Single 8 questions

In article <a5mq8.153687$Yv2.47165@rwcrns­c54>, "Andrew" <film @attbi.com>
writes:

Hi Andrew,
      Alas, the FUJI Single-8 system never gained serious ground here in the
USA or North America.  FUJI withdrew it from this market years ago, and closed
their lab in California in the 1980's.    Film has to be purchased from outside
this hemisphere!   Film can be bought from The WIDESCREEN CENTRE in London, or
from a couple sources in Germany (special order, so might be expensive), or
privately from a german Single-8 enthusiast who used to sell it (haven't
checked lately). More Single-8 information below.

---> Processing of the FUJI Single-8 filmstocks is done only now by FUJI in
Japan at their Tokyo plant.  Film is sold without processing, and you have the
option to pay extra at the time of processing for sound striping if desired.
IF you want the film sound-striped....you MUST order it at the time of
processing...as FUJI do not offer a post-process striping service for their
Single-8 films.   There aren't any other labs anywhere that I know of that will
process FUJI Single-8 film, besides FUJI....or my own lab services which
include Single-8.  One of the problems is that the filmstock is polyester
based....and those labs running 8mm film, don't want to risk damaging their
film racks should the film jam.  The other problem is that the process while
similar to EM-26, is different enough to cause some processing variations, and
requires a more vigorous method to remove the anti-halation backing.   I custom
hand process all motion picture films here, so I can modify whatever process I
need to, to match the film type I'm doing.  Anyhow....your best bet is
processing thru FUJI itself, which is now much quicker than it was just a
couple years ago.  Average turnaround time is about 3-4 weeks, depending on the
mailing distance to Japan and back.

--->    IF only FUJI had made the darn cartridges a tiny bit bigger...they
would be able to hold a complete 50ft of KODAK Super 8mm filmstock...but they
don't.....anywhere from about 33ft to 40ft fits into it, depending on emulsion
thickness and base thickness.   I have reloaded KODAK filmstock into them many
times over the years.  Earlier FUJI Single-8 cartridges were only taped closed
with small pieces of Mylar tape.....however, since the early 80's the films
have been welded together...and cracking them open for reuse requires
tremendous care.  Even then, there's no guarantee it will be successful each
time; similar to my opening and reusing KODAK Super 8mm cartridges.

-----> Reloading the Single-8 cartridge is not too difficult (compared to the
KODAK cartridge), but care must be exercised to make sure that the film is
wound with the emulsion in the correct direction, sprocket holes on the correct
side, and firmly attaching the film to the takeup cores, and also notching the
film at the e

Nice camera, wish I'd never sold mine.

Dunno, hope someone from US will reply

I send mine to japan.

Doddle

I have loaded B+W and Kodachrome. Takes about 30 ft.

Good luck!

SS

I use to import these back into Japan and sell them at a Tokyo camera shop,
they would take 15% of the selling price. I have several older carts that
have small bits of tape holding them together. You remove the tape and they
come apart easily. I have not tried to load them but I have opened them up
and it seems really like a no brainer to reload them. I often thought about
getting one of the sound cameras and reloading the sound carts with the
sound striped K-25 from Wittner Kinotech in Germany. Much easier proposition
than reloading a Kodak Super-8 cart. I just got another Z-600 from Ebay for
$8.00, now I have 2. The address for Fuji processing is on the Super-8 meta
directory. In Tokyo the film was 1150 yen each. under $10.00 US. Processing
was 600 Yen each and the sound stripe could be added during processing.

Regards,
Paul Cotto

The Widescreen Centre in London still sells the film.  I'm sure they would
ship to the US they can also arrange processing for you.  This may not be a
viable proposition for you but I thought I would throw it in anyway. I Have
a Z300 still which is also a great little camera but will probably put it on
ebay soon as I have now bought a Braun Nizo and don't require the Fujica.
www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/
Kevin

I sold you your other Z600 a couple of years ago on ebay. I had always
wished I kept it, but I guess it doesn't matter now since I found another.
The ZC1000 is the one I would really like to try out.

I sold 4 ZC1000 cameras in Tokyo, they sell for $900.00 to $1800.00
depending on condition. I wish I was still there:'] Check eBay there has
been a rash of single-8 cameras there lately. People must be spring cleaning
the attic. I wish I had kept one of the ZC1000's for my self. Ebay in
Germany is the place to check for cheap cameras, they haven't gone crazy on
prices like in the USA.  Here is a link>

http://listings.ebay.de/aw/lis tings/list/all/category12892/i ndex.html

Regards,
Paul Cotto