Michael Raso loads and tests the Keystone K-8 8mm movie camera. Originally introduced in the late 1930s, many of these sturdy cameras are still in use today. Camera takes Double 8mm film which can be found at filmphotograph...
Greetings to Michael and the whole FPP gang. I want to really thank you folks for your fine work in making film and entertaining tutorials available to all us wannabe filmmakers. I have been playing with movie cameras since a wee brat in the 1960s, starting with double 8 and proceeding to 16mm (I have an Eyemo and a Devry 35mm, but have been too cheap to shoot with them yet). I am looking forward to reliving my youth by shooting double 8 again. In scrutinizing your vids, it looks like this keystone has the most steady registration of all the cameras you have shared with us. Do you agree?? Thanks again!
In a 1937 John Ford film titled "Hurricane," there's a great bit of product placement at the beginning of the film. As Thomas Mitchell is describing what a particular Island looked like before the hurricane hit, a female passenger is using one of these gizmos. Interestingly, the camera she's using seems to be an obscure variant. Instead of the peanut-shaped winding key, hers uses a thick wire bent in the shape of the letter B. An early concept version of the Keystone? I've no idea, but I spent half a year trying to find one - which I did. 😸
I'm a bit surprised how sharp and clear the footage is from this simple little camera. Pretty respectable. I'd say its better than some later Super 8 cameras. I know the why can get a bit geeky with pressure plates, film gates, etc. But nice to see you providing a variety of film for these little things.
Mike. Great video however, you did not cover a critical step. After loading as you described you have to set the film counter to 0 or S depending on the camera and run the liter through before you start filming. You must do this at the end of the roll too. Same for start and finish of side 2. V/r. Tom M
Do you have to stop filming every 30 seconds while you wind, or can you wind while filming to avoid interruption? How does this compare to the Brownie?
Each continuous shoot is approx. 30 seconds. For continuous, pick up a camera that uses a battery to drive the motor (like the Nikkorex 8 - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Gz1K_H_5ZME.htmlsi=aIf-qdV4P3BNAy6G ). The Keystone is smaller than the Brownie - practically pocket-sized.
A few questions, how does this camera wind the film? Is it battery powered or does it work on a spring load or something? I love watching old silent comedies and in them I see cameras being wound manually via a winding arm and was curious as too how this worked. Also, does this camera operate in the same way as the Keystone model A9? Cheers!
No batteries. Spring wound meter. Each wind gives you about 30 seconds before you need to wind again. Yes, similar to the Keystone 16mm wind up cameras.
Thanks again for another great video on these fantastic vintage cameras. I have started collecting some of these double 8mm cameras (currently have a Bell & Howell Perpetua on its way) and I have been eyeing the Keystone cameras. I can't find much info on this manufacturer nor the model K-4C which is a three lens turret model. Have you used the K-4C. Can you do a video of that one of you have? Thanks again for doing these videos. They have been hugely informative because a lot of these cameras don't come with their original user guides. :-)
Just found one Aug /23' in Long Beach Ca.this model lying in my bike travel path,. X Hope to find & return to owner, if not a sweet find for hobby🎥🎞📽🎬 see post script info📩
