Cine

Cine - photography & The World Wide Web

It is hard to imagine that Tim Berners Lee's article for information management at Cern (which ultimately spawned the World Wide Web) was written only 20 years ago. This short article is intended to bring together some of the sources on the Web which I find helpful, and have done so much to revive 'amateur' film making, so much so that there is now an increase in consumption annually of film, particularly the Super 8 gauge. I am often asked why I persist in this 'obsolescent' technology. It is not easy to come up with a sound bite answer, because the reasons are various. First of all I inherited my Father's 16mmm and 9.5 collection, added to that my Aunt's 8mm collection, and my own filming for the past 30 years, all of which I treasure. Like many I jumped on the Video bandwagon back in 82, and am even now seriously tempted by the wonders of DV. However all the time I find myself returning to film. There is a pleasure in using fine equipment -I wonder how much longer the plastic cogs will last in my camcorder? There is the discipline of composition, the anticipation of the returned film, and the creativity of the editing process, the pleasures of compiling a suitable sound-track - all of which looks a labour of Hercules compared to DV! But the digital age which threatened to kill off Cine, has in fact proved to be a source of information and inspiration for a whole new generation of film makers. Information now readily available which only ten years ago would not have been accessible. Dealers, and private individuals, able to reach out and communicate with a scattered but enthusiastic band of film-makers worldwide. I have divided sites into Information Dealer and Portal. Information sites are those that offer wise advice on film making by fellow enthusiasts. Dealer sites fairly obviously are maintained primarily as selling sites. Portal sites are those offering extended links to cine related information. Living in the UK the bias is towards UK sites, but I have included a number of US and German sites. Sites come and go, but all of these sites were working reasonably efficiently in November 2003. Please mail me if you find a dud link.

Dealer Sites

Note - the links below can all be accessed directly from www.learnedcounsel.com/cine.html

Language translator - http://world.altavista.com/

ANDEC FILM - Super and film dedicated company in Germany - offers Super and Standard 8 film processing - reports are good for processing of EKTACHROME 64. http://www.andecfilm.de

BRISTOL CINE SALES - supporters of Cine - straightforward site - not recently updated - still offers K40. http://www.aavon.com/

BUCKINGHAM FILM SERVICES - shop has recently closed but I understand trading will continue: visit:- http://www.pathescope.freeserve.co.uk/bfv/bfv.htm

CAMERA CENTRE - Hailsham much on offer - I have not bought from them but it's an attractive site. http://www.camcentre.co.uk/

Cameras etc - http://www.camerasetc.co.uk/

CAMERA HOUSE - Yorkshire - attractive site http://www.the-camera-house.co.uk/cine.htm

CINENOSTALGIA Harley Jones an experienced cinematographer living in Cardiff offers a wide range of transfer and restoration services - all formats transferred and restored including audio. http://www.cinenostalgia.com

CLASSIC HOME CINEMA - Phil Sheard's new website - well worth a visit to one of Cine's most stalwart supporters. http://www.classichomecinema.co.uk

DERANN of Dudley - one of the best known names in collecting - efficient - more expensive than some -but you get what you pay for. http://www.derann.co.uk/

DVD INFINITY - Australian Film Transfer service www.dvdinfinity.com.au

FILM TRANSFERS - USA based - http://www.film-to-video.com

FILM TRANSERFS - UK Based - in Plymouth - http://www.aarchive.co.uk/

KATA PRODUCTIONS - an Australian based company offering film & video restoration & transfer services globally. www.kataproductions.com.au

KW Technical Services from Luton offer repairs to a range of cine equipment - http://www.enablis.co.uk/kwtech.services/

KINOTECH RINSER - Dealer located in Germany - they don't speak English - so use this translator link. I ordered a Norimat from them it was delivered in 4 days. http://www.kinotechnikrinser.de/

LEES CAMERAS - alas no longer a London Shop - but still trading on the Web, http://www.leescameras.co.uk/

LORRELL of Luton - plenty on offer - have not ordered from them but worth looking at for equipment. http://www.lorellphoto.co.uk/

MARRIOTTS - a very clear well laid out site. Lots of advice, and I have had excellent service and equipment from them. http://www.marriottworld.com/

MW CLASSIC CAMERAS - claim to update daily and offer a huge range of equipment - http://www.mwclassic.demon.co.uk/index.htm

