16mm Keystone A-12 Criterion Deluxe Camera / Ektachrome 100D 7294 Test

Michael Raso gives an overview of the 16mm Keystone A12 Criterion Deluxe Camera. Includes how to load and film test shot at Hon Fest 2019 on Kodak Ektachrome 100D 7294.
Fresh 8mm, Super 8, 16mm film and scanning at The FPP!
filmphotograph...

[@jakewestbrook3214]

honestly, videos like this are better than trying to find websites with information, because I didn't realize you could use bolex 16mm lenses on these. also- I've got a 1938 dated a-12. I ran a test roll through it, but i've been too lazy and cheap to have it developed.

[@OneHellOfASandwich]

your sound editor gets really slaphappy and it's great

[@MMM2World]

So cool! I kind of gave up on my film studies, but this looks fun..The Film of the Hon fest made me smile..Thanks!

[@fifthbeatle]

Oh shoot why'd you give up though, if you don't mind my asking?

[@ericellsworth9852]

Finally some 16mm ektachrome footage! Looks nice!

[@rothellecooke7425]

Thanks for the overview of this camera, I just picked one up and it came today. Can't wait to take it for a test run. Thanks for all the work you guys are doing for film. Most of the time I'm rocking with a Pentax67 and been shooting, developing and printing from 1999:)

[@NasserAlhameli]

I just want to thank you for motivating me! I just bought one A-7, I was surprized to know its single sprocket gear which accepts single perf film.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

WIN! Enjoy shooting!

[@gameloozer731]

Great video. Wasn’t expecting to see my hometown, haha. I live in Montana now and this made me a little homesick for Baltimore. Colors and footage are incredible

[@donaldlampert331]

What a beautiful & cool camera!

[@sclogse1]

Got a minty Keystone A15 yesterday. Stuck 25mm lens. F stop worked fine. Focus stuck. I warmed up the lens sitting it on my gas stovetop center area for 30 minutes, then after repeated rotation attempts, it broke free. Little rough on the rotation only for a few seconds. I found a stuck lens is only stuck in one spot. Once freed from that spot, it will rotate the entire focal length. Nice to have this 1.9 Bausch and Lomb lens usuable. Try heat, and some muscle. It worked. What a knockout camera. Yes, there is a question whether I only freed the outter sleeve to the focus, and not the inner focus.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Thanks for the lens advice. Will give it a try! - Mike

[@theoldcameraguy]

Recognize Cafe Hon from a 2011 trip to Baltimore - Beautiful camera!

[@IainHC1]

Love it :-) Brilliant :-) I have an old 16mm film camera too (that seems to work) After watching this.... I wanna try it :-)

[@Zetaphotography]

I'm looking for one. Should I get 8mm or 16mm

[@west5367]

@ReubenZuazua well i think it depends on what you wanna do,if you wan’t to get into more films,short films and indie filmaking i would recommend 16mm. Cause it’s wider

[@Code_Fish]

Question I had just bought a keystone A-9 and the top full reel part doesn’t spin I don’t have any film for it yet but I don’t know if that’s something that can be fixed by myself or if that’s normal that it doesn’t spin

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

The top (film feed) post doesn't really spin. Suggest you buy a (really) old roll of Ektachrome News Film or Kodachrome just to use to test the functions of your camera. Using new (old) stock will also allow you to do a scratch test.

[@Code_Fish]

@@FilmPhotographyProject ok that’s a good idea thank you

[@CHERIVOYAGE]

Where do I purchase the film please?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

filmphotographystore.com/collections/movie-film/16mm-double-perf

[@NasserAlhameli]

Love it! Did you redo the leather? Thank you for the clear vid

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

No, it came stock with this beautiful leather! - Mike

[@staswlad]

Very good, thanks!!!

[@scrapbookvideo2293]

Hey Michael, your videos are wonderful and have learned so much thanks to the knowledge you all are sharing. I have a Cirklox 16mm Model 3-S movie camera but cannot find any information on it anywhere. Have you done a video in the past on this one? Thanks for keeping film alive!

