Capture/convert old 8 mm movies and camera suggestion

[ranchhand]

My brother found some old emulsion-film 8mm movies of home, my wedding 32 years ago, etc. I would like to capture to camcorder, edit with Pinnacle and burn to DVD. I have done a lot of this, converting from analog to digital and editing with my old analog camcorder, but this is my first time capturing film. We also found a device that allows me to project the image on a glass screen, and attach a camcorder on the other end at a right angle and capture the projected movie as the projector plays it.

My camcorder died so I am purchasing a new one.

I am thinking of purchasing this camcorder from Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830120291
Does anyone see any problems where this will not work? As a side thought, I am open to suggestions for different cameras, but I will not purchase any Sony products whatsoever for their rootkit debacle and other policies.
Does anyone have any general advice for this project? I am not afraid of spending money for this, these videos are priceless and I want to save them before the file deteriorates further.

BTW-I have searched this forum and others and found information, but I really am not up on the latest in camcorder technology; there are hard drives and flash memory now and I thought I would get some comments.

Thanks all...

[filmboss80]

Nice HDV camera. Obviously, you've done your homework. Make sure your version of Pinnacle will edit HDV. If not, the camcorder will also record standard DV.

Go for it.

[ranchhand]

Thanks Filmboss!! I just wanted some input before I put in my order. I really like Canon quality, and while their software that comes with their cameras is a joke, I really don't need it since I use Photoshop anyway. I don't think I will make the videos in HD; these are tapes from the 1960 and 70s of low res and I don't think there would be any improvement, and it might make editing easier. Thanks again...

[CSULB71]

Hopefully your right-angle projection device has a way to reduce/eliminate the central "hot spot" of light caused by the movie projector's lamp. If not, you're probably not going to be happy with the captured result.

[2Bdecided]

If they're that important, get someone else to do them. Dedicated frame-by-frame film capture machines with the camera focussed on the film gate itself can deliver far better results than you're ever going to get with a standard camera, mirror / screen, and capturing in real time.

There are plenty of threads about this topic, e.g. ...

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic340942.html


If you're going to send your film away, choose the transfer house very carefully!

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
David.

[ranchhand]

CSULB71-thanks for the headsup; I am trying to contact my brother (he live in another state) and get some information on this unit he has and will post what info I can. 2Bdecided posted a link with some photos of a home-build mechanism that works on the same principle as the one he has, except his is a commercial model. Thanks to you both.