Regular 8mm shooters,let's hear from you

Post by **mediumformatphoto** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:35 pm

I love using my Bolex H8, not only because I use a lot of fine manual still cameras like Rolleiflex, but also the quality is excellent. I think my H8 was a steal on ebay for $120 in superb condition, with the 5.5mm Switar and two Yvars. Shooting with the 5.5mm at f8 is basically infinite depth of field.

I have a fully functional Nikon R8 which I also like a lot, but find I shoot better film in the Bolex. I may sell the R8 and have some nice pics of it if anyone is interested.

R.J.

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:47 am

The first camera I actually purchased was a Bolex B-8 in 1977. I had used some S-8mm cameras starting in 1972 that were in my family. I have been shooting R-8mm ever since. Way too many beautiful cameras and projectors that take and show excellent footage. I use the Bolex H-8 and H-8Rex most of the time for important stuff. A set of Switar primes on an H-8 is really hard to beat! The only thing close I have used is the nice Canon 8 (which is a clone of the Bolex B-8) and their superb Canon prime lenses. Great little camera, but the registration, while good, is not equal to the H-8 Bolex. Last roll I shot was in November, but I am planning on shooting some tomorrow, matter of fact. Long live R-8mm. Support John Schwind, without him where would we be?

David M. Leugers

YouTube · Post by **wahiba** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 9:22 am

When my stock of Super-8 has gone I will just stick with DIY black and white and the DR8, although having acquired a quarz DS8 I may give that a go as well.

Definitely easier to load the 16mm film into tanks and split afterwards than loading super 8 into the tank.

Also, batterys do not run out on clockwork cameras and Johnson slide rule exposure calculators.

Post by **studiocarter** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:23 pm

Loading is more difficult because the spool spindel is thinner, requiring an adapter, and that makes putting the spool onto the shaft harder to do.

Otherwise a H8 is just like a H16.

Mr Nowell in London perfs film. viewtopic.php?t=13094&start=0&postdays= ... highlight=
I like the 7363 in R8 because it is so sharp.

Post by **mohican** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 2:16 pm

It has been a long, long time since I posted here. In France presently but returning to the USA early April. I still shoot some R8 as a home-movie type; want to film some of the great Lake "Salties" and "Lakers" this summer, but am going to be selling many of my R8 cameras to support my returning activity in amateur radio. If anyone is interested in some nice little B&H R8s, (etc.) stay tuned. Happy shooting.

Post by **Old Uncle Barry** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 1:09 pm

Wahiba:
Shooting in black and white is a fine idea.
Its all we had in the old days and some brilliant movies were made using this stock.
There are no lighting clashes to be too worried about and there are a boatload of different filters available to get the right effect you are looking for.
Old issues of Amateur Cine World bear testament to the success you can achieve with black and white film,its almost as if we have come full circle,black and white easy to obtain,colour a little more difficult.
You can of course develope it yourself,but I think you have already done that!
Go on everyone using R8,go for it! 8) 8)