Barker Super 8 Basic Manual - page 5
frames of film that is visible will be exposed.
Frame Rates
The normal frame rate of super 8 camera is 18 fps (frames per second). That
is the frame rate of your camera if there is no separate button where to select
other speeds. Many sound cameras use also a frame rate of 24 fps that
improves the sound quality.
Canon 1014xls (above) with rates of 9, 18, 24 and SM
However, a number of more expensive cameras have a wider range of
running speeds. Very often camera has a slow motion that usually varies
from 32 to 54 fps. The elegant looking Beaulieu 4008 ZM II (1971-77) has an
additional 70 fps.
Some cameras have a separate slow motion button that can
be used during filming. It is usually situated in root of the handle, or on the
side of the camera body. Normally it is marked 'slow motion' or 'sm' or with the
number of the speed used.
Sometimes there are frame rates that are slower than the normal speed,
usually 8-12 fps, that can be used to achieve the effect of accelerated motion.
These slower speeds may also be useful when you are filming fixed objects in
low lighting, because they have longer exposure time.
Warning! It is strongly advised that the camera should not be used at rates above 24fps
when there is no film cartridge inserted. Running the camera at high speeds on ‘empty’ may
result in damage to the mechanism.
Many cameras also have a frame rate that is marked as '1'. That does not
actually mean a frame rate; it's the single frame exposure function. It means
that when you pull the trigger, camera exposes one frame. That function can
be used doing animation or timelapse filming. The exposure time with single
frame exposure is usually the same as when filming 18 fps, but I strongly
advice you to test it before filming any major animation using manual
exposure.
Interval timer (timelapse)
Some higher end cameras have a function that takes single frame shots
automatically at certain intervals (so called 'time lapse' shooting - remember
the rotting animals in Peter Greenaway's "Zoo"?...).