Canon Auto Zoom 518 Super 8 Camera | Features and How to Operate

I've owned my Canon Auto Zoom 518 Super 8 camera since early 2020, and I can recommend them as a good camera if you're looking at getting into super 8 filmmaking. In this video I take you through the Canon 518 features, tips for buying the camera, and I touch on film loading, camera operation and film scan.
*Also, after uploading I realised I said 'Auto Focus' not 'Auto Zoom' - apologises, there's not auto focus on his camera.
00:00 Intro
00:55 Buying the camera
01:36 Camera Features
05:29 Light Meter Battery Hack
06:36 Loading Film
07:05 Operating the Camera
07:42 Develop & Scan
08:21 Summary
Here's the place I buy my film and get my film developed & scanned: www.nanolab.com.au/
Here's a clip I shot with Kodak 50d film stock: • Super 8 Film | Behind ...
Here's a clip I shot with Kodak Tri-X black & white film stock: • egg | Super 8 Short Fi...
Music: Hotham - Find

[@CreativeClones]

Realised after I uploaded this that I said 'Auto Focus' and not 'Auto Zoom' @0:29, Apologies, this camera has no auto focus.

[@ivanwognin4272]

My light meter doesn’t really move out of the red. Does that mean it’s broken?

[@ivanwognin4272]

To clarify the tester white button moves to the blue but in the viewfinder it does not move

[@CreativeClones]

@@ivanwognin4272 That's strange. If your light meter battery reader (white button) moves into the blue then the battery is fine. Have you tested the light meter gauge in both light and dark areas?

[@kimcarson1656]

Really appreciate this video 🙏🏽

[@jodlor8088]

I found one of these in a dumpster when I was going dumpster diving with my friends the actual box it came I and the manual and everything was in it it still works and in mint condition not even a smudge on the camera

[@CreativeClones]

What a find. I'm glad you had a chance to rescue it!

[@CariRuth]

Greatly appreciate this video!! The batteries in the top section of mine are also very finicky - thought it was broken but sure enough, just needed to wiggle them around a bunch.

[@emilyharrison6792]

thank you for this!! super helpful

[@MR-zy6bw]

Thanks, lover-ly friend; your video is exactly what I was looking for. I'd like to try out my father's Super 8, with which he travelled the world, but boy-oh-boy... the cost of film is suuuuuper prohibitive. Any Canadians out there who have found good prices on the film, please reach out! Thanks in adance.

[@Bodegajuju]

Thanks for sharing info my brother 🙏

[@suryasimple.1902]

After jigarthanda doubleX 🙌

[@CreativeClones]

What?

[@markbacher7819]

yes bro🔥

[@aravind9686]

"JIGIRTHANDA DOUBLE XL"🔥

[@CreativeClones]

Who?

[@aravind9686]

@@CreativeClones it's a movie . And this camera has a big story in that.

[@teefilmz]

I love this video just bought one yesterday thanks for the tips. I also love that font. Do you mind sharing what it's called?

[@CreativeClones]

I've misplaced the project file so I can't remember the name of the font. I recall searching retro 1960/70s font though and found it online.

[@user-re9wn9gw4x]

Привет! Скажите, качество фильма зависит от пленки? Или только от оцифровки?

[@susannakortekamp]

I think I have a different version cause I don't have the auto zoom and I only have the red button to check the batteries, so do you think that because I don't have the white button to check the light meter do I still need the batteries for the light meter?

[@CreativeClones]

Check if the light meter needle is working in the viewfinder. If it's moving when you move between well lit and low lit areas it means your light meter is operating properly.

[@Eventios]

Great video! I was wondering if using the 1.5v batteries for the light meter affects the light meter? Did your footage end up over or under exposed?

[@CreativeClones]

That's a good question. Some of my footage did end up under and overexposed, but I think that was more me experimenting (and learning) with shooting light with film. The light meter needle in the viewfinder seems to be operating correctly, but I guess I'll never truly know unless I use the proper batteries and compare.

[@Matthew92971]

Everything seems to work on my camera except for when I put film in. The camera doesn’t tell me how much film is left. I haven’t shot anything and the camera motor is running

[@CreativeClones]

Is this the first time using it with film loaded? Maybe shoot a little bit and see what happens on the film gauge. If the gauge doesn't move and is broken, then you might have to count your shots in seconds and keep record. You'll have to experiment with your first film cartridge unfortunately, which sucks because it costs you money, but using film in general can be a bit of a gamble.

[@aishaevelyna7767]

HI! Great video! I find it impossible to shoot on this camera without an eye cup. Do you find this? also - do you know if there are compatible eye cups out there for the Canon Autozoom 518?? Any thoughts you have would be appreciated!

