Filed under: kodak cameras
This is a short video showing one of my antique wind-up 8mm movie cameras. This is a Kodak Brownie II movie camera. It still works, and I’ve actually shot movies with it. You can still get 8mm film online, and in fact 8mm and Super-8 is making a comeback because people like the vintage look. You can get 8mm movie film (also Super-8 and even 16mm) from www.dwaynesphoto.com, or just search on Google for “Dwayne’s Photo” in Parsons, Kansas. They sell and develop all kinds of movie film. That’s where I get mine.
Duration : 0:2:38
I’m trying to shoot …
I’m trying to shoot a short film with one of these, thanks for giving this explanation on the functionalities of the camera!
…the problem with …
…the problem with some Super-8 cameras is that they are auto exposure only, and you can’t adjust the aperture manually. (Whereas most regular 8mm camras are completely manual exposure). I think Ektachrome 64T is actually a new film, and it might not work right with certain Super-8 cameras. I mean, the cartridge will fit and the camera will work, but the exposure might be off a little. But really, I’ve noticed that movie film is very forgiving anyway.
No problem! I’m …
No problem! I’m glad you’re interested! I actually just got into shooting with vintage 8mm cameras about 2 years ago. And obviously, all these cameras were made WAY before I was even born! But yeah, Super-8 movie film is in a cartridge. (Whereas regular “double-run” 8mm film comes on spools). I’ll be honest…I don’t know that much about Super-8. I’ve only used regular 8mm.
One more question: …
One more question: I am looking at an Argus Super Eight Camera Model 704 online. It is in great condition. I am wondering what type of film I need for it. Would Ektachrome 64T Super 8 50ft work for that? And is that type of film in cartridge form? I am new to working with film with both cameras and camcorders, so I am sorry if these are painfully obvious questions. Thanks so much for your help.
yup, that is …
yup, that is exactly the kind of film you need. Now, technically (according the “Sunny 16 Rule”) the film may be overexposed in very bright conditions…like if you’re shooting outside in the middle of the day during the summer. But I can tell you that I have personally used this film in an antique 8mm camera (one that was even older than the Brownie!) and it came out fine. It looked great, in fact.
So just to confirm, …
So just to confirm, you can use Ektachrome 100D Regular 8 X 25ft (for double 8 cameras) film on a Kodak Brownie 8mm movie camera? I was going to order the film from Dwayne’s but I wanted to make sure that it was going to work. Thanks a lot!
well if you opened …
well if you opened the cover in light the film will now be fogged. There are lots of labs around that develop this film still.
If you send it to …
If you send it to Dwayne’s Photo, print out an order form from their website, and just get the processing for “Double 8mm Cinechrome 40 K-14″ processing. You’re kind of just guessing because you don’t know what kind of film it is…but it mostly likely is Kodachrome film.
Well, the film …
Well, the film might be 30 or 40 years old, so don’t get your hopes up too high. Also, unless there is some kind of label on the spool (which is unlikely) then you don’t know what kind of film it is. It’s probably Kodachrome film, since that was the most popular kind during that time. You’ll have to send it to a lab to get it developed. Send it to Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas. They have a website, but YouTube blocks links in comments. Just look it up on Google.
I just bought this …
I just bought this camera today and there is film in it. Do you know how I can see if there is anything interesting on the film and where I could take it?
LOL…well, get …
LOL…well, get some film and start shooting!
I have one of these …
I have one of these in front of me! cool
Thanks! And the …
Thanks! And the good news is that I just tried a roll of the new Ektachrome 100D film in a really old camera and it worked fine. I thought that these old cameras might overexpose it, because they have a slow shutter speed. But it turned out fine. So as long as it’s not a super bright day, (like noon in the middle of the summer) then you should be able to use 100D in these old Brownie cameras too.
Nice. I have a few …
Nice. I have a few of these little Brownies in my collection. There awesome little cameras to use. Thans for the demo!
I was just going to …
Nice video
I was just going to buy this type of camera
All my cameras have …
All my cameras have completely manual aperture settings, or have a manual override. I specifically wanted that because I assumed the selenium light sensors on those old cameras probably wouldn’t work anymore. So I wanted to use completely manual exposure control. But yeah, with some of the older cameras the shutter speed is too slow and it might overexpose the film. But as long as you have a manual aperture, you can still use a neutral density filter.
If you have no …
If you have no manual override, no ASA adjustment, you might just have to wing it and see what your results are. Everything may be washed out and too bright.
(cont) and try to …
(cont) and try to compensate for it–in the wrong direction–in other words, it IS NOT going to stop down to take less light in for the faster film. What you might try to do is if you have a meter needle and a manual override, check the needle position then put it in manual and close the lens down a little to compensate for the faster film. Remember, higher the number, the faster the film, the less light you want in.
Misc comments– …
Misc comments–unfortunately, us hobbyists are dealing with exposure issues since the demise of Kodachrome and other movie films, in both 8mm and super 8mm. As far as exposure in concerned, you are going to have to experiment. If you have a more deluxe 8mm Camera, like a Bolex, you can completely adjust your ASA. Less expensive cameras sometimes had no adjustment, or if they did, it sometimes only went up to 40asa. The problem with using a filter is that the auto exposure will read that….
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the educational vid !!
Is there any site listing different 8mm cameras models made thorugh the years ?
D.
Well, maybe you …
Well, maybe you can’t get 8mm or Super-8 film directly from Kodak anymore, but they definitely still make it, because I saw it on their website about a week ago. In fact, they had a whole page just on new Super-8 film. Maybe you just can’t buy it directly from Kodak, you probably just have to order it from a dealer. But there a lot of other companies making 8mm film anyway.
Kodak no longer …
Kodak no longer sells 8mm film.
I bought this …
I bought this camera NEW in Summer of 1960. Great camera & still in my collection today. Also, see my videos on YouTube from this era as they were shot with this camera.
Also, there are a …
Also, there are a lot of other companies besides Kodak that make movie and photographic film. You just have to look online. Everyone thinks film is “dead” but that is definitely NOT true at all. That’s mostly just hype and internet rumors. I’ve just started taking black and white photos and developing the film and pictures myself. I haven’t tried Super 8 film yet, but so far I’ve shot about 4 or 5 rolls of 8mm movie film. And I watch it on a real 8mm projector too
oh yeah, definitely …
film, Dwayne’s Photo. Go to their website at k14movies(dot)com. Actually, I think you can even order Super 8 directly from Kodak. Super 8 is kind of making a comeback and a lot of people are getting into it as a hobby.
oh yeah, definitely. You can order Super 8 film from the same place where I get regular 8mm (double