8mm Movie Conversion to Digital: I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find. I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I...

caknutsen Loc: Seattle, WA

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

caknutsen wrote:

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

Try googling "DIY 8mm movie film to digital"

Unless you are willing to shell out ~$600 to $800 for a refurbed WorkPrinter XP frame by frame film scanner you are limited to the video camera/film projector scene.

See eBay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=workprinter%20xp&clk_rvr_id=488998898408&adpos=1t4&crlp=28934877468_2416792&MT_ID=70&tt_encode=raw&keyword=workprinter+xp&geo_id=10232&adgroup_id=5899813188&crdt=0

I also found:
http://www.amazon.com/DIY-Movie-Conversion-System-Transfer/dp/B003C27ZGK
among many other solutions.

Once converted you can use a video editing program such as Adobe Premier to create your digital "home" movies

:thumbup:

rps Loc: Muskoka Ontario Canada

You can buy a gadget that links your projector to your video camera. (I got mine at a garage sale.) It's essentially a 45 degree mirror and a groundglass. The quality is adequate. But then most old 8mm stuff wasn't that great to start with. My unit is made by Optex and will also copy slides and prints.

Bunko.T Loc: Western Australia.

caknutsen wrote:

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

I had a couple done by the last method you mentioned. They weren't great movies but that method didn't improve them either. Other ways are expensive & mine didn't justify the expense.

SnapHappy Loc: SW Florida

caknutsen wrote:

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

I don't know if my experience will help, but if they are Hi-8 movies find someone with an Apple computer. A couple years ago I connected my old Sony camcorder to my iMac and downloaded (or is that uploaded? I get so confused!) the movies into iMovie. I then edited the ones I liked and burned them onto DVDs.

steinr98

What I did was set up my projector and a 2x2 square of foam core board(white) and my movie camera/digital camera of any kind that will do movies on a tripod right next to the projector... and run the projector and the camera. You only need about 3 feet from the projector to the foam core board so it is super bright- small size actual picture showing- The camera will take the movie and you will have a digital version- you can use as is or put into a movie program on the computer and fix it up anyway you wish. I did all my 8mm movies this way. On some I blocked the sound on the camera- on others I left the movie projector sound on to make it like an old movie. My son watched some of the conversions and made comments about the movies and it was a great sound addition!!!

steinr98

caknutsen wrote:

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

What I did was set up my projector and a 2x2 square of foam core board(white) and my movie camera/digital camera of any kind that will do movies on a tripod right next to the projector... and run the projector and the camera. You only need about 3 feet from the projector to the foam core board so it is super bright- small size actual picture showing- The camera will take the movie and you will have a digital version- you can use as is or put into a movie program on the computer and fix it up anyway you wish. I did all my 8mm movies this way. On some I blocked the sound on the camera- on others I left the movie projector sound on to make it like an old movie. My son watched some of the conversions and made comments about the movies and it was a great sound addition!!!

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

SnapHappy wrote:

I don't know if my experience will help, but if they are Hi-8 movies find someone with an Apple computer. A couple years ago I connected my old Sony camcorder to my iMac and downloaded (or is that uploaded? I get so confused!) the movies into iMovie. I then edited the ones I liked and burned them onto DVDs.

8mm movies are film reels unlike Hi-8 that are cartridges.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

caknutsen wrote:

I realize this is a stretch, and I did not see anything under search, Google was limited from what I could find.

I have 2 totes full of 8mm movies, I would like to be able to transfer many (not all) over to a digital format. Does anyone have a solution to this aside from shipping them out to a company for processing, or running them on a projector and recording the projection with a digital video camera?

I did the conversion for two neighbors a number of years back using one of those 45 degree mirror things and their projectors. The results looked terrible even compared to the original movies, plus the film was whacking out in the projector from time to time, unspooling on the floor because of age-hardened friction wheels in the projectors, and the film would break or was already broke on the reels and the owners had just spooled the film onto the reel anyway. Then one of the neighbors said I did a poor job and the results weren't good enough because of me although they weren't paying me anything to do it! The project was hell and I'd never do it again at any price.

Last I saw, you could have this done at WalMart, but I haven't looked into it for many years. You might want to check with them before spending a fortune elsewhere.

SnapHappy Loc: SW Florida

marcomarks wrote:

8mm movies are film reels unlike Hi-8 that are cartridges.

Ahhhhh, I see the light! Thanks for the clarification. Now, do you have any suggestions for de-fogging an old muddled brain (coffee only works occasionally, scotch is more fun, but....)?? LOL

caknutsen Loc: Seattle, WA

Hey everyone, sorry for the delayed Thank You's things got a little crazy around here over the last 3 weeks or so.

I think I will give the projector, foam board and video camera a go. Only one problem, somewhere over the years my projector sprouted legs and ran away from home. eBay / Amazon will save me.

Thanks again for all of the input and advice.