Shooting on SUPER 8 for the First Time - What I Learned (8mm Film)

[@jimharper2432]

I am 67 years old and have been shooting most of my life. Recently, for nostalgic reasons, I decided to get back into Super 8. Wanting to brush-up on the basics, I of course turned to the web and ran across your video. I'm writing to congratulate you on a fine introductory video, but most of all commend you on your attitude, intelligence and skills. I wish I had your magic when I was your age. You have the personality and makings of a fine film maker, and I hope you stick with it. Every aspect of shooting film is so much different than today's digital world, but it THAT is what makes it so special. As we Old Boomers say: "NOTHIN' looks like film, Man." Continued success to you and I look forward to following your career.

[@kashyap_-ls3js]

The aspect ratio is absolutely perfect dude! Love the vintage vibe

[@AidinRobbins]

Glad you dig it!

[@alyssamicha6060]

I have been shooting film for many years, 16mm mostly. Yes, it is expensive, but there is something special about not knowing if you got it right until you get the film back. The first time you watch film just back from the lab is magical. Film images are pure light, captured physically. I think anyone with the means should at least try shooting film. It makes you a more careful and thoughtful filmmaker, and it is a deeply satisfying medium to work with. Great video. Keep film alive!!

[@DethronerX]

Very cool. I respect this medium because it forces you to get the best shots for a film or music video and make actors, camera person and everyone rehearse each take til perfect and this really gives you the chance to perfect the preparation, including the script, storyboard and rehearsing not just the acting but how the camera moves, because for example, if your shot is tracking or moving camera around the actors, you do that a few times without pulling the trigger and then when it's all ready, you are well versed already. It helps you learn photography the hard way that will help you with digital photography too and you will know your settings on the back of your hand, how much aperture, shutter and everything you are dialing in. You can instantly look at the day or night light and know instantly what to set to get the right exposure. A lot of super8s have auto-exposure, those are good to start off faster, especially the infinite focus ones, like the cheapest plastic super8s like Kodak and then you can start to use the light meter, color screen, slate and that when the real fun happens. When you've done most of the work on the shoot, you have less time on post, if youve made sure your characters are wearing the right colors for the scene and the lighting and everything, so on post, youre mostly just editing and minor grading and then syncing your audio

[@priyeshabsolute]

Very good advice on shooting authentic, memorable moments over cinematic ones. It perfectly makes sense. Thanks! Will remember this.

[@Steph_davis]

I bought a film camera last year and it really teaches you to be intentional with your photography/video. Mainly coz that stuff is expensive haha but a good exercise none the less

[@AidinRobbins]

Absolutely! Stoked to use this camera more in the future 🎥

[@dylanritchkoff4923]

I also just started getting into the super 8/8mm game. Don't usually find myself writing comments on videos too often but you actually killed it with this one. You nailed every aspect of getting started with this type of format as well as talking about sending film out to get scanned (which can be a bit confusing for someone who has never done that before) Great work my man.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Back in 2006, when i started with Super 8, there was nobody i could go to or ask and youtube Didn't really have anything much about that and i had no highspeed internet to even USE youtube at all. So i too was all on my own. But coming from shooting video for many years and having shot on 35mm film with my SLR cameras, i just went in and shot an roll as an experiment with one of the last Kodachrome 40 cassettes you could get since they were sold off for a big discount so it was VERY affordable too. Shot the first one entirely in 18 FPS and learned a lot about focusing indoors under lowlight and what to expect when some actual film runs through the camera. Especially the noise. The result turned out to be actually amazing. Things continued with another roll that was shot entirely in 24fps and the whole shooting and exploring process is so much fun :) Your camera is a good choice because this model doesn't require special hard to come by buttoncell batteries for the lightmeter since the lightmeter uses the power from the AA batteries. And you also have a lot of exposure features that most cameras (especially the lower class ones) don't have. You did a great choice with your first cameras. I doubt you will really need anything else as this one will definitely keep you welllll covered and it also accepts ALL the new Super 8 stocks and film sensitivities without problems. :)

[@ypahihi]

I just picked up a Super 8 and have no idea what I have or what I'm doing with it. However, your content in this vid is awesome for a newbie to follow. Thank you for taking the time to inform and educate us😁

[@JakeWebbFilm]

Great piece, man! Love the way you cut this together.

