Can any camera be used to shoot lip sync sound ?
A. No, not exactly. If the camera was not designed at the factory for use in double-system sync sound, there are certain requirements of the camera in order for it to be either used “as is” to shoot lip sync sound or in order for it to be adapted or modified for double-system sync sound filmmaking. Not all cameras will work. With each camera it is a must that it at least run at the industry standard sync sound speed of 24fps (25fps for Europe). Athough most 16mm cameras offer this speed as standard, not all Super-8 cameras come from the factory with this speed capability and this precludes many of them from sync sound use. If the camera runs at 24fps. and also has a PC contact (photoflash contact) or frame-rate switch it can be used “as is” to shoot double-system sync sound using a special device called a Digital-to-Pilotone Converter. This Converter is connected between the camera and the tape recorder to affect the sync sound process during shooting. (see “pilotone sync”) Some Super-
