Last Updated on 01/22/2020 by Mark Beckenbach
If the film Super 8 cameras aren’t available or feasible for you, a digital version dubbed Fragment 8 could be an option.
Over five decades since Kodak introduced the Super 8 and the Super 8mm format, the motion picture camera remains a fascinating tool for today’s creatives. It’s understandable that the younger generation just discovering the format may find the film camera (the new Kodak Super 8, especially) intimidating and too much of a commitment. Whatever the reason, a Super 8-inspired camera dubbed Fragment 8 is gearing up to be a simpler digital option, especially for those interested in filming simple slices of life with a touch of nostalgia.
Fragment 8, currently being funded on Kickstarter, doesn’t make big promises, only to make shooting simple, “allowing you to empty your day within this stressful world.” Apart from being heavily inspired by the iconic Super 8 camera, its rationale is also anchored on the concept of “Slice of Life.” It’s being positioned as a fuss-free, dedicated tool for capturing bits and pieces of everyday life. That sounds like something you may already be doing with your smartphone and Instagram stories, but it may not be enough for the nostalgia-stricken.
The idea of a digital Super 8 camera isn’t entirely new, as we’ve previously seen with the Nolab. However, according to the Hong Kong-based team behind Fragment 8, they wanted to emphasize not only the “modernization of the antique appearance, but also the inheritance of the feelings from the film camera. Due to the love of the film, we reproduce most of these film features, through optics and software, into this brand new digital camera.”
The Fragment 8 has a 1/3 inch CCD sensor and 720p HD resolution, and shoots up to 120 seconds of footage at 9 or 24 fps. Apart from the “basic” 17mm lens that produces a “flat” look, it can also be equipped with the 3x Filter Lens using a Lens Rotating Plate to produce Radial, Star, and Kaleidoscope effects. You can also export your footage as GIF and apply a looper effect.
If you’re happy doing these things with your smartphone apps and Instagram stories, you may not see the point of this camera. But, if you want to do something quick, fun, and creative without the distraction of social media (at least while you’re shooting) and immerse in nostalgia while you’re at it, the Fragment 8 may be worth your consideration.
Fragment 8 Technical Specifications
- 1/3 inch CCD sensor
- 720p HD resolution
- Built-in viewfinder
- 9 or 24 frames per second
- JPG or MP4(H.264) or GIF output
- F/2.0 with a 4-element lens
- 17mm mount compatible
- Electronic shutter
- Focus-free
- Li-ion battery pack
- Aluminum, metallic printed ABS and leather
- 110 W x 90 H x 40 D mm (body)
- 250g (body)
Interested? Head to the Fragment 8 Kickstarter campaign to find out more about the camera and the packages available to backers.