So I'm shooting a test roll on Tri-X B/W reversal and I want to buy a projector. What are some commonly used film projectors for super 8 mm that are cheap, reliable and can be repaired easily? I don't need a high quality projector, but one that is fairly decent and used commonly by amateur film makers. Also, can I use the same projectors for both color and b/w films? Are there adjustable apertures on projector lenses? Thanks in advance!
Answer
Whether the film is color or B&W makes absolutely no difference with the projector. A projector can play either black and white or color film. Why did you think that mattered?
You just need to be sure you get a projector that can play Super-8 film. There is another kind of 8mm movie film, called "Regular 8mm" or "Double-Run 8." Regular 8mm and Super-8 are NOT compatible. They have different frame sizes and the sprockets are different. There are some projectors that can play both Regular 8mm and Super-8. But if you're using Super-8 film, then you have to be sure the projector specifically says that it can play Super-8.
Projectors do not have an adjustable aperture, but they do have manual focus. Really, there is no need for adjustable F-stops with a projector anyway.
The other advice I can think of is to try to avoid using "auto load" projectors. (Where it threads the film automatically). They suck. They jam often, and it will eat your film. Just look for a better quality projector, where you load the film manually.
As far as what kind of Super-8 projectors to look for, one that comes to mind is Bolex. They made really good 8mm movie cameras (both Regular 8mm and Super-8), and I would assume that their projectors were good quality too. But I mostly shoot with Regular 8mm. I recently got a really nice Revere P-90 projector from an antique shop (it's all-metal and very solid. It works great.). But it only plays Regular 8mm.
Look on eBay and in thrift shops and antique shops. The only thing I can suggest is to stay away from really cheap, plasticky "auto loading" projectors. Try to find a more solidly built projector. Some brands to look for are maybe Bolex, Bauer, Revere, Keystone, and Bell and Howell.
Good luck. I'm glad to see someone else is interested in this! There are actually a lot of people who are into shooting with real movie film (Regular 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm). It's starting to make a comeback.
Whether the film is color or B&W makes absolutely no difference with the projector. A projector can play either black and white or color film. Why did you think that mattered?
You just need to be sure you get a projector that can play Super-8 film. There is another kind of 8mm movie film, called "Regular 8mm" or "Double-Run 8." Regular 8mm and Super-8 are NOT compatible. They have different frame sizes and the sprockets are different. There are some projectors that can play both Regular 8mm and Super-8. But if you're using Super-8 film, then you have to be sure the projector specifically says that it can play Super-8.
Projectors do not have an adjustable aperture, but they do have manual focus. Really, there is no need for adjustable F-stops with a projector anyway.
The other advice I can think of is to try to avoid using "auto load" projectors. (Where it threads the film automatically). They suck. They jam often, and it will eat your film. Just look for a better quality projector, where you load the film manually.
As far as what kind of Super-8 projectors to look for, one that comes to mind is Bolex. They made really good 8mm movie cameras (both Regular 8mm and Super-8), and I would assume that their projectors were good quality too. But I mostly shoot with Regular 8mm. I recently got a really nice Revere P-90 projector from an antique shop (it's all-metal and very solid. It works great.). But it only plays Regular 8mm.
Look on eBay and in thrift shops and antique shops. The only thing I can suggest is to stay away from really cheap, plasticky "auto loading" projectors. Try to find a more solidly built projector. Some brands to look for are maybe Bolex, Bauer, Revere, Keystone, and Bell and Howell.
Good luck. I'm glad to see someone else is interested in this! There are actually a lot of people who are into shooting with real movie film (Regular 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm). It's starting to make a comeback.
Why won't my 8mm film fit on to my Wards 8mm projector?
Q. I have some reels from the sixties I'd like to watch but they won't fit on the arms of my projector. The film is 8mm and it's an 8mm projector so I don't know what the deal is.
Also, it's a "self threading" projector but I can't figure out how it works. It's a Wards 886.
Also, it's a "self threading" projector but I can't figure out how it works. It's a Wards 886.
Answer
It sounds like you have a Super 8mm projector and not a regular 8mm projector.. Some projectors were both, but you need to flip a lever somewhere on it to one or the other. You also need adapters to fit the spools of film on the arms or change spools all together. This was done so people would not try to intermix films in the projector.
.
Regular 8mm has very small 'images' on the film and the images do not go into the sprocket holes of the film. Super 8mm has larger 'images' and the images DO go into the sprocket hole area. However, the sprocket holes are NOT the same between the two and feeding one type of movie film into the wrong projector can and will chop up your film because the holes do not line up right.
.
Have you tried using Google..???
It sounds like you have a Super 8mm projector and not a regular 8mm projector.. Some projectors were both, but you need to flip a lever somewhere on it to one or the other. You also need adapters to fit the spools of film on the arms or change spools all together. This was done so people would not try to intermix films in the projector.
.
Regular 8mm has very small 'images' on the film and the images do not go into the sprocket holes of the film. Super 8mm has larger 'images' and the images DO go into the sprocket hole area. However, the sprocket holes are NOT the same between the two and feeding one type of movie film into the wrong projector can and will chop up your film because the holes do not line up right.
.
Have you tried using Google..???
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: For super 8mm film, what kind of projector should I buy for black/white and color films?
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thank FOr Coming TO My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment