Best 8mm Film to Digital Conversion Equipment (Reviews)

So, it’s no surprise that you desire to convert 8mm film to a digital format which can then be stored, watched, and edited indefinitely.

You and future generations can take an infinite number of trips down memory lane.

What You Need For the 8mm Film Conversion

You can go about the conversion process in different ways.

• White Card Method: The film is projected onto a unique white card by a projector.

• Film Transfer Box: An angled mirror sits in a box on which the film is projected.

• Film Scanning: It entails using automated gadgets for the digitization of the reels. It’s the most straightforward and time-efficient way to conduct a seamless conversion of 8mm film to a digital format.

However, with the barrage of automated gadgets that have engulfed today’s market, selecting the best one can be challenging.

To the unfamiliar eye, they’re all the same. So, we’ll explore the best conversion equipment to buy, that’ll give you value for your money. Read on!

Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Film Reel Converter Scanner – The Ideal Product for Topnotch Digital Conversion

Are you on the quest for affordability and efficiency rolled into one? Then the Wolverine Digitizer is right up your alley. It churns out high definition (HD) footage with a resolution of up to 960 X 720 dpi at a fast rate of 30 frames per second. Armed with a 3.53MP 1/3″ CMOS sensor, the device converts photons to electrons and is compatible with 5-inch or 3-inch reels. The converter also furnishes users with topnotch exposure control as they have free rein to manually or automatically set the controls.

Once the device has begun processing the film, the footage is stored onto a 32-GB memory card until it’s ready for transfer or viewing. The Wolverine Converter also has a USB 2.0 port which allows you to effortlessly link it to your PC or TV-Out port for the video display.

Wolverine F2D Mighty 20MP 7-in-1 Film to Digital Converter – The Perfect Solution to Convert Any Film in Seconds

It has the uncanny ability to work with several film types such as 8mm. Like other topnotch digitizers in the market, this handy device allows you to view your converted footage on the F2D. It’s armed with a 2.4” color screen from which you can delight in the digitized videos. The Wolverine F2D Mighty 20MP 7-in-1 Film to Digital Converter stores the footage onto a memory card until it’s ready for viewing or editing. It also allows you to modify the exposure coupled with the color balance manually or automatically, based on your preference.

KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner – A Powerful Scanner That Turns 8mm Film to Digital Files in a Jiffy

Some of the key features that make this handy gadget stand out from the rest are the angled 3.5″ LCD and video out, coupled with USB and HDMI connectivity. Packed with a high resolution of 4320 X 2880 dpi that can get up to 5728 X 3824, the device is easy to use. With a single press operation, the KODAK SCANZA Digital Film & Slide Scanner is unarguably one of the easiest options to buy. You can conveniently modify the color quality, contrast, exposure, and brightness courtesy of the blue, green, and red levels included thereby generating excellent scan quality.

Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 High-Resolution Film to Digital Converter – The Perfect Device to Preserve Your Memories Easier and Faster Than Ever

Packed with a screen that’s larger than other digitizers in the market, this device delivers a high resolution of 5472 X 3648 pixels in a couple of seconds. The Wolverine Titan 8-in-1 High-Resolution Film to Digital Converter has a larger screen compared to other digitizers and is armed with a small USB slot and HDMI TV output. When it comes to diversity, the gadget also supports the conversion of various film types, such as 127mm, 8mm, 35mm, APS format, 126mm, and 110mm.

You’ll be pleased to learn that the converter comes with speed-load adapters that are a beast in ensuring fast and seamless scanning. The footage is then stored in JPEG format in an SD card or its internal memory. The swift conversion can be attributed to the device’s LED backlight single operation.

Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner – A Superb Product That Delivers Impressive Results

Are you seeking a product that’s all about convenience? Then you can call off your search because the Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner is here to swoop in and save the day. It’s packed with a 2.4-inch LCD color monitor for previews.

Armed with a memory card slot, this device gives you more storage for your digital images. Along with a video-out TV cable, the handy gadget churns out digital footage in less than 5 seconds which is nothing short of impressive.

It outputs each 8mm film frame with a high resolution of 22MP courtesy of a plug-and-play interface. And, with no additional software required, the process doesn’t get any easier and faster than this. The Magnasonic All-in-One High-Resolution 22MP Film Scanner pre-installed film files eliminate the need for editing software.

