Old 8mm movies to DVD...help! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

01/21/2007 10:12:28 PM · #1

Hi. I've just returned yesterday from my mother's funeral. Upon leaving to make the trip home, my stepdad gave me a box of 8mm movies (about 30 in total) going back to the mid 60's. I remember watching these years ago - some fond memories captured here.

My mother had talked about having these transferred to another media type (previously considered VHS). Never got around to it. Now I want to get this done while it's fresh on my mind, and more importantly, while I can remember the various events that are on these movies (most of them are labeled with dates and locations, which helps). My sister and numerous cousins are quite interested in getting copies as well.

I have the movies, the projector, a viewing screen, and even the movie camera (with some new packages of film that expired 30 years ago).

The movies do not have sound.

I was considering setting up the projector and playing the movies. While playing the movie have a camcorder setup on a tripod directly behind and over the projector, and get the movies over to DVD that way. With some initial experimentation I figure I can get it setup where the viewing screen is the only thing captured during the transfer.

Is there anything else out there that would make this easier? A different process perhaps? I've just started thinking about this over the weekend and probably haven't thought it all the way thru yet. I imagine there are organizations out there that provide some transfer service as well (for a fee of ???).

Any thoughts and ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Barry

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

01/21/2007 10:18:08 PM · #2

I found this on photo.net

//photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003WXX

... and my google search

//www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%228mm+to+dvd%22&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Message edited by author 2007-01-21 22:20:30.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

01/21/2007 10:38:01 PM · #3

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

I found this on photo.net

//photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=003WXX

... and my google search

//www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=%228mm+to+dvd%22&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Thanks Colette. I just started thinking about this and my kneejerk reaction was to ask the DPC community. There's always somebody here that has experience with just about anything you could ask. :D

The links are VERY much appreciated. I've read thru the first one you posted and there seems to be a variance in opinion (surprise!) in methods of transferring film to DVD. Looks like I was moving in the right direction, but I never would have thought to project the film at such a small size on the screen. Makes sense though. Various comments about flicker, speed, etc...in that thread are all helpful.

It's going to take some experimenting, but I imagine I'll end up doing it myself. Sounds expensive to send the work out.

Thanks again.

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

01/21/2007 10:43:42 PM · #4

I don't have time now to read the photo.net threads, but thanks for asking this question. My in-laws are moving to a condo and getting rid of lots of stuff. I was hoping to get ahold of the 8mm films and the projector and was thinking about transferring to DVD somehow. We even dound the camera, and it still has some film in it? I wonder if I can still get it processed?

drydoc

Canon EOS-7D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

01/21/2007 10:48:51 PM · #5

glad2badad,

I did exactly what you intend to do.

I set the 8mm movie projector up in a small darkroom (tent) that I made up. I used a projection screen I happend to still have for the 8mm projector. I did all of this on a pool table (because it was solid) and not a tripod. You will need to set the movie camera INFRONT of the projector and not behind it. Otherwise you are going to pick up the light coming off the top of the projector. I moved the movie projector only far enough back that I got a nice compact square that showed a crisp image. I put the camera on a box right next to the projector even with the lens to avoid as much distortion as I could. I also set all the movies to music. . . basically so that the video camera did not take up the sound of the projector.

Have plenty of tape on hand for splicing the old 8mm film. Get ready for a lot of trial and error.

Even if I say so myself, they all turned out pretty good. I know my kids loved watching them. And now my gand kids think they are the funniest movies they have ever seen. My dad collected Walt Disney cartoon films and spliced those into his home movie. He especailly loved Donald Duck and Pluto. I have not as yet transfered any of my work to DVD as yet, but that is on the agenda. For now, I wouldn't worry about getting them to DVD but rather just getting them recorded. I was very, very glad I did it. The film is deteriorating quickly. Keep the film in a cool and dry place. Don't refrigerate them. I found that was too strong an antidote for them. Best of luck.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/21/2007 10:59:21 PM · #6

Thanks Steve. Very encouraging words!

Only thing worrying me now is this comment:

Originally posted by drydoc:

... Have plenty of tape on hand for splicing the old 8mm film. Get ready for a lot of trial and error.

Have to look that up also now. :)

First thing is to learn how to work the projector (I have the manual).

As for going straight to DVD - once I get the routine figured out (I'll practice with my Hi8 camcorder) I'll probably pick up a digital camcorder that writes to DVD. Have been thinking about it the last couple of years anyway and this is a good excuse to upgrade.

Thanks for the great feedback and information.

fotomann_forever

01/21/2007 11:05:40 PM · #7

Originally posted by glad2badad:

I'll probably pick up a digital camcorder that writes to DVD.

I'd suggest MiniDV or Digital8 rather than straight to DVD. You'll find the DV output of those media better than the DVD camcorders. Also, the media is reusable.

They seem to be better suited for transfer to computer if you want to do any sort of post-process on the films.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

01/21/2007 11:17:08 PM · #8

Rocky Mountain Film Lab specializes in developing/recovering old film, and it looms like they can do movie->DVD transfers too.