Super 8 Cartridge Notch Ruler

''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.  [[media:cartridgenotchruler.pdf|Printable Super 8 Cartridge Notch Ruler]]: use this PDF format ruler for actual-size printing.

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. 



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

Related Links
The ruler is based on information from the standard SMPTE 166-2004 as described by the following sources:
 * Kodak describes notches
 * Mike Nyberg's summary with great photos

There is an alternate ruler and flowchart published by Friedemann Wachsmuth. But be aware that he misreads the Super 8 Wiki ruler, in the link above Kodak states that 0.8 inch means Tungsten 40 ASA, not 0.7 inches as his example states:
 * Ruler and flowchart published by Friedemann Wachsmuth