Oh wow just watching this video brings back memories and even smells of the film stock and changing bag! The old Arri 16 SR on my shoulder, shooting news footage and exteriors for, wait for it Corrie! Edited by Greendow productions in Manchester. Usually 16 mm reversal stock, not negative.
When I was watching it was breath taking! It had brought up all feelings i had , being a perspective Dp , and all hopes! Its all exactly how I used to do to small details! But Exact for a scach test.
Thanks for the very insightful tutorial! That is one fantastic 16mm film camera you have there! Please keep on rolling film whenever you can, it's just beautiful - you guys are awesome!
+truefilm wow, thanks guys! really appreciate your comment and support. truly means a lot to receive from a fellow film lover. We'll do our best to keep the art alive
+Motion Picture Dame Oh awesome! Let us know how it goes! Will you be uploading your results onto RU-vid? Have you seen the 16mm short film we shot? It's on our channel, as well as a behind the scenes video :)
Wonderful tutorial! As soon as budget allows I'll look around for a nice used/serviced Arriflex 16 SR2 or similar (preferable converted to Super16mm). Very happy to see you guys using film. 16mm just looks stunningly beautiful with these great cameras! Well worth the care and maintenance.
Very interesting! And damn that camera is a beauty. Why can't digital cameras look like this anymore (besides the Alexa, which is kinda similar)? I'd love to shoot on film as well. Keep up the good work guys! :)
Great to hear you enjoyed this as well and you're right, they don't make cameras like they used to?? It's a thing of beauty :) You've hit the nail on the head. Hope you get the chance to shoot film soon. Keep in touch x
REELOnlineFilmSchool As late as 10 years ago I was still shooting medium and large format still photography. Love large format... I was taught that if you get a couple good negatives a year you are doing good... I've NEVER once shot with a motion picture film camera, but I'm really interested in it. Trying to figure out where to begin.
nccrawford awesome, nice to connect with another film lover, it seems so many people are just giving up on film because there are 'easier' options. 'Cheaper' is a sensible reason, but 'easier' is just laziness. The basics are exactly the same, film cameras are pretty cheap on ebay now and the stock and processing is even cheaper! you should definitely give it a go.
REELOnlineFilmSchool What film camera would you recommend for someone who wants to get into shooting film? I grew up with digital cameras and have never had hands one experience shooting film but I would love to.
Cool, awesome question! I'd recommend you check out ebay for a Bolex H16 16mm camera, really easy to use. If you can take 35mm stills, then you can shoot moving film. But make sure you get a 'younger' single perforation camera, as double-perf film is really hard to find these days.
Oh, you also should mention that the camera body cover should be in place when the mag is removed in order to protect the gate area, as well as the importance of keeping the camera gate clean. Otherwise, your information is good and well presented.
Nice, although this video is kind of useless until you do one about how to unload the film and put it back in its can. I am familiar with the 16SR and know how to do it myself, but many probably don't. A related topic would be how to edit film electronically and produce a negative cut list that can be used to conform the camera negative in order to make prints, along with the related topics of frame rates, pullup, pulldown, and timecode. Or do you Brits just shoot at 25fps?
Hi, further to our discussion a while ago (I'm currently in the 2nd year of a 2 x year Bachelor of Film at SAE QANTM Creative Media Institute (SAE originally stood for School of Audio Engineering), Sydney Campus, New South Wales, Australia) and for this Trimester (Trimester 5) we are at last using a film camera! We will be using an AATON (French) 16mm Film Camera to shoot a 30 secs TV Commercial for LIFELINE called "Don't Fade Away", and I'll be the camera operator. We've done some training and so far I've learned how to load 16mm film into the cartridge, needless to say I was remembering your video as I was doing it. We were taught to count 14 sprocket holes (pulling the film out - extended) once the film's fully in to determine the amount - "loop" to be left out for pick-up, whereas you (if I remember) have a line / mark to go by. On my first test run it was a bit tight and the film didn't pick-up, but the 2nd time (after giving it a bit more "loop") it did and it was nice and smooth sounding. It's funny how the other film students shy away from the film camera and loading! We are also doing a 5-7 min Fable Adaption for Under 25's called "Insatiable" for which we will use either the RED Scarlet or the SONY FS 7 (most "camera people" wanted to use these cameras). Kind regards.
To be honest there are loads of people who love going on about how complicated it all is and that's really hard, but it's not, it's just practice. If you loaded then unloaded then loaded then unloaded for an hour or two you'd be sorted :)
thank you for your comment. but you can't really teach someone how to unload a camera if they don't even know how to load it in the first place. this is the first step you're taught when you're a film camera assistant, so the logical first step for a video. Indeed all the suggestions in your comment would make excellent topics for how-to videos; I'm sure you could teach people a thing or two yourself. And us Brits shoot at many frame rates - (Tricky to do slow mo otherwise).
Digital will never take the place of film. Not completely. I shoot mainly large format 4x5 stills and love it. I have digital cameras but something about film keeps bringing me back. Maybe the smell of the chemicals!
