You want to buy a super 8 film camera? There are so many models and brands for sale, which one is the best for your film projects?
If you're not a professional film maker it doesn't really matter. No kidding, it's all about what you do with it and want to film. Be creative!
Super 8 cameras explained
Super 8 cameras were introduced in 1965 by Kodak for their new film format super 8mm, which replaced the regular-8mm (also known as double-8 or standard-8) film format which Kodak released in 1932. Most super 8 cameras readily available nowadays are used ones from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s! So be careful if you buy one, be it a Nizo, Canon, Nikon or Beaulieu, make sure everything is tip top, tested and/or refurbished!
There are some very good high-end super 8 cameras for sale, a lot of decent movie cameras, and a whole bunch that might be better avoided. Personally, I would recommend buying a Nizo 481, 561 or 801 if you have a modest budget and you don't need to record sound with an external recorder.
Bentley Bx-720 Super 8 Camera. Bentley $25 $32 21% OFF. Almost anything. Categories Brands Deals. About us Careers. ZEISS S3 STAND EFP, ZEISS S3B EFP,ZEISS SP-8 EF, ZEISS UNIVERSAL S3B EFP. Exakta Duosound 225. Sankyo Sound OMS-650. Sankyo Sound 700. Bentley BX-720 Vintage 8mm Video Camera SPECIAL PRICE. Sold Request a custom product. Rank Aldis 816 Super 8 Video Camera calumscuriosities $ 27.70. 1962 Y-5 1929 4 1/2 Litre Bentley Green McMiniMotors $ 39.00 FREE shipping Favorite Add.
Other good quality cameras, and sometimes cheaper, are the ones from Canon, like the Canon 518 or the 814 (XL-S), his bigger brother.
Bentley B-3 Super-8 Movie Camera: $20.00: #CIN-242: Instruction Manual Bentley BX-720 Super 8 Camera: $18.00: BERTRAM: #MTR-035: Instruction Manual Bertram Chronos. Just managed to score a cheap Bently BX-720 projector on-line. Well, actually its more closely resembles a small portable TV from the 70s or 80s. Looks virtually mint and unused. Even got a crap-looking Bentley camera out of the deal, all for under $20. Anyone have one of these to say anything ab.
If you are on a tight budget, why not try out a vintage, cheaper camera first? If you get hooked, you can always buy a more expensive one with more features.Professional cameras
You want the best of the best, warranty and excellent services? It's true that finding a good camera on eBay can be a hassle and you have to spend a lot of time finding the right, reliable listings. It doesn't help if the camera is described as a 'perfectly functioning camera 30 years ago'. There are some service shops out there where you can buy overhauled movie cameras with warranty.
Indoor, outdoor, Low-Light subjects
First of all: what do you want to do with your camera, film indoors or mainly outdoors? Sport events, fast camera work or will it be on a tripod a lot? Most cameras will shoot at multiple speeds but the cheaper ones tend to only have the 18 fps. option. At this speed, your precious super 8 film cartridge with 50 ft. (15 mt.) of film will last around 3 min. and 20 sec. Also good in low-light conditions since the slower shutter speed will let more light through. Most sound cameras have 24 fps. which means you can film approx. 2 min. and 30 sec. with one cartridge.
Want to film with sound?
In the good ol' days Kodak and other film manufacturers like Agfa made sound-striped super 8 cartridges. These only fit in sound cameras, like the Canon 1014 XLS, 814XL-S or some Nizo's. Unfortunately these films are not produced anymore. If you want to record local sound, use a (digital) recorder for editing in post-production. Be aware that super 8 cameras which were not intended to record sound, can be more noisy, so buy a Nizo 2056, 4080 or 6080 or 1014XL-S or 814XL-S or any other super-8 sound camera, which are more quiet if you want to record external sound.
Process your own super-8 movies
I really recommend processing your own film, it's incredible rewarding. It's not that difficult and all you need are some chemicals and a super-8mm developing tank like the Lomo tank.
Links
Find out more about how to choose a 8mm camera on YouTube. Looking for places to discuss and connect with other movie buffs? Take a look at these forums: cinematography.com, and reddit/r/8mm/.
Super 8 value and price guide
What's your Super 8 worth? Here are some recently sold items on eBay.
| Picture | Title | Date | Sold for |
|---|---|---|---|
| sold for € 89.00'> | Canon Auto Zoom 1014 Electronic Super 8 Kamera Mit... | 11/2020 | € 89.00 |
| sold for € 49.00'> | Reporter 600 Auto Electro Zoom Super 8 Filmkamera... | 11/2020 | € 49.00 |
| sold for € 59.00'> | Braun Nizo 156 Xl Super 8 Kamera Schneider... | 11/2020 | € 59.00 |
| sold for € 5.50'> | Schmalfilmkamera Quarz 1x8s 2 8 Mm Kein Super 8... | 11/2020 | € 5.50 |
| sold for € 1.00'> | Film Kamera Porst Reflex Zr 448 Super 8 Kamera Mit... | 11/2020 | € 1.00 |
| See all sold items for more prices | 12/2020 | -.-- |
16mm camera16mm projector8mm film splicerEditorLomo tankSuper 8Super 8 projectorVideo transfer
Super 8 forum
Questions or stories? Share them here.