[@michaelraso]

Would love to...but I do not own a Cirklox 16mm Model 3-S. Glad you like our vids!

[@BelaCurcio]

you guys on this channel are so nice & cool

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

I just picked one of those up on Ebay in top condition.

[@alissaxhixhabesi1617]

Great Video! I recently purchased an A-12 deluxe and I am so excited to use it but I am curious is you have any tips on how to pull focus with a non-reflex camera like this? I am used to using the Bolex H16 rex5 and dont have any experience with non-reflex.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi Alissa. Congratulations on finding a A-12 Deee-Lux! Use an old-fashioned cloth tape measure to measure distance from the film plate to your subject. - Mike

[@alissaxhixhabesi1617]

@@FilmPhotographyProject Thanks for the help! looking forward to shooting :)

[@AnaloguePhoto]

That camera looks good and delivers good looking footage. Just looking for a great way to diy scan 16mm to digital.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Give a look - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2LMmqlsrbdojsU

[@sclogse1]

If you have a projector and a screen, and a camera that can control exposure, ( like your phone in pro mode,) and a tripod, you can get excellent results.

[@RandomJ2023]

Hello I recently came across a Keystone A12 Deluxe and am worried, it looks in fantastic shape and when I opened it up it had film already inside. The winder doesn't wind, seems bound up. Suggested fix or is it ruined? Awesome video thanks!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

It might be over-wound. No info on fixing. - Mike

[@eumesmo8006]

could you tell me why your 16 minutes filmed image is flickering? even when you have one hand still, if you look at your image, it's shaking almost the entire time very quickly.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Possible I mis-loaded, not forming the proper loop creating a slight shaky picture.

[@Noealz]

that's pretty cool looking

[@erwinb3412]

Hello , good video . Are all c-mounted lenses interchangeable on 16mm cameras ? Don't they have then different focal point distances and infinity planes ?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Most. For example, I use my C-Mount Bolex lenses on my Keystone 16mm cameras. - Mike

[@fenixlolnope361]

question before I get an A9 or an A12- and really any film cameras like this because i'm new- can you wind these while they're running? Is this a feature old cameras had? What's the runtime of these fully wound? I have an old revere magazine camera that I've been shooting old kodachrome in before reload, and it seems to go through about 9-10 feet with a full charge, but the manual CLEARLY states not to rewind while it's running- and I have a Canon Cine Eight 8T that only runs for five minutes, but doesn't say anything in the manual about winding while the camera is running.. is this just something they considered common sense by the late 50's/early 60's when this camera was made, or is it something cameras could do? Thanks for being such an invaluable resources to photographers and cinematographers both young and old, experienced and journeyman! I'm about to order a camera similar to this to go with my two double 8 cameras, and I'll definitely be grabbing my black and white film from your fine establishment!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

I have never wound a camera while it was running. - Mike

[@petepictures]

Just a tip, get a thinner fingers when loading those cameras, it will certainly help 😅

[@JonahAGoldstein]

I know it’s been a long time since this video was made, but how do you focus on a keystone? Would you use the aperture?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Depends what lens you have. Some lenses are focus free. Most lenses are "zone focus". Since you are not viewing through the lens, set the focus based upon how far you are from the subject.

[@JonahAGoldstein]

@@FilmPhotographyProject thank you so much. I have a c mount one inch lens that only has aperture control. So I’m fairly certain that it’s focus free. I bought some expired film to test it out, interested in the wacky results I may get

[@donaldlampert331]

Well, I had to get one of these beautiful beasts for myself…… G.A.S … a dangerous affliction! But what a fine camera…. Yes, on a par with the Bolex’ but much prettier! Thanks 🙏

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

MIke I hear you saying two different things. In some of your videos you say that you shoot at 16 fps to get the most bang for your buck. And you recommend that everyone shoot at 16fps. In this video you say that you usually shoot at 24 fps. Which is it?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

This video is a few years old. I shoot 16fps.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