[@fayed.untitled]

I love how you're modest and open about the mistakes most of us definitely do, you're also smart and know what you're doing! These tips are very helpful... Keep it up and stay awesome : )

[@csb65536]

You covered a lot more of the important points than most do on this subject. Very informative. I have been shooting on movie film for years, and I too sometimes have to remind myself to be selective with what I shoot. And most of the time I am shooting at 24FPS vs 18FPS, so my finished product is even shorter. One suggestion I have for anyone who is shooting on 8mm film, is to take along a digital video camera. Yes, it adds to the weight of what you are carrying, but if you shoot a scene with it first, you can preview it before shooting it on film. A GoPro type is compact enough. Anyway, great video.

[@Alphain]

I need to get into shooting film too! Love the nostalgic vibe in this video Aidin!

[@FelixTheCreator]

Nothing evokes the good old times -feeling like the 8mm look. We bought a bauer super 8 cam 2 years ago and we‘re still in love. Thanks for sharing this. Great motivation for creators. GREAT video Thx 🍿🔥

[@marvin_quitalig]

I actually shoot film camera but for photo, its 35mm Pentax, so nostalgic to use this kind of cameras. So cool the Super 8!

[@SamuelPeterr]

Love the aspect ratio. That's so smart because it gives vintage vibes when your using an old camera. I love it!!

[@AidinRobbins]

Ayyy glad you dig it!

[@Guitar7885]

Yeah, love it! Also perfect for watching full screen on an iPad Pro. Fills up the entire screen

[@OneSideMediavideo]

Amazing video, bro)

[@negativespacefilmlab]

A "Best Light" usually actually refers to color correction, not log. This can be one of the more confusing aspects of the process, because some labs call these things by different names and often a 2K scan at one service is not the same actual resolution as a 2K scan at another service (some can be 2048x1080, 2048x1556, 2560x1920, etc. and most don't oversample the images so the effective resolution is actually less) Let me know if you need any help with shooting any more film, whether it's Super8 or even 16mm. I do high-end scanning work with a 6.5K Lasergraphics and help a lot of people navigate the process

[@leaveittobaker]

Wow! Small world. Nicky, I literally talked to you an hour ago about me shooting Super 8 on my Bauer. I'll subscribe and bring my shot footage to you when it's all done.

[@negativespacefilmlab]

@@leaveittobaker Looking forward to it!

[@koningarti]

Very helpful! even after shooting 16mm myself for a project, i didn't know about the whole delivery proces. Keep creating!!

[@AntMcLean]

Really enjoyed this video! Inspiring stuff!

[@AidinRobbins]

Stoked to hear that!

[@Just.Jerry.Bravo.]

You killed it with this video!

[@polaris8126]

Exciting project! I memory came into my mind,about the legendary Hungarian film,called "one and half million steps in Hungary" which was made in 1979. The crew was on road for two months,and walked more than 1000km,with their heavy film equipments,like this one you are using right now. The goal of the film was to introduce the countryside of Hungary. To show us people,the simple but, beautiful life of the rural poeple as well as the beauti of the nature. I was a little kid when it was showed in the tv,but had a huge influence on me. Since than,i also went through the same route,they did back then. Best regards,Robert 😉

[@samsen3965]

Appreciate your enthusiasm however as one who had to shoot 8mm and later on, super 8 back in 70s, go thank God/Your suprim other, that you are born in this era!

[@emelinemayo6018]

I'm shooting double 8 right now, and I feel you on the cost breakdown :")

[@ElusiveFrame]

That looks like so much fun. Nice way to square the video, like the film 🤓

[@RoccoGermani]

You did a fantastic job! I recently found my grandparents old film camera and I'm rather tempted to go buy some film and use it!

[@itsprestonchen]

Damn you early again'

[@AidinRobbins]

I'd definitely recommend it homie! Unbeatable vibes

[@RoccoGermani]

@@itsprestonchen 😂

[@RoccoGermani]

@@AidinRobbins I'll let you know how it goes 😎

[@itsprestonchen]

@@RoccoGermani Dudes bouta get all overexposed film hahaha

[@pripoli9223]

Thank you for uploading this video, it’s really helped me for sending my super8 to a lab internationally…

[@AidinRobbins]

Glad I could help out!

[@pedrofernandez7232]

Great video! I needed this

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

It's really cool they sent you ALL the 15meter spools joined together on ONE reel. Also, you would not be able to project that material anyway since it's negative stock and not reversal stock. You can however project the Ektachrome 100D and the TriX. But personally i don't feel good about running my ORIGINALS through a mechanical projector and risking damaging it. I'd rather just get it scanned and then use a HD video projector should i feel like projecting them. The current generation of Kodak Vision 3 Negative stock for Super 8 is a bliss and i wish i had it already years ago when i was doing more super 8 stuff.

