Greetings IN[FOCUS] readership,
At Soulbox Productions we offer both digital and super 8mm film coverage. One of the early challenges we faced with super 8mm filming was getting adequate lighting. Film needs more light than digital. Having our camera operators to hold a light with one hand and the camera with the other made it difficult to focus and to frame the shots.
Click the my image above to see how I solved the problem,
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We use the same light for our lead digital camera, the Canon XL2, as we do for our super 8mm cameras. This light is the Canon VL-10Li.
The VL-10 uses its own battery, which is a must for super 8mm filming. It’s only 10 watts, so it’s not overwhelmingly bright. The challenge, though, was to find a way to attach it to our super 8mm cameras, none of which have a shoe like our digital cams.
I tried thick rubber bands…didn’t work, the light wouldn’t stay in place. I tried extra strength Velcro…didn’t work, the light–especially with the battery on it—was just too heavy. I thought about trying industrial-strength glue, but I didn't because it could’ve eaten through the plastic body of the camera.
I could spend $1200 or more on a refurbished super 8mm camera like the Canon 1014 XL-S, which has a shoe:
I didn’t want to shell out that much money for a small piece of metal, and besides, our lead super 8mm camera, the Bauer C107XL, works like a champ and has sentimental value attached to it (it was Corbin's father's camera from years gone by).
So what to do? The answer was right in front of me, but I couldn't see it. I was getting ready to make the $1200 purchase until I had an opportune conversation with my father.
My father is an engineer at Lockheed Martin and an all around great handyman. He pointed out that both the light and camera have a tripod socket...
…and I should buy a headless screw (also called a threaded rod) at any Home Depot or Lowe’s.
There is a small "hole" (or lack thereof) in this lighting technique. Canon has removed the tripod socket in the latest model of the VL-10. So, search ebay or Craig's List for the early models and ask the seller if it has a hole on the bottom.
You may also experience the complete Super 8mm Highlight from Christina & Clay's wedding on our film blog.
My father's 55 cent solution saved me $1199.45 (tax and shipping not included…or film for testing…or the mental strain of using a refurbished camera). At the very least, I owe him a steak dinner. Thanks again, Dad. I owe you big time.
Genius!! Thanks Baxters!