Last Updated 00/03/24 1700PST
Subject: Super 8mm PXR users: Important Notice!
From: super8mm@aol.com (Super8mm)
Date: 2000/03/23
Newsgroups: alt.movies.cinematography.super8
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MARTIN W. BAUMGARTEN
Plattsburgh, New York U.S.A.
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Thursday, March 23, 2000
RE: Kodak Super 8mm PXR 464 Films
Dear Fellow Super 8mm Filmmakers,
I have just noticed that well over 25% of the PXR films that come
in for processing to me, do NOT have the filter notch in them! This
is a big mistake on Kodak's manufacturing part....so please double
check every PXR 464 Super 8mm cartridge prior to using it. The notch
can easily be made by breaking off a small piece of the cartridge wall
that pushes against the filter removal lever or button inside of your
Super 8 camera. PLUS-X 7276 Super 8mm films are supposed to have the
Filter Notch in them. Without the filter notch...the builtin Daylight
Conversion #85 filter is removed from the lens' optical path, and thus
the film is rated at ASA 50, and of course...no filtration (which helps
makes for better sky and cloud detail as well as reducing exposure
for proper filming in bright light). Most Super 8mm cameras will rate
PXR film when used with the filter, at ASA 25 instead of the true
rating of ASA 32. However...this is only 1/5th of stop variance, and
Kodak states that the film's exposure latitude will compensate for this
slight difference....and in practice all film exposed this way is fine.
---> If you notice that the notch is missing...insert the cartridge (if
you have a side loading Super 8mm camera...since a rear loading camera
such as Yashica, Nizo etc....would prevent you from seeing where the
notch should be). Then pay attention to where the cartridge wall pushes
against the filter removal button or lever. Mark or score that spot
with a pen or small knife. Remove the cartridge and then make a cut
down either side with a small knife or single-edged razor
blade.....about a quarter to half inch wide...then break off this 'tab'
with a pair of needle nose pliers or strong tweezers.
---> If you don't mind not using the builtin filter...then leave the
cartridge notchless...if you end up with one this way. If you rather
not film with the builtin filter at all, and have a cartridge that does
have the notch and is normal...then just use your filter switch or key
and remove the builtin filter to the no filter position.
---> A side note: I haven't seen this on any TRI-X cartridges...since
TXR film does NOT normally have a filter notch anyhow. IF you want to
add a filter notch to your TXR cartridges to take advantage of using
the builtin Daylight filter (and thus not have to add one over the lens
and tint your viewfinder's view), then by all means...break off a
filter notch. The TXR film will now be rated in better cameras at ASA
125 or ASA 100, whichever the camera defaults to. This is close enough
to the actual ASA 130 which the exposure is reduced to in daylight when
using the filter. Best wishes,
Martin W. Baumgarten