Super 8 Tips / Testing your Super 8 Camera!

[@timsmythfilmsandanimations]

Another tip, run the camera for about 4 minutes or so, without film. Most of these cameras have not been used in decades, so one wants all the lubricants in the camera to start working their way around all the needed parts.

[@Ikgeloofhetniet]

thanks for the tip! Waiting for mine to arrive in the mail!

[@hoschi367]

Hi. I just got myself a Porst reflex Z but i was not sure how to test if the tape mechanic still works properly. So thanks for the tip with the marker. Mine seems to work.

[@diabloakland]

I’m waiting for my super 8 Eumig 31 xl live sound camera! It is not the nautical version. I’m not sure what to do

[@brendaacevedo3939]

I just bought a bell and howell 308 but noticed the cover for the button cell battery is missing. I have no idea how to replace it!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

You will need to find another camera. :(

[@guisseppegoon1170]

I just bought a bell & howell super 8 it seems to be running perfectly fine except for the fact that when i look through the viewfinder, it is completely blurry, i can tell it is picking up light but everything is super blurry

[@DaedalusYoung]

Often you can adjust the focus of the eyepiece by rotating it, or a ring around it.

[@louispconstant6624]

@@DaedalusYoung Thanks man that helped me also on a Hanimex!

[@sonvapritch]

I just purchased a Keystone Electric Eye super 8 camera. It only takes 3 AA batteries. The camera runs, but the aperture doesn't move when I shine a light over it. The meter may be dead

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Check to see oof there is a 2nd battery compartment that takes a "button cell". (Maybe under the grip??) - Mike

[@ericsalas2340]

I have a Kodak Instamatic m6. I’ve put batteries in and I can hear the motor running but the gear in the cartridge slot isn’t spinning. Is it supposed too be spinning even though there is no film?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

The Kodak Instamatic Super 8 cameras (mostly) have a faulty gear that breaks over time (and can not be replaced). I recommend hunting for a Minolta 401xl (or 601xl) camera. - Mike

[@SerenaSolis]

Hello, I just found a super 8 at home. Its a Porst reflex Z. The motor works fine but the second compartment for the button cell is where the move cartridge needs to be put in. I opened the compartment and there are cables tied to the button cell. How do I change it to get the light meter working?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

"cables tied to the button cell" - Is the button cell fused to the cables with corrosion?

[@karlijones4246]

Hey, so I just found a 1960s super 8 Sankyo-moviemat and I've been scouring the internet trying to figure out hot to use it... any help?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

All Super 8 cameras are (somewhat) similar. This video should help you navigate.

[@Shanesshiit]

How do you tell if the film is advancing in double 8 cartridges like you ones you know offer? Everything seems to move in my camera, motor, shutter. The film seems to keep going, I tried to run it out and it never stops. I tested with an old expired cart..

[@owenthegenealogist]

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to tell how much film has been shot through a magazine on a Magazine 8 camera. One simple way to check is to take the magazine out of the camera, and lay it on top of a pen or pencil and see which way it balances. That will tell you how much film is left on the top or bottom core.

[@Shanesshiit]

@@owenthegenealogist I will try that out when I can, thanks! Could it be possible that the end of the film maybe came loose or tore off the spool being that it's old film? Everything in camera checks out as working..

[@owenthegenealogist]

@@Shanesshiit Many Magazine 8 cameras do not automatically stop running when the magazine is finished. The film should not come off of the spool, as there are modified perfs that help prevent that

[@Shanesshiit]

@@owenthegenealogist so I likely just finished my roll and didn't know it then? Good to know!

[@Shanesshiit]

This balancing on a pen idea worked, the film did advance to the end

[@JamesSmith-ej6qj]

I just recently purchased a GAF Anscomatic ST/89 super 8 camera that takes Type G Ektachrome 160 film. Are there alternatives to that film that are newer and able to be used in cameras that usually use Type G?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Yes, new Ektachrome 100D would work very nicely - filmphotographystore.com/collections/movie-film/super-8-film?sort_by=best-selling

[@nickjames205]

I'm struggling with a bauer super c3. The battery compartment looks perfectly clean there were no batteries left in there it seems to be in great condition, however when I load up the three AA batteries in the correct orientation, it does not do anything when I pull the trigger is there something that I am missing?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Electronics are bound to fail on 40+ year old cameras. Unless there's an ON button your missing, the camera may just be spent. - Mike

[@dizmop]

@@FilmPhotographyProject oh dear i was about to ask a similar question R.I.P Carena HDL

[@Picpuzpic]

What type of battery is needed for the light meter when using the gaf anscomatic super 8? Thank you!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Usually a px-625 button battery - www.batterymart.com/SEARCH.html?q=px-625

[@alanw.4511]

How long do the AA batteries last for filming?

[@alanw.4511]

I found the answer. 15 minutes which is good for 5 rolls of film.