NIKON R8

A Eureka Moment

In the early 70's while most in the industry were pondering Super 8's future direction, some were concerning themselves with the limitations of the Super 8 cartridge itself.

The clever amongst them soon realised that it was possible to feedback up to 90 frames of Super 8 film, back into the feeding chamber.

This, however, led to further problems of feeding this "bunched up" film, fowards and smoothly through the film gate, for the second exposure.

Engineered Solution

Engineers at Nikon came up with an interesting "fix". A second "claw", located directly below the main transport claw, was added.

Debate continues to rage as to what exactly is the role of this "Second" claw.

Some say that it is involved in the reversing of the film, while others say that it acts as a "stabiliser" during rewinds and reverse filming.

Inspired Design

The R8 and R10 series, was Nikon's entry in to the "High End" of the Super 8 guage.

The Main external feature that immediately catches the eye is the FOWard and REWind switch.

This switch permits effects such as Double Exposures, Overlaps and even Reverse Filming.

Contrast this with the way Canon incorporated its "Rewind" function into the Fade Wheel of the 1014 Autozoom Electronic. Nikon's Rewind function is more flexible and easier to use.

Its the little things

Another important feature, hidden from the immediate naked eye, is the unsual way Macro photography is achieved. The usual way is to either set the zoom lens at the Near ("Wide") or Far ("Tele") end, while pushing or pulling a special knob.

Nikon was one of the few cameras then available that made the Macro function avilable at any point under 50mm focal length.

Just pass the mouse over the image to reveal more information.

Into 8mm accepts no responsibilities for any errors or omissions contained in this article.

Nikon R8

Situated top right are the Electronic Flash Socket (left) and Tape Recorder Sync Socket (right). To the right of the Nikon label is the Footage Counter.

Below left is the Fim Effect Contol. Its used during Auto Fade Ins (Push Down), Auto Fade Outs (Push Up), and Overlaps and Double Exposures (Push Fowards).

To the right is the Shutter Blade Opening Control, Clock-wise opens the Shutter Blades, Anti-Clock-wise closes the Shutter.

Above that is the Over Lap and Double Exposure switch. Finally, at the far right is the REWind/FOWard switch.
On the left is the A-M-C knob. This controls the aperture, with A for Auto, M for Manual Overide. C position closes the aperture.

Just below is the cable release socket.
Pushing the Zoom ring reveals the orange distance scale associated with the Macro function.

Nikon R8

The Inside Selector is the Aperture Adjustment Selector.
The Outside Selector is the Frame Speed Selector.

The round indentation the size of a small coin is the lid that closes the Chamber that contains the Mercury Cell Battery that powers the entire exposure System. One of the reasons many opted for the R 10 instead!

On the Left is the Single Frame/Continuous Filming switch.