7 Best 8mm Film to Digital Converters
If you’re old-school and you like taking photos on 8mm film or a Super 8, you’ve probably recorded a lot of good memories. 8mm film was originally made for amateur use; it’s super user-friendly and cheap, and you might have used it to film home videos or just take snaps with friends.
If you now have a bunch of 8mm reels lying around, you should probably try to preserve those memories. This is why you need an 8mm film to digital converter equipment in your life! These nifty little devices will convert 8mm to digital formats very easily.
You might love shooting on an 8mm camera, but if the reel is somehow ruined, you lost your hard work. That is why you need to check if your reels are clean and ready-to-use; before heading out for the digitization process.
After your reels are in a condition to work, then these digital converters will make the digitization process much smoother for you. With that said, here are some of the best 8mm film converters that you definitely have to buy!
RECOMMENDED LIST OF BEST 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL CONVERSION EQUIPMENTS
7 BEST 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL CONVERTER REVIEW
1) WOLVERINE SUPER 8 - BEST 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL VIDEO CONVERTER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Digitizes 8mm and Super 8 film frame by frame
- 2.4” LCD TFT display (in color)
- Playback to TV option available
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux
If you want to go straight to the high-end shelf, this 8mm film to digital converter is somewhat on the pricier side, but it’s very straightforward and works as an automated apparatus. Wolverine’s DIY digitizer is a noise-free device that can transfer 8mm films to DVD and Super 8 to digital format.
You need to feed the device an external memory card (of up to 32 GB, which is quite a lot of space if you’ve got a ton of reels lying around in your basement or your storage bins), and the Wolverine 8mm converter will directly scan 8mm film to digital and save the digitized records to the SD card.
The great thing about this digitizer is it also comes with a TV cable, so you can play the digitized footage on a screen from the digitizer. You can do what you like with your new MP4 files, from editing them and sending them around to your family and friends to burning them to DVDs to keep.
The movie files scan at 720p, so everything should be in decent quality, and you’ll enjoy shuffling through those memories from way back or watching them unfold on your screen.
Note that there are different types of film formats like 8mm, super 8, 16mm, and this 8mm to DVD machines will help you digitize only 8mm and super 8 films. I mean, you cannot use any other reel tape with this converter.
It might be a steep cost at first, but if you’ve got a lot of reels lying around you’d like to get digitized, then this is a priceless gadget!
Pros
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2) MAGNASONIC SUPER 8/8MM FILM TRANSFER EQUIPMENT
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- 8mm film and Super 8 digitizer
- Converts 3”, 5”, and 7” only
- 2.3” LCD screen for viewing
- No sound on the videos can be scanned
This converter from Magnasonic has an old-timey feel to it and wouldn’t look too shabby on your desk. It makes for a great conversation-starter as well when guests come around. This is the FS81, and it’s ideal for 8mm to digital conversion. As a fully-automated scanner, it’s very simple to use. You just have to load your film in, and at the press of a button, the reel is pulled through, and a frame-by-frame scan begins.
You can also adjust things like exposure, framing, RGB, and sharpness, and the device works fine on its own and doesn’t need to be hooked up to a computer or anything else. You’ll get all the old reels you had just lying around the house scanned in no time!
However, I suggest you check your old reels' quality before heading out for the digitization process. Because only if the 8mm film tape is clean and free of any vinegar syndrome you can get the expected results while using it with a digital scanner.
And cleaning an 8mm film is not a hectic job. There are few easy ways to clean 8mm films so that they can either be used in the video player or used in digitization. The cleaning process will be pretty simple, and you can get your job done in no time.
Okay, getting back to the scanner. This Magnasonic digital scanner stores the footage in an SD card (up to 32 GB), although you will have to get one yourself. The video formats are in MP4, and they should be great for viewing at family game nights or over a giant tub of popcorn.
However, if you just want to see what they look like as you can, there’s a bright LCD screen provided, which will give you a good idea of how the film looks as it’s digitized. If you buy this 8mm convertor, you also get lifetime customer support on the equipment, so any concerns can be handled by the people over at Magnasonic.
Pros
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3) KODAK SCANZA - BEST BUDGET 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL CONVERSION EQUIPMENT
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Digitizes 8mm film, Super 8 film, and 35mm, 126, and 110
- Four trays and 2 film inserts included
If you do not have the time to scout out the best company to transfer 8mm film to DVD, you can consider this KODAK SCANZA transfer machine a good option.
