How to Transfer 8mm Film to Video Equipment

Transfer your home movies from 8mm to video.

Decades ago, it seemed as if everyone had an 8mm film camera. They were almost as common as today's video cameras. These cameras were predominantly used to record home movies, but were gradually displaced by portable VHS video cameras in the 1980's. Many people still have collections of 8mm films containing family memories in their homes. There are many companies that offer professional transfer of these films to modern formats, but with the right equipment and a bit of practice, you can transfer them right at home.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 8mm film projector
• Video camera
• Blank video tape
• Tripod
• Blank white paper

1. Set up the projector on a table facing a plain, blank area of wall. The projector should be no more than 12-24 inches away from the wall. Turn on the projector without film, so that a bright light square appears on the wall.

2. Affix a piece of plain white paper (preferably cardstock, which is heavier and readily available at your local copy shop) to the wall where the light is shining from the projector. The entire projector image should appear on the paper.

3. Set up the video camera on a tripod as close to the projector as possible, so that it looks directly at the projected image on the paper. Get as close as possible to the wall, while still being able to maintain clear focus. Zoom in until the projected light fills the entire viewfinder of the video camera.

4. Turn the projector off, and carefully load the film. Turn the video camera on and press record, then turn on the projector and play the movie.

Tips & Warnings

• If your video camera is equipped with a variable iris, experiment with different settings to help eliminate flicker.

• Adjust the white balance of your video camera against the white paper if you know how, to ensure the highest image quality. This can usually be done automatically with a "White Balance" menu option in newer cameras.

• Use a digital video camera instead of an analog machine to transfer the captured footage directly to your computer, so you can create DVD's or share the footage online with family and friends.

• If the film appears brittle or damaged, do not load it into the projector. Instead, take the film to a transfer professional who is better equipped to transfer the footage without destroying the original film.

References

• Video Jug: Transfer 8mm Film To Video