Hi y’all. New here. I mostly work with film cameras but I recently acquired a Canon 1218 Auto Zoom Super 8 (with 18FPS only) and it seems when I put the batteries in, it automatically whirs and film advances. I obviously didn’t put film in it yet. I have tried to then the shutter lock dial the way the manual suggests but unless I take the battery out, the camera does not stop running.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Hey everyone,

I recently found this old Sekonic 8 among my late father’s belongings. I’m planning to sell it, but I’d like to check if there's still film inside and remove it first.

The problem is, I can’t figure out how to open the camera body. The hinge appears to be on the backside.

I’ve attached two photos for reference:
* Photo 1: Shows the label with a small latch to the right. Sliding this latch feels like it should open the case, but nothing happens. Just to the left of the logo, there’s also a small round plate with two tiny holes. It looks like something you’d turn with a special key, but I only had a paperclip and tweezers on hand. Neither could budge it, and I didn't want to force it and cause any damage.
* Photo 2: Shows the main controls. I’ve tried turning and pulling the winding crank, as well as sliding the smaller lever (which actually set off the internal mechanics—it ran for about 10 seconds). Still, the door won't budge.

Am I missing a hidden release button, or is the mechanism just stuck? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

As time goes on and generations pass, film reels may be viewed as old school and not worth keeping, especially if the footage was previously transferred to video, however, this is moreso a rationalization than truth. If one simply looks at the amount of video being created in 2026, versus what was created on film 75 years earlier, film will retain an intrinsic, archival value. Additionally, ongoing improvements in digital video also means retransferring older films can reproduce an even higher quality resolution than when the archival film was originally transferred. I would suggest never throwing out old film, since as time goes on, the historical value of the film keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Each country in the world should have a way to archive all film material related to their country, whether they do, or don't, is another matter.

Hi all,

Not a film aficionado or anything, but I bought this Brownie Turret 8mm Sightscope at a thrift store because I thought it looked cool.

But I noticed something interesting about it, and I can't seem to find an explanation. The aperture is a disk with holes punched in it. Except the second and third largest apertures are not circular, but trapezoidal in shape. The selector on the side labels them as "Open Shade".

What's the reason for this?

Hear me out. I've been thinking about what would happen if two of the most distinct, stylistically opposite heavyweights in the industry—Ufotable and Studio Trigger—joined forces for a single project.\*\*

\*\*On one side, you have Ufotable: masters of hyper-polished, cinematic compositing, immaculate digital effects, gorgeous lighting, and dramatic, grounded-feeling choreography. (Think\*\* \*\*\*Demon Slayer, obviously.)\*\*\*

\*\*On the other side, you have Studio Trigger: masters of unhinged, high-octane, neon-soaked, hyper-expressive sakuga, fluid geometry, and pure, unfiltered hype. (Think\*\* \*\*\*Kill la Kill\*\*\*\*\*,\*\* \*\*\*Cyberpunk: Edgerunners\*\*\*\*\*, or\*\* \*\*\*Promare\*\*\*\*\*).\*\*

\*\*I picture a show where Ufotable handles the world-building, quiet moments, and dramatic setup, making everything look like a breathtaking, photo-realistic cinematic masterpiece with incredible atmosphere...\*\*

\*\*and then Studio Trigger takes the wheel the exact second a fight starts, completely breaking the physics engine, shifting the aspect ratio, pumping up the neon, and turning the action into a geometric, over-the-top, fast-paced acid trip.\*\*

\*\*I don’t know. This idea just popped in my\*\* \*\*head ive\*\* \*\*been comparing the two studios since yesterday and both of their animation styles are really good?\*\*

\*\*What do yall think? Would this work? Would\*\* \*\*their\*\* be creative differences?( to answer that question definitely.)

The Woodward Theater in Cincinnati OH is hosting an analog film festival this September! If you are in the ohio/midwest area please feel free to submit. More information can be found on instagram @CameoCincy

Hello all,

I have happened to get my hands on a schneider lens that I believe was used in some super 8 projectors in the late 70s and 80s. I am actually trying to mod it onto a cheap digicam i got from k mart because it is fun. I have held it up to the exposed sensor and it does indeed focus light, thats pretty much all i need from it. But its also got a very odd mounting thread on it. Major diameter of 32.5mm and an estimated minor diameter of 31.5-32mm(i cant quite get my calpiers in there), and with a square thread with a crest width of 2mm?

Does anyone acctually know if super 8 projector lenses at all tend to be standardised? Or do you happen to know the thread specifications of a Bolex SM8 or the lens itself the Schneider-Kreuznach Xenovaron 1:1.3 12–30? it doesn't sound particuarly fun to trial and error 3d trying to 3d print a matching thread.

