Digital Conversion of footage from super 8 cameras

You need the info, we’ve got it. Conversion from super 8 cameras is pretty easy and fairly straightforward as long as you understand what exactly it is you’re supposed to be doing. Before we start, a short history lesson on super 8 films.

Introduced in 1965, it was a popular medium for home movies and amateur filmmaking. However, as time progresses, these films are susceptible to degradation, colours may fade, the film may become brittle and the quality of the footage can deteriorate. So, conversion is essential. This not only preserves the content but also makes it more accessible for editing, sharing, and viewing on modern devices.

With that out of the way, let’s break down your options

1. At home/DIY conversion

You can just do it yourself, this requires a little bit of reading but its cheaper and readily available option. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Projector
• Camera

1) Arrange your projector and camera so that the camera captures the projected image

2) Make sure the projector is running at the correct speed (18 or 24 frames per second). Adjust the camera settings for optimal exposure and focus.

3) Record the footage with your digital camera

While this method is cost-effective, it can be time-consuming and may not yield the best quality, especially if you're not experienced with camera settings and lighting.

2. Professional services

An easier approach would be to just send your film to a professional service to get them restored. These companies use high quality scanners to digitise your footage. This will provide better converted footage but will also result in more costs therefore this could be considered expensive especially if there is a lot of footage to be converted.

3. Digital 8 camcorder

These can play back analog 8mm formats like video8 and Hi8, converting during real time payback. Here’s how:

1) Get a digital camcorder. Make sure it has a Firewire port.

2) Connect it to the computer using the firewire cable

3) Use video capture software to record the footage as it plays back on the camcorder

4.Film conversion services

Key Things to Keep in Mind when deciding on a Service for Super 8 Conversion

1) The resolution of the digital conversion should match or exceed the original film quality. Look for services that offer high-resolution scans to ensure no detail is lost.

2) Frame Rate Matching: Super 8 films typically run at 18 frames per second (fps). Ensure the conversion service can match this frame rate to maintain the authenticity of the motion.

3) Over time, colours in the film can fade. A good conversion service will offer colour correction and restoration to bring your footage back to life.

4) Output Formats: The digital format you receive should be compatible with your needs, whether it's for editing, archiving, or sharing. Common formats include MP4, AVI, and MOV.

Considering the above, our go to choice would always be Lifeflix. It’s convenient, easy to use and they specialise in Super 8 and 8mm film formats.

1) High-Resolution Scanning: it uses state-of-the-art equipment to scan your Super 8 films at high resolution, ensuring that every detail is captured. This high-resolution scanning is crucial for preserving the quality and integrity of your footage.

2) Frame-by-Frame Transfer: this process guarantees that each frame of your film is individually captured and converted. Meticulously ensuring that the motion in your films is smooth and true to the original.

3) Advanced Colour Correction: it offers advanced colour correction services to restore the vibrancy of your films. Their expert uses sophisticated software to correct colour imbalances and enhance the overall visual quality of your footage.

4) Multiple Output Formats: it provides a variety of output formats to suit your needs. Whether you need a format for editing, archiving or sharing. They offer popular formats like MP4, which is widely compatible with most devices and software.

5) User-Friendly Software: Lifeflix offers a user-friendly software application that makes it easy to organize, edit, and share your converted footage. The software is designed with the user in mind, providing intuitive tools for managing your digital films.

It doesn’t end there as Lifeflix's software goes beyond just conversion. It offers a range of tools to enhance and manage your digital videos:

• Import Versatility: Lifeflix supports the import of various legacy tape-based formats such as VHS, MiniDV, HDV, Video8, Hi8, and Digital8. It also handles modern file-based formats like .MOV and .MP4, making it a versatile tool for all your video conversion needs.

• Upscaling and Enhancement: The software can upscale your old standard definition videos to HD, preserving image quality, texture, and detail. It also includes video adjustment tools to enhance color, exposure, sharpness, highlights, shadows, and vibrance.

• Sharing and Archiving: Lifeflix makes it easy to share your videos via iMessage, AirDrop, and Photos. You can also archive your videos by sharing to Dropbox, Photos, or exporting directly to your preferred cloud storage service such as Google Drive, Apple iCloud, or Microsoft OneDrive.

• Editing Tools: Quickly trim your footage to highlight memorable moments, ensuring that your digital archive only contains the best parts of your original films.

Lifeflix offers a comprehensive and high-quality conversion service that ensures your films are preserved with the utmost care and precision. With their high-resolution scanning, frame-by-frame transfer, advanced colour correction, and user-friendly software, Lifeflix stands out as the best choice for Super 8 conversion services.

We hope this helps with converting your film