[@CreativeClones]

I agree, it is a challenge with no eyecup, makes it difficult to shoot for prolonged periods. There's no eyecups that I know of. I do hold the viewfinder away from my eye quite a bit though, playing around and finding the best focal length for my eye.

[@schelsiareis6859]

I have a question if I buy this Kodak film package will it come with multiple ones or just one ? Because it’s quite expensive and also the camera only does short videos right like 3 min but how do people have a whole film shot with it if it only makes 3min 😅

[@CreativeClones]

Each box only comes with one cartridge, so yeah only 3 minutes of film to use in each box. It's an expensive hobby - helps if you have lots of disposable income!

[@HolyRollerBaby]

In choosing between daylight and indoor which is which? Is the red light indoor?

[@ericabeebe8005]

Thanks for this! I found one of these cameras at a thrift store for $4 the other day and am excited to test this out. Might be a silly question, but do you need to have batteries for the light meter if you are shooting everything on autoexposure? Or only if you yourself need to read the meter?

[@CreativeClones]

Definitely need batteries for the light meter otherwise all your footage will come out either over or under exposed. $4 is an absolute steal!

[@user-sj6jm7hh6m]

Hey Greg, I just shot the first cartridge on my 518 and followed all of your info to do so but I noticed that while shooting my film gauge moved from 0 up to 50 and not from 50 down to 0 like you said it works. Do you know if this will be a problem?

[@CreativeClones]

No it'll be fine. That was my mistake, it should run from 0 to 50.

[@TheOlStinkyPinky]

Did you only have the option for a digital copy or did you get the reel back as well

[@CreativeClones]

There was an option to have the cartridge posted back to me as well as the digital file, but I declined

[@alessandromarino6037]

hello ,sorry can you tell me which batteries to use for exposure measurement. I searched but no mercury batteries can be found. you can indicate me a compatible battery code. thank

[@CreativeClones]

I haven't used these batteries personally, but they have been recommenced as a mercury cell replacement: www.ebay.com.au/itm/163924163191?chn=ps&_ul=AU&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=163924163191&targetid=&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071356&poi=&campaignid=15791083372&mkgroupid=&rlsatarget=&abcId=9300816&merchantid=7364522&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4uaUBhC8ARIsANUuDjXuWI7qYdmqAYxL13bqfmhmKQOXLgWUhsz_WK_QQheWEVxDtqSxiAkaArntEALw_wcB

[@cwdirected]

Do you need the light meter batteries to film with the auto exposure turned on?

[@CreativeClones]

Yes, if there's no batteries the light meter will not be powered.

[@elwrongo]

modern batteries are 1.55 volt while the originals were 1.35 volt. They will work but could make your meter read wrong (too sensitive leading to underexposure?). Did you find gthis when shooting? Or was exposure okay? The option other than Weincells which are very expensive is hearing aid batteries whcih are zinc air also and cheap as chips. They read 1.35 volts but are the same size as SR44's so will need packing.

[@CreativeClones]

Exposure seemed ok, but then again I don't have a comparison so I can't be entirely certain.

[@Fosforo_p15]

How do i understand if the batteries are working? The yellow line between red and blue means the battery is ok?

[@CreativeClones]

Yes

[@andrecoleman9473]

Can I use any C-3 trigger grip with the camera?

[@CreativeClones]

Haven't used one personally so can't say

[@jinglekeys43]

So the motor for mine works but is noisier than in this tutorial. Is there a problem?

[@CreativeClones]

I wouldn't judge it due to the audio from this video. Have you tested it with film?

[@AM-ez9ef]

how much is this camera worth? i’ve seen it listed online for several hundred dollars through 1.5k, just wondering if maybe i’m looking at the wrong type model?

[@CreativeClones]

I bought it for $50 Australian at a market.

[@AM-ez9ef]

@@CreativeClonescheers, were there different models of the auto zoom?

[@CreativeClones]

@@AM-ez9ef www.filmkorn.org/super8data/database/cameras_list/cameras_list.htm

[@shrimpbubba1920]

Has anyone chuck a 500t in this camera before I got some 500t and keen to give it a go

[@CreativeClones]

Yep. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmnMqH1nqbKFoa8si=KoMzGvxOg_JXsPoV

[@CreativeClones]

I neglected my film a bit - didn't keep it in the fridge over a long period of time - so probably didn't get the best results.

[@shrimpbubba1920]

@@CreativeClones that’s so cool absolute stunning work

[@AVJ369]

Is this camera records sound??

[@CreativeClones]

No sound. You have to record audio externally.

[@cleofelolamsen9110]

I have canon auto 518bsuper zoom that it work iven it is to old

[@CreativeClones]

That's a shame

[@cleofelolamsen9110]

@@CreativeClones why

[@CreativeClones]

@@cleofelolamsen9110 Don't know