Believe it or not, some amateur filmmakers love shooting movies on outdated, low-fidelity, silent, and kind of expensive 8mm film. Used movie equipment is fairly easy to find and the film is still made, but like anything secondhand, buyer beware. On the other hand, you may view a stack of old 8mm or Super 8mm movies as ancient relics, but can’t help but wonder if treasured memories hide within these reels. If you don’t know how to view super 8 film without a projector, the good news is you can. Here is a look at three methods – the first two take a lot of patience and aren’t particularly useful for Super 8mm film with sound, while the third is completely pain-free.
Method 1: Vintage Film Editor
Inexpensive cut-and-splice devices known as vintage film editors were popular once upon a time when people enjoyed editing their own home movies. Most models look like mini-projectors with two arms that hold the reels. The less expensive models involve hand cranking the film through the machine while a light behind it illuminates it on a small screen. Sprocket-less editors are easier on old film reels than projectors, if used properly. This method is akin to watching a magnificent movie on a smartphone or miniature television, so best reserved for determining if a reel is worth digitizing. Cost for the used editor: $14.99 to $80 plus shipping costs if bought online. Popular brands: Baia, Kalart, Mansfield, Minette, and Vernon.
Method 2: Use a High-Powered Magnifier
You can use a loupe or a large magnifying glass to view 8mm film, but this method only provides a brief preview. Carefully pull out the film beyond the leader (white starter tape) to see what’s on the first few frames of footage. You’ll need a high-powered magnifying glass of at least 10x for this to work. Look for one with built-in lighting or use an outside light source. This method won’t reveal much about the quality of the film, but in a pinch provides a clue as to whether it is worth proceeding to the third, pain-free method. If not, consider repurposing reels into unique décor before tossing them. Cost for a new 10x magnifier or loupe: $7.99 to $30.00.
Method 3: Professional Digitizing
Whether you own regular 8mm or Super 8 movies, choosing the right scanning service is the most pain-free method. Processionals do the heavy lifting so you can sit back and enjoy celluloid memories on forever formats. Look for companies with user-friendly websites, great customer service, guaranteed safe handling, competitive prices, and excellent customer reviews.
How to Play 8mm Tapes
To watch 8mm tapes without the original camcorder, you’ll need to purchase an 8mm tape deck. It’s best to purchase a used one because new models can set you back several thousand dollars. If you can find a reasonably priced deck, follow these steps:
- Connect the tape deck to the television with RCA cables. These are typically red, yellow, and white, with two cords used for audio (if you want stereo sound) and one for video.
- Power on the tape deck and set the television to the proper video setting.
ScanCafe is the top choice when you’re looking for the easiest and best way to watch old 8mm movies. Every reel in your order is cleaned, viewed, scanned, and edited by a dedicated technician. Our service includes spot cleaning and simple repairs such as fixing bad splices at no additional charge. We use HD scans that capture details, never crop frames, perform scene-by-scene color correction, and guarantee safe handling!