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  1. Member
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    Nov 2001
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    What is the best way to capture old 8mm film? Is there a device for this?

    Thanks
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  2. 8mm film? as in on a reel? if you have a projector, the cheap way would be to play the film and record with a camcorder. It normally comes out ok, but i'm not sure what kind of quality you are looking for. I would try this option first.

    Yes there is a machine that will do what you want. I can't remember what its called, maybe someone here will know. But i'm pretty sure its something you wouldn't just pick up. I know locally there are a few places that will transfer 8mm film to another media (almost whatever you want) but its sort of expensive. I've also seen some places on the internet but I would be a little leery about sending something that couldn't be replaced out to someone I didn't know.

    Just my 2 cents.......
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  3. Hello. I believe the item your looking for is a telecine. If you cannot find one around you try Ebay. I've seen them going pretty cheap there. I'm sure you should be able to find one at a photo store or camera place.

    Hook a video camera up to one and and hook the video camera directly into your capture card and then go from there. I'm sure that should give you your best shot at a good quality capture.
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  4. Member wwaag's Avatar
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    I presume that you mean 8mm film rather than video 8. Actually, there is still interest in using 8mm film--e.g. Kodak still sells it. Do a search on Google and you can find a number of websites.

    If you want to record a projected 8mm film image using a camcorder, you will first need a projector. Even before that you need to know whether it is regular 8 or Super 8. You can obtain a projector that does both regular 8 and super 8 although I am told the quality is not as good. I have one that does both and given the quality of the original film, it probably doesn't make any difference. However, it is absolutely essential that you have a VARIABLE SPEED projector. For example, Super 8 usually projects at 18 frames/sec. If you videotape this image, there will occur a strobing effect because of the mismatch in frame rates. After a couple of minutes you will have a headache (worse than macrovision). You have to be able to vary speed so that it projects at either 15 or 20 fps (multiple of 5). Again, having a variable speed projector is critical. I picked up one on ebay a couple of years ago for about $150 (virtually new but not cheap). Beware of some of the older ones because of availability of replacement bulbs (my first purchase for $15).

    Once you have the projector, you need something on which to project the image. Almost anything "white" will work--posterboard, matboard, etc. At this point, you need to "experiment" with different display surfaces. I'm still not completely happy with any that I have used thus far, although given the quality of the original film, it probably doesn't matter.

    Hope this will be of help. Again, check out the 8mm film websites as they often have guides on how to videotape 8 mm film. If you have questions, let me know.
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  5. Depending on your budget, you could also pay to have a professional shop transfer your film to VHS/DV/DVD/etc. You get your film back, not a problem.

    Enter "film to video conversion" in your search engine and look around.

    http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=film+to+video+conversion
    As Churchill famously predicted when Chamberlain returned from Munich proclaiming peace in his time: "You were given the choice between war and dishonor. You chose dishonor, and you will have war."
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  6. Member
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    Thanks again... Yes, I have already looked in to having someone else do it. The prices are fairly reasonable, but for the amount of film I have, it might be better to get some used equipment and do it myself. Maybe call in the pros for some of the more brittle segments...
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