[NA] Calling Harley Reich re: 8mm film restoration / digital conversion

[TangoWhiskey]

I've finally tracked down who in the family has the old 8mm family films I remember watching as a youngster at Grandpa and Grandma's house...

They are old and fragile. I know there are professional services that know how to deal with old film, clean and treat it to be pliable, and convert it to digital format (DVD).

Would love to hear recommendations from any service you've used or know about...

 

[SCCutler]

Are they 8, or Super-8?

In either event, I have a projector you can use to view them if you like.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Spike, I don't know the format. I think they were filmed in the 50's. Once the arrive and I can look at them, is there a way to visually tell the difference? I think I'll take you up on that offer, though!!

 

[SCCutler]

Spike, I don't know the format. I think they were filmed in the 50's. Once the arrive and I can look at them, is there a way to visually tell the difference? I think I'll take you up on that offer, though!!

If they are that old, they're bound to be regular 8mm.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

If they are that old, they're bound to be regular 8mm.

Looks like the sprocket hole size will tell me which format it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_mm_film

 

[Everskyward]

Would love to hear recommendations from any service you've used or know about...

I would too, but what I have is 16mm, some of it from as far back as the 1930s.

 

[TangoWhiskey]

There are lots of services listed on the web; this one has a great price: $199 flat fee for all the media--8mm, 16mm, vhs--that you can get to fit in a standard Express box.

http://www.homemoviedepot.com/

They have good testimonials on their website, but I'd like to find an independent review....

 

[Lawreston]

And I'm just now seeing your request; hence I'm coming in a bit down the line. The films' era will definitely be "Regular 8." That format was such that the virgin film was a 25' roll which one would shoot the length and then turn it over and shoot another 25'(similar to the old reel-to-reel tape recorders method of use). The 8mm was actually 16mm film which, when processed, would be sliced down the middle and B spliced to A. Voila! a 50' movie which lasted about 3 minutes.

When Super 8 came out(late 50s/early 60s) the "Cartridge" format became the standard. Put it in the camera and shoot 50 feet. Get it processed and put it on the Super 8(or Dual 8) projector. The Super 8 reel had a larger hole in the reel than did the 8mm; and because it didn't have to be sliced and spliced, and only had sprocket holes on one side of the film, each frame was larger than 8mm.

I've been out of the business long enough for technology -- and suppliers -- to have changed. As I was leaving the business the normal method had been film to video tape. DVD end result was accomplished only by Video tape to DVD. Then, slowly, labs began to go directly film to DVD.

I used to use Syosset Camera, Syosset, NY to do the conversions. Note that I refer to "conversions." "Restorations" of damaged films become another matter and they weren't indulging in that realm. I'm certain much has changed since I sold out in 2004; hence, I defer to the others who may have better information re the appropriate labs to do what you need. And if anyone has projectors which aren't working there's a 99.9% chance(or more) that no parts exist to repair same.

HR

 

[TangoWhiskey]

Thanks for that info, Harley.

Here's another service I found, that can do restoration too:

http://www.videoconversionexperts.com/Film_to_DVD/