Free UK shipping & Free worldwide shipping on orders over £200
February 6, 2025
Super 8 film has seen a resurgence in popularity, offering a nostalgic and artistic way to capture memories. Whether you’re filming a wedding, a short film, or an experimental project, the magic of Super 8 is undeniable. If you’re looking to invest in a Super 8 camera, this super 8 guide from CameraCrate will help you make an informed choice and get the best results from your footage.
Unlike digital, Super 8 film delivers a warm, grainy, and organic look that evokes emotions and storytelling in a way no other format can. It’s widely used across the world, from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, China, Italy, Brazil, India, Australia, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. Whether you’re a filmmaker in London, a wedding videographer in New York, or a documentarian in Berlin, Super 8 is a timeless choice.
When selecting a Super 8 camera, there are key features to consider to ensure it suits your needs. Below is a super 8 guide:
All Super 8 cameras feature automatic exposure, making them ideal for beginners or unpredictable lighting conditions. More advanced users might prefer manual exposure control for precision. Consider whether you’d like the option to expose your footage manually.
Typically Super 8 cameras shoot at 18fps (frames per second).The 18fps setting delivers the classic Super 8 aesthetic, reminiscent of vintage home movies and old-school filmmaking. For a smoother, more cinematic feel, 24fps is a great option, especially if blending with modern digital footage or looking to sync audio in post. Some models offer slow-motion capabilities at 36fps or 54fps. Others also offer 9fps, which creates a choppy, time-lapse-like effect. This lower frame rate is useful for experimental filmmaking, adding a surreal or stylized motion to the footage. It’s also great for conserving film while capturing extended action sequences.
XL cameras, developed in the 1970s, were designed to perform better in low-light conditions. They achieve this through a wider shutter angle, allowing more light to hit the film per frame. This means that an XL camera can shoot in dimly lit environments without requiring additional artificial lighting. If you plan to shoot indoors, at dusk, or in other low-light settings, an XL model is an excellent choice. Look for the term XL in the product title.
Most super 8 cameras have fixed zoom lenses, while others allow interchangeable lenses for creative flexibility. Higher-end models feature longer zoom lenses with faster aperture options.
Consider portability when choosing a camera. Compact models are easier to travel with, while professional-grade Super 8 cameras tend to be bulkier but offer more control.
Most Super 8 cameras use standard AA batteries, but some models require specialist batteries for the built-in light meter. Always check which type your camera needs to avoid issues mid-shoot and remember to carry spares. It’s best to purchase brand name, good quality batteries.
Super 8 cameras typically cost anywhere between £100 – £1000. Make a list of the features that are important to you – from there it should be easy to work out how much you need to spend. Ask yourself whether you need a top-end model with lots of features (such as timelapse, lap-dissolve, macro focusing or a variable shutter) or whether you’d prefer something smaller and simpler to use. It’s important to find the right model for you.
Several manufacturers have produced high-quality Super 8 cameras over the years. Some of the most well-known brands include:
Selecting the right Super 8 film stock is crucial for achieving the look you desire. Our super 8 guide includes a breakdown of the available stocks and when to use them:
We don’t sell film – just cameras. That’s because it’s cheaper to purchase super 8 film directly from a film lab who’ll bundle the cost of film, development and scanning into one price.
Which Film Lab Should I Use?
CameraCrate are based in the UK, so our experience is mostly limited to film labs in England. We can recommend On8mil and Gauge Film as we’ve used them extensively over the past decade.
Outside of the United Kingdom, Kodak has compiled a global directory of labs that they recommend.
Most Super 8 cameras are over 50 years old. If you’ve purchased a camera for a specific occasion or shoot, make sure to test it as soon as the camera arrives. Listen for unusual noises and check that the film advances correctly. It’s worth having a backup camera as well, especially if you’re planning to film something special.
A dirty film gate can ruin your footage. Use a soft brush, such as a child’s toothbrush, to clean the gate between each roll. This will remove any hairs, dust or dirt from the gate.
There’s nothing more annoying than getting halfway through a shoot and having your batteries fail or the light changing. Always have spare batteries to hand as well as a variety of film stocks, in case the light changes.
Most super 8 cameras have a footage counter that’ll tell you how much footage you have left. When swapping film cartridges, note how much footage remains BEFORE opening the film door as the counter will reset. One of the great features of the super 8 format is the ability to change film mid-roll. This is great if the light changes during a shoot. Before changing film, film anything for a second or two. Then do the same when you put in the next cartridge. This is important to ensure the last bit of footage you’ve shot isn’t exposed to light and ruined.
Film is sensitive to X-ray machines at airports. Always hand-carry your film and request a manual inspection at security to avoid damage.
Super 8 cameras are designed for 18fps, which provides around 3 minutes 20 seconds of runtime per cartridge and delivers the iconic nostalgic look of Super 8 home movies. Shooting at 24fps shortens the runtime to about 2 minutes 40 seconds but offers a more cinematic feel.
It’s important to remember that super 8 cameras use technology that’s often 50 years old! The automatic exposure systems will always expose footage based on the brightest thing in the field of view. If you include a window, the sun, a lamp or other light source, that will be correctly exposed, whilst the rest of your footage will be underexposed. It’s important to be mindful of whether there is a lightsource in your field of view. When shooting outdoors try to have the sun behind you. Some cameras have a backlight button that’ll increase the exposure up a stop which can be very helpful when there’s a light source in your shot that you can’t remove.
Super 8 cameras bring timeless charm to filmmaking. We hope this super 8 guide was helpful. If you need help choosing the perfect Super 8 camera for your needs, contact us at CameraCrate.com, and our experts will be happy to guide you toward the best model for your projects!
Camera Crate offers Europe’s largest selection of super 8 cameras and every purchase comes with 30 day returns and a 60 day warranty. We offer free UK tracked shipping on all orders and free worldwide shipping on orders over £200.
© 2025, CameraCrate.com
Company Number: 12789078
VAT Number 355133808
© 2025, CameraCrate.com
Company Number: 12789078
VAT Number 355133808
