Tips? Lighting for 8mm film at DVinfo.net

Michael Wisniewski · February 11th, 2008, 02:17 PM

Would love some tips on lighting for 8mm film. What are the main differences vs. lighting for video? I also have my handy, dandy, Sekonic L-358 light meter all ready to go.

Brian Drysdale · February 11th, 2008, 03:29 PM

I'd run exposure tests with your film stock.

There's no huge difference in lighting for film and video, but you do need to know how your film stock responds in the shadows. Exposing for negative and reversal stocks is slightly different: reversal is rather like video, you expose for the highlights. On the other hand, for negative stocks you expose more for the shadows, basically you don't want a thin neg.

With Super 8 you won't want to use fast stocks unless you're into the grain, so you'll find you need higher lighting levels, especially if you're used to a PD150!

Test before you do anything serious, and try out the different stocks.

Dan Brockett · February 11th, 2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Wisniewski

Would love some tips on lighting for 8mm film. What are the main differences vs. lighting for video? I also have my handy, dandy, Sekonic L-358 light meter all ready to go.

Are you using the Super 8 Sound "custom" loads or ??

Dan

February 11th, 2008, 02:17 PM	#1
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Tips? Lighting for 8mm film Would love some tips on lighting for 8mm film. What are the main differences vs. lighting for video? I also have my handy, dandy, Sekonic L-358 light meter all ready to go. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

February 11th, 2008, 03:29 PM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	I'd run exposure tests with your film stock. There's no huge difference in lighting for film and video, but you do need to know how your film stock responds in the shadows. Exposing for negative and reversal stocks is slightly different: reversal is rather like video, you expose for the highlights. On the other hand, for negative stocks you expose more for the shadows, basically you don't want a thin neg. With Super 8 you won't want to use fast stocks unless you're into the grain, so you'll find you need higher lighting levels, especially if you're used to a PD150! Test before you do anything serious, and try out the different stocks.