INFORMATION ABOUT MOVIE FILM

The very fact that you are reading this means you have already realized how much easier it will be to just slot in a DVD to re-live all those memories, rather than having to get out that old projector equipment! We put this page together to help you find out what type of movie film you have and how to find out how much it will cost to transfer.

We look forward to hearing from you and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to call.

Standard 8mm:

8mm movie film is one of the most common formats. It is 8mm across and has the sprockets on the right hand side spaced at 4mm intervals and they are in line with the edge of the frame. Typically 50ft lasts about 4 minutes.            

Super8:

Super 8 is similar to 8mm but the sprocket holes are slightly smaller and they are in line with the centre of the frame. Typically 50ft lasts about 3.5 minute.    

16mm:

This is not as common as 8mm. The size of the film is 16mm across and usually has sprocket holes down both sides of the film, except when there is a soundtrack. 16mm comes on larger reels and runs faster than 8mm. So an equivalent footage is shorter.

How much movie film have I got?

Movie film is measured in feet and comes on various sizes of reels.
For Standard 8 and Super 8:
The smallest reel holds 50 feet of film.
The next standard size is 200 feet and then 400 feet.
The easiest way to measure your footage is measure the size of the reel:
A 50ft reel is 3 inches in diameter.
A 200ft reel is 5 inches in diameter.
A 400ft reel is 7 inches in diameter.

Most larger reels have a gauge on the reel to show you how much film is on the reel.