DOUG PALMER - interesting kit on offer - recently updated - well worth a look. www.camerasetc.co.uk

PERCIVAL CAMERAS - Bexley Heath - http://www.percivalcameras.org.uk/cine.html

VINTAGE CAMERAS - lots of kit on offer - I have not yet dealt with them but there is much on offer. http://www.vintagecameras.co.uk/ltd/index.htm

WIDESCREEN CENTRE - Tony Shapps has to have been probably the best known supporter of Cine film and equipment, but has now retired. The firm continue their support for cine. They offer good service, no quibble refunds. I like the 'new' Silma that I bought from here recently. You can order on line. www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/

WITTNER KINOTECH - another dealer in Germany - translator - they correspond quite happily in English - they supplied a second Norimat to me when the first one went astray without quibble. http://www.wittner-kinotechnik.de/

Information Sites

Michael Nyberg - lots of info - http://home.pacbell.net/mnyberg/super8mm/

ATHOLL-MEDIEN - the definitive guide to Cameras - projectors to follow - I very much like the Camera book. http://www.atollmedien.de/english/HomeEnglish.html - this site seems to have gone down?

BOLEX - information on this splendid equipment. http://www.city-net.com/~fodder/bolex/

Bolex Collector - another admirable Bolex Site - http://www.bolexcollector.com/

CINE IS ALIVE AND WELL - a useful reference site with recent links - http://www.cinealive.freeserve.co.uk/index.html

CRAIG CAMERAS - a US site with useful information - and manuals. http://www.craigcamera.com/ib_no.htm

FILM AND VIDEO INSTITUTE ONLINE (IAC) - needs no introduction. http://www.theiac.org.uk/

FILM WAVES - magazine - article on Kodak - film stock. http://www.filmwaves.co.uk/

KODAK - the Big Yellow's site on Super 8. Hopefully Kodak really now do think it's still worth promoting film.

LITTLE FILM.ORG - Brodsky and Treadway - the US's most formidable supporters of little film. http://www.littlefilm.org/

METADIRECTORY - probably the most comprehensive Cine Site on the web

PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTORS CLUB - for equipment enthusiasts - links to specialists. http://www.lightwave.demon.co.uk/pccgb/links.htm

PRO 8 - Semi Professional gear - http://www.pro8mm.com

THE REEL IMAGE - loads of info on Super 8 films. http://www.thereelimage.com

SUPER 8 Camera Guide - http://www.city-net.com/~fodder/s8mm/cameras.html

SUPER 8 MANUAL - splendid practical advice on Super - ideal intro for beginners. http://www.kolumbus.fi/puistot/S8Manual.htm

SYNC SOUND - guidance on this tricky area - http://users.aol.com/fmgp/faq.htm

VINTAGE FILM - lots of information for the collector. http://www.pathescope.freeserve.co.uk/index.html

Wikipedia - free encylopaedia - see for example EKTACHROME _ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ektachrome

Portal Sites

ACE Index - 36 countries listed - full of information. http://www.acecam.com/

Cine is Alive and Well - Bury Cine Society - http://www.cinealive.freeserve.co.uk/

FILM SECRETS SUPER 8 FILM MAKING - http://www.rivalquest.com/super8/index.html

FCLS Film Centre - US based Portal Site. http://www.film-center.com/index.html

METADIRECTORY - one of the most comprehensive list of sites n the web I have come across., however not apparently recently updated. http://lavender.fortunecity.com/lavender/569/

Radiocraft: Guide to Vintage Technology http://www.radiocraft.co.uk/directory/homecine.htm

RUSSIAN CINE CAMERAS - for enthusiasts of this solid kit. http://www.geocities.com/russiancamera/

Standard 8 - definitive guide for this guage - http://standard8.org/index.php

SUPER 8 Resources - http://www.projector.demon.co.uk/super8.html

Super 8 Wiki - a splendid new site with loads of articles on Cine - http://www.super8wiki.com/index.php/Main_Page

CLUBS

A list of Clubs from Morris Repair Services - http://www.morrisrepairservices.com/clubs.html

Crewe Cine & Video Club - http://www.crewecine-videoclub.org.uk/

Gloucester Cine & Video Club - http://www.glosvideoclub.org.uk/

Haywards Heath Cine & Video Society - http://www.hhcvs.f9.co.uk/

Revised May 2008 Tom Halliwell Main Page