I agree with you Daniel - digital is incredible, truly. In fact without it I wouldn't have been able to do so much of the filmmaking that I have - however, I don't think it'll ever be film, it's not a resolution, dynamic range war - it's a textural, process experience for me that makes film superior. I'll always have a love for it and I'm glad to see it still thriving. Thanks for your comment and checking out the video - Cheers, Elliot
@@Elliander You seem to be one of the only people who genuenly enjoys film and appreciates digital. A lot of people talk shit about both formats and don't realise they both have great features. Its like the digital vs vinyl or tape war you know?
@@flappymlg3607 thank you so much - this is such a cool and kind comment. And yeah for sure, we love both. We love the soul and spirit of film and its process and romanticism - but we're children of a digital word, we grew up in the 90s with video cameras and owe basically everything we know to playing and experiment with digital gear. Both have incredible merits - we were once told it's like trying to compare oil paints with watercolor paints - why would you? Both have unique looks and advantages, one is not better than the other. But thank you for comment, it means a lot that our true feelings come across and you taking the time to reach out - I'm guessing you have a similar appreciation for both formats? Cheers, Elliot
Thank you greatly for this video! As much as digital is nice, film is much better. Looking to get a 16 camera soon. I know the cameras are still in production but cost for a new one is expensive, looking for a good used camera. People often mention how plugins can be used to get that film look. Somewhat true but plugins can be expensive not to mention waiting for the effect to render. Also, there are compability issues that often arise. Thanks again for this video, very helpful information.
You are welcome! Just purchased the H16 camera, now trying to decide which film stock to get. I plan on editing with FCP X and Resolve 12, once it is available. Considering using my phone as a field recorder, just purchased the Apogee app, going to shop for a microphone next.
Which ones are still in production? As far as I know aaton & arri no longer make new film cameras and Panavision is behind the times and still refuses sell cameras which is a shame because 16-35mm is much better looking than digital plus you you can upgrade your footage from HD, 2k, 4k, 8k, etc as scanners improve without ever buying a new camera. Logmar made a lame attempt at a film camera, Super 8mm but but no 400ft mags so you're limited to 50ft cartridges, which only give a you about 2min of recording time. If it had 400ft and/or 1,000ft mags I would of bought one as I love film, but camera makers always seem to drop the ball when they even attempt a modern film camera.
Joe Doe Bolex makes an H16 RX5 H16 SBM and EL model. Price will vary based on model and options. Price will go from $4899 to $11,999, all equipment is new. Hope this answers your question. It is sad to see Panavision not sell cameras and the other two going digital only. Perhaps one day the tide will change and another company will produce large format film cameras. There is a kickstarter Italian company that is making film. Digital is one reason I don't go to the cinema anymore along with outrageous cost of admission.
***** oh wow I didn't know bolex was still making cameras, looks like they have 400ft magazine's for it too. Ill just have to find out if they are quiet for sound recording with a boom and I think I have finally found my camera! Also if you happen to remember the project name on kickstarter let me know, I am happy to support any company making film and film cameras.
Thanks, it's a tad too long I think, but there is a lot of important information to know otherwise it's not a very helpful "how-to". Film really is great and I do hope you get to use it. Better hurry up though they may not be making it for too much longer. Fuji has stopped production :-( who know's how long Kodak will keep going; years I hope. Fingers crossed! ;)
thanks so much for this. very helpful. Can you tell me- is rolling the dial to engage the film the same as using the "test" button? do they perform the same function?
Thanks god that digital has replaced film. That's is one heck of a process. The past was definetely the worst regarding cameras and film stock. I still wanna learn and shoot on film, but I would never replace digital with film. Like, never, unless I have millions of dollars.
Thanks for the video. In this age of digital video recording, is film still a viable format? I live in the US. Do you know of where I might get a camera and film stock? Also, how do you put the "visual" sound track on the film? I do have an old Bell & Howell 16mm sound film projector I got a number of years ago at a yard sale. It runs at the standard 24-fps and can be switched to "silent" mode at 16-fps. Your video was very informative. Regards, Dave
Hi Dave. Thanks for your comment. Well, that's an interesting question, and I'd be interested to hear what you and other people think too. Personally, I think the digital age has now made film just another option. It used to be the only option (many still believe it is still the best) but what digital has allowed is for you to choose. Granted, film is not cheap, but it never has been, so what? If you don't have the money, you can't shoot it, but at least we now have an affordble alternative we didn't have 10 years ago. If you can afford it then you can shoot it. It's not really about 'viable' it's about preference… it's just a choice that can be made. If film matters to you then shoot it, if it doesn't then don't. I honestly don't believe an audience can tell anymore what a movie is shot on. But even if they can tell, they genuinely don't care. It's not important to them. It's filmmakers that care, so the choice to shoot film shouldn't be argued for the audiences benefit but for the filmmakers'. It is a completely different experience shooting film, and if you want that experience then buy some, shoot some. Personally I love film, it's a magical thing to work with, it's chemistry; but that's just my personal nostalgia, it's just my preference. If I had an endless pot of money I'd shoot it all the time, but not because it's going to make my project look better, but because it's going to be more fun for me! Digital is an incredibly liberating tool and should be embraced. What do you think?
