Kodak Super 8 Camera Review: Does This Make ANY SENSE?!

—

Nearly eight years after being announced, the Kodak Super 8 Camera is finally here! With a digital LCD, audio recorded to an SD card, and USB charging, it’s a fascinating blend of vintage and modern technologies. Jordan Drake has had the opportunity to shoot several rolls of Super 8, and is joined by filmmaking legend Alex Mitchell to discuss the strengths and bizarre weaknesses of this new camera.

0:00 - Intro
2:47 - Design and controls
3:37 - LCD
6:02 - Audio Recording
7:16 - Accessory limitations
9:42 - Registration
10:25 - Metering
12:00 - What are the alternatives?
14:06 - Jordan’s take

[nisdonatzsky]

That Micro-USB port tells you something about how long it's been in development...

[InvisibleJiuJitsu]

wow! I reckon kodak will sell literally 10s of these!

[MrBaskins]

that price and that micro usb are two dealbreakers but not in that order. micro usb is notorious for breaking off INSIDE the port. this camera costs more than my car

[loganwebb]

Love the footage you got out of the GH7 throughout the episode! Well done!

[thissidetowardscreen]

I just shot my first super8 using a Bell and Howell old new stock camera. I was so looking forward to seeing this Kodak camera, when it was first announced years ago at the $800.00 price. 5K sadly is too much for what you get, the cost of super 8, development and scan services are quite high, so I understand no one wants to waste film. I do agree the aesthetic nostalgia is why you shoot Super8. Placing a 8mm film camera lens on a digital camera, with a bit of grain addition and imperfection, you can get close to the look, but the appeal of shooting supe8 is the mechanical and tactile feel of the camera. Thanks so much for sharing. Love to see more analogue coverage on PP.

[Crlarl]

It's a professionally-priced camera that doesn't work out of the box with professional equipment. If I was going to give them notes 8 years ago for how to fix this, I'd start with the form factor. Make it smaller. Either shape it like a camcorder with a conventional grip (and removable top handle) or like a classic super 8 camera. Other things that should've changed:
- Screw threads all over
- HDMI type-A instead of type-D
- A battery plate for Sony NP-F series
- XLR audio and mic holder
- Anything but micro USB type-B
- Timecode in/out
- Lots of buttons and controls
- Plug for lenses with auto iris
Also, more frame rate options would be nice. It can only do 18, 24, 25, and 36 fps. 12 fps was typical to see in super 8 cameras. Should have 30 fps and single shot. It can probably do any arbitrary frame rate up to 36.

[ivereadthesequel]

One thing I actually forgot about: Kodak had collaborated on this camera in some part with a manufacturer of pro 8mm equipment called Logmar. Prior to that, they made a proof of concept called the Logmar S-8 which had a very similar design but also featured pin registration (by pulling film from the cartrige and needing to form a Latham loop), built in wifi, a separate accessory shoe, a ton of other ports including XLR in and video out, and shooting a wider frame. You can find test footage from it out there.

This camera made sense when they originally showed it off around 2016 for the original, more reasonable price and being a more consumer-friendly version of that concept. I'm not sure when they jacked up the price to target rental houses, it seems like it could have been a reasonable option for people to own given the success of similar priced still film cameras released this year which are in high demand (the Pentax 17 and Mint Rollei 35 AF).

[VietinghoffAlex]

Really well-done, in-depth review! Love that you actually took the time to use it and brought in Alex Mitchell. Answered all the questions we all have about the camera!

[OldGirlPhotography]

Coming from the generation where 8mm/Super 8 was the only option growing up, I have only one question: why? Why would anyone want this? It's funny how the people who grew up with this stuff generally have no ongoing interest in it.

[mykeljewell]

3:25 I’m sorry did you say… “micro USB” 🤮🤮🤮

[thebentzenable]

I had a very good 8mm experience years back. We shot it on the 8mm app for iPad and iPhone and it was the best simulation I have ever seen.

[notyourdad]

I'm wondering who's gonna be the first big name to use this to shoot a full-length feature. There's gotta be some madlad out there.

[JWPanimation]

5k for a super 8??? Internal battery? Micro USB???? Love the look of the film stock though. I wish they would just make a solid camera for 1k without all the bells and whistles.

[WiwatChang]

The last time i used my father's super 8 was about 40 years ago, but at that price, I'd rather dust that old camera if I urge to revisit that experience. Thanks for the review, guys

[alhOOOO]

Really, really glad you made this and shared it. I know it's super expensive and much more challenging than it 'needs' to be, but sometimes there's majesty in that...

[summarity]

2:28 that hard cut to close-up Jordan is certainly an artistic choice. That made me jump :D

I remember this camera appearing ~8 years ago. I'm stunned that it took this long!! Behold the "Analog Renaissance" as Kodak called it, has finally arrived. At this camera's price, only film schools will be buying it. I say this, as I am currently knee deep in Super 8 film I shot 50 years ago and converting it again for the 3rd time. 1st VHS, 2nd DVD, and now I'm using my Sony A7r3 doing frame by frame capture. It's like all the music I had on LP, then Cassette, and then Mp3.
A FUNNY thing is that now I'm doing everthing I can to lose the film look. Upres and sharpening to fix the soft images, noise reduction to lose the grain and scratches, . I regret ever using Ektachrome ( except for those scenes in low light) and feel bad for new users as that is all there is available today. If I could get to Fotomat by 4pm, I'd have my film returned the next day. A MONTH you say for Sounds like an expensive hobby that will certainly fill the need for problem solvers (the real hobby)!

[falxonPSN]

It's finally here! Super 8 was definitely a few years before my time, as most of my childhood was stuff like VHS and 8mm/Hi8 tape. The look of the film is definitely very unique and has that classic 70s/80s home movie aesthetic. Too bad it's so costly to operate or I'd think of getting something like this for playing around.

[dvdaltizer]

That last bit you said there makes the idea of this thing compelling, though it's thoughts that any Super8 camera can offer... though, the ease of use on this camera vs an older camera make this compelling... but maybe not $5k compelling...

[CalebThomasMedia]

Man if this were like, $1000-$1500 I would have bought it immediately.