[Konvas] New Kodak Super 8 movie camera

[Nicholas Kovats]

Yup.

There is a brand new Super 8 camera introduced by Kodak and it is
projected to be available in fall 2016, i.e.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-07/new-kodak-super-8-concept-camera-first-look-video

Kodak saw the Logmar Super 8 camera back in Cinegears 2015 and a
prelimiary deal was made with the Danish father and son engineering
team to design both the hardware and software for the forthcoming
series of Kodak Super 8 camera systems.

The original inspiration as per Kodak's interest, i.e.
http://www.logmar.dk/. The new Kodak Super 8 camers will share
attributes of the original Logmar S8 camera. I have the only one in
Canada. Kodak has now dropped any reference to the Logmar name on
their web site. It has been speculated that there is now an
"exclusivity agreement" in place. Kodak also contracted a famous
designer for the overall look, color and button shapes that is Yves
Béhar. He is the founder and principal designer of Fuseproject, i.e.
http://www.fuseproject.com/. Gotta have the new camera's power button
match Apple esthetic.

Speculation and rumour are rife at the moment but the following
products and/or services have been announced as part of the new Kodak
eco-system initiative.

1. Dec 21/15 P-200 Film Cleaning System, i.e.

http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/corp/Press_center/KODAK_Introduces_Innovative_Film_Cleaning_System/default.htm

"The KODAK P-200 system consists of a compact machine that measures
only 31w x 21d x 51h inches with touchscreen controls for navigating
the operating modes. It uses KODAK HFE 7200 Film Cleaner Solution, an
environmentally safe solvent with a zero ozone depleting
classification, and a very low toxicity rating (near zero). Adding to
the system's efficiencies, Kodak is offering the solvent in low
quantities for the first time, eliminating the need to invest in large
orders of film cleaning supplies."

2. Jan. 06 - Logmar designed Super 8 Camera w/ Yves Béhar designer "accents" :)

- high end will be metal construction at approx $1000 US (2000 units).
- lower end plastic model approx $499/$700 US.

Some preliminary specifications, i.e.
http://www.newsshooter.com/2016/01/06/kodak-goes-back-to-the-future-and-announces-a-new-super-8-film-camera/

FILM GAUGE
SUPER 8 ( EXTENDED MAX-8 GATE )

FILM LOAD
KODAK CARTRIDGES WITH 50 FT (15 M)

SPEED
VARIABLE SPEEDS (9, 12, 18, 24, 25 FPS) ALL WITH CRYSTAL SYNC

LENS MOUNT
C-MOUNT

FOCAL LENGTH
FIXED / 6 MM, 1:1.2 – RICOH LENS (OPTIONAL ZOOM 6-48 MM LENS )

FOCUS / APERTURE
MANUAL FOCUS & IRIS

VIEWFINDER
3.5? DISPLAY THAT HAS A STANDARD DEFINITION VIDEO INPUT AND SUPPORTS
SWIVEL +/- 45 DEGREES

EXPOSURE
EXPOSURE CONTROL
CARTRIDGE DETECTION (SPEED NOTCH)
BUILT-IN LIGHT METER FOR SUPPORTED SPEEDS OF ALL KODAK FILM TYPES
MANUAL SPEED / MANUAL IRIS SETTING

POWER SUPPLY
BATTERY & CHARGER
INTEGRATED BATTERY AND CHARGER VIA STANDARD USB WALL ADAPTER

CONTROL PANEL / SETTINGS
CONTROL PANEL VIA VIEWFINDER 3,5? TFT LCD

SETTINGS
VIA JOG WHEEL AS USER INTERFACE

3. A new Kodak processing lab in New York.

4. One stop shop model whereby consumers can purchase film stock,
process and a digital scan (allegedly 4K) from Kodak. Customer's will
take delivery of said digital scan via the internet and Kodak will
ship the original S8 negative with a S8 print. That is not a typo and
we are are attempting to officially confirm the print delivery. Total
package price is rumoured to be $50-$75 US. Longtime Kodak small
format partner Pro8mm in California has been making inquiries
regarding purchase of a 2nd hand contact printer from the Cinelicious
post house.

5. The Kodak CEO has been stating that there are additional
post-production tools forthcoming.

6. Big name endorsements include JJ Abrams,  Christopher Nolan, Steven
Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Steve McQueen, et al. The voluminous
press has included TIME, Bloomberg, Fortune, etc.

I suspect that the hipsters will adopt this "retro" camera and drive
up 2nd Super 8 camera prices. Should I hold onto my beautiful high end
Super 8 machines? Quietly ride this mini-film explosion? Or just keep
filming? :)

Film Forever.

Nicholas