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  1. whats the best way to capture super 8 films? preferably myself. i have a mac computer.

    my grandmother has hundreds of old super 8 tapes, and i'd love to get them digitalized before she passes so we can watch them with ease.

    whats the best, cheapest way to do it myself? (some tapes would have to be spliced as well)
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    First, please do not refer to motion picture film as "tape." Magnetic tape is a different medium and you are confusing the issue.

    The best way to convert motion picture film is in a frame-by-frame scanner. A video camera takes pictures of each frame and then they are stitched together as a computer video file. But this is not the cheapest way. The cheapest way is to project the film on a small screen and record it with a video camera. This may be adequate for you if quality is not that important.

    As they say, "GOOD, FAST, CHEAP — pick any two."
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  3. Originally Posted by JVRaines View Post
    First, please do not refer to motion picture film as "tape." Magnetic tape is a different medium and you are confusing the issue.

    The best way to convert motion picture film is in a frame-by-frame scanner. A video camera takes pictures of each frame and then they are stitched together as a computer video file. But this is not the cheapest way. The cheapest way is to project the film on a small screen and record it with a video camera. This may be adequate for you if quality is not that important.

    As they say, "GOOD, FAST, CHEAP — pick any two."
    sorry, i dont have a lot of knowledge of things behind vhs tapes and camcorders.
    i dont want to record it with a camera cause our player/projector is junky and messes up a lot.
    i pick good and cheap, haha
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    For your purposes, you might do well with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wolverine-Super8-Digitizer-Film2Digital-MovieMaker/dp/B01KA32HH0

    It seems to be the best option for a low price.
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    Don't forget that the owner says he has a Mac. That will pretty much cripple his processing choices.
    - My sister Ann's brother
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  6. Member Cornucopia's Avatar
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    This one is 8mm film (or super8, looks nearly the same):
    Image
    [Attachment 46019 - Click to enlarge]


    This one is 8mm videotape (or hi8, or digital8):
    Image
    [Attachment 46020 - Click to enlarge]


    Big difference in how you transfer. Which one is it?

    Scott
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    Originally Posted by LMotlow View Post
    Don't forget that the owner says he has a Mac. That will pretty much cripple his processing choices.
    Standalone Wolverine unit captures to SD card. Compatible with Win, Mac, and Linux.

    Since the OP says it comes from his grandmother, I guessing film, not tape.

    And judging from the center hub on the reel in Cornucopia's upper photo, that is Super 8. Kodak, for certain.
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  8. Originally Posted by filmboss80 View Post
    And judging from the center hub on the reel in Cornucopia's upper photo, that is Super 8. Kodak, for certain.
    Friendly nope.

    Perfs and hub say regular 8.
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    Yes, those are Standard 8 perforations. I learned long ago that you can't make assumptions based on the reel or the box.
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    Originally Posted by JVRaines View Post
    Yes, those are Standard 8 perforations. I learned long ago that you can't make assumptions based on the reel or the box.
    I was getting ready to argue with you until I pulled a couple of old reels out of the storage closet. I stand corrected on both the sprockets and the hub. That pic is just too damn small.

    That Wolverine unit will do both formats.
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