Ryan - April 6, 2020You want to buy a super 8 film camera? There are so many models and brands for sale, which one is the best for your film projects?
If you're not a professional film maker it doesn't really matter. No kidding, it's all about what you do with it and want to film. Be creative!
Super 8 cameras explained
Super 8 cameras were introduced in 1965 by Kodak for their new film format super 8mm, which replaced the regular-8mm (also known as double-8 or standard-8) film format which Kodak released in 1932. Most super 8 cameras readily available nowadays are used ones from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s! So be careful if you buy one, be it a Nizo, Canon, Nikon or Beaulieu, make sure everything is tip top, tested and/or refurbished!
There are some very good high-end super 8 cameras for sale, a lot of decent movie cameras, and a whole bunch that might be better avoided. Personally, I would recommend buying a Nizo 481, 561 or 801 if you have a modest budget and you don't need to record sound with an external recorder.
Other good quality cameras, and sometimes cheaper, are the ones from Canon, like the Canon 518 or the 814 (XL-S), his bigger brother.
If you are on a tight budget, why not try out a vintage, cheaper camera first? If you get hooked, you can always buy a more expensive one with more features.Professional cameras
You want the best of the best, warranty and excellent services? It's true that finding a good camera on eBay can be a hassle and you have to spend a lot of time finding the right, reliable listings. It doesn't help if the camera is described as a 'perfectly functioning camera 30 years ago'. There are some service shops out there where you can buy overhauled movie cameras with warranty.
Indoor, outdoor, Low-Light subjects
First of all: what do you want to do with your camera, film indoors or mainly outdoors? Sport events, fast camera work or will it be on a tripod a lot? Most cameras will shoot at multiple speeds but the cheaper ones tend to only have the 18 fps. option. At this speed, your precious super 8 film cartridge with 50 ft. (15 mt.) of film will last around 3 min. and 20 sec. Also good in low-light conditions since the slower shutter speed will let more light through. Most sound cameras have 24 fps. which means you can film approx. 2 min. and 30 sec. with one cartridge.
Bentley Super 8 Bx-720 Film
Want to film with sound?
In the good ol' days Kodak and other film manufacturers like Agfa made sound-striped super 8 cartridges. These only fit in sound cameras, like the Canon 1014 XLS, 814XL-S or some Nizo's. Unfortunately these films are not produced anymore. If you want to record local sound, use a (digital) recorder for editing in post-production. Be aware that super 8 cameras which were not intended to record sound, can be more noisy, so buy a Nizo 2056, 4080 or 6080 or 1014XL-S or 814XL-S or any other super-8 sound camera, which are more quiet if you want to record external sound.
Process your own super-8 movies
I really recommend processing your own film, it's incredible rewarding. It's not that difficult and all you need are some chemicals and a super-8mm developing tank like the Lomo tank.
Links
Find out more about how to choose a 8mm camera on YouTube. Looking for places to discuss and connect with other movie buffs? Take a look at these forums: cinematography.com, and reddit/r/8mm/.
Super 8 value and price guide
What's your Super 8 worth? Here are some recently sold items on eBay.
| Picture | Title | Date | Sold for |
|---|---|---|---|
| sold for € 89.00'> | Canon Auto Zoom 1014 Electronic Super 8 Kamera Mit... | 11/2020 | € 89.00 |
| sold for € 49.00'> | Reporter 600 Auto Electro Zoom Super 8 Filmkamera... | 11/2020 | € 49.00 |
| sold for € 59.00'> | Braun Nizo 156 Xl Super 8 Kamera Schneider... | 11/2020 | € 59.00 |
| sold for € 5.50'> | Schmalfilmkamera Quarz 1x8s 2 8 Mm Kein Super 8... | 11/2020 | € 5.50 |
| sold for € 1.00'> | Film Kamera Porst Reflex Zr 448 Super 8 Kamera Mit... | 11/2020 | € 1.00 |
| See all sold items for more prices | 12/2020 | -.-- |
16mm camera16mm projector8mm film splicerEditorLomo tankSuper 8Super 8 projectorVideo transfer
Super 8 forum
Questions or stories? Share them here.
Ryan - April 6, 2020Bentley Super 8 Bx-720 Film