Super 8 Cartridge Notch Ruler

From Super8wiki

Cartridge notch ruler, click for larger view

Important note: if you examine your camera please share the results on the discussion page, linked above. Thank you, WikiAdmin 10:39, 3 January 2006 (PST)

This Super 8 Cartridge Notch Ruler can be used to inspect the mechanism in your own camera. Print out the PDF version and you can examine the pins or levers in your camera's film chamber to see which film speeds it can detect.

There is one caveat - the camera may have one more ASA setting than the number of notches that it can detect. For example, if the camera has only one pin that is a switched by a certain size notch, it actually has two ASA settings - one if it detects the notch and another if it does not. If the camera has 3 pins, it may have 4 ASA settings, etc. You cannot determine the default ASA setting by inspection.
Printable Super 8 Cartridge Notch Ruler: use this PDF format ruler for actual-size printing.

Measuring a Canon 310XL

You can use this ruler to determine how a camera will handle notches for new film stock Here is an example. The Canon 310XL instruction manual states that the meter understands 3 film speeds: 40T, 160T, and 250T. What will the camera do with Ektachrome 64T? Using the ruler, it appears that a 64T notch will be read as 160T due to Canon's placement of the notch reading switches. Testing with an actual E64T cartridge confirms this is true.

Measuring a Minolta XL-601

Measuring a GAF 505 XLM

Measuring a Bolex Compact 233S

Measuring a GAF 738

[edit] Cartridges Measured

These are measurements taken directly from cartridges. Add to or correct this information but, please, only if you measure a cartridge yourself.

Film stock	Distance to speed notch	Has filter notch?	Color balance	Unfiltered ASA	Source
Ektachrome 64T	0.7 inch	Yes	Tungsten	64 ASA	Reed Sturtevant January 10, 2006
K40	0.8 inch	Yes	Tungsten	40 ASA	Reed Sturtevant May 18, 2005
KII	0.8 inch	Yes	Tungsten	40 ASA	Reed Sturtevant May 18, 2005
Ektachrome 160 Type G	0.4 inch	No	Daylight	160 ASA	Reed Sturtevant May 18, 2005
Ektachrome 160 Type A	0.5 inch	Yes	Tungsten	160 ASA	Reed Sturtevant May 18, 2005
KACCEMA reloadable cartridge	0.7 inch	No	(empty cart - daylight assumed)	acts as 64T/40D	From filmshooting.com forums, May 20, 2005
Ektachrome 125T VNF	0.55 inch	Yes	Tungsten	125 ASA	christoph, oct, 2005
7276 Plus-X (old)	0.7 inch	No	B/W stock	50ASA D / 40ASA T	christoph, oct, 2005
7278 Tri-X (old)	0.4 inch	No	B/W stock	200ASA D / 160ASA T	christoph, oct, 2005
7265 Plus-X (new)	0.5 inch	No	B/W stock	100ASA D / 80ASA T	christoph, oct, 2005
7266 Tri-X (new)	0.4 inch	No	B/W stock	200ASA D / 160ASA T	christoph, oct, 2005