I spent a weekend fidgeting with my dad’s Kodak XL350 Super 8mm. It has been boxed up, unused, for over 20 years, as far as I can tell. The last (and actually, only) time I can recall Dad using the thing was on my brother’s first day of school. I remember because my dad said, “This thing still works, just no sound,” which, at the time, sounded like the stupidest thing ever. A camera with no sound? Why bother. Then the camera disappeared. I rediscovered it shortly after my dad died, along with a huge box of developed super 8 film and Kodachrome slides.
I think the reel of film from my brother’s first day of school (he’s now 26) is still in the camera.Unfortunately, the manual did not survive the years (totally unlike my dad, who still has the receipt of purchase stapled inside the camera box–$117, purchased in 1977 at an Army exchange). I spent the weekend figuring out how to operate the thing, wondering if it had film, etc.The first step was replacing the corroded batteries, and cleaning the contacts. I hope(d) that the contacts hadn’t corroded along with the batteries.
With fresh fuel, I pushed what I thought was the “record” button. It made a noise.
A light flicked on.
Then it stopped.
I tried it again.
Nothing.
After fiddling with all the switches and buttons, and trying to operate the zoom (the automation for the zoom seems to be broken, but seems as if can be done manually), the noise came on again. I started filming.I have no idea if they mysterious sound means it was filming, or if its operating some gears without filming. I ran the thing for about a minute or less. If it *is* running, I’m not sure how to determine when the reel is empty. And when the reel is empty, I’m not sure how to replace it.Since then, I have located an original manual from Camerabooks. At $20 including shipping, the manual is worth more than my camera’s going rate on ebay.
Included in the camera box is an expired (dated 1987) reel of kodachrome. I plan on testing it this weekend at Angel Island, providing my camera is actually working. After that reel, it looks like I’ll be scouring ebay for out-of-date kodachrome to last me the year
