Super 8

Used for the cinema amateur, the format Super 8 is that of a cinematographic film of a width of 8 mm, but having perforations smaller than the 8 mm " classique" , allowing a broader surface of impression. This format was launched by Kodak in 1965, sold in plastic cassettes allowing the loading of the film in the body of the camera in full day.

These cassettes contain 15,25 m of film, which is equivalent to one duration of approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds when the camera turns to 24 images a second or 3 minutes 20 S with 18 images a second.

The image measures 5,69 mm X 4,22 mm, that is to say a ratio of 1,35 (near to the 4/3 of traditional television).

A system of notch on the case informs about the sensitivity of film, making it possible the camera to be automatically regulated.

This process represents a Net progress on the practical level, because the cassette can be charged in full day, need does not have to be turned over in the middle of turning, and can even be extracted without other loss that the few images located at the level window.

On the other hand, this cassette had some defects:

a guidance of poor film because related to the plastic presser incorporated in the case and the coaxial situation of the two reels,
a practical impossibility to rewind to make dissolve-connected or effects of step back

Alternatives

It still should be differentiated from the Single 8, marketed by Fujifilm, which has the same surface of impression and the same perforations, but which is contained in more robust cassettes, not including the presser and making it possible to make unroll film in the two directions and ensuring a better flatness of film; individual the 8 is incompatible with the cameras with Kodak cassette, but the compatibility is ensured at the level of projection. Its support polyester excluded traditional joining by solvent and allowed only one joining per adhesive.

Thereafter, as well Super 8 as Individual the 8 were available in sound version, with cassettes a little larger, a film carrying a double magnetic audio track and a window to pass the magnetic play-back head (sound cameras accepting the dumb cassettes, but not the reverse).

The Super Double 8 was used in some top-of-the-range cameras (like Pathé Webo Mr. Super16). It was presented in reels of 30 m, producing 60 m of film after exposure of the two halves.

Finally for the little story Polaroid, the specialist in the instantaneous photographs have a resounding failure in the Eighties with a film with instantaneous of poor quality and expensive development with its " Polavision " (viewer unit + camera with cassette prohibiting any exploitation of films on a normal projector)

Technical improvements used by the Super cameras 8

Among progress which made the success from Super the 8, and independent of the format itself, one trouve :

the objective Zoom, generalized at the same time, allowing a better framing and zoom shots (cameras 8 or 9,5 mm were generally provided with objectives with fixed focal distance).
the automatic of the exposure, generally manual adjustment before. On the other hand, the development automatic spread only on the Camescope.
the appearance of film with high sensitivity (160 ASA), which, coupled to a large opening (up to 1,2) and an exposure time increased, allowed turning in low light.
the possibility of filming at speed accelerated (up to 70 images a second) to allow idles of quality
the incorporation of a mechanism of melted the black, seldom of dissolve

To re-examine the Super images 8

The material of Super projection 8 not being manufactured, to find the images and memories of the super films 8, either one is equipped with a second-hand equipment easy to find, or one digitizes the images with apparatuses of Télécinéma ( method scan image by image ). With a Video camera, nonthe professionals film the image projected on a screen or use a case of transfer with various fortunes.

The whole is engraved on a DVD to be visualized easily on a reader of living room.

Contrary to the rumor, the films Super 8 are preserved rather well in the whole under conditions of moderate and stable moisture and temperature. It is not certain that it is the case of the numerical supports, the more so as technology evolves/moves quickly.

Super 8 today

Today, in spite of the Video camera S, Super the 8 mm is always used by the professionals or semi professional. One of the reasons is that the Piqué and the definition of the image are considerably higher than those of the standard video NTSC/STAKE.

Kodak ceased the manufacture of Kodachrome 40, but always diffuses of Ektachrome 64T into Super 8. Other companies propose now also virgin film conditioned into Super 8 mm (Cinevia). More no manufacturer not proposing a Super material 8, the second-hand market feeds the sector and of many Super festivals 8 mm are always organized.

A version high-definition appeared recently: The Super To deceive 8. It acts a super film 8 with the Format sixteen ninth where the track its is replaced by the image.

Bond

Super8-Wiki

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