8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker Film Scanner – The Dynamic Duo of Versatility and Excellent Quality

It’s a no-brainer that your 8mm and Super 8 films that are tucked away in your attic or garage are degrading by the day. However, this high-quality device is the Holy Grail that’ll allow you to relive those beautiful memories.

The 8mm & Super 8 Reels to Digital MovieMaker Film Scanner, comes with a 32GB memory card, USB cable, and TV cable slots. This makes the sharing, editing, and saving of these wonderful memories, a breeze. A power adaptor and cleaning cloth are also part of the package. So, you can kick-off the conversion process right off the bat without needing the help of other tools.

KODAK Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner – Film to Digital Conversion Made Easy and Affordable

It’s the mini version of the KODAK SCANZA mentioned above. So, with a 2.4-inch LCD screen and a 32GB memory slot, the KODAK Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner is cheaper but gets the job done. It also comes with the same 14-Megapixel CMOS sensor as the SCANZA counterpart and has the uncanny ability to scan 8mm, 135mm, 110mm, Super 8, and 126mm, films.

Despite the absence of adapter trays and slide inserts to safely load the films, the KODAK Mini Digital Film & Slide Scanner is a standalone device. Therefore, it doesn’t require connectivity to another device to function.

The Benefits

Investing in the best 8mm film to digital conversion equipment comes with a set of perks, as discussed below.

Prevent the Loss of Data

8mm films are fragile and are susceptible to disintegration or damage with time. Once this happens, the memories are lost forever. So, if your goal is to salvage them, then a digital converter is your best bet.

Prevent the Challenge of Finding the Perfect Fit to Play 8mm Films

It’s no secret that new technologies replace the old ones at an astronomically high rate. So, 8mm films are no different. Gadgets like projectors that are needed to watch your film are becoming a rarity in the market. A few years down the road, they’ll be obsolete. So, by converting your 8mm film to a digital format, you can relive those precious memories on nearly all devices.

Easier Sharing

By converting 8mm to a digital format, you can easily make copies and share them with others in the blink of an eye. When it comes to convenience, this beats using a generic projector.

Save Space

8mm films sit on reels thereby occupying a significant amount of space. However, converting them to a digital format doesn’t occupy physical space because they can be stored on the cloud. As a result, there’s no hassle of protecting the delicate 8mm films from damage.

FAQ

Below is some insightful information that’ll aid in choosing the best 8mm film to digital conversion equipment.

What are the different types of 8mm films? – Before hastily choosing a product, keep in mind that 8mm films fall into 4 categories.

• Standard 8mm film: It came about before the First World War and refers to the measurement of a film strip’s width.

• Double 8: It comes about when the standard 8mm film is developed then split down the middle. Doing so results in two lengths of 8mm film, hence the name double 8. So, these are essentially 16mm films.

• Super 8: Launched in 1965, the Super 8 is an upgrade from the standard 8mm and Double 8 films. Super 8 film is also 8mm wide but has different dimensions. Its rectangular perforations along the edge are smaller, which means a larger area is exposed.

• Single 8: Introduced by Japan’s Fujifilm in 1965, it’s an alternative to the Super 8 films. And it has a thinner film.

Does an 8mm film have sound? – If you have the archaic 8mm films the chances of them having sound are slim to none. Nonetheless, you can check the magnetic strip to confirm whether or not the edge with the sprocket holes is layered with copper or gold. If so, then the chances of the 8mm having sound are high.

What digital formats are compatible with 8mm film conversion? – You can take your pick from MP4, JPEG, MOV, and AVI as they’re compatible with web sharing with your loved ones.

Should you clean your 8mm film before using a digital converter? – Yes! While the old film was tucked away somewhere, it probably gathered dust and is dry. So, for optimum results, clean it before digitizing it with your respective converter.

What’s the best way to clean an 8mm film? – Fold a silicon cloth like a pad then clean both sides of your 8mm film. But, do so gently to avoid breaking or damaging the film.

The Bottom Line

With the advent of technology, the only way to pass on the amazing memories is by investing in the top 8mm film to digital converters. While selecting just one can have you entangled in a web of confusion, our reviewed products make your search a breeze.

On the flip side, some of your converted footage may not have sound. Nonetheless, getting half the pie is better than no pie. Don’t wait for tomorrow and risk losing your priceless memories forever. Order a digital converter today!

Did we leave out any impressive digital converters? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

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