Kodak was the originator of 8mm film in the 1930s, so you can probably trust an established brand like that to help you properly digitize your film. The Kodak Scanza is a very versatile film camera equipment, and it’s not very cheap, but it’s reasonably-priced for the solid value you get.
Not only will it digitize 8mm film, but it can also convert several other outdated types of old film and negatives into JPEG files. It’s a sleek little device where all the work is done for you. It comes with a bunch of Speed Load Adapters depending on which negative or reel you want to be digitized, so all you have to do is slide the film into the adapter, load it into the digitizer, and scan - voila!
The Kodak Scanza also has a fairly large tiltable LCD screen where you can view slideshows and clean up the images. The single-touch buttons on the panel helps you to operate the digitizing 8mm film, and the entire device has a neat, compact make and is very accessible and easy to get the hang of.
You can connect this 8 mm film scanner to your PC, Mac, or your TV to save or view the converted footage. Kodak Scanza is the best 8mm conversion equipment I have ever seen. For the price, this is a great all-rounder of a digitizer that comes with Kodak’s stamp of approval!
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4) WOLVERINE TITAN 20MP - BEST 8-IN-1 8MM FILM CONVERTER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- 8-in-1 film to digital converter
- Available in black and blue
Another model from Wolverine is somewhere in the mid-range bracket for 8mm film enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a well-priced 8mm film-to-digital conversion equipment, this Wolverine 8mm and super 8 film reel converter scanner is a great choice and it comes in two colors as well.
This is an 8-in-1 converters, so you can digitize a lot more than just 8mm film. A bunch of adapters and inserts are included for your convenience, making this a very versatile gadget that can handle any reel you throw at it.
All you have to do is load the slides into the machine and then press a couple of buttons to convert the footage in a few seconds flat. There are also some buttons allowing you to make some adjustments and edits to the photos.
With a sizable LCD screen on the Wolverine converter, you can view your film (in color) as it’s digitized into quality JPEG images.
Also, what’s great is that Wolverine has thrown in a Sandisk 32 GB SD card, so this device pretty much comes as a plug-and-play setup. Your negatives will look much better in a modern format, and you can preserve them for as long as you like. The compact nature of the gadget also makes it easy to store.
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5) EYESEN SUPER 8 CONVERTER- BEST 8MM REEL FILM TO DIGITAL
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux
Another somewhat premium option from EYESEN, this 8mm film to digital converter equipment, will still save you a fortune if you were to get a ton of film developed at once.
This cool-looking piece of tech can transfer 8mm films to dvd, or your Super 8 film, into digital records for you to project on a big screen at family parties or cozy reunions with friends. You’ll get some pretty decent quality MP4 files to keep for as long as you want, and you don’t even have to buy an additional SD card!
Cotok includes a 32 GB SD card in this purchase, so all you have to do is insert the card before you start converting your footage, and you have a digital record of everything you’ve got on film.
The Cotok digital converter also has an LCD screen where you can view your scanned footage in full-color, but a video-out TV cable is included in case you’d like to see your memories blown up on the big screen.
Basically, all you need is the film, the SD card, and the digitizer, and you can start converting your reels without having to plug the device in anywhere or download any additional drivers.
Pros
- Detailed multi-language manual with diagrams
Cons
6) MAGNASONIC ALL-IN-ONE 22MP - BEST 8MM FILM TRANSFER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Also converts 35mm, 110, 126 film and slides
This is a great budget alternative if you really need to scan all your old films, but you can’t be bothered to spend a lot of money on it. The Magnasonic FS71 shouldn’t set you back much more than $100, so it’s quite affordable.
It’ll cost much more to get several reels scanned at labs, so if you’ve got some undigitized material lying around and you want it scanned at a bargain, this is a good model to go for.
Not only that, the FS71 has a built-in memory of 128 MB, so you can scan photos and save them without using an SD card (although you can also expand the memory with the help of an SD card). You can also make simple edits (RGB, brightness, etc.) as you scan the footage. You might be paying a budget price, but the FS71 has a lot to offer!
