New film format underway @ Filmvorfuehrer

[kuparikettu]

It has been very fascinating to follow some of the recent developments on the German small gauge film forum. As it seems that the film prices won't be going down there has been some inspiration to create a new format which would allow using cheaper film with larger size than super-8.

This film format goes by the name of "Suter16" at the moment after its creator. The name is a bit misleading, since the project seeks to use 35mm film, which is cut to half so that two 16mm wide rolls are created. These are shot in a modified Bolex H8 with one perforation pull down. This results in a frame a bit wider than R16 but a bit higher than S-8.

According to calculations made by Suter, 30 meters of suter16 would allow shooting for 4.1 minutes @ 25 fps, or 5.8 minutes @ 18 fps. With prices for bulk 35mm film even as low as 30 Euros for 90 meters of iso 50 bw filmstock (Polypan F50) the savings are real -- although one has to modify both camera and projector which won't be free.

In my opinion this project isn't worth it for those who wish to scan their film. However, for those who wish to project their films the cost of modifying equipment might make sense, after all, who of us could say no to being able to shoot 24 minutes of film for 30 Euros + processing? 8O

Unfortunately I don't own any Bolex H8, so at this moment I'll be only observing. But it'll be interesting to see how this thing becomes reality!

Here's the original thread: http://www.filmvorfuehrer.de/topic/1691 ... ilmformat/

[grainy]

In my opinion this project isn't worth it for those who wish to scan their film.
Here's the original thread: http://www.filmvorfuehrer.de/topic/1691 ... ilmformat/

I can't read German, but why do you think this wouldn't be worth the cost of scanning?
G

[granfer]

What kuparikettu is saying is that if you are finally going to scan your film rather than project it, then producing the images by this method has no significant cost advantage over producing them with a conventional camera and film..... UNLESS you are going to produce so much material that the saving of cost of the film stock would outweigh the cost of converting the camera to accept the stock and converting the scanner likewise.
The cost of the actual scanning would be no different.
It is really only attractive to the enthusiast who wants to achieve a NEW widescreen experience and is not specifically worried about the initial equipment conversion costs, because he will then be able to indulge himself with lots and lots of real photgraphic filming pleasure.

[kuparikettu]

Exactly. Because this format is new, it isn't supported by existing professional facilities. Processing the film isn't a problem, because the film is standard width (16mm). However, scanners usually use sprockets and as this film has 35mm perforations it really isn't compatible unless the scanner uses sprocketless transport for 16mm (some might, after all, there are scanners for scanning damaged film).

Existing formats are best suited for those wishing to approach larger audiences whereas this format is best for those who wish to project their films themselves and not distribute them (as there won't be many of those owning this kind of modified projector).