5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film

5-Tips-for-Shooting-Super-8-Film-FilterGrade

Shooting Super 8 film is a great way to capture memories in unique way no matter what the situation. However, getting to know your camera requires you to truly shoot a lot of film and become familiar with your camera and equipment.

Today, we’re going to help you become more familiar with shooting Super 8 film by sharing five quick tips so that you are able to get the best shots possible when you go out to shoot! Be sure to check out our video with Matt as well to see demonstrations and examples of his footage. :) All photos + resources created by © Moloney Creative Agency.


1. Always Keep Your Elbows Locked at Your Sides

Our first tip for shooting Super 8 pertains to stability and camera shake. When you’re shooting with Super 8 film cameras, many times you will only have options for shooting around 12-24 fps which means if you’re hands are not steady, you are going to notice it a lot more than if you had a higher frame rate.

So next time you go to pick up your camera and shoot, start by placing your elbows tight against the sides of your body. Make sure you feel comfortable more than anything, but be sure to stay locked tight while shooting, this will help out and you’ll be sure to notice it when you see your final results!

Below you can see a clip of film that was shot without using this technique:

Elbows Locked - 5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film - FilterGrade

Next, you can see a clip while using this technique, and you can see that the footage is much more stable and not shaky:

Stable - 5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film - FilterGrade

2. Be Wary of Distance for Manual Focusing

One of the hardest parts about shooting Super 8 film is focusing correctly. There is no way to tell if the clip you just shot was in perfect focus, or if it was off just by a hair. And truly, you won’t find out until you get your film back from the lab and see the footage, but don’t be afraid to keep trying, your focus will come with time!

One way to practice your manual focusing is by finding an inanimate object and take short clips of the same object from various distances. Once you get your film back you will be able to see where you were correct, and where you went wrong.

3. Underexposing / Overexposing – Use These

Techniques to Your Advantage

This is more of a lesson than a tip, but I’d like to share a story to help you understand what I mean by this. When I first starting shooting Super 8 film, I sought out how to shoot in the best ways to make sure I wouldn’t make any mistakes. This was one tip that was shared with me:

Always underexpose, rather than overexposing. This is because if you underexpose, you will have some heavy grain, but you will still be able to clearly see your results. If you overexpose, you will have a hard time seeing your results and the film will look sloppy.

The first few rolls of super 8 that I shot, I had always kept this in mind because I assumed that it was 100% correct. But truthfully, it is not correct for everyone. For videography, and photography alike – there is no such thing as ‘never’. This tip that I had received was really a suggestion, because as I learned more and more about shooting Super 8, I realized many of my favorite shots were intentionally overexposed.

So I guess what this all means is that you shouldn’t box yourself in when it comes to creating what you want to create, but do it with intention.

Here’s a quick example of a shot that I overexposed for the effect:

Underexpose / Overexpose - 5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film - FilterGrade

4. Utilize Any Additional Settings Your Camera Has

This is a tip that many people look over, but can make all the difference.

For example, one of my Super 8 cameras has a ‘clear / soft’ switch. This adjustment feature allows you to have no filter or a ‘soft’ filter that creates a warm tone and allows for a more vintage look.

Many times Super 8 cameras will have a light setting as well, which you always be sure to set before you shoot. For some it is a simple switch to signify whether you are shooting in natural light or indoor light, and some are a bit more complex with more variables. Regardless, this will play a large role on how your film comes out so don’t forget to set this before shooting.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New

Try-Something-New - 5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film - FilterGrade

A simple tip, but one you should never forget. If you’re not trying something new; if you’re not doing something different; if you’re not having fun doing what you’re doing – what are you doing then?

Read More:

2 Replies to “5 Tips for Shooting Super 8 Film”

  1. My dad was planning to shoot a short film that tackles dirty politics, which is why we’re currently looking for a video production service that he may work with. I agree with you that it’s alright to explore performances, but everything should have restrictions. You’re also right that it will be best to underexpose rather than overexpose.

  2. Simon says:

    Not sure I agree about underexposing film. Underexposing is recommended for digital cameras, which easily lose information in the highlights. Film is the opposite, and holds far, far more information in the highlights, but isn’t so good in the shadows. In other words you can drastically over expose film, but still safely bring back highlight information in any grade.

Leave a Reply