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7) DIGITNOW DIGITAL FILM & SLIDE SCANNER
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Can convert 8mm film and Super 8 film
- Also converts 35mm, 110, and 126
- Can convert negatives and slides
- Storage expandable up to 128 GB
And finally, a solid budget option from Digitnow that’s fuss-free, compact, and easily gets the job done. This 8mm to digital converter converts a bunch of different types of film and also has a built-in memory of 128 MB, so you don’t instantly have to insert a memory card.
The large LCD screen allows you to edit images, and adapters are included to make your digitizing experience as versatile as possible. This is a very functional option, and it’ll make 8mm film scanning a cinch for you at a very reasonable cost.
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WHY DO YOU NEED TO CONVERT 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL FORMAT?
If you want to preserve the memories that you have recorded in your 8mm film, then you must buy a 8mm film to digital converter to convert your old films to newer digital forms.
These equipment are available in multiple brands so when you buy a 8mm film to digital converter, you will not have the need to hire someone to digitize your old films and you can use it as much as you want.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN 8MM AND A SUPER 8?
When the 8mm existed, people were also using Super 8, which looked similar to 8mm but were different.
The main difference between the two pieces of equipment was the sprocket holes and the frame sizes. That said, the Super 8 film's sprocket holes were smaller in size than the 8mm.
The Super 8 is an upgraded version of the 8mm, where you can get sharper pictures than the original format. This is possible because of the bigger frame size, where the smaller sprocket holes allowed for more space for the frames.
In case if you are not sure whether you have Super 8 or an 8mm, just by checking the hole size, you can conclude which is what- small holes means it is Super 8 and longer/larger holes mean it is an 8mm.
BUYING GUIDE FOR THE BEST 8MM FILM TO DIGITAL CONVERSION EQUIPMENT
Below we have listed the factors you must check while buying an 8mm film to digital converter. So take a note of it and check them before you invest in the converter to digitize 8mm film.
1. Number of formats
If, in case, you have different types of old film formats and looking forward to converting and preserving them in digital format, then you must check how many formats your converter can support. So look if the converter includes 135, 135mm slides, Super 8 film, and 8mm film.
2. Conversion format
This is another crucial feature to check. You need to check the conversion format of your converter. For instance, if you want your 8mm or Super 8 films to be converted into viewable formats like MP4, but if your converter can convert the film only into images, the investment will be a waste. So apart from checking multi-format supporting platforms, you must also check if the films are converted into the required format.
3. Price
Most of the converters that are sold online have a price range between 100$ to 500$. But the problem is that the low-priced converters can convert the films only into pictures and not into digital film versions. So it is recommended to check more expensive options to grab the best.
4. Easy of use
If your scanner's working is quite complicated, then you might find it hard to use it. So it is crucial to check if the converter is plug and play. Another feature that makes a converter easy to use is how the images and videos are saved. It would be great if they were saved directly in SD cards with the need to connect the converter to a computer.
5. Add-ons
Check for add-ons in your converter. Some scanners give a physical copy of the images you are saving. Also, some scanners come with multiple cables that you can easily hook to your computer, TV, or other devices. Apart from these, some best add-ons include free SD cards and free brushes and clothes.
FAQ
1. Is It Possible To Convert 8mm Film To Digital By Yourself?
The answer is YES. Converting 8mm film to digital yourself is not a big thing. All you have to do is, you need to buy the best 8mm film to digital conversion equipment in the market. By using this equipment, you can quickly transfer 8mm to digital or DVD by yourself.
2. Can I Transfer 8mm Video To My Computer?
There are two types of 8mm camcorder formats. One is the Hi8 analog video format, and another one is the Digital8. If you have the video content on one of the 8mm film formats, it is possible to upload the content to your computer.
3. Is there any alternate method to copy my 8mm film to digital?
Well, yes. You can try contacting the best 8mm film to digital conversion service or company or use a vintage film editor to get this done. Most of you think a projector is a must for watching a video stored in an 8mm film tape. However, you can still get the job done without a projector in your hand. For more information , check this guide to view 8mm film without projector.
CONCLUSION
If you have a load of film lying around collecting dust in corners of your house, this list is your wake-up call! The best way to convert 8mm film to digital is by buying one of these 8mm to digital converter equipment and get those memories back in circulation.
You never know what’s lying on all that film that you may have forgotten, whether it’s photos of your parents or some fun home videos from when you were very young. Get a scanner and digitize them, and you’ll have access to a whole new bunch of old memories!
