New Super 8mm Film Camera: Retroternative Imaging

Russell Rankin · February 17th, 2007, 05:32 AM

Since these really intresting cameras accept c-mount lenses the fact that they aren't reflex isn't an issue if you know a little about c-mount lens history. Back in the fifties SOM Berthiot made a few lines of c-mount lenses that had a Dog Leg viewfinder that attached to a zoom lens that could could fit all c-mount cameras. Their main market target was Bolex which hadn't yet come out with their prism reflex system. They originally to cost as much as a brand new Cadillac in 1955. There were enough made (and made well) that you can find these all the time on ebay for less than $300 bucks. I used to have one and regret ever selling it along with my non-reflex Bolex, which according to is serial number was one of the last made before the reflex switch.
The best model is the SOM Berthiot 17-85/2 Pan Cinor. In fact if you search ebay right now you'll find one for cheap, I might even bid.

So the non-reflex nature of these cameras for the determined DP could be fixed, sort of.

Kurth Bousman · February 18th, 2007, 11:36 AM

This camera will never get made. Who in their right mind would pay 5 grand for a super 8 , even a ds8 camera ? I've seen , and I'm not interested in even
watching anymore , ds8 canons and bolexs go for 5-600 on ebay . Or a regular s8 like beaulieu 4008zmll for 300 would be alot better deal unless you plan on shooting 100,000 feet of film. If you want to shoot film , buy a nice little eclair acl for 1500-2 grand, or a beaulieu r16 for 6-700 and shoot 16 , and you will still be very happy with the telecined grainy image, crop it for 16x9 and it will serve you much better than this 25 year/toolate dinosaur. You could never ,ever shoot enough ds8 film stock to justify spending 5k. In the early 80's when super 8 sound was the thing , Aaton had a s8 protoytpe ready but they didn't release it then at about the same price ( 5k ) as the going 16mm cameras. Why would someone even consider it now. Rent an Aaton or Arriflex and don't look back.

February 17th, 2007, 05:32 AM	#16
Russell Rankin New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Houston & NYC Posts: 10	Parallax Viewing Issue Since these really intresting cameras accept c-mount lenses the fact that they aren't reflex isn't an issue if you know a little about c-mount lens history. Back in the fifties SOM Berthiot made a few lines of c-mount lenses that had a Dog Leg viewfinder that attached to a zoom lens that could could fit all c-mount cameras. Their main market target was Bolex which hadn't yet come out with their prism reflex system. They originally to cost as much as a brand new Cadillac in 1955. There were enough made (and made well) that you can find these all the time on ebay for less than $300 bucks. I used to have one and regret ever selling it along with my non-reflex Bolex, which according to is serial number was one of the last made before the reflex switch. The best model is the SOM Berthiot 17-85/2 Pan Cinor. In fact if you search ebay right now you'll find one for cheap, I might even bid. So the non-reflex nature of these cameras for the determined DP could be fixed, sort of.

February 18th, 2007, 11:36 AM	#17
Kurth Bousman Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: san miguel allende , gto , mexico Posts: 644	This camera will never get made. Who in their right mind would pay 5 grand for a super 8 , even a ds8 camera ? I've seen , and I'm not interested in even watching anymore , ds8 canons and bolexs go for 5-600 on ebay . Or a regular s8 like beaulieu 4008zmll for 300 would be alot better deal unless you plan on shooting 100,000 feet of film. If you want to shoot film , buy a nice little eclair acl for 1500-2 grand, or a beaulieu r16 for 6-700 and shoot 16 , and you will still be very happy with the telecined grainy image, crop it for 16x9 and it will serve you much better than this 25 year/toolate dinosaur. You could never ,ever shoot enough ds8 film stock to justify spending 5k. In the early 80's when super 8 sound was the thing , Aaton had a s8 protoytpe ready but they didn't release it then at about the same price ( 5k ) as the going 16mm cameras. Why would someone even consider it now. Rent an Aaton or Arriflex and don't look back.