Going Retro for Style: Vintage Movie Cameras
The world has gone crazy over digital movie cameras, but everyone knows film captures an essence that escapes the digital world. Although no longer being made, you can still find a variety of different models and features for sale on eBay. Some of the more common types of movie cameras for saleFrom time to time, one of Hollywood's prominent directors will decide to shoot their next movie on film. You have this power as well. You can shoot your next film, vacation, wedding, or baseball game using a vintage movie camera. Here are some of the more common types of affordable vintage movie cameras available:
- 8mm - Most consumers had vintage movie cameras that used 8mm film.
- Super 8 - The frame size is slightly bigger with Super 8 film, giving it a somewhat crisper image.
- 16mm - 16mm frames are double the size of 8mm and thus provide a much clearer image.
- 35mm - Hollywood movies of the past were shot using 35mm film. With such a large frame size, the image loses no quality when you blow it up and put it on a screen.
- Sound - Some of the vintage movie cameras come with sound capabilities that allow for the use of external mics.
When picking out an affordable vintage movie camera for your project, here are the features that you should look out for:
- Condition - You'll find that these cameras come in many different conditions. Some vendors sell them for parts only, which indicates the vintage movie camera is not functioning. Others have them available in near-mint condition. If you're lucky, you could stumble across one you like that is 100% unused.
- Accessories - Some movie cameras for sale come with accessories such as lenses and camera bags. Some even come as kits that can include tripods, filters, lenses, and film.
There were quite a few companies that made these movie cameras. Here are the main ones:
- Bell and Howell - Bell and Howell was a significant player in the film camera industry. You can find its cameras in 8mm, Super 8, 16mm, and 35mm formats, to name a few.
- Bolex - Bolex made a lot of cameras in its time. Although you can't find 35mm Bolex vintage movie cameras, 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm formats are easy to locate.
- Canon - Canon has always been a quality player in the movie camera game. If you like their style, they're available in all the major formats, including 35mm.
- Kodak - You'll have your choice of all the film formats with Kodak vintage movie cameras.