Well with many new expenses and tons of working hours I have not had much chance to further develop my 8mm film shooting hobby. As some of you may remember I have a collection of mainly regular 8mm and one univex 8mm movie camera.
I haven't developed my camera collection much recently (no pun intended), until about 3 days ago. I walked into the local Goodwill - it is a "weigh and pay" location. Apparently the camera weighs just over a pound because I paid $2 for it. It had batteries in it - relatively recent ones that are probably under a year old. The battery test light worked.
The camera is a Yashica Super-60, apparently from the late 60s and very early 70s. The zoom functions on it. The electronic meter appears to function although I haven't managed to test it yet with a film cartridge. The lens isn't perfect - the focus ring has a small ding that doesn't appear to affect the camera function. The lens may have one or two very small scratches in it. Pulling the trigger, the camera squeals just a little. I was hoping somebody might have some suggestion on how to go about cleaning/lubricating. Perhaps some gentle compressed air and some 3 in 1 or sewing machine oil? The noise could be coming from the gear reduction drives inside the camera - I assume there must be some way to disassemble it. I am not a qualified technician but I've rebuilt a few old TLR type still cameras before so I'm fairly confident that I might have a chance - at least a snowball's chance in hell of figuring out a super 8 movie camera.
Other than that I now have to track down a super 8 projector (shouldn't be too hard) and some film to shoot a test cartridge through it. I figured first I'd try to get it to stop squealing at me and then splurge on the film. Seems like it has good potential to be a nice little camera though, and possibly much easier to shoot than regular 8mm, although I maintain that I still enjoy shooting the old standard 8mm cameras.
Any suggestions are appreciated as far as the Super-60 or as far as general cleaning/lubrication are concerned. Perhaps too the camera will quiet some with the introduction of film - some of my reg8 cameras are a little clattery when not loaded with film...
Thanks guys!
Checking in again - new purchase!
Moderator: Andreas Wideroe
Re: Checking in again - new purchase!
Well I just wanted to post back saying I got my Yashica disassembled partially and used a combination of a VERY light coat of white lithium grease and some TriFlow in some of the harder to reach spots and the camera now purrs like a kitten rather than wailing like a banshee. I hope it stays in good order. The light meter passes by my guesstimation and by my other light meters so I'm going to order some filmstock and start shooting! The only thing I need after that is a super 8mm projector.
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- Real name: Michael Nyberg
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Re: Checking in again - new purchase!
Keep searching. If you want retail, Pardee's Cameras in Sacramento has a boat load of refurbished (a docent works on them) super 8 and regular 8 projectors. They ship internationally too. Otherwise, keep hitting those goodwill stores and garage sales. But be prepared to buy a giant paperweight.
Read my webpages about my past experiences...I no longer look since I have 3 for super 8 and 3 for regular 8 - I like to have a backup for the backup if you know what I mean!!
Cheers,
Mike
Read my webpages about my past experiences...I no longer look since I have 3 for super 8 and 3 for regular 8 - I like to have a backup for the backup if you know what I mean!!
Cheers,
Mike
My website - check it out...
http://super8man.filmshooting.com/
http://super8man.filmshooting.com/