When the 8mm film was introduced by Kodak in 1932, it helped create a boom in home movie making. Because it was less expensive than the 16mm film that had been around for a decade and easier to use. This innovative format featured more perforations on the frame, resulting in a smaller film size and the ability to shoot longer films. The using film stock for 8mm included specific characteristics such as frame size, sprocket holes, and soundtracks, which distinguished it from other formats.
The film began as a 25-foot spool of 16mm film with two sides of 8mm film. After being threaded through the camera and exposed on one half, the film was over and rethreaded to reveal the other side. During processing, the double-width film was split down the middle and spliced together to make a 50-foot reel of 8mm film. It was on one side—a clever way to reinvent the wheel.
The nostalgic charm and historical significance of 8mm as one of the vintage film formats continue to captivate film enthusiasts and preserve cherished memories.
What are Super 8 Film Formats?
Like all technology, 8mm became yesterday’s news when something new and better came along, albeit more than 30 years later. In this case, the new innovation was the Super 8mm film. Introducing in 1965 along with Kodak Instamatic Movie Cameras, which sold more than 10 million units in the first two years on the market. Super 8 film became popular among amateur filmmakers due to its ease of use and accessibility.
Super 8 film was compact in a plastic cartridge that was virtually foolproof from jamming, eliminating threading the film. Another benefit was that the entire 50-foot cartridge could be shot without interruption. The introduction of the Super 8 film format revolutionized amateur filmmaking beyond its predecessor. It offers a better picture quality with more vibrant colors and a slightly higher level of detail.
How to Determine the Difference: 8mm Film vs. Super 8
To determine the difference between 8mm and Super 8, it’s necessary to examine a few key differences in a side-by-side comparison of technical specs for 8 mm and Super 8.
One notable characteristic of the 8mm film strip is its perforations or sprocket holes along both edges. It is a guide the film through the projector or camera and contribute to its warm, slightly grainy aesthetic.
Sprocket holes: Standard 8mm film has larger, almost square sprocket holes compared to the smaller, elongated, and rectangular ones (sideways) on Super 8 film. Standard 8 mm sprocket holes are also closer to each frame than Super 8 sprocket holes.
Processed spool size: The center hole of an 8mm film spool is smaller than the one on a Super 8 spool. The center hole on 8mm reels measures approximately 8mm vs. 13mm on Super 8.
Frame size: The frames on Super 8 film are 50% larger than the first 8mm film introduced in 1932, which was a mere 4.5mm. Kodak increased the frame by 8mm from 4.5 to 5.7mm to achieve a sharper image. On this newer version of the 8mm film, the frames fill about 57% of the film’s full width of 7.9mm vs. 73% on Super 8.
Picture quality: When Eastman Kodak introduced the Super 8, it was to upgrade from the standard 8mm film format. The larger frame size results in better image quality. However, you’ll likely be disappointed when you compare both of these formats to the videos shot on your smartphone.
How to Recognize if a Film Can Record Sound
8mm: Although very few cameras could record sound directly onto the film. An added magnetic strip before exposing the film or after it was processed. While uncommon, 8mm films can have sound. If the film has a yellow or rust-colored stripe running along the reel next to the sprockets on one side, it likely has sound
Super 8: In 1973, a magnetic full coat strip was added on the side of the Super 8 film to enable shooting movies with sound. A reel with only sprockets is silent, while a thin yellow or rust-colored strip next to the sprockets and a thicker yellow-colored strip on the other edge of the reel indicate it has sound.
The Importance of Transferring Film to Digital Format
Suppose stacks of old 8mm or Super 8 home movies sitting untouched for decades with family footage. In that case, getting them in digitizing by converting film to digital format is important before these celluloid memories fade forever. Converting film to digital files allows for easy viewing and sharing on modern devices.
Time isn’t kind to old films, and they’re vulnerable to many types of decay. If you have the desire, time, and the right equipment, you can undertake the time-consuming project of digitizing old movies, or you can let a professional service do the heavy lifting.
Whether you own 8mm or Super 8 movies, ScanCafe is the right place to convert them into forever digital formats. Digital technology is crucial in improving image quality and preserving these cherished memories. The advantages of digital conversion include the superior quality and ease of storage and playback offered by digital video.