By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and More about Our Blog.
FREE Return Shipping on orders over $200!
phone Phone: (805) 640-8883Phone: (805) 640-8883
| |
main navigation bar
main navigation bar
Start Estimate
FREE Test Transfer
Transfer Samples
Order Pro­cess
Trans­fer Details
Color Grad­ing
Scratch Red­uc­tion
Pricing Over­view
8mm and Super-8 reel INFO

USA
We do not send your precious materials somewhere else! You retain copyright on all your personal materials.
Credit Card
filmfix.com Logo
FilmFix
226 W. Ojai Ave., Ste 101 #455
Ojai, CA 93023
Phone: (805) 640-8883

Regular 8mm Film (R8)
8mm silent
silent
8mm with sound
with sound
(aka Standard 8mm, Normal 8, or Double 8 Film)

Super 8mm Film (S8)
Super-8 with sound
silent
Super-8 with sound
with sound

Recognizing the difference between Super-8 and Regular-8

The film's sprocket hole size determines the type of film. The holes in Regular 8mm film are larger and almost square, whereas the holes in Super 8mm are elongated and rectangular.

Both Normal 8 and Super 8 film is 8mm wide.

Our example images are much larger than the actual size of the film to help you see the difference between the two types of film.

The film spools are also different. In Normal 8, the center hole of the film spool is smaller than the center hole of the Super-8 spool. In Normal-8, the center hole measures approximately 8 mm. Super-8 measures approximately 13 mm.

a typical regular 8mm 3-inch reel with it's smaller hole

This is the common 50 foot reel of Regular 8mm film.

The hole in the center of a reel of Regular 8 is smaller than the hole in the center of a Super 8 reel. One cannot fit their finger in the center hole of a Regular 8 reel whereas, usually, one can in a Super 8 reel.

How to recognize if film is silent or has sound

Only films that have magnetic band(s) have the capability of having sound recorded onto them. Simply having a magnetic band on a film does not mean the film definitively has sound. It would be silent, if no sound was ever recorded onto it.

How to determine if your film was shot at 18 or 24 frames per second

Most Normal-8 films were shot at 16 frames per second, and most Super-8 films were shot at 18 frames per second.

Very few films were shot at 24 frames per second (fps) and usually only a trained projectionist can determine the speed at which a film was shot.

Film shot at 24 fps produced smoother looking camera movements. It should have been the preferred speed to shoot at, but there was the cost factor. It used up film more quickly!

large Super 8 film reel
The film lengths can often be determined by the visual indicators on each film reel -- see image. Common small reels (approx. 3" or 7 1/2 cm diameter) have about 3 1/2 minutes of total running time.
silent
Reel Type 8mm Film Super 8 Film Super 8 Film
silent at 16
frames/second		 at 18
frames/second		 at 24
frames/second
50 feet (15 meters) 4 min 3.5 min 2.5 min
200 feet (60 meters) 15 min 13 min 10 min
300 feet (90 meters) 22 min 20 min 15 min
400 feet (120 meters) 30 min 26 min 20 min
600 feet (180 meters) 44 min 40 min 30 min
830 feet (250 meters) - 55 min 42 min
with sound
Reel Type 8mm Film Super 8 Film Super 8 Film
(with sound) at 16
frames/second		 at 18
frames/second		 at 24
frames/second
50 feet (15 meters) - 3.5 min 2.5 min
200 feet (60 meters) 12 min 11 min 8 min
300 feet (90 meters) 18 min 16 min 12 min
400 feet (120 meters) 24 min 21 min 16 min
600 feet (180 meters) 35 min 32 min 24 min
830 feet (250 meters) - 43 min 33 min
Different Super-8 reels sizes

Common Formats

Super-8
Super 8
8mm
8mm
16mm
16mm

Uncommon Film Formats

We do not tranfer the formats below:
9.5mm
9.5mm
17.5mm
17.5mm
26mm
26mm
16mm film double perf before cutting into 8mm

16mm vs. Normal 8 (aka Double 8)

This image above shows the difference between two different types of 16mm film perforation holes.

Shown from left to right (note that all perforation holes are the same size):

1) regular 16mm film - used in a 16mm camera

2) 16mm wide "Double 8" film (which was 25 feet long, when the unprocessed roll was purchased) - used in an 8mm camera

3) 8mm film "Normal 8" - split lengthwise (During processing at the lab, the lab would split the 25 foot reel into 2 sections of 25 feet, then joined the two 25-foot lenghts. That reel became a 50 foot reel!)


a comparison of Super-8 and Regular 8mm film reels: core hole shape; and film playtime holding capacity
VHS MiniDV DVD
Professional Film Transfer Services - Located in Ojai, CA 93023 - Santa Barbara and Ventura Area
©2024 - all rights reserved - filmfix.com, filmfix.ch, filmfix.eu & filmfix.net
website:poweryourpoint.com -  website admin