Okay so I wanted to try old-school film stuff and everyone kept talking about Super 8. Figured I’d jump in headfirst since they said it’s easy for newbies. Spoiler: it’s not rocket science, but you definitely gotta pay attention. Grabbed my grandpa’s dusty camera from the attic first thing. Looked like a prop from a 70s movie, all bulky and metallic.
The Camera Hunt
Checked if the thing even worked. Popped open the battery compartment and found crusty orange gunk inside. Scraped it out with a screwdriver, shoved in fresh batteries, and prayed. Hit the power button and almost cried when it whirred to life! That grinding motor sound? Pure nostalgia.
Film Drama
Went online shopping for film cartridges. Got one labeled “50D color” because forums said daylight stuff is friendlier for starters. Tore open the box like a kid at Christmas. The cartridge felt weirdly tiny and plastic. Then panic set in – how the hell do you even load this?
Loading Nightmare
Opened the camera’s film gate and just stared at that empty cavity. Tried jamming the cartridge straight in upside down twice. Watched three different YouTube tutorials in frustration. Finally noticed the tiny arrow on the film cartridge! Slid it in with the arrow pointing toward the lens until it clicked. Never sweated so much over plastic.
Shootin’ Like a Dummy
Took it outside to my garden. Peered through the viewfinder – everything looked tinted yellow. Thought the camera broke. Then remembered it’s an orange filter for daylight film. Held the camera all wobbly like a phone until my arms got sore. Forgot you’re supposed to gently push the trigger halfway to focus, then all the way to film. First few seconds were just blurred leaves and my confused face.
Sound Checks? More Like Luck Checks
Got fancy and attached a vintage microphone. Wanted film with sound. Yelled “testing!” at a squirrel. Later found out most labs can’t even process sound film easily. Wasted two cartridges on chirping birds that’ll never get heard.
Waiting Game
Mailed my film to the only lab in town that still does Super 8. Waited three weeks chewing my nails. Got an email saying they’d processed it “with possible light leaks” because I hadn’t taped the cartridge slot shut. Rookie move. Paid extra to digitize it because who owns a projector anymore?
What I’d Tell Past Me Now:
- Tape that cartridge door with electrical tape like your film life depends on it
- Overexpose slightly – grainy looks cooler than pitch-black nothingness
- Scout labs BEFORE shooting anything with sound
- Practice holding steady against a wall unless you want earthquake footage
Got my clips back looking like faded vacation tapes from 1982. Glorious. Won’t win awards, but that jittery footage of my dog stealing a burger? Priceless. Just jump in and embrace the imperfections.