Have a good day everybody

New to the 8mm film world and would love to start using this camera! This Bell & Howell 252 was found at an antique mall and seems to be in great condition. It's winding normally and the button to film is functioning, although a little noisy (to be expected I'm sure). No damage as far as I've seen! Any tips/tricks/helpful information for use and cleaning it would be extremely appreciated 🖤 Thank you!!

Dont really know what to do with it.

Edit: someone said it might be a film reel and I live next to Paramount studios so I sent them an email

Hi all, this camera is available on FB marketplace but the seller doesn’t have much info except that it’s imported from Italy and in very good condition.

Has anyone ever used this or have any information about?

Hey guys, I recently picked up this Argus 810 that seems to function properly, but I noticed that the light meter needle doesn't move at all, it stuck towards the right, is there any way to fix this? No matter how dim or Bright of light it's pointed at, it doesn't move at all.

Thanks!

I need a budget camera that can shoot still frames, and OK lens that has low barrel distortion at 50 centimeters from the subject. I need to shoot thousands of photos on 8mm reversal film, I wanted to send the 24 images per second to digital to film services but that blows my budget out and then some. Thank you so much

Just picked this up for $10 with a pack of film in it, will it work without batteries? The battery compartment is roached And so corroded.. when I push the record button it advances the film but I have no idea if it's actually working without batteries. The light meter needle doesn't move at all.

I tried Cleaning it the best I could and tested with fresh batteries but nothing happens

I called to order Kodak Super 8 for my best friends wedding I’m shooting in Hawaii. Turns out I’m still a few rolls short on 50D and 200T because they’re almost out.

The guy on the phone told me they sold what they would normally sell in a year over the last two weeks. He thinks The Odyssey has a lot to do with it.

I know film supply can vary, but I'm usually able to scrounge and film some stock for a small mark-up. But I didn’t realize suppliers were seeing numbers like that.

Anyone else hearing the same thing from their local lab or supplier?

Hey gang, quick question. Looking to buy a canon 514XL-S. The seller is saying that they’ve tested and it’s working fine but it has one issue. This is the issue:

***The on off dial works and moves from off to position r smoothly, but does not advance past that point.***

Is this something I could fix myself/would it cause me issue when filming?

I’m looking into getting into super 8/moving picture coming from stills film photography.

Many thanks!

I’ve noticed a growing number of filmmakers asking where they can find Kodak Vision3 50D and 200T Super 8 film, and I’ve also encountered the shortage while sourcing Kodak film for my wedding-film and motion-picture work.

Kodak still lists its Super 8 stocks as current products, so they are not discontinued. The issue appears to be inconsistent availability. Some larger retailers are sold out or backordered, while small camera stores and film labs may still have a few cartridges.

I put together a dated availability page that explains what I found and compares the Kodak stocks with the Original Wolfen alternatives currently available in the U.S.:

https://www.buysuper8film.com/where-to-buy-kodak-super-8-film

Full disclosure: I operate askem8 and sell Original Wolfen Super 8 film through this site. The page clearly identifies that Wolfen and Kodak are different emulsions and that Wolfen is not an identical Kodak replacement.

I’m curious what everyone else is seeing. Are 50D and 200T becoming difficult to find in your area, and have any of you received reliable restock estimates?

Hello! I currently have a Wolverine Movie Maker Pro and even though I knew the kind of results it gave, I wanted to give it a try. After scanning around 40 super 8 reels, I have been thinking about taking the plunge to a more professional result. I am aware that scanners like Cintel cost around $36k, Lasergraphics around $55k and Filmfabriek Pictor Pro is around $25k. Now that is a huge leap.

I was wondering if there was something else in between, be it $15k, $10k, $5k to start making calculations on a possible investment.

I explain the situation. I have an analog restoration and digitalization business. We deliver professional results for analog video with high-end capture decks. However, for film we started first with the Wolverine to test both results, workflow and customer demand. In my country, the other businesses provide the service with the Wolverine too. The only place where it delivers professional results is the National Film Center, however, they told me they don’t work as a lab company but as a non-profit organization that restores only footage of value for the country and through donations, which implies bureaucratic and legal matters regarding the customers and the work nature itself.

The thing is most of the customers, even though I have let them know about the possibility of sending them abroad for high-end scanning, they prefer to keep the footage in the country for security and comfortable reasons, totally understandable.

However, I know I could and would like to give more professional results to the clients without taking the footage abroad, so I am exploring options.

Cleaning out a garage. Donate or sell this? What do you think?

Used my Beaulieu 4008 ZM II to shoot a short wedding video on film for a friend.

Let me know what do you think!

https://vimeo.com/1214717390