We Launched an Indie Go Go to Make Super 8 Affordable and Accessible

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 1, 2022

Hi everyone!

My lab, Northeast Photographic, has launched an Indie Go Go campaign to create an affordable Super 8 processing and scanning service.

You can link to it here: https://igg.me/at/npsuper8/x/29669013#/

I personally have always loved Super 8, but I've been frustrated at how expensive it can be to shoot. Most if not all of the cine labs that handle it really are geared toward pro film makers, and they have pro film maker prices and services. We're hoping to create a service that can serve the amateur to "prosumer" market, with simplicity and affordability in mind. I won't say too much more as it's all really covered by our Indie Go Go, please watch the video and read our presentation if you're interested. There I cover most of the details and why we chose to crowd fund this particular venture. We've got some neat rewards you get at the various price points designed by artists in Maine and Minnesota.

Thank you!

mshchem · Oct 1, 2022

Hope it goes well. I remember making standard 8 movies in hs. I had a Nikon R10 for a while, got rid of it because, no lab other than high end pro labs. Best Wishes on your new venture!

btaylor · Oct 1, 2022

I looked into your campaign. My first thought was “wow, $35 for a scan, then add film and processing, that’s a lot!” Then I took a look at a local lab that’s been doing lower cost small gauge work for many decades (Yale Film Lab), and holy smokes!: about $150 for film, processing and a low end scan ($75) for a 3 minute reel. I had no idea things had gotten that expensive! It would be great to make Super8 somewhat affordable again. I’m in! I hope many others have the enthusiasm for your project as well. It’s great that Kodak brought back Ektachrome.

Note: I see in your perks that the TriX reversal and Ektachrome are processed as negative- what’s up with that? I didn’t even know Ektachrome could be processed that way. What about people (like me) who also like the direct projection possibilities of reversal?

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 1, 2022

mshchem said:
Hope it goes well. I remember making standard 8 movies in hs. I had a Nikon R10 for a while, got rid of it because, no lab other than high end pro labs. Best Wishes on your new venture!

The Nikon R10 is a real stunner of a camera. I had an R8 for a time, what a beast. Ultimately I upgraded to a Beaulieu 4008ZMII but the R10 is more than a match in many ways.

Dan Fromm · Oct 1, 2022

Interesting. But your prospectus says nothing about how much you're likely to charge for scanning alone. This matters to me because I have a 66 minute epic I'd like to transfer to a medium I can see (old Elmo's belts are gone).

awty · Oct 1, 2022

If only I lived in USA.
This is what the local lab charges. https://rewindphotolab.com.au/services/motion?cmp_id=17453686061&adg_id=132713029810&kwd=motion picture film processing&device=m&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyt-ZBhCNARIsAKH1177Nwhs2VgQ3r69bVT1fLuy-iVxzsKNixFzuJuwwQsxWGjAqpjf3gqkaAj83EALw_wcB

With the current exchange rate its still cheaper than sending to the States.

I will just do it all my self, have one of those mirrored transfer boxes.
I prefer to watch the old fashioned way with a film projector and screen.

ic-racer · Oct 2, 2022

B&W reversal processing Regular 8 is $28 at Yale in California.

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 3, 2022

Dan Fromm said:
Interesting. But your prospectus says nothing about how much you're likely to charge for scanning alone. This matters to me because I have a 66 minute epic I'd like to transfer to a medium I can see (old Elmo's belts are gone).

Transfers of archival media will definitely be a part of what we do! We need to get the scanner in hand and put it through it's paces before we can establish more services however. It's something I'm excited about though because I actually have a Super 8 copy of Alien, or rather scenes from Alien. It would be rad to transfer it.

Derek Lofgreen · Oct 10, 2022

ic-racer said:
B&W reversal processing Regular 8 is $28 at Yale in California.

and then add on the $125 to transfer to digi... add the $28 plus the cost of the film that close to $200 for 50 feet. I hope Northeast Photographic can get this rolling. I would use it for sure. I stopped shooting super8 because of the expense in processing and scanning.

ic-racer · Oct 12, 2022

Derek Lofgreen said:
and then add on the $125 to transfer to digi... add the $28 plus the cost of the film that close to $200 for 50 feet. I hope Northeast Photographic can get this rolling. I would use it for sure. I stopped shooting super8 because of the expense in processing and scanning.

Digital copy for what reason?

Derek Lofgreen · Oct 12, 2022

Umm, to edit in a non-linear editor... No one shoots super8 to project on a screen anymore. Okay, maybe 10 people in the world shoot super8 to project, but most of the films made today are edited in the computer even if they are captured on film. I would love to shoot super8 and be able to share the film with sound and music etc. on social media or just send the file to family members. At $200 bucks for 2 mins of footage it just isn't worth the cost.

Super8 was made for the consumer for ease of use and low cost. Today, it's over the top expensive for just shooting the family outings. I can shoot 4K on my mirrorless for nothing (besides the camera cost) but it just doesn't have the look of super8 and I wish I could just shoot a couple of cartridges for like $60 bucks each and send the film to the family for them to watch on their phones.

btaylor · Oct 13, 2022

I see in the perks that the TriX reversal and Ektachrome are processed as negative- what’s up with that? I didn’t even know Ektachrome could be processed that way.

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 13, 2022

btaylor said:
I see in the perks that the TriX reversal and Ektachrome are processed as negative- what’s up with that? I didn’t even know Ektachrome could be processed that way.

I believe it states that Tri-X is processed as a negative. Ektachrome is run in standard E6 chemistry.

On the subject however... You can absolutely cross process Ektachrome in still and cine formats and it's a wonderful film for that purpose. The TV show Euphoria shot 35mm Ektachrome and ran it in ECN2 chemistry, which resulted in a frankly stunning look. That show is very very NSFW and personally not for me, but I appreciate that it's photographed beautifully.

Running Tri-X as a negative is straight forward. It gives all the benefits of a negative material vs a reversal material. We believe that actual projection has become such a rarified art vs scanning of cine films that it only makes sense to just resort to the negative process.

ic-racer · Oct 19, 2022

Derek Lofgreen said:
No one shoots super8 to project on a screen anymore.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll go throw away my projector now.

NortheastPhotographic · Oct 19, 2022

You can certainly still project any Ektachrome that we would process. Tri-X and Vision3 films however will be scanned. For those who absolutely positively do not want Tri-X processed as a negative, we actually could accommodate that as the Jobo ATL3 has a step built in which allows for re-exposure. My suspicion however is that most if not all of our users will want the added versatility of a negative, at least from Tri-X.

The campaign reached around 17% with 14 days to go. Not a great sign, though it's always been a long shot. Maybe if you are interested in what we're trying to do, or heck just like one of our product designs you could take a look or share the page.

Patrick Robert James · Oct 20, 2022

Are you posting in cinematography forums as well?

You should add other benefits, like 5 rolls at a time to really show the savings and increase your funding. $40 socks and $50 t-shirts have nothing to do with what you are selling. Plus you need to emphasize that the price includes both development AND scanning. You have the important information buried.

I've always wanted to shoot super 8 but have never done it. I hope you are successful. I'd send you film at some point for sure.

btaylor · Oct 20, 2022

Patrick Robert James said:
Are you posting in cinematography forums as well?

I haven’t visited in some time, but there was considerable interest in S8 over at cinematography.com -

dutchsteammachine · Oct 20, 2022

I wish I could support but I don't have the money and I don't live in America ):

I love super 8!

We Launched an Indie Go Go to Make Super 8 Affordable and Accessible

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