Beaulieu Super 8 Cameras — The big comparison of all models

 

 

Cover Image: Detail view of the Beaulieu 5008 S with the characteristic handgrip. (Image: Nabukodinosaure / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Table of Contents

1. The Beaulieu Family: 60 Years of Film Camera History
2. All Models Compared
3. The 4008 Series: The Flagship
4. Sound Cameras: 5008, 6008, and 7008
5. Buying Guide and Battery Issues
6. Maintenance, Repair, and Accessories
7. The Ausgeknipst Beaulieu range

 

 

The Beaulieu Family: 60 Years of Film Camera History

Marcel Beaulieu founded a company in 1950 in Charenton-le-Pont near Paris that would shape the Super 8 world like few others. What started as a small workshop developed into a brand whose name still commands respect today — among hobby filmmakers as well as professional cameramen.

Beaulieu’s first Super 8 camera, the 2008 S, appeared in 1965 at the International Photographic Exhibition in New York. It set a standard that cheaper manufacturers like Bauer or Eumig never reached: interchangeable lenses with C-Mount, a reflex viewfinder with ground glass, variable frame rates from 2 to 50 fps. These were features otherwise only found in 16mm.

Until 2002, Beaulieu produced over 28 different Super 8 models. The range went from the 1008 XL to the professional 9008 16:9 with widescreen format. Today, the company focuses on service and spare parts — the cameras themselves are long since collector’s items with a loyal community.

 

 

All Beaulieu Super 8 Models Compared

The following table shows the main models in chronological order. Niche models like the 4008 Surveillance (for monitoring) or the 4008 ZM R (with motor rewind) are not listed.

 

 

The 4008 Series: The Flagship

When Super 8 enthusiasts talk about “the best Super 8 camera of all time,” they almost always mean a 4008. The series is considered the benchmark against which all other cameras are measured.

Three features make the 4008 special: C-Mount interchangeable lenses, stepless frame rates from 2 to 70 fps (ZM4: up to 80 fps), and a variable mirror shutter that directs 100% of the light either onto the film or into the viewfinder. The result is a bright, sharp viewfinder image — on the level of professional 16mm cameras.

Feature: Interchangeable Lenses via C-Mount

Most Super 8 cameras have fixed zoom lenses. The 4008 accepts any C-Mount lens type. The standard kit came with a Schneider Optivaron 6-66mm f/1.8 (ZM II) or an Angenieux 8-64mm f/1.9 (ZM) or Schneider 6-70mm f/1.4 (ZM4). You can also mount prime lenses — from 10mm wide-angle to 150mm telephoto.

Feature: Variable Frame Rates for Slow Motion and Time-Lapse

2 fps for extreme time-lapse, 70-80 fps for slow motion. Everything in between is continuously adjustable. The standard film speed is 18 fps (silent) or 24 fps (cinema standard). This flexibility is unique in Super 8.

Feature: Mirror Shutter with Variable Angle

By changing the shutter angle, you can control the exposure time independently of the frame rate. At 18 fps, this ranges from 1/65 to 1/130 second. This allows sharp sports shots or intentional motion blur — tools usually only found on 16mm cameras.

Our products for the 4008 series

 

 

Sound cameras: 5008, 6008, and 7008 compared

From 1974, Beaulieu built cameras with integrated sound recording. The step was logical — the Super 8 market demanded synchronous sound. Three generations emerged, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

Beaulieu 5008 S (1974): The underrated one

The 5008 S shares much DNA with the 4008: same interchangeable lenses, similarly solid build, reflex viewfinder. What makes it better than the 4008: The guillotine shutter delivers 1/40 second at 18 fps instead of 1/64. That sounds like little, but means 60% more light on the film. Plus a larger, more ergonomic grip and — on some models — a quieter motor.

Weak point: The 5008 is heavier than the 4008 (1.7 kg without lens vs. 900 g without lens) and spare parts are rarer. In the community, it’s considered “underrated” — if you find a good one, you get a lot of camera for comparatively little money.

