20 AFV Winter 2013.pub - Federation of Australian Movie Makers

SUPER 8 MYTHSAdapted from an article in SAC Magazine, USA by Merv Cahill. (May 1988)Some people are running around saying things about file formats that are not true. For the record, anddespite what you might have heard, the Super 8 format is still alive it is "dying" only in the sense that weare all dying a little each day. But Super 8 (availability of film and equipment) will outlive you and me. Andit's not an unproductive life, either, since no other format at the present time can offer Super 8's combinationof economy, versatility and quality.MYTH - Most people cant find any Super 8 film.FACT - Not only is Super 8 still being sold in many department stores, it is sold in many specialty photoshops such as Home Talkie Co. in Sydney and from FAMM Purchasing Division.MYTH - Most people can't find Super equipment.FACT - Home Talkie Co, P/L is just one large trader that still carries Super S equipment. Most Stateshave at least one trader looking after the needs of members. In any case, a lot of publications still carry adsfor Super 8 equipment and some equipment is still being manufactured. Used equipment will be around fordecades.MYTH - Once Kodak gives up on Super 8, the ball game is over.FACT - Someday Kodak may very well sell off its movie film packaging machine and no longer manufacturecartridges in Australia or Rochester in the USA. But if you think that they are going to sell it to the junkman, think again. B&W Super 8 film still comes in the yellow box. But now it is manufactured in France byPathe. And if you want to know about France.... well .... they are still manufacturing 9.5mm film and equipment.MYTH - Super 8 film is way over-priced compared to other film.FACT - A roll of Kodachrome sound film sells for around $18. A roll of Kodachrome SLIDE film sellsfar around $6. The slide film is about 3ft long and four times as wide as Super 8 (50ft long). You get moreemulsion for your money with movie film - even as you are getting the more complex cassette andsound stripe. Processing is about the same cost even through your film has four times the emulsion area ofslide film.MYTH - Once a format loses favour with the mass public it's best to “get out” or you will beleft high and dry.FACT - Ever hear of the instamatic cartridge? How about the old Polaroid B&W film? Regular 8mm film(Std.8)? 9,5mm film? Every one of those formats have lost favour with the overwhelming majority of users.And - every one of them is still around.MYTH - Our Australian video standards, based on 625 scan lines, allow for video to potentially equal Super8, which has a 100 lines of resolution per mm, a picture that is 5mm high,FACT - This bit of figure juggling is hauled out every time video is hyped. No respectable photomagazine would judge a lens or film based only on lines of resolution. The factors which comeinto play for picture quality are far more complex. Our Australian video standards would have to bedrastically changed before they could approach Super 8 quality.MYTH - Lab services are no longer available for Super 8.FACT - All lab services are still available and will be for quite some time. And the lab's equipmentwill last for a long, long time. Source Australian Film & Video - Issue No 53 May 1988AUSTRALIAN FILM & VIDEO—VOL 20 WINTER 2013Page 19