Insider tip Beaulieu S2008: Use the affordable 4008 alternative with AA batteries
Hand on heart: If you’re looking for a truly good Super-8 camera, sooner or later you’ll end up with the legendary Beaulieu 4008. For many of us, it’s the "Holy Grail" – sturdy, professional, and with lenses that bring tears to your eyes (tears of joy!).
The problem? It’s become really expensive by now.
But what if I told you there’s an almost identical sister that often costs only half as much but can do almost the same? I’m talking about the Beaulieu S2008.
Why it’s such a bargain and how you can get it working again with our new adapter (and save a good chunk of money) – I’ll tell you now.
Feel free to watch my video about it, where I compare the two cameras directly.
The Duel: Beaulieu 4008 vs. S2008
Can you spot the difference at first glance?
Probably not, right? The Beaulieu S2008 came out only about five years before the famous 4008 and looks strikingly similar. Back then, it was top-notch equipment.
The reason everyone chases the 4008 today and often overlooks the S2008 was until now one annoying detail: the power supply.
The S2008 uses, like many cameras from that time, a very special battery with a quirky 3-pin connector. For the 4008, we and others have had modern battery solutions for a while, but S2008 owners were often left high and dry. And without power, the most beautiful camera is sadly just an expensive paperweight – which is why the prices for the S2008 are rock bottom.
Your chance as a bargain hunter
This is exactly where you can jump in. Because there was no decent battery solution before, you can often get a used S2008 for next to nothing. With our new adapter, you technically turn it into almost a 4008 – for a fraction of the price.
A small catch? Okay, the S2008 can’t do extreme slow motion at 70 fps like the 4008. But honestly: who wastes film at 70 frames per second with current film prices? Exactly.
The solution: Our new battery adapter
We couldn’t listen to the complaints any longer and – typical Ausgeknipst – made something ourselves.
Our adapter replaces the old special battery and runs on 4 common AA NiMH batteries. That’s brilliant because:
- You can get replacements at any petrol station (in a pinch, normal batteries work too, but we recommend rechargeable ones).
- You can use your regular charger.
- The voltage fits perfectly with the camera’s electronics.
Installation is this easy
You don’t have to solder or screw anything:
- Charge batteries: Grab 4x AA NiMH batteries (Eneloop or Varta are great).
- Insert: Put the batteries into our 3D-printed adapter.
- Slide in: Push the adapter along with the circuit board into the handgrip. It doesn’t matter which way round, the contact always fits.
- Close up: Screw the lid back on.
The best part: Our screw lid has a metal thread. Unlike cheap plastic stuff, nothing wears out here, even if you change the batteries often. The lid presses the adapter firmly against the contacts so everything runs reliably.
You can find the adapter directly in our shop here:
Beaulieu S2008 Battery Adapter (incl. lid)
(Note: You still need 4x AA NiMH batteries and a suitable charger, which you can get at any electronics store.)
IMPORTANT: Watch out when buying a camera (3-pin vs. 1-pin)
Before you empty eBay, a warning from me. There are two versions of the S2008:
- The 3-pin version: This is the standard version. You’ll see three small contact pins in the battery compartment. Our adapter is made exactly for this one.
- The 1-pin version: This one is very rare and has only one contact pin.
Currently, our adapter only works with the 3-pin version. If you happen to have one of the rare 1-pin cameras: write to us. If enough people ask for it, we’ll get back to the drawing board!
Conclusion
Don’t let the hype around the 4008 drive you crazy. The Beaulieu S2008 is a fantastic, underrated camera. With our adapter, you can wake it from its slumber and still have enough budget left for the most important thing: buying film and shooting!
Got questions about the Beaulieu or unsure if the adapter fits your camera? Just write to me.
Good light and have fun filming!
Your Vladi