Since the dawn of time, humans have entertained each other. Whether it is tapping on a tree, or playing the piano on a Sunday afternoon after lunch. With the inception of film in the late 1800s this all went a stage further as events in the world could be recorded on film, to later be projected on a screen to a collective audience.

9.5mm

Charles Pathé marketed the still popular 9.5mm film gauge in 1922, and it is to Mr Pathé that the roots of the home movie can be traced. Group 9.5, an organisation dedicated to the use/memory of 9-5, has something of a growing membership, and also publishes a magazine dedicated to the gauge's users. High resolution film bases are also available to film makers, along with may other related items.

Midas 9.5mm camera/projector

Group 9.5mm Magazine

Pathescope Catalogue from 1940s

Super 8mm

Super 8mm is perhaps the most widely used medium used for cine film production today for amateurs, and it goes without saying much is on offer with this gauge of film. Over the years many cine cameras, projectors and accessories have been produced, so equipment is a plenty!

Eumig, the Austrian cine equipment manufacturer produced thousand upon thousand of both cameras, projectors and accessories for ever keen film makers and watchers. Perhaps the finest projector they ever produced was the superb 940 Multiprocessor stereo super 8mm projector. This rare beast has extensive recording facilities that will keep the user amused for months let alone hours. Fitted with a high quality F1.2 lens, 20 watt stereo amplifier and also accepting 800ft reels of film for that extra long show. What a super package! A frequency test sheet is included with all machines just to confirm the very high spec. Changing lamps could not be simpler either when using the popular dichroic 12volt 100watt or 150 watt lamps.

Ciné cameras come in all shapes, prices and featuring all sorts of facilities and the Eumig range once again was endless. Many others are available including Bell and Howell, Nizo, in fact too many to list here. The possibilities seem endless with film, and the ciné equipment seems to have been built to last forever. Gerard Puglia has recently completed a film using a pre war cine camera, proving that film does not seem to have inbuilt obsolescence perhaps?

Ciné clubs and societies such as Bury Cine Society are actively promoting the use of film and film making. This society even has its own magazine to keep its members up to date.

If you are keen to set up your own cinema at home then it could not be simpler. Ciné films of cinema releases are available to film collectors to enable home shows, and films available date back to the 1800s to present day. I myself at home screen stereo surround sound feature films using a Eumig 940 stereo machine, Bose speakers and Kenwood surround sound amplification. My 6ft screen has clear and bright images projected onto it, and sound is very good indeed. The sound heads for recording and playback of magnetic sound can produce quality sound if the master material is loaded well to stripe also.

Even 3D filming is possible with the right equipment, and I have been to a few shows where these have been shown. Quite astounding.

A good starting point for a projector might well be the Eumig Magnetic Optical Super 8mm projector. This super machine will project the two sound systems, and is also fitted with a F1.2 lens, and 15watt amplifier. Ample for your home perhaps.

Kodak have recently extended their range of film stocks available for film making, and today we have quite a choice. 16mm is less popular than 8mm, and is becoming more so due to the latest arrival from Kodak. RT200 negative super 8mm film has turned things around, and large numbers of students and professionals are using it to make movies. The raw material is later transferred to digital video for editing.

When looking for vintage projection equipment it is worth searching your local flea market for back issues of Amateur Ciné World or Film Making, even Movie Maker magazines. These will give you a good idea of the type of equipment which will be available to you.

All in all film has much to offer, and if you have not tried it yet you could be missing out on something quite special. Film has a unique subtly transparency, and after running off your first reel of film you may very well find yourself hooked on it!

Contacts:

• Cine Is Alive and Well website.
• Bury Cine Society: their website
• Group 9.5mm and Equipment repairs: 29 Highfield Rd Bushey Herts WD232HD. Group 9.5 Website.
• Buckingham Films (everything cine) and 9.5mm 16mm film processing. 43, Broomfield, Stacey Bushes, Milton Keynes, MK12 6HA www.pathescope.freeserve.co.uk/bfv/bfv.htm
• Derann Film Service for films and equipment.
• Fascinating history of different film gauges.

- Lee Mannering

Page updated on 21 March 2008

Authors' views are not necessarily those of The Institute of Amateur Cinematographers

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