And to answer your other questions, you can buy directly from Kodak (pricey) or a from local stock shop where you can buy cheaper recans or short ends. 16mm camera's are going for a couple of grand on ebay (although you could buy a pretty smart digital kit for the same price or less!), or you could rent one. Do you mean the optical soundtrack on the side of the film? And wow, your projector sounds awesome! Would be epic to shoot some of your own 16mm and then project it at home :)
REELOnlineFilmSchool Yes, I do mean the optical sound track on the side of the film. The sprockets on my projector have pins on one side so you won't poke holes in the sound track. Can a camera do the sound track or is that done in post production?
Optical (analog and digital) soundtracks are nearly always post-production. Some older 16mm news camera's could record an optical soundtrack and the later used mag-strip film, which allowed sound to be recorded straight onto a strip of magnetic tape (like a tape cassette) that ran along one edge of the film stock. See the link below for an image of mag strip 16mm: 4.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ8XeuFF28g/UE2ISYg7W5I/AAAAAAAAACw/cjzo5WnJWdU/s320/test.jpg
cheers!! - thank you for taking the time to comment, your support means a lot. Yup still standard16, how did you guess? did consider a super16 conversion a few years back, but not really worth it these days - it'd probably be cheaper to buy an SR3 off ebay :P
REELOnlineFilmSchool Yes defo not worth doing a s16 conversion now. As you say getting a pre converted model would be easier/cheaper. Wouldn't go with an sr3 though as they are 24v and more awkward to power. Though having the other features the sr3 affords is handy depends if you can also afford to sort the extra power options for it. I would go with a sr or sr2 pre converted. The clue to the standard 16mm was the guides have not been modified on the mags for s16 never got to see the lens much easier but looks like it is still the standard arri bayonet mount not pl. Drop me a pm if you need a jib or steadicam as I am uk based also (I have a video tap for the sr btw)!
steadicamant keen eyes sir! and I may indeed take you up on your offer, always useful to know of a skilled operator in the UK. thanks for letting me know :)
Do I need a take up spool, like the one that comes with 400' roll of film to place in the take up side of the magazine? I did it how he showed and when I take the film out, it's just a loose bundle. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
depends if the daylight film is on a daylight spool or not. If it's not and it's just on a normal core then you'll definitely need the bag otherwise you'll fog all the film.
Hey! Are all the spools daylight ones nowadays ? I'm looking to get VISION3 (50D, 250D) at a 100ft for a Krasnogorsk 3 and I don't know if I can open those in broad daylight or not. Thanks :)
Hey guys when I'm going to do is I'm going to make a movie and its about jon lambert movie in the Navy I can do is this hat I have a bulletin board says jon Cologne in his words so that means that I like to watch this video because I loved it I washed it a lot sometimes I gotta make a story
Very true - that's something special about shooting film; it's costly so you prep and take care. I think it's something we must all learn and experience x
I understand what you're saying, but I think that misses the point. Choosing what camera to shoot on is not about comparing just resolution… that's like comparing cars based on just their top speeds. Overall performance is so much more that just resolution - shooting on film, offers many technical advantages that digital cannot compete with yet. You're right - the ARRI Alexa, Red, Sony's F's do beat 16mm resolution but they're not cheaper to shoot on. In my experience, shooting on a Red Epic will cost you more than shooting on 16mm. I don't think digital camera's have film's latitude, colour rendition, robustness and reliability in harsh shooting environments, and film's archival stability. There are many many reasons why I'd choose 16mm film over digital.
I respect your work, but you are wrong when it comes to color redention, and also with latitude i would say the Sony's new sensor will pretty much equal with film. Go watch some of Shane Hulbert test video's and you will be suprised digital can hold up ;) Great videos anyway
I respect your opinions also. You are right, digital is damn good - in fact it's beyond that now, it's exceptional! And the HurlBlog vids are stunning. I'm a big fan of digital for how it's liberating filmmakers and the industry in general. The new Sony sensor is eye-popping, and I'm sure you're right, maybe that'll be the sensor to top film. I guess why someone would choose to shoot film is a tricky subject, maybe a sensitive subject. And I guess my argument for the technical abilities of film will soon be out of date. My preference will always be with film but there's certainly more to it that noise vs. grain and emulsion vs pixels. Film is for the romantic, film has something more to it, a life, a magic that digital just doesn't have. Digital will definitely surpass film's capabilities, but it'll never have that magic. But I guess it depends on whether you value that or not.
competes in what way? 16mm has better colors and higher dynamic range than red/sony/alexa. In terms of noise/grain/resolution it loses out to them. So it depends what you're looking for
You are the perfect example of naiv, when we talk latitude, the arri alexa already is on par with film. when it comes to color, film is ''unique'' but luts will get us pretty much the same result of not exact. Alexa noise is much like grain.
