Stock Options - Film Stock Info

welcome / film stock info / the right stock...

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUYING FILM STOCK

Super 8 vs. 16mm Film? Super 8 is much less expensive, quite simple to use and operate. It’s also a good starting point for beginner filmmakers. Super 8 is available in both Kodak Super 8 Stock and Pro 8mm Super 8 Stock. Supply is extremely limited when purchasing from Stock Options Corp. 16mm increases image size dramtically and is approximately double the cost of Super 8. 16mm is widely available. Both of these formats are a good alternative to 35mm.

Negative or reversal? In the case of 16mm and 35mm, reversal film is much like slide film from a still camera. After it has been processed, you have a positive that can be projected. Negative film on the other hand needs to be printed or transferred into video after it has been processed for normal viewing. If you are planning on having your final project presented on film, it is advisable to use negative film so that you can have multiple prints made from the negative without making a duplication of the negative. In the case of finishing to video, reversal film would do just fine. As a side note, these two film types do have different looks. Colour reversal film has higher colour saturation and somewhat less latitude, B&W reversal film has a grainier look than negative. See a Kodak or Fuji catalogue for descriptions.

Colour vs. B&W? 16mm B&W film is close to half the price of 16mm colour film. Super 8 is close to the same. The difference between the two is otherwise aesthetic

On a spool or on a core? It depends on what type of camera you are going to use. When shooting with a Bolex, you want your film on a daylight spool. When shooting with the Eclair, you need your film to be on a core. For Super 8, all film comes in a 50 ft. cartridge.

A-Wind or B-Wind? B-Wind is used for A-Minima cameras.The different types of winds refer to emulsion numbers printed directly on film facing in (A-Wind) or out (B-Wind).

Single perf vs. double perf? You can use either single or double perforation film for both the Bolex and Eclair cameras. Kodak is cutting back double-perf film to support the Super 16 format (not having sprocket holes along one edge allows you to shoot the film in the Super 16 format). Most modern cameras can use single-perf film.

Roll Lengths - 100ft, 200ft, or 400ft? Bolex cameras will only fit a 100ft. spool at a time. Éclair cameras on the other hand can hold up to a 400ft. magazine which will take all various lengths as long as they are supplied on a core.

Daylight vs. Tungsten film? Daylight or Tungsten is only an issue if you are shooting with colour film. If a film stock has a D next to the ASA (for example: Vision 250D), this means that the film is balanced for "outdoor" light. If it has a T next to the ASA (for example: Vision 800T), this means that the film is balanced for "indoor" (tungsten) light. If you have a shoot that is occurring outdoors at night, you would be best to use tungsten film. If you have a shoot that is indoors during the day not using artificial lighting, then you want to use daylight film. Artificial lighting sources, such as fluorescent lighting, need to be filtered even when using "indoor" film. Please see more on this topic in our FAQ page.

Speed (light sensitivity)? If you are shooting indoors or outdoors in low light, you need a "faster" or more sensitive film. ASA/ISO 500 or 800.

Choices of film stock? For 16mm, there are three different kinds of 16mm film negative 500T stock: 7218 (Vision 2), 7229 (Vision Expression), and 7279 (Vision). Each one has different color qualities, grain size, and contrast qualities. A suggestion would be to purchase shortends of these stocks once you have narrowed down a film speed, and perform tests on each one to discover their different characteristics.

How much film? When using 16mm film stock, a full 100ft. load will give you 2 min 46 seconds of screen time when shooting at 24 fps. When shooting with Super 8, a full 50ft. load will give you 2 min 46 sec when shooting at 24 fps, and 3 min 42 sec when shooting at 18 fps.

welcome / film stock info / the reel deal...

THE REEL DEAL ON SHORTENDS & RECANS

Stock Options has been operating in the motion picture raw stock reseller market for over 4 years. We understand that there are a few concerns that you should naturally address when purchasing raw stock from anyone. For us to place a 100% guarantee on film sold, the following concerns have been addressed:

Testing? Stock Options tests every can of raw stock negative that enters and exits our doors. We perform what are called fog tests, which eliminate any film that has aged well beyond use, has been exposed to daylight, has been x-rayed, and/or has been improperly stored. Fog tests generate d-min RGB readings which are used to decipher whether negative can be used again for filming.

Proper Lengths? Stock Options often sells shortends which come in various lengths for both 16mm and 35mm motion picture negative.Our method of ensuring accurate and consistent film lengths is by weight . No length descriptions are assigned until after fog test procedures are performed and are always within 2 feet, or 40 frames, of the advertised length.

Consistency? As you know, in order to pass the savings on to you, Stock Options often buys unused film in bulk from big budget productions. Puchasing unused film does not differ at all from buying motion picture film from its respective manufacturer when all considerations are taken (age, temperature, humidity etc.). As stated already, but worth repeating, all film in our fridges is, on average, less than 2 months old.

welcome / film stock info / storage and care...

STORAGE & CARE OF MOTION PICTURE FILM

Unexposed film should be refrigerated under recommended storage conditions in order to avoid degradation leading to instability of the silver or dye image. Delamination of emulsion layers can also result with poor storage. Recommended storage temperatures should be approx. 45 to 55 degrees F.

Humidity

Relative humidity of 60 percent or higher should be avoided. Since motion picture raw stock is packaged in water-vapour tight cans, humidity controlled storage is not necessary. However, anything higher than 60 percent can rust cans.

Warm Up Times

Keep raw stock at temperatures between -18 to -23 degrees C (0 to -10 degrees F) in its storage facility to reduce the possibility of sensitometric deterioration.
To avoid moisture condensation, remove cans from storage facility after it has had sufficient time to warm up. That is, cans should not be opened until it reaches relative temperature of outside air.

Storing Processed Film

For processed film storage, extended periods of time can contribute to change in color dyes resulting from exposure to heat and humidity. However, film can be preserved for decades if process specifications such as the following three are strictly adhered to: 1) film has been washed professionally. 2) it is not kept in an atmosphere containing harmful chemicals. 3) Do not store processed film above the recommended 21 degrees C (70 degrees F).

welcome / film stock info / d-min readings...

KODAK FILM	Red	Green	Blue
5245 EXR Daylight......................................	0.19	0.58	0.97
5246 Vision 250 Daylight............................	0.18	0.60	0.94
5248 EXR 100 Tungsten.............................	0.19	0.57	0.98
5274 Vision 200 Tungsten..........................	0.16	0.60	0.94
5293 EXR 200 Tungsten.............................	0.13	0.54	0.95
5277 Vision 320 Tungsten..........................	0.18	0.60	0.95
5218 Vision2 500 Tungsten........................	0.19	0.61	0.93
5279 Vision 500 Tungsten..........................	0.16	0.61	0.96
5229 Vision Expression 500T....................	0.16	0.59	0.92
5289 Vision 800 Tungsten	0.18	0.59	0.96

FUJI FILM
8522 64 Daylight.........................................	0.20	0.48	0.82
8532 125 Tungsten.....................................	0.21	0.48	0.82
8552 250 Tungsten.....................................	0.20	0.59	0.93
8562 250 Daylight.......................................	0.23	0.54	0.93
8572 500 Tungsten.....................................	0.23	0.59	0.93
8592 500 Daylight.......................................	0.23	0.59	0.94

*Figures above may be +/- .09 for guaranteed results.