@@FilmPhotographyProject This is my take on it. I like the idea of shooting at 16 Fps to conserve film. But it must be done with discretion. Unfortunately the long history of home movies and the examples that we have seen have given 16 FPS a bad name. Undisciplened shooters who can't hold the camera steady so you have a moving camera and a moving subject that adds monster levels of motion blur. And the fact the you have longer exposure times at 16 FPS does not lend well to that kind of lack of discipline. When shooting at 16 fps the camera should be as still as possible. Preferrably bolted down to a tripod. Pans should be done at 24 FPS and can be played back at 16 FPS. 16 FPS can look just as cinematic as 24 FPS if shot with some forethought. I would venture to say that you could probably shoot a full legth feature that plays at 16 FPS if you do it properly. It also depends on your subject matter. If you look at the KZbin posted examples of the 1927 silent film " Metropolis" played at the proper film speed, you can see how it is possible in many scenes to look as good as 24 FPS. Now, scenes where people are moving fast and erratically will always show what frame rate it was shot at. However, this is more obvious with a silent movie. And short scenes where people are walking can be shot at 24 fps and played back at 16 fps. I have seen expamples of Michael Carter's footage where he shot 16 FPS with synced up soud and it looks really good. With sound I don't think you focus as much on the lower frame rate because the syc sound brings more appeal to it.

[@Raychristofer]

I appreciate this video that looks like a very well designed camera I'm always interested in seeing how they work. I have to say those a sound affects at least for me are very annoying and distracting from the video. I always was curious about why doesn't the film get light leaks when being loaded still not sure I understand that aspect of it

[@Frisenette]

Same as with 120 film. The leader masks the rest of the film from light. The sound effects is a signature of all of their work on the FPP. I love it, and you will soon too. Listen to the podcast if you haven’t yet. Just about the best, most well produced podcast I’ve ever heard. Not slick or smooth but that is obviously by design.

[@michaelraso]

@@Frisenette Thank you! filmphotographyproject.com/podcast/

[@MichaelCarter]

It was really difficult to make those loops tiny enough

[@NasserAlhameli]

I bought 25mm Kern AR that belongs to a Bolex camera.. But did not fit my Keystone A7 😢

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Perhaps its the smaller "C Mount" lenses for 8mm Bolex?

[@NasserAlhameli]

@@FilmPhotographyProject its C mount it only screw 80% but not all the way, cuz of the element. Thank you Mike!

[@rajendrabiswas]

So compact I like it

[@shekarbanda5389]

Wonderfull your video

[@MikeJohnson-yh4lg]

So, two questions come to mind; 1.) Does the camera have a single frame capability for animation and 2.) Is there any lab left in the world that still processes 16mm film? The footage at the end of this video looks excellent. I think you’ll find that your Bolex has much better registration because it keeps the film right up against the gate. You usually don’t get very consistent registration unless you have an Arri or a Mitchell with pin registrations.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Not sure about single frame capabilities. There are a number of motion picture labs. FPP offers full service - filmphotographystore.com/collections/fpp-scanning-services/products/process-scan-service-16mm-super-16-100-ft-rolls

[@MichaelCarter]

Most later models do have single frame.

[@ToyKingWonder]

You just need a little more wheeze and you will be right there with your Muttley laugh!

[@ToyKingWonder]

The only problem with 16mm, and movie film in general, is the price. Once you buy it, get it developed and get it scanned it is $100+ for three minutes. Ouch. I have had great luck with the Wolverine Regular 8mm/Super8mm digital transferring unit, and hoping they make a 16mm version. My unit has already paid for itself.

[@pilsplease7561]

I can buy 2000 feet of film which is 1 hour of footage for $750. Developing and scanning adds $250 so for 1,000$ I get 1 hour of film footage. Which is nothing.

