Canon DS-8 Double Super-8 Camera

This is a beautiful example of the Canon DS-8, which is an example of a camera that takes double Super-8. 

This film format is an interesting hybrid – it is the same size as 16mm film, however the camera shoots on one side of the film. After the spool ends the film is flipped around so that you shoot on the other side.

Note that this camera does not take regular Super-8 cartridges, so it is more of a specialist format.

Here is a company that sells the film (and processes / scans them): DS8 Films – On8mil.com

Canon provides more information on the camera here: Zoom DS-8 – Canon Camera Museum (global.canon)

The camera is actually very similar in form to the 16mm Canon Scoopic 16, but it has some additional capabilities, notably a variable shutter and the ability to fade out / fade in and also reverse the film. This means that you can do lap-dissolves (not possible on the Scoopic 16). It shares the same motorised automatic aperture system as the Scoopic.

Advantages of double Super-8 (over Super-8) include:

• Superior film transport system (based on a 16mm camera) for greater image stability compared to a plastic Super-8 cartridge
• Longer film runs – a DS-8 spool is 100 feet, so you can film 6 minutes continuously before having to flip the spool (compared to around 3 minutes for a Super-8 cartridge). One full DS-8 film therefore lasts for 12 minutes in total.

Condition

• Cosmetically in excellent condition
• In full working order. Motorised aperture fully operational, and all film speeds working well.
• Clean battery compartment and with original battery holder (designed to take 8 x alkaline AA batteries)
• Very clear lens with no scratches or mould
• Clear viewfinder. A few blotches on the focusing screen, but generally very good.