Kodak has finally announced the launch of the Super 8 film camera that was originally unveiled at CES 2016. The company has updated the product page for the camera and added a new “sign up to buy” button for potential customers to register their interest. The global managing director for motion picture at Kodak, Vanessa Bendetti, revealed to The Verge that the camera is expected to be available for sale in limited quantities in the US on December 4th, before being released in Canada, the UK, and other European markets.
However, the excitement around the camera is somewhat dampened by its hefty price tag of $5,495. This is particularly surprising considering that vintage Super 8 cameras can usually be found for a few hundred dollars. In fact, compared to Kodak’s original pricing plans, the current price is exorbitant. When the Super 8 camera was first announced in 2016, Kodak had hoped to sell it for between $400 and $750. Despite this, by 2018, the potential price had already been revised to between $2,500 and $3,000.
With such a high price, Kodak’s new Super 8 camera is targeted at a niche market, especially given the inherent challenges of shooting on film instead of utilizing digital technology. However, the camera does offer some modern features such as a four-inch LCD viewfinder, a microSD card for recording audio, and a Micro HDMI output for connecting an external monitor. Unfortunately, the modern conveniences do not extend to the camera’s charging port, which still uses Micro USB.
For those who are interested in shooting on film and are willing to pay the premium price, Kodak has invited potential customers to sign up to receive more details via a reservation form on their website. It’s important to note that even if someone was on the previous reservation list, they will need to fill out this new reservation form. Additionally, for those who are new to shooting on real film, it’s important to be mindful of the costs. According to 404 Media, one $35 Super 8 film cartridge can only shoot roughly two and a half minutes of 24fps footage.
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It’s evident that Kodak’s Super 8 camera, despite its modern enhancements, remains an expensive and somewhat impractical option for most consumers. The high price, coupled with the limitations of shooting on film, may deter many from investing in this camera. Nevertheless, for enthusiasts and professionals who have a specific need for shooting on film and are prepared to pay a premium for the unique qualities that it offers, the Kodak Super 8 camera may still find its market.