[@MegaShowmaster]

Great video!!!!:) good for you to shooting film!:) thanks for help keeping films alive!!:)

[@AidinRobbins]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@tuwhitcombe]

Becoming my favorite KZbin channel. Lots of great info 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@AidinRobbins]

Thanks so much!

[@shey_of_wander]

I love 8mm!! Thank you for this video!

[@AidinRobbins]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@shey_of_wander]

@@AidinRobbins Totally did!!!

[@雪鷹魚英語培訓的領航]

I like the aspect ratio you used for your video.

[@teocrawford]

Octaple check Super 8 sounds quite right :,D

[@orkoguha958]

The 4:3 ratio looks so aesthetic idk why. Also it gives the larger than life film

[@theowlfromduolingo7982]

Looks cool on an iPad

[@orkoguha958]

@@theowlfromduolingo7982 hehe

[@tdiddle8950]

When I think about popular usage of 8 or 16mm film, I think of the Lonely Planet TV show. They used it to great effect. My goal is to make an amazing travel show, and so I am going back and checking out options, and I really want real film footage to be in my arsenal. So, my first stop is to try to understand home film cameras better, and then my next stop is to see how Lonely Planet used these cameras to great effect. If one isn't familiar, Lonely Planet was awesome and was one of the foundational shows that lead to modern travel vids. God forbid if I find out that Lonely Planet used filters to achieve the effect, but I don't think they did. As it applies to this vid, if you want to see how to use Super 8 in a (fairly) modern context, check out the Lonely Planet TV show.

[@anthonymoya4531]

At 0:22 Big Foot !!!

[@vivelajuventuz]

it looks cold af wherever you are

[@AidinRobbins]

Winter tends to have that effect around here

[@vivelajuventuz]

@@AidinRobbins word, winter and its effects.

[@DJKeltech]

great honest video!

[@SUBORNOVISION]

Thanks for the video. It is really encouraging for new comers in super 8 world like me. Interest on super 8 filming is also growing in young generation. But the big challenge is finding equipments ( specially super 8 cameras) now a days for this hobby. Kodak still making super 8 films. that's good. In last 3 decades, there was no new manufacturing of super 8 cameras . Now in 2021, in Ebay we see most of the cameras for sale are found in non- operative condition ( just sold as parts) . So called " great working condition" cameras also have some problems. Only few late version of S8 cameras are available with high cost. I am afraid, within next few years, most of the working cameras will start to have technical problem due to aging. Repair shops are hard to find and spare parts not available. Same situation for Projectors. The most fun and enjoying part is watching your own movie with projector. If we scan the Super 8 film in digital format, it is digital again and no fun and excitement is there. We may be ready to see the death of super 8 era soon if no miracle happens.

[@tosiproductionsllc]

Happy to stumble across your video here. Good work. One aspect of Super 8 you didn't touch on is the fact that most narrative fiction Super 8 films (back in Super 8's heyday) were shot with silent gear. I don't mean the cameras were quiet (far from it); I mean that they weren't capable of recording sound. There were sound Super 8 cameras of course, but recording the sound on your film made editing a real bear. The sound was recorded on a magnetic stripe on the film. The recording head in the camera was in a different location than the film gate (through which the image came). This difference in location was matched by sound Super 8 projectors. That was fine for home movies. However, if you were doing something more than home movies, and you actually wanted to edit your film, whenever you made a cut (literally, a cut in the film back then) you were faced with a challenge. Do you cut on the image or the sound? They were in two different locations. The upshot of this situation was that many filmmakers who learned on Super 8 focused on telling narrative stories without words-i.e., completely visually. I'm grateful that I came up during that period (the late 1970s/early 1980s). Truth be told, I couldn't wait to move up to 16mm double system sound. Ironically, my first 16mm film (senior year college undergrad) was a story without words. I guess it was ingrained in me. If you're interested, here's one of the Super 8 films (I think sophomore year in college) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4bOlY2XidN-grM And here's a 16mm (senior year in college) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpuVmYuumah5odE

[@b6983832]

All film has sound before the picture. Problem with sound Super8 is that it uses original film for projection, which makes editing very hard. Also, standard Super8 cameras are not capable of crystal, or any other type of lip sync. If sound is recorded separately, it will drift for many seconds during one 15 foot roll of film. Motors are not accurate enough for any sync.

[@WesleyProductions]

That aspect ratio looks so cool! I really want to shoot on film one day if I ever do get the chance!!

[@wado1942]

A Canon 814 is massive and inconvenient? That's tiny and easy compared to professional film equipment. Try shooting a motocross documentary on a CP16, then move up to a Mitchell BNCR :D

[@natterbat]

Pretty cool, Aidin. The Canon 514XL is a decent lightweight option.

