Starting A Film Collection

First, What do i mean?
When i say film collection i mean 16mm and Super 8. Maybe 8mm. That's to clear things up, starting a DVD collection is quite self explanatory unlike starting a physical film collection.


The reality of having a colleciton
I would like to first go through some reality checks and things that people have asked me, i might even answer your question. It's an honest thing to say having a collection may be fun, but you've got to be careful, storing film is a pain and once you smell that sweet vinegar your in trouble. Do some research into how to store films, beacause you do NOT want to buy an expensive film and it just go bad.

Talking about bad.. Treat your films with respect, yes that sounds stupid but it's also really important. When feeding your film into a projector, don't let anyones elses hands touch the film, only trusted ones, if they rip and break you'll just have to keep reparing it with tape and film glue (cement) and thats no good.

They are also NOT cheap, but i have a grand solution to this problem. Don't buy expensive films, it's that simple, look for ones you might have never seen, that's where the magic happens, watching a film for the first time on film. Make sure not to buy colour films on ebay that don't show what it looks like, it could be really orange and won't be pretty to look at. If there is an expesive film that you like the look of and want to buy, i'm sure there will be a cheaper one, THERE ALWAYS IS! Trust me, i've had my fair share of buying films then seeing them next month half the price. Money builds the collection, with £400 you can get 2 films, or just one. Be patient.


Best places to find films
The only way i have ever got films was from Ebay, and i find the experience pretty good. Other than a lucky facebook marketplace find or an amazing local shop selling 16mm/8mm prints there is no were else to really go. They are not as common as they used to be :( Go on ebay and search 'feature films' that's all you can do.


Types of films
You can either be looking for silent 16mm (sprockets on both sides) 16mm sound (sprocket on one side, audio on the other. Magnetic strip or opticle) Super 8 (smaller sprocket on one side, sound on other. usually magnetic) Super 8 Silent (Sprocket on both sides) 8mm (same as super 8, just bigger sprockets and smaller picture)