[@ToyKingWonder]

@@pilsplease7561 Prove it. Color film? I will buy that stock RIGHT NOW. Spectra film, as an example, sells 400 feet of 16mm color negative for $247. You are talking about 5x that amount, which would be $1235. Their package deal with processing and scanning for 2000 feet is $2579, which is 2 and 1/2 times the pricing you are talking about. Pro16mm is a few hundred cheaper. Yale would be over $1000 just for the transfer. So let's hear it. Where is this? Is this expired film? What is there transfer technology, shooting a projected image against the wall and coping it? You claim you purchase 2000 feet of 16mm film for $750, which comes out to $.37+ a foot, or for a typical 100' load that would be $38. I realize that this may be a bulk price but ok...20% more would be $46 then? Never seen that. You then mention a price of .12 1/2 cents a foot to scan AND develop. (.125 x 2000== $250). Developing a 100 foot spool would be $12.50. Again, I would assume you are getting a price break for 2000 feet, but If I can get my film developed and scanned anywhere near these rates they'll have a customer for life. Answer the questions and tell me where, and I will buy from them. If you cannot, stop with the BS.

[@ToyKingWonder]

Further, as to address my original theme, price for shooting high def video in explosive color on my Panasonic digital video camera? $0. I don't even have to my another memory card if I don't want to, just transfer the data off of it. Even if I could believe your laughable price claims, $1000 is not "nothing". $0 is nothing. Oh, and I love to shoot film.

[@robertosierra16]

So Idk if you’ll answer this but I have a keystone model A7 and I was wondering if it’s a little different in anyway.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Some models can only accept "double perf" 16mm film. Check before purchasing modern one-perf 16mm.

[@toulcaz31]

Do you guys know where to find the manual?

[@yazmine4334]

Where can I find film for this camera

[@maxxfanucci3791]

I just bought an A-15 Newport Deluxe. How do I know if it takes single and/or double perf?

[@michaelraso]

Look at my video. The part where you load the film, the "teeth " that grab the film will be two sided (not one-sided) as in the video.

[@maxxfanucci3791]

@@michaelraso I think I saw on a list you have on FPP it should be single. As in, it's not on the list of doubles.

[@michaelraso]

@@maxxfanucci3791 Don't rely on a list. Please look at your camera. Best to know before buying film as film is not returnable.

[@hocadidilyocuttCAP]

was it converted for single perf or was it just originally made to take both?

[@phantom2012]

They can be converted quite easily, if you have a double perf unit.

[@MichaelCarter]

I love those Keystones, but the shutter gear on mine jumped out of alignment and film shutter light streaks occurred. I had to take it all apart and clean behind the shutter gear attached to the shutter blades with a toothbrush. IT had lots of stiff gunk in it. Then it had to be realigned so no film movement occurred in the gate while the shutter spun around. That was tricky. Bummer.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

Did that happen after you used WD-40 on it?

[@MichaelCarter]

@@MORCOPOLO0817 never use that. Use Projector oil, one drop on the claw spinner. I never liked it. I might have made a too short loop.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

@@MichaelCarter I guess my question is if the WD-40 is what caused the clump of grease that made the shutter gear jump teeth?

[@MichaelCarter]

@@MORCOPOLO0817 I never used that oil on it.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

@@MichaelCarter I thought you had mentioned once that you tired WD-40 and it caused everything to "Gum" up.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

Unfortunately, the Keystone 16mm cameras have the image steadiness of Super 8mm. But they are, after all, the most consumer level 16mm camera that was ever made. Seriously, they were priced for the masses. Not like the out of reach Bolex for the consumer of the times. Only the rich and those that took out bank loans could afford an H16 RX.

[@phantom2012]

99% of them have stuck governors & spring motors. Once CLA'd they work great.

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

@@phantom2012 Great, can you finish up my camera and send it back?

[@devinFl3M1NG0]

If I'm shooting on an A-7, what lenses could I try and find that would be compatible.

[@michaelraso]

C-Mount 25mm lens is the general lens used.

[@devinFl3M1NG0]

@@michaelraso thankyou

[@MORCOPOLO0817]

The easiest way to load these Keystone cameras is to thread the gate and sprocket wheel before you put the spools in the camera.

[@MichaelCarter]

put an X on film in the gate. Hold the claw wheel inside the camera body with a finger. let film advance slowly. no movement of the X should be seen in the gate

[@MichaelCarter]

Pros do it in the dark

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Call me "Semi-Pro" Mike!

[@guys-in9vd]

my 8mm camera was made in 1929