As a film major who went to university in the late 90s, I was still able to enjoy the joys (and pains) of using actual film when making movies. Those who studied in the age of digital filmmaking will never know the excitement of shooting without knowing what the final product would look like until the film was processed. Of course, there are a lot of advantages to the current way, but there will always be that sense of wonder and nostalgia for those who were able to hold a 16mm or 32mm film camera—and especially the very cinematic Super 8.
If you want to bring back the joy of Super 8 moviemaking, at least for the digital age, you’ll want to have the CS-8 by Camp Snap. This is a digital video camera that is heavily inspired by the Super 8 camera but with features that are more familiar to modern filmmaking. It is a distraction-free device that lets you enjoy your creativity and imagination while still offering the conveniences of digital cameras.
Designer: Camp Snap
Unlike most digital cameras, this one doesn’t have a playback screen or instant previews, so you’ll have to rely on your filmmaking skills. You can choose your aspect ratio through the dials: 9:16 for Reels, 16:9 for widescreen, 1:1 for social posts, and 4:3 for classic home movies. It also has film-style, vintage-inspired filters like standard, vintage, analog, and black and white. It comes with a 4GB SD card, which can capture 30 minutes of footage (upgradable up to 128GB). It has a rechargeable battery and a built-in microphone to capture your audio.
Using it seems to be pretty easy, as you just need to press the trigger and it starts recording. Zooming in and out (up to 8x digital zoom) also requires just a tap, although since it has no screen, you won’t know exactly what kind of zooming you’re doing. To see the video clips, you will have to transfer them to your phone or computer and then edit as you wish. But the point of this point-and-shoot video camera is to stay in the moment and capture it as it happens.
Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker yearning for the tactile days of analog or a digital native curious about retro-inspired gadgets, the CS-8 by Camp Snap offers a unique blend of both worlds. It strips away the instant gratification of screens and endless retakes, encouraging you to trust your eye and embrace the creative process,with mistakes, surprises, and all. With its vintage-inspired design and modern conveniences, it’s a delightful way to recapture the magic of moviemaking, no matter your experience level.
The post Super 8 inspired digital video camera brings back nostalgic filmmaking first appeared on Yanko Design.