Beaulieu 6008 S (1979): The one with the AA battery

The 6008 introduced two important innovations: It theoretically accepts the 60-meter Super 8 sound cassette (200 feet) — which hasn’t been produced for decades — and it runs on 6x AA batteries instead of proprietary NiCd rechargeable batteries. However, the original plastic battery holder often crumbles or goes missing after more than 40 years — in that case, our replacement battery holder helps.

The downside: The body is partly made of plastic and doesn’t feel as sturdy as the 4008 or 5008. Some users report squeaking noises and unreliable electronics. The viewfinder is smaller than on the predecessors. Still: A well-maintained 6008 S films excellently.

Beaulieu 7008 (1985): The professional tool

The last major Beaulieu generation. Most striking feature: the new Angenieux 6-90mm zoom with 15x zoom factor and macro. The mirror shutter allows fades directly in the camera. Digital counters replace the analog scales.

The "Pro" version forgoes internal sound recording in favor of a crystal-sync motor for professional double tape operation. A user on cinematography.com described the result as "almost too good for Super 8."

Our products for sound cameras

 

 

Buying guide: Which Beaulieu suits you?

The choice depends on three factors: Do you want a camera with a sound head (even though magnetic sound film is no longer produced)? How much do you want to invest? And how important are variable frame rates to you?

Decision matrix

The battery issue of all Beaulieu models

The biggest obstacle when buying a Beaulieu: the power supply. The older models (2008, 3008, 4008, 5008) use proprietary NiCd batteries that are inevitably dead after 40-50 years. None of these cameras work without a functioning battery.

There are three ways to solve the problem:

1. Recelling (expensive, risky): A specialist opens the original case and replaces the cells. Costs 80-150 EUR but often only lasts 2-3 years. Some recelling jobs irreversibly damage the case.

2. Ausgeknipst Battery Adapter (recommended): Our adapters replace the NiCd battery with common AAA or AA cells. Ready to use immediately, infinitely refillable, no special tools needed. Available for all Beaulieu generations.

3 AA Cells from Factory (only 6008/7008/9008): The newer models use standard AA batteries. No adapter needed — but we offer a replacement battery holder for cameras whose original plastic insert has crumbled or been lost after 40 years.

Our Battery Adapters — by Camera Model

 

 

Maintenance, Repair, and Accessories

Beaulieu cameras don’t run forever without care. The good news: with proper maintenance, most models last for decades. The mechanics are solid, the electronics manageable.

Reliability by Model

Very reliable (with maintenance): 4008 ZM II, 4008 ZM 4. The mechanically simplest design among Beaulieu cameras. Few electronics, solid motor unit. Main issue: viewfinder wiring can break.

Reliable but harder to repair: 5008 S, 7008 S/Pro. Solidly built but with more electronics than the 4008. Spare parts are becoming scarce.

Prone to failures: 6008 S/Pro, 2008 S. The 6008 has a complex circuit board that fails with voltage fluctuations. The 2008 suffers from age-related cable breakage.

Repair Resources

Three trusted contacts have proven themselves in the community:

Björn Andersson (Sweden): The world’s most renowned contact for Beaulieu repairs. Björn is factory-trained and repairs all models from the 2008 to the 9008. In the community, his name holds almost the same weight as the brand itself. Contact via beaulieu-service.com.

Specialized Workshops (Europe): Some independent technicians specialize in Super-8 repair. Wittner Cinetec in Germany is a well-established name. The Super8 Reversal Lab by Frank Bruinsma in The Hague (Netherlands) also enjoys an excellent reputation.

Self-help (with caution): Simple tasks like changing the eyecup, swapping the filter key, and cleaning the battery compartment can be done yourself. Anything requiring opening the housing should be done by a professional — the mirror shutter adjustment system is sensitive.

Useful accessories for every Beaulieu

 

 

The Ausgeknipst Beaulieu range

We manufacture accessories for all common Beaulieu Super 8 and 16mm cameras — from battery adapters to display stands. Every part is made in Germany and solves a specific problem known to Beaulieu owners.

Battery adapter (NiCd replacement)

Accessories and spare parts