dex13

I've been toying with the idea of getting an old 8mm or 16mm movie camera for

short films and experimentation and was wondering if anyone had any

recommendations. There are tons of them on the used market, you can find them

for almost nothing at the Goodwill type stores and pawn shops. I want that

grainy film quality that makes it look more like a "film" rather than a VHS or

digital tape. I know it's going backwards but I'm nostalgic for this stuff and

the spinning hum of the old fashioned projector is calling my name.

 

I know some people are still using them, I'm just wondering what the best way

to go is. I'm sure new ones are being made as well but I don't want to spend a

lot of money at this experiemental stage.

 

Any comments or advice are welcome.

 

TIA

I got bit by the Minox bug and have a very slick 110 by them. I think I have an old Kodak kicking around somewhere that I used as a teen but it might be broken IIRC. I still need to test the Minolta to see if it works but my serious shots will be done with the Minox for that format.

 

You should check out Minox 8x11 format if you want to get really off the beaten path at least in this day and age.

I also own that Minolta you have there in addition to my Minox. I don't know if the Minolta works because I bought it in a lot purchase and haven't tested it yet. My Minox works nicely though.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/youngds/110Cameras/Minox110S/Minox110S.htm

Try Walmart. They sell them for about $3.00 at the ones in my state, MD. I've also seen 3pack sold at Wegman's.

You can get it in the US as well. Chinamart and probably Walgreens. They send it out for processing though, so you wait a bit longer. I acquired a very sophisticated Minox 110 not too long ago, probably the best 110 ever made so that format is still viable for me.

There are plenty of pre-owned Minox cameras on the web. Dare I mention *bay...proceed there with the UTMOST Caution. You will probably be better off searching the web for camera shops that are selling CLAed Minoxs. CrudBay will be a big risk and most of the sellers don't know what they are doing, so get your camera from an online shop and buy your accessories with caution at crudBay. I've had pretty good success with this method in my purchases and have only been ripped off at couple times by sellers at crudBay.

Interesting answers. Thank you. By the way Scott Kinkade, I will take your advice, I can see where the barrel might get in my way. Hehe ;-)

 

If I had a real darkroom I probably would not try the NV monocular I have but I live in an apartment and don't have room until I can seal my small bathroom up really well and outfit it with some shelving. Until then I have to improvise and this scope will help because I'm a newbie to developing. Also this is Minox format, very small films and equipment so it's not as easy as say a 35mm situation for spooling and slitting film. I thought nite vis would help until I get used to handling this tiny microfilm.

Just curious as to whether I could use my night vision scope with its infrared

light to do things like film changing and developing. Will the infrared light

cause problems?

 

TIA for any feedback.

Well the Leica/Minox M3 4.0 megapixel is available for $189 on ebay until that guy runs out. I have been really tempted to get it but I see drawbacks being no zoom and no upgradeable memory. I've seen them for even less than that price occasionally. Considering that model goes for 289 Euro from Minox which is about $320, Ebay's guy with the new ones is a good deal but I think I will hold out for a zoom and SD card.

Thanks again Iulian,

 

I didn't understand that you meant that I should respool the film exposed into a 35mm cassette. Your last email cleared it up for me. Thats a pretty good idea. I bought a changing bag the other day, so I think I can manage the swap. Thanks again.

Thanks Martin and Iulian,

 

This is just the sort of info I need. I'm pretty much a newbie to the developing side of things, at least when it comes to film so all input is appreciated. I can see where it could be difficult to keep the temp constant for color developing. I'm not sure how a photolab would handle me giving them a roll of Minox with a 35mm leader though. I will try it after putting a note on the canister saying that the film is exposed and should only be opened in darkroom conditions. I'm not going to try that at a Walmart type lab but a real photo lab should be able to handle it you would think. I assume that they aren't doing any enlargements though? Only developing and then you do your own enlargements...?

Ok, it seems that most people use the Minox tank for B&W development. I'm sure

some must use it for color, though I know there are more steps involved. I'm

going to need fine grain developer, stop bath and fix bath I take it. What is

the recommended "generic" color developer for the tank? Should I just do it

the old fashioned way with trays instead? I don't really have a darkroom setup

yet but I'm really not willing to send my rolls off and have to wait a month

or more to get it developed at minoxlab. They took 2 weeks just to deliver a

partial order of film, one of 2 rolls that I ordered, kind of a drag.

 

I'm enjoying the whole process anyway and am awaiting my enlarger to do the

printing, so I'm in for a penny and in for a pound.

Martin,

 

I think you are right, I'm just not sure where to get ahold of those types of cubes.

Gerald,

 

The Magi-cubes that I purchased will definitely NOT work for the 110. I suspect the x-cube will though. Not sure why you are saying they will work because they do not fit, not even close. I spent $10 on "vintage" cubes and none of them fit properly, won't work for the EC adapter either. The socket does look more like an X configuration.

I actually have 2 Minoxs that need cubes and unfortunately got burned with bad

info from a website that claimed the Magi-Cube worked for the 110s and now

that I also have a EC I find that I can't use the Magi-cubes I purchased

online for it either. Granted, I only spent $10 but what am I going to do with

these Magi-Cubes now? Talk about obsolete...

 

What flash cube will work for the EC flash attachment? Will they also work for

the 110s on-board flash port? Furthermore, are there any available on the net

somewhere?

 

TIA for any info. Photo.net forum users are definitely the most knowledgable

I'm begining to find out.

I recently acquired an EC of questionable working order. I understand that it

requires a 5.6v battery that is no longer available so 4x386 cells are

necessary along with a plastic "shroud" adapter. My multi-part question is as

follows. 1. Is the adapter really necessary? 2. What is its purpose if my 4

cells will fit in the EC fine without it? 3. Once the proper battery

configuration is installed, how will I know its working? I am unable to find

an owners manual online that is in english. 4. Finally, what is the function

of the batteries? Do they control the leaf shutter or are they simply for

flash operation? If they were only for flash operation it would seem that I

could use the camera without them.

 

TIA very much for any info that you can provide. The EC seems to be firing the

shutter, but it's kind of hard to tell if its firing "properly" or if its just

clicking but not operating because there are no batteries. Given its simple

first generation EC design and limited focus capabilities, it's hard to tell

what I should be expecting from the batteries and the shutter in regard to

operation.

I agree that they should have taken more time in their presentation. Spelling and grammar errors are a bad sign. I would have a lot of questions too. Even if it's on the up and up, it still seems like too much money...but to a serious collector who could determine authenticity, it is kind an interesting artifact considering what a wonderful and prolific photography subject that Marilyn was. This seller is going to have to prove it's authenticity beyond what is described on that poorly written eBay ad. The negatives are pretty intriguing as well. I wonder if there is way of "fingerprinting" those negatives to see if they were indeed taken with that camera?

Just an interesting FYI...

 

I'm a big time Minox collector and was checking the listings today and noticed

that Marilyn's Minox is up for sale at eBay. I find it sort of interesting

being a collector and a big fan of Marilyn. I will be surprised if they get

the $50,000 opening bid but you never know, there are alot of huge Monroe fans

and I'm sure there are some rich guys that would love to have it, especially

since it comes with some negatives that are of her and taken by her which are

worth bucks themselves just because they are unpublished.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARILYN-MONROE-MINOX-CAMERA-PROOF-

SHEET_W0QQitemZ280013939462QQihZ018QQcategoryZ197QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem