Mirror Cartridge for super8 cameras
Super8 Reversal Lab introduces the Mirror Cartridge for all super8 cameras. If you place this cartridge in your camera, you can check if the automatic and manual exposure work. You can really see what is happening. How fantastic is that.
Hier eine Übersetzung der Gebrauchsanleitung
There are two major user cases
- If you want to purchase a used super8 camera you can check that it works before you pay for it.
- Or if you own a camera, you check the condition before you expose any film cartridges. In other words, save money and time.
The price for this product is €41,28 excluding 21% VAT (€49,95 incl. 21% VAT) and excluding shipping. Order easily by sending an email to the lab. Thanks!
Why did we create this product
One of the most common problems with super8 cameras is that you can’t see straight through the gate (yes there are exceptions, some models are back loading). Looking through the gate is important because that is the only way to find out if the aperture physically moves. The aperture of super8 cameras is made from two or more triangle blades that open and close via a small electric motor. See image here right. These blades inside s8 cameras that have not been used for a long time could be stuck together because the grease dries out after months or years (the chain of your bicycle will also get stuck if you have not used it for years). To prevent a wrong exposure, it is very important that you understand how your s8 camera works and to check this frequently. That is where this Mirror cartridge comes in.
This 3D printed cartridge has the following benefits
- Check the automatic aperture
- Check the manual aperture
- Check the build-in filter setting
- Check the film gate
- Check the camera before you buy or sell it
- Check the camera before you use it
3D design by Edwin van Eck.
How does it work 1 – check the automatic aperture
Load your super8 camera with fresh batteries (make sure to use the correct batteries). Make sure to use a battery for the light meter if your camera needs one (these are often small size batteries you find in watches, and search for Weincell batteries).
Set all switches to automatic, mostly marked with a red dot, and set the camera to 18fps. Open the side cover and place the Mirror Cartridge in the camera. Let the camera run. Now it is possible to see through the gate of the camera via the small mirror. Keep your focus on the mirror and move the camera from light to dark, for example from a window to the floor. You can see that the automatic aperture opens and closes. If you do not see this, you know the camera is broken.
How does it work 2 – check the manual aperture
Load your super8 camera with fresh batteries. Make sure to use a battery for the light meter if your camera needs one.
Set all switches to automatic (mostly marked with a red dot) except for the exposure switch. Set the camera to 18fps. Open the side cover and place the Mirror Cartridge in the camera. Let the camera run. Now it is possible to see through the gate of the camera via the small mirror. Keep your focus on the mirror and turn the manual exposure dial slowly from one position to the other. You can see that the aperture opens and closes. If you do not see this, you know the camera is broken.
How does it work 3 – check the build-in filter setting
Most super8 cameras have an orange built-in filter (a.k.a. 85 filter) to use Tungsten balanced films during daylight shoots. Tungsten balanced films have a higher ASA value, and therefore sold better back in the days.
Load your super8 camera with fresh batteries. Make sure to use a battery for the light meter if your camera needs one.
Set all switches to automatic, mostly marked with a red dot, and set the camera to 18fps. Open the side cover and place the Mirror Cartridge in the camera. Let the camera run. Now it is possible to see through the gate of the camera via the small mirror. Keep your focus on the mirror and move the filter switch from the sun to the light bulb. You can see that the colour of the gate changes from orange (build-in filter in use) to blue (filter not in use). If you do not see this, you know that the camera is broken. Or you know that the build-in filter is missing or maybe affected by the sunlight.
How does it work 4 – check the film gate
Always work as clean as possible with analogue film. It’s not nice to have dust in your gate because it stays visible in your images after shooting and developing the film. So cleaning beforehand helps and is essential.
Load your super8 camera with fresh batteries. Make sure to use a battery for the light meter if your camera needs one.
Set all switches to automatic (mostly marked with a red dot) except for the exposure switch. Set the camera to 18fps. Open the side cover and place the Mirror Cartridge in the camera. Let the camera run. Open the aperture completely with the manual exposure dial (often somewhere between f-stop 1.8 or 2.2 depending on your lens). Now it is possible to see through the gate of the camera via the small mirror and see if the gate is clean and free of dust and dirt. If you use the macro camera from your smartphone you can view the image on the screen on the phone. If the gate is not clean, then follow the steps in your camera manual to clean it.
How does it work 5 – check the camera before you buy or sell it
See instruction 1 to 4.
Every week the lab receives visitors who show their purchased or found camera and want to know how they can start shooting super8. Many cameras that are checked in the lab are broken because of left batteries in the battery compartment, or because the camera has damage caused by moist or bad handling. With this mirror cartridge you can check the most important functions yourself before you buy the camera and pay for it. If you buy a camera online ask the reseller if they checked this!
How does it work 6 – check the camera before you use it
See instruction 1 to 4.
You are standing on the point to make a super8 film, but you haven’t used the camera in a long time. You want to shoot in the coming days, but you are not sure what filter setting is the one you need, or you want to be sure the build-in filter is not in between the lens and the film. Is the gate clean? All these questions can be answered with the help of this mirror cartridge.
Some tips
- You only need 1 Mirror Cartridge, you can use it over and over again.
- Buy one with a few friends, organization, family, foundation or film club.
- Keep the Mirror Cartridge in your camera bag all the time.
Use this Mirror cartridge for example in all of these super8 cameras.