[@albaezstudio6622]

I really enjoyed the aspect ratio that you used in this video, can you tell me wich one you use? Please.

[@Johannes-222]

Very cool video. Im learning filmmaking right now and im really analyzing your editing. Im just asking how you get some of these really great graphic ideas. One example are how you put the documents of the digitalisation in the video with these changing wrinkles on it. Very good idea. it looks so good but not too moving.

[@cinematicschool]

Thanks

[@rlibby404]

Wow, I hope you include a link to this video in your resumes!

[@joshuarahimi221]

Really great video!❤️ I’m m going to shoot my first roll 500T with the canon autozoom 1014 in the next days. And I’m really scared😄 Do you know if i have to set the iso or does the camera get the information from the cartridge?

[@deyomash]

Dude just found your channel! Amazing content :) :) Where actually IS the shortfilm you made with the 8mm?

[@tommyrnichols]

Could you do a short video to show how you set it up?

[@E90M32011]

Great video, also, very nice driving a manual transmission car.

[@NoosaHeads]

In theory, the Canon 814XL and 1014XL should give exactly the same results as the 814XL-S and the 1014XL-S but my practical experience is that the 1014XL-S is VASTLY superior to the non sound version. I know that there haven't been sound cassettes for years, but I recommend that any Super-8 shooter pays the extra to get the sound version. The results are up there with the very best Super-8 cameras, such as the Beaulieu, the Bauer S715XLS, Nizo Professional etc. I guess the Bauer S715XLS is my idea of the perfect Super 8 camera and the results are better than the Canon 1014XL-S but the difference isn't vast and I've never seen bad footage from the 1014XL-S. There is one benefit of the Canon and that's if you have a good one, with a reliable and accurate automatic exposure, you can generally take excellent footage using auto exposure. With film being so pricey, most people use the manual setting and a separate hand held exposure meter. That's obviously the best way but with the Canon, it usually nails the exposure perfectly, if left to its own devices. I took a time-lapse film of the sunset on Ayres Rock in Australia. Because the camera was shooting one frame a second, I had to leave it on auto exposure. The film came out 100% perfectly exposed. I couldn't have improved on it. The Canon also has an adjustment to deliberately over or under expose by up to 2 stops. Once you know the camera's characteristics, using auto exposure with the appropriate compensation (usually 1/4 to 1/2 stop) will often give results that are spot-on. The lens of the Canon 1014 XL-S is sharp and contrasty, without being harsh. They are very impressive, without being ridiculously expensive.

[@ThomasFilbert]

I cam here for perspective on 8mm filming and then died at "they also send you a pizza"

[@MarathiReviewer]

What is the export settings you used? Have you exported your current video as 4:3 in Premiere?

[@leonardoconstantino1540]

Drug dealers were happy to know this 8:25😁

[@cinescopefilms]

excellent!

[@MikeGrayFilm]

fire!

[@JakeKirkmann]

Always been tempted to get one, but the cost of film has always put me off, great video!

[@tomadzinic]

Me too :D but for photography, it can be ok, the film isn't too expensive and a film camera (for photography) can be found really cheap :) if you like photography and that vintage vibe, you should try it

[@KingGh0st_o]

Damn sometimes you don't realize your blessing when I go to the local thrift there's literally tons of Super 8 cameras every week

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Interesting! Nice video ✌️

[@AidinRobbins]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@RoshanMahawar]

Superb Bro....

[@asapfilms2519]

Hi please guide…if I digitise 8 mm film footage and then try to screen it in a regular cinema hall…would it work…was thinking of making a short film for film festivals….

[@breninverso]

amazing

[@DebzLife]

duddddeeeeeeeeee the vibesss

[@SenpaiSkyy]

Thanks for the 4:3

[@thorstenjaspert9394]

What is the recording time of a film cartridge?

[@cubdukat]

Best rule of thumb is “Shoot like you’re paying for what you shoot, ‘cause you are.”

[@buxteh]

What is the name of the effect that it always raining in his videos?

[@AidinRobbins]

Wish it was an effect haha

[@mousamottaghimoridani2597]

Thank you for sharing your experience, do you suggest 8mm for shooting an interview in a studio?

[@AidinRobbins]

Absolutely not haha. Most expensive interview ever

[@mousamottaghimoridani2597]

@@AidinRobbins lol, yes indeed

[@faisaljamanjisan3355]

Aidin i learn a lot of things from you , and i need to learn more .. i watch your videos from bangladesh . please make a long video and cover my points ... 1. how you import 120fps and 60fps footage in 24fps time line . 2. how you make sub Sequence and what fps time line for your sub Sequence. 3.how you shoot and give some advise . keep make good videos for us love support and respect from bangladesh....

[@shaikaleemahmed9071]

Hi what u use for editing , cinimatic transformation, i love ur Vedios , i also want to do..

[@AidinRobbins]

I edit in Premiere Pro- my gear is listed in the description!

[@Edward_Monge]

Hey Brother! Where do you get the film from for this amazing camera? I have the same one but I can’t find the film. Thank you🙏

[@AidinRobbins]

I was able to order the film from Adorama and B&H photo- shipping was spotty though haha

[@WhiteMic]

Dope.

[@razinpkz]

How you are marking your thumbnails

[@itsprestonchen]

that aspect ratio is a vibe! And I wasn't lying when I said he put a ton of cash into that video haha also get a haircut...

[@Alphain]

You're so early bro

[@AidinRobbins]

Haha would love to get a haircut but unfortunately South Carolina is a place where people can't seem to follow basic safety precautions. Sooo long hair for now lol

[@itsprestonchen]

@@AidinRobbins Homie really said they send you a pizza haha you joker

[@itsprestonchen]

@@Alphain Dude I'm hella late I usually come here in less than 10 seconds

[@WesleyProductions]

@@AidinRobbins Hah, same in Florida, covid's really bad here.

[@darkashes9953]

Wolverine 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker Pro Film Digitizer, Film Scanner, 8mm Film Scanner, Black (MM100PRO) instead of sending it you can edit it your self.

[@carstenkoloc5226]

I think for mugshots is it ratio to expensive but artwork for Shool,stop-motion... is it very important tool.🎥🎞🎬👍👍🥁😂

[@borax_studios]

"If I fuck up, I did it on purpose " 😮

[@__qaisarkhan__]

sir❤

[@KenToney]

My dad won one the year I was born, 1955 and I have it new in box.

[@razinpkz]

What the size of this video

[@AidinRobbins]

4:3!

[@DiviPhotos]

cool

[@shaikaleemahmed9071]

Can u please help , how can i becom good , cinimatic vedio editer , film maker ,

[@AidinRobbins]

Tons of research and practice!

[@ЕвгенийКиселев-ю5е]

What is the total cost

[@AidinRobbins]

Watch the videooo 😂

[@JiJi-px3pm]

Ma You Are A Gem

[@wheels2fun526]

Which is it? 8mm or Super 8?

[@simons_pics]

You should take up acting your have the looks for it.

[@cws_dp]

your footage looks great, but how did you manage to be overcharged for processing and scanning by so much AND to not get your film back for 3 months? did you learn your lesson? It shouldn't cost more than $80/roll total - film, shipping, processing and scanning. It shouldn't take more than a few weeks, at the maximum.

[@asapfilms2519]

Can we add a digital video assist to the camera…

[@anam7093]

Thumbnail tutorial please

[@mmuzzwell3654]

Bro 58 secs in, either you have digitally added a hair and particle filter over the video or your camera has been living in a dogs bed for 20 years.

[@Anwxn]

We need thumbnail tutorial

[@joecal2360]

Great work with the super 8 my brother! 1) the heavier the camera the BETTER for reducing handheld camera shake. I wish they made threaded cast iron base plates for modern cameras to make them HEAVY. fuck a gimbal. 2) all the hassle of working with film is absolutely worth it, if only to stop people from being able to do the wide-open iris biG BoKEh thing, which is disgusting and repugnant to any self-respecting filmmaker, but which the entire new generation of kids is doing on every shot All The Time 3) shooting film stops kids from doing these bizarre, retarded color grades which have become all the rage

[@ordealarin3853]

wish i could have a chat talk with u.

[@zantigar]

Your thumbnail makes you look like a fairly pretty girl - and it worked! Got me to click on it, even though I stopped watching as soon as I realized the bait and switch, ha!

[@True_Cinema_]

Is this 18 year old really talking about 8mm being nostalgic? lol Nostalgie definition: a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations

[@AidinRobbins]

These types of comments dude. You know precisely what I mean haha, 8mm has a nostalgic association on a cultural level. Just woke up and chose to be a total Toole for the hell of it my man

[@True_Cinema_]

@@AidinRobbins Lol I knew what you meant. 8mm probably does connect even with us young filmmakers because we've all grown up on the old movies.

[@BooneBluemel]

Super 8 and 8mm are not the same thing

[@studio12archive60]

Meticulous. A discipline that has now been lost.

[@aissamsoufi]

I don't understand what is interesting about this type of cameras.. They gives u shity videos

[@tenfoldsupplyco5041]

You'll never understand