketea333]

did they give you a positive reel back when they developed it, or just a positive digital copy

[cubdukat]

No, it comes back to you as a negative. Your positive is the MiniDV copy.

Most labs don't even supply positive prints for 16mm and 35mm anymore, and there's virtually no market for positive Super-8. There was one European lab that offered that, but they stopped because there was no market for it.

[jazzclarinet2006]

Vision 2 looks pretty good. Do you prefer this over Ektacrome for color?

[cubdukat]

Definitely. The other reason is that negative stocks are much more flexible than reversal stocks like Ektachrome.

[temperanceluv81]

@cubdukat

I'm new to this, and I cant wrap my head around how negative stocks work.

don't you have to have a positive print to project it?

Also, can you explain the phrase "straight telecined"

BTW, I'm not a film school student, just an amateur photographer that is interested in shooting a super 8 film.

[MREVANURY]

Great looking footage. Man, that 200T is really something. Looks perfect indoors around 3200 kelvin yet can handle the smaller f stops outside! I'm planning on shooting my next short using Vision 3 200T and 500T. Great latitude to work with using these stocks. It's hard to not expose the film correctly! Was going to use reversal 100D but the color saturation just isn't there! Take a look a Sagres Super 8. Shot on 200T it's probably the best looking stuff I've ever seen on here!

[corvettels9]

@cubdukat The eckerd's near my house supplies positive prints for 35mm but that's about it.

[Namebelegt]

@cubdukat positive S8 prints of vision stocks are possible. Look here: andecfilm de

[rustedsatellites]

on the cartridge door side of the 514xl is a little knob with 9 and 18 as selections on it... i'm guessing these are framerates? how much time does a typical cartridge of film last for for either of these settings?

[TeamLibertyExpress]

Super 8 shooting : 101

a) Use a tripod.

b) Pan slowly.

c) Light the hell out of your subject, especially indoors.

d) Use a tripod !!!