Scanning super-8, frame-by-fram, using a regular flatbed scanner

[MrTemplar]

Hi,

Not sure if this is the right forum to ask such questions, but I recently read a short notice on scanning super-8 film reels, frame by frame, using an ordinary flatbed scanner.

Does anyone have any own experiences with this method? I have a Canon 9000F flatbed scanner and some old film reels which I'd love to digitise. Does it require any additional equipment, such as dedicated film holder etc?

Thanks in advance.

[smrpix]

Why not link to this notice and maybe we can help you decipher it?

[DB83]

When I was about to do some film scanning I considered this. But....

Standard flatbed scanner do not produce enough light, if I remember correctly. You also need some form of transport system to advance the frames across the bed. Then....

You need software to put all the frames, and we are talking 000's of frames here just for one reel of film, in the correct order.

If you want to see if your scanner is put to the task, get hold of a film slide and just do one scan. If the scan is too dark then you can forget it. And it is not the best way to test since 8mm frames are much smaller than 35 mm slides

[MrTemplar]

Thanks for your posting.

I see. But if I decide to try, is there any risk I could damage the film reel through handling it, ie do I need take any actions to prevent the reel from being scratched or damaged during the experiment?

I've got a slide holder and a 35mm negative holder that both came along with the scanner.

/Anders

[MrTemplar]

Why not link to this notice and maybe we can help you decipher it?

Hi!

I will see if I can find the article on the web.

[DB83]

I've got a slide holder and a 35mm negative holder that both came along with the scanner.

/Anders

But a slide holder is no good for 8 mm. It's a long time ago now but IIRC you could get a holder just for 8 mm.

And you MUST take all neccessary precautions when handling the reel. Wear appropiate gloves etc.

[MrTemplar]

I looks like a cumbersome task.

I tried a local film-to-dvd for a sample conversion a few years ago but wasn't entirely happy with the result - compared with the original the colours looked weird and the film was very dark. etc. Not sure if my luck is better with any other film conversion professional.

I have cotton cloves which I picked up at a local chemist's, which might be useful if I decide to give it a go.

I made a quick google search for 8mm holders and got 64000 hits. However, most sellers seems to be over seas and not very cheap. There might be other's though as I just took a sample look.

[DB83]

TBH you would have to be a maschochist to even attempt this process. Can you imagine the initial process of scanning some 8000 images for one reel ?

Finding a good transfer company in Europe can be a pain and they do not come cheap. I finally settled for a mirrox-box system and a video camera with the camera just acting as a means of a video capture intermediary. Still needed post-production work after that.

[jagabo]

You need a flatbed scanner with a film (backlight) adapter.

A homebrew adapter:
http://www.petapixel.com/2011/07/14/how-to-scan-film-using-your-ordinary-flatbed-scanner/

[MrTemplar]

TBH you would have to be a maschochist to even attempt this process. Can you imagine the initial process of scanning some 8000 images for one reel ?

Finding a good transfer company in Europe can be a pain and they do not come cheap. I finally settled for a mirrox-box system and a video camera with the camera just acting as a means of a video capture intermediary. Still needed post-production work after that.

I've seen those mirror boxes at a local home electronics store. Hama was the brand, if memory serves me. Were you happy with the result using this method?

[MrTemplar]

You need a flatbed scanner with a film (backlight) adapter.

A homebrew adapter:
http://www.petapixel.com/2011/07/14/how-to-scan-film-using-your-ordinary-flatbed-scanner/

Thanks for the link

[DB83]

I mirror box I used was a Riaser. This is a German system. Probably more expensive than a Hama.

Projector light and shutter flicker are the main issues with these systems.

They give reasonable results and you can get better if you are prepared to put the time in to the post-production.

[mammo1789]

You need a flatbed scanner with a film (backlight) adapter.

A homebrew adapter:
http://www.petapixel.com/2011/07/14/...atbed-scanner/

I am starting to do this tomorrow thanks jagabo, camera projector route ( real time transfer ) did not give satisfactory results for me and only frustration

If I understand correctly you don't have to scan picture by picture but put the movie to the length of the scan are ( that is 30 frames give or take at once and after that you can cut individually all frames into pictures and assemble them in vdub as video file )

[JVRaines]

Have fun. One small reel of Super 8 will give you over 3,000 frames to assemble.