m6 wrote:
>
>
> Hi,
>
> what's the situation with Regular8?
>
> what are the cameras/projectors like - and availability? can you
> rewind and double-expose regular 8 film?
>
> i am getting fed up with Super8 cartridges that you can't 'get at' -
> this is the reason i'm posting; i have experimented with Single8, but
> these cameras are comparatively thin on the ground and the film is
> VERY difficult to acquire where i live?
>
> thanks,
>
> Ric
>
Hello, Ric

I am far from an expert on this topic so take what I say with caution.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Have you seen the 8mm Metadirectory yet? That is a very good resource
for the Regular/Standard 8mm format.

As far as film goes, to my knowledge it is not being originated by any
major manufacturer anymore. However, it seems to be still widely
available from companies that are re-perforating 16mm stock. Again, the
8mm Metadirectory probably has a list of sources of film.

Cameras and projectors are usually quite plentiful second-hand, in my
experience. I am sure the cameras are much easier to find than Single-8
cameras, at least in the U.S. or U.K. Of course, as with everything
these days, eBay is a good place to start looking if you want to buy a
camera or projector. They are quite plentiful there. They run the
gamut from extreme simplicity to very complex machines.

Yes, 8mm can be back-wound for special effects such as double-exposure,
lap dissolves, etc., but you would just have to look for a camera which
is equipped to provide that capability. I have a Bolex P1 camera which
allows backwinding and I am sure there are other Bolex cameras which
provide for this. If you find one of those cameras, be sure that it has
the little detachable backwind crank present. The larger Bolex H-8
cameras also provided for backwinding the film. However, the
backwinding is a manual process, usually at 8 frames per one turn of the
crank. There are probably other cameras than Bolex with this feature.

One drawback, if you can call it that, of Regular 8mm is that you shoot
only one side of a roll and then have to open the camera, flip the roll
of film over, and then shoot the other half before sending it for
processing. This can result in the well known light-struck look in the
middle of the processed roll of film unless you use a changing bag and
get proficient at flipping and re-loading the film by touch.

If you were interested in Single-8, did you try Retro8.com? A few
months ago I decided to try that format after acquiring a Fujica camera.
I purchased some film from Retro8 and received extremely fast service.
You can purchase packages which include processing. The packages are
for 5 rolls. I have only shot one roll so far and so have not sent it
in for processing. I have heard/read that their turnaround time on
processing is also good.

Best of luck and good shooting,

Kevin