Kodak Super 8 is back after being away for almost 40 years. Yes, the company that made the Super 8 film format famous has finally released a new camera that is better for the digital world. The project was first shown at CES in 2016 and has been in the works ever since.
People are probably very interested in the new Kodak Super 8 Camera because it's not the kind of tech that will be available in 2023. Many people in the movie business, like the great Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Patty Jenkins, and Steve McQueen, see Super 8 as film. An entire movie, Super 8, is devoted to the allure of the format.
For instance, one individual stated, "Super 8 taught me the value and significance of an image," "It taught me how precious cinematic storytelling is and can be," and "The format itself is perpetually a source of discovery."
Now that we use digital film, how does Super 8 fit in? Any traditional film camera that is new to the market needs to naturally change in order to meet product development standards. Kodak has added important new features to its 21st century Super 8 Camera, such as a 4-inch LCD screen that can be tilted and recorded video in "Extended Gate" mode. But it's also a very expensive piece of gear—much more expensive than some of the best digital cameras for any budget—and the price was higher than what was expected when it was first shown off in 2016.
At first glance, the Kodak Super 8 Camera looks like any other camera. It has a boxy shape, a C-mount lens (it comes with a 6mm 1:1.2 lens that is about the same size as a 35mm lens on a full-frame scale), a gun grip, and a top handle. However, it's also very different.
The 4-inch LCD screen can be adjusted to different angles so you can better arrange your shots. It also lets you see aspect ratios using an overlay, navigate menus, and see camera settings for the first time. It can record sound from a 3.5mm input to an SD card, and the LCD lets you see how loud the sound is. You're not limited to a 16:9 aspect ratio either. With "Extended Gate," you can record through an 11% larger frame that includes a 14:9 ratio, which means your output will look better on current screens. We take these features for granted in digital cameras these days, but they are all brand new for Super 8 film. This is an easy way to do Super 8.
From the back, this is a Kodak Super 8 camera with the LCD screen turned out.
Sadly, there is also an oversight: the charging port is a mini USB port. As of 2024, all phones, tablets, and cameras in the EU will have to use USB-C connectors instead of mini USB. It might be hard for Kodak to get its Super 8 Camera to more people if they want to.
Overall, this is an interesting and improved Super 8 experience, but it costs money.
For more information and pricing click here
Comments