8mm Film Digitization
Pure ImageNation digitizes 8mm and Super 8 film, helping you preserve, watch and share important moments of your family history.
Our 8mm Film Digitization Process
Meet the specialist who will be handling your film reels during a consultation with our team. We will review your project, discuss your options and provide a cost estimate and timeline.
Your originals are carefully inspected for damage, splices and broken reels. The film is guided through a scanner by hand to minimize the chance of ripping and tears.
Each reel is digitized using frame-by-frame scanning, capturing each individual film frame and then stitching the frames into a digital video.
Regular updates are provided by the specialist working on your film, not a call center agent.
Once the project is complete, you are notified and delivery is arranged.
On Our Blog
How We Protect Your 8mm Film Reels
When your items are with us, they’re always:
Securely stored in a climate-controlled environment.
Delivered safely. Once the project is complete, you can choose in-person drop-off, local delivery, or traditional shipping for the return of your item.
Every item you send is treated with the same respect and care we give to our own family memories. Our Photo Handling Promise describes how we handle all materials, including 8mm film.
What You Receive
You’ll receive a digital file of each digitized film reel, ready to preserve and share.
Your video will be delivered on an external drive or stored securely in the cloud.
The videos will be saved to the file format of your choice including MP4 or MOV.
Your 8mm film reels are returned at the conclusion of the project.
8mm Film Digitization Pricing
The cost of 8mm film digitization depends mostly on the amount of used film on each reel. If we need to replace a damaged reel or work with splices, there may be additional costs. We'll review your 8mm reels during your consultation and provide a cost estimate before work begins.
$0.45 per foot of used film.
Replacement reels start at $10 per reel.
You can estimate the number of feet of film you have based on the size of the reel.
Common 8mm Film Digitization Questions
What types of film do you digitize?
Pure ImageNation digitizes 8mm and Super 8 film. For other video formats visit our Video Digitization page.
Why does my 8mm film have tape on it, is this okay?
When 8mm films were originally developed, people often combined or edited the videos by cutting the film and taping it back together. These connections, called splices, are normal and typically do not cause issues during digitization.Once my 8mm film is digitized how long will the video be?
On average a 3 inch reel contains 4 minutes of video, a 5 inch reel contains 13-16 minutes of video and a 7 inch reel contains approximately 25-35 minutes. Super 8 film totals are similar.
Is there sound on 8mm film?
Sound is very rare on 8mm film. Sound-enabled 8mm film has a thin yellowish gold colored magnetic audio stripe running along the edge of the film strip. At this time, Pure ImageNation does not digitize 8mm film with sound strips.
Is 4K scanning appropriate for 8mm or Super 8 film?
The general industry consensus is that 4K scanning would be overkill . 2K scanning can typically capture 100% of the physical detail in the 8mm film.My 8mm film smells like vinegar is that normal?
No, this is not normal. A strong vinegar smell is a warning sign of a serious, irreversible chemical degradation process known as Vinegar Syndrome. Over time, heat, humidity, and restricted airflow cause the acetate base of the film to chemically break down. This reaction releases acetic acid (the chemical component that gives household vinegar its pungent smell). There is no chemical treatment that can reverse Vinegar Syndrome once it starts. Your goal is to slow it down and get your film digitized immediately.
What should I do to slow down Vinegar Syndrome?
Immediately quarantine the reels that smell like vinegar. They must be kept away from unaffected reels. Let them breathe. Do not seal the damaged film in airtight plastic containers or metal tins. Instead, store them in a well-ventilated area with low/no humidity. Don’t wait, digitize. As the syndrome progresses the film will become deformed and unable to be fed through a scanner. Give us a call and make sure you mention the vinegar smell, we can help.
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section for more info.
Ready to Digitize Your 8mm Film Reels?
Getting started is easy.
Complete the Request a Quote form and we will be in touch within 48 hours. You can also call or text us at (978)-376-5163 or email info@pureimagenation.com.