Best Methods for Converting 8mm Film to Digital?

[tabir]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking for advice on the best methods for converting 8mm film to digital.

I have several reels of 8mm footage from family events, and I want to preserve them in a more accessible format.

Should I use a film scanner or take them to a professional service? Are there any high-quality DIY options that won’t break the bank?

I’m particularly interested in methods that provide the best video quality without losing too much detail or color.

Any recommendations for equipment or services that offer great results would be appreciated!

 

[tabir]

Hello everyone.

I'm looking for advice on the best methods for converting 8mm film to digital.

I have several reels of 8mm footage from family events, and I want to preserve them in a more accessible format.

Should I use a film scanner or take them to a professional service? Are there any high-quality DIY options that won’t break the bank?

I’m particularly interested in methods for Super 8 to digital that provide the best video quality without losing too much detail or color.

Any recommendations for equipment or services that offer great results would be appreciated!

thanks in advance for any help

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

thanks in advance for any help

I bought a film scanner that digitizes each frame. It took about 2 weeks to accomplish but the results are worth it. If you have a lot of 8mm film, it may be cheaper to buy a scanner and do it yourself. That was the case for me, I think the scanner was about $250

 

[slowd]

thanks in advance for any help

If you want it done right, send it to a pro with proper frame by frame gear. I tried one of those Wolverine scanners too, surprisingly decent for the price if you’ve got a few reels lying around. Worst case, project it on a wall and film it with your drone camera… janky, but it works in a pinch.

 

[AMann]

I’m going to get yelled at here for suggesting this on just the low technical quality of the image, but I spliced the entire set of my Dad’s 8mm and his Super 8mm films in chronological order on 2 separate reels, and set up the films to project in a darkened room on a real old style glass bead coated movie screen and video recorded it with my iPhone mounted on a tripod. My family was in the room, including my parents, and we all watched, laughed and commented about the movies while we had wine and ate popcorn together. We did have some soft instrumental music playing in the background, but I’d add it in later if I could have done it again. None the less, it was the best soundtrack ever anyway, and now that our parents are gone, it’s my and my siblings most favorite video movie!