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How To Digitize 8mm Films Part 1 - Film to Digital

8 & 35mm Restoration

9,992 views

How To Digitize 8mm Film – Part 1 (4K)
(Convert film to MP4)

This video provides an overview on the essential things you’ll need to know when you digitize your 8mm movies. I also included a segment on how to organize your files. My digitizer is the Wolverine MovieMaker Pro, which renders at a compressed 1080p @ 20fps.

I suggest, if you buy it, find a friend who also needs a digitizer. Go halves on the cost and then sell it once you finish. Your digitizer has only one specific purpose.

Part 2 covers specific and unique important information for syncing the sound of 8mm films. I will also include downloadable files to help you with the 8mm editing process. Those downloadable file links will be in the Description of Part 2. Part 3 is a step-by-step tutorial about how to color-correct and sharpen your 8mm films.

Part 2 Link
How To Digitize 8mm Films Part 2 - Syncing...

Part 3 Link
How To Digitize 8mm Films Part 3 - Color C...

If you don’t have an editing program, I suggest you download the free version of DaVinci Resolve, yes free. It does not expire and is fully functional. The only difference between the free version and the Studio (paid) version is some of the plugins are not there. In most cases, the free version should suffice. I placed a link to Black Magic Design (DaVinci Resolve) below.

LINKS:
Johnny’s 8mm Templates (Zip folder)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KSmv...

Zip folder contents:
1) Editor Setup.pdf
2) 1_White Background.psd
3) 2_Red_1440_Grid.psd
4) 3_Black_Side Bars

Wolverine MovieMaker Pro $399.99 (1080p @ 20fps)
https://www.amazon.com/Wolverine-Digi...

DaVinci Resolve 18 Free and Studio versions (Fully functional free version / Studio $295.00 US)
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...

MrAlexTech (DaVinci Resolve tutorials)
mralextech

Casey Faris (DaVinci Resolve tutorials)
caseyfaris777

Film Simplified (DaVinci Resolve training courses)
*View free tutorials and then wait for a huge full bundle sale
https://filmsimplified.com

Jamie Fenn (DaVinci Resolve advanced tutorials)
jamiefenn

8mm Restoration (My 8mm YouTube Channel
@8mmrestoration

8 Comments

@diggindownunder8051 3 years ago

Great video, very helpful. I purchased the 720p wolverine a few years ago and almost from the start it was making the film output very jumpy.
I had given up on it. Then your video popped up and running the film into a rubbish bin rather than using the take up reel solved that problem
of the jumping output. Amazing !! I cant thank you enough. Keep on digitizing!

@craigw.scribner6490 2 years ago

Your "Move the leader our of the hold-down pin" advice is one of the most important things I learned when transferring my videos. I figured it out on my own--the hard way! I wish I'd seen your video first!

@tom80 2 years ago

His eye looked scared

@RonsVideo 2 years ago

Nice video for transferring 8mm film to MP4.

@josephpadula2283 9 months ago

I would not let the film rub on the table and line the trash can with a cloth of some type .

@seralegre 3 years ago

I hope in the next few years, like happend the film photography world, gets enough people doing and recovering 8mm and someone manufacture a machine that help us scan 8mm with our fancy 8k mirrorless full frame sensor in a easy way and skiping the framerate problem.

It's a pitty we have extremely good sensors everywhere, and no way to make a good scan of 8mm.

@cali4tune 2 years ago (edited)

AI is pretty good at filling gaps in images... might be a good use case to fill sprocket hole on super 8... maybe get a bit more info off the film... if that matters. of course this gonna require scanning the film differently.

@darylhanson2342 2 years ago

Mr. Brown - Love the videos. Thank you for making them. I'm wondering if you could offer some advice on my quest.... I plan to digitize my father's home movies (8mm standard and super 8, no audio) and leave them in their default Wolverine output files for future generations to apply AI editing to them if they wish. About 6 years ago I enjoyed restoring the family "highlight reels"; Christmas Eve movies and numerous large family gatherings on special occasions. I learned what you've shown in your Wolverine settings; take frame pictures larger than the frame picture. What I'm wondering is if there's a simple video app that allows one to adjust the speed while viewing the Wolverine file. Something anyone could use without having to go through an editor software. I've got the 1st gen Wolverine with the belt which is set to 30 fps which makes it difficult to preview.
Daryl Hanson