How do I get old Super 8mm film processed?

[Nostril Cheese]

Found a bunch of old 8mm film the other day. Most of it is my dad racing motorcycles at Indian Dunes and Saddleback. I used a magnifying glass to confirm.

I also found a Super 8mm film cartridge. I have no idea how to see what's on there or if has even been used. There's a bit of film showing that says "exposed" I assume "exposed" means it hasnt been processed? It doesnt look like this thing can be opened.

A friend of mine has an 8mm projector. Is it as simple as projecting it and recording it with a digital camera?

Any ideas? I barely remember those Fotomat booths in parking lots from when I was a very little kid. I'd love to know whats on it. Hopefully not my grandparents getting freaky..

Contact Kodak Corp. They have a special dept that deals with "historical processing".
More here

[scottmandue]

We have a few "one hour photo" places down here that will covert 8mm to DVD but that doesn't help you.

I see your local Rite Aid does photo processing... maybe check with them?

[Evans, Marv]

Seems to me Costco does all old format conversions to DVD. I had a bunch of old slides done & am planning to take in a couple of old reels of 8mm (if I remember correctly) to be put on DVD.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I see your local Rite Aid does photo processing... maybe check with them?

I thought that as well. The lady at the counter had no idea what it was. Apparently, they just do VHS to digital format.

[SpyderMike]

I had a couple of hundred rolls of 16mm and 8mm movie film converted to DVD at a local video processor store. These old family films go back to mid-1950s. I did a test sample through YesVideo at Costco and this local guy. The local guy sets up color corrections and really made the film come to life. The cost was nearly the same...about $0.14 per foot. In volume the price is reduced 10-15%. He made me some free samples to compare before I committed.

Got to see my childhood again. Turns out I still have that racecar toy that was my first gift when I was 1 year old - I have footage of me opening it.

I have since edited all the movies into chronological order and split off relevant sections for other family members (cousins and the like).

My 85 year old Dad was just at a nursing facility due to strokes and we were able to pop these disks in and watch some 9 hours over several days - priceless!

Mike

PS The place was Parrot Video in San Juan Capistrano - So Cal.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by SpyderMike

I had a couple of hundred rolls of 16mm and 8mm movie film converted to DVD at a local video processor store.
PS The place was Parrot Video in San Juan Capistrano - So Cal.

How many feet of film is in one of these cartridges? Sorry, I just dont know this stuff. Earliest thing I remember having in the house was a Beta player.

[sc_rufctr]

This company does processing and they're in California.

Super 8 Film - Super 8 HD Scanning - Super 8 Cameras - Super 8 Processing - Pro8mm

[Nostril Cheese]

Called the local film supplier here. Apparently the chemicals needed for the K12 process no longer exist. He said they could try to do B&W but no guarantees. This sound right to you guys?

[BK911]

Walmart does it. Surprise surprise!! And a bit cheaper than the local drug store. They have self serve kiosks that convert roll diameter to feet.

[slodave]

Conversion houses are a dime a dozen out here in Los Angeles.

[Hendog]

He needs the film processed (developped) first before he can convert it. I just did a quick Google search and found places that will process 8mm film. Start there i would suggest.

[SpyderMike]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

How many feet of film is in one of these cartridges? Sorry, I just don't know this stuff. Earliest thing I remember having in the house was a Beta player.

A typical camera roll of 3 inches in diameter is 50 feet...enough for some 3-4 minutes of film.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by Hendog

He needs the film processed (developped) first before he can convert it. I just did a quick Google search and found places that will process 8mm film. Start there i would suggest.

Looks like he needs both. Still a dime a dozen around L.A. We are the entertainment capital of the world.

[Arizona_928]

Looks like the color dyes are NLA...

Call this guy
https://www.dwaynesphoto.com

This one will do it in B&W.. Old K12 Slide Film Developing

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, that is going to be a problem. That is a K-12 process. Kodachrome is GONE baby GONE. The EPA hated Kodachrome back as soon as they EPA was formed. I really suspect you are SOL unless you can find a chemist willing to make the chemicals and find a processor. There was a guy for a while in Colorado that would process individual 35 mm rolls of film into a B&W image.

Most of the time after 20 years or so the latent image is no good anyway. Heat & gamma rays will slowly fog a roll of film into a cloud of grey nothing. We used to have customers bring us B&W film they found in Grandma's camera. It was a rare thing to ever see a image that was usable. In the 30 years of working at a professional photolab we saw a lot of old film.

I really think you are just out of luck but I hope I am wrong.