Last updated on November 21st, 2023
As technology advances, preserving old memories and 8mm footage has become increasingly important.
One way to preserve these precious moments is by converting them from film to a digital format with one of the best 8mm film-to-digital converts. This process not only protects the quality of the footage but also allows for easy viewing and sharing with others.
There are various converters on the market, each with unique features and capabilities.
In this guide, we will explore the best 8mm film-to-digital converters available today, including their key features and benefits.
We understand that choosing the right converter can be difficult due to cost constraints, especially for those new to the world of digital conversion. That’s why we have researched and compiled a list of the top 8mm converters to help you make an informed decision.
Whether you want to convert your old home videos or digitize important historical footage, these converters will ensure that your memories are preserved for years. We’ll take a look at the options for converting old 8mm and Super 8mm to a digital file, plus the best 8mm professional film scanners.
Best 8mm Film Converters At a Glance:
- Kodak Reels 8mm and Super 8mm Film Digitizer
- Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Digital Converter
- Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner
- Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter
- Kodak SCANZA – images only
What is the Best Way to Convert 8mm Film to Digital?
The best way to convert 8mm film to digital depends on your budget, time, and desired quality. Here are a few methods:
- Record Them While Playing: One of the most affordable and fastest ways to digitize your 8mm film is to record the footage as it plays using a digital camera. This method may provide a lower quality, but it’s a quick solution.
- Scan Each Frame Individually: If you want to preserve your films with better quality, consider scanning each frame individually. This process can be time-consuming and may require professional equipment or services.
- Professional Services: Several companies specialize in converting 8mm films to digital. Some of the biggest companies include YesVideo, Heirloom, Legacybox, ScanCafe, and Southtree. YesVideo has partnerships with Costco, Sam’s, and Walgreens, while major retail brands like Costco, Walmart, and CVS46 trust Capture. These services can provide high-quality conversions but may come with higher costs and longer turnaround times.
Below is an example of how to convert 8mm or Super 8mm film with the Kodak Reels Film Digitizer. For all the 8mm film scanners in this review, you’ll need one of the better SD cards for video, at least 32GB, depending on the model.
Best 8mm Film-to-Digital Converters
1. Kodak Reels 8mm and Super 8mm Film Digitizer
Convert 8mm film to digital video, including Super 8mm film.
The Kodak Reels Film Digitizer is a professional 8mm film scanner capable of converting your old 8mm films into digital MP4 files. This includes both regular 8mm as well as Super 8mm film. Once the film has been digitized, you can easily watch the videos on your computer or other devices.
The Kodak Reels Film Digitizer can convert film strips into digital MP4 files. With this digitizer, you can easily convert your old 8mm films to digital files that are easily stored and accessed on your computer. You will never have to worry about your old films getting damaged or lost again.
The Kodak Reels Film Digitizer can convert your old 8mm films to digital video at 1080p resolution. This means that the digitized videos will be of high quality, and you can watch them in full HD. The digitized videos will be much clearer and sharper than the original films.
To transfer your 8mm film footage to an SD card, load your 3, 5, 7, 8, or 9-inch film rolls onto the universal supply reel and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions.
The Kodak Reels Film Digitizer is very easy to use and does not require any special skills or knowledge.
The Kodak Reels Film Digitizer supports SD cards up to 128GB, which means you can store plenty of videos on a single card.
If you’re looking for the best professional 8mm film scanner that can easily convert your old 8mm films to digital files, then the Kodak Reels Film Digitizer is the perfect choice.
It is easy to use, supports a wide range of 8mm and Super 8mm film lengths, and digitizes at 1080p resolution.
2. Wolverine 8mm and Super 8
Let’s start with one of the most significant features of the Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Film-to-Digital Converter MovieMaker — it is fully automated. You don’t need to fiddle with any knobs or settings since the machine takes care of everything.
Another essential feature of the Wolverine converter is that it can accommodate 3″ and 5″ rolls of 8mm film and Super 8mm film. This means that you can convert long movies in one go without the need to splice them together.
The Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Film-to-Digital Converter produces MPEG-4 (MP4) digital movie files at 720P and 30 fps. These digital files are high-quality and compatible with most modern devices and software.
The Wolverine converter digitizes 8mm film frame-by-frame, ensuring that every frame is captured in the process. This means that you get a complete digital copy of your original film without any portion left behind.
One of the advantages of the Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Film-to-Digital Converter is that it doesn’t require a computer or any software to operate. It works as a standalone machine and saves directly to an SD card with a capacity of up to 32GB. This makes the 8mm film conversion process quick, easy, and hassle-free.
Once you’ve converted your 8mm films to digital files, you can watch them on your TV with the included TV cable.
The Wolverine 8mm and Super 8 Film-to-Digital Converter is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a professional 8mm film scanner and preserving memories. Its automated features, compatibility with multiple film types, high-quality conversion, digitization frame-by-frame, standalone operation, and ability to playback on TV make it a valuable investment for anyone looking to digitize their 8mm films.
3. Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner
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The Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner allows you to digitize your old film reels to preserve your cherished memories. It’s simple, easy to use, and supports various film roll sizes. You can choose between 3, 5, and 8-inch film rolls according to the size of your 8mm film reel.
One of the most remarkable features of the Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner is its ability to scan 50 feet of film in just 30 minutes and save the output file in a 1080p MP4 format. This means you can capture all the precious moments of your life efficiently.
What’s more, it includes an RCA video out cable, which allows you to watch the scanned film on your TV. It’s like bringing all your memories back to life with just a few clicks.
The output files you get can be saved on an SD card up to 32GB, and you can save up to 120 hours of video footage. With all your captures in one place, you can quickly view them on your laptop.
When it comes to the setup, the Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner is designed to make it easy for you. The process is straightforward, and you don’t need to be a technical know-how. The instructions in the manual are easy to follow, and within no time, you’ll be up and running.
After conducting thorough research and using different 8mm digitizers, we can confidently say that the Magnasonic Super 8/8mm Film Scanner is a high-quality 8mm film-to-digital converter in the market. It’s fast, efficient, and works with different-sized 8mm film reels.
4. Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter
Exceptional Quality Conversion
The Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter can convert 3″, 5″, 7″, and 9″ reels into 1080P Digital MP4 Files, which retains the colors and quality of the original film. This means that the precious memories captured in 8mm format can now be easily viewed on modern devices such as laptops, PCs, and TVs, and the quality is sure to exceed expectations.
The Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter understands the importance of preserving these memories and thus provides top-notch image quality.
Easy to Use
The Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter understands that only some are tech wizards, and that’s why it’s designed to be user-friendly.
Every part of the machine has been designed with ease of use in mind. From the user manual to the simple button layout and intuitive menu system, the Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter can easily be operated, even by those who need to be better-versed in technology.
Saves Memories with Convenience
You do not have to save your digital files to a computer as the Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter can save up to a 32GB SD card. This means you can take your newly digitized memories anywhere, share them with others, and enjoy them on the go.
No need to carry bulky film reels around- your memories are now stored in a compact and easy-to-use digital format.
The In-Built Screen is a Great Addition
The Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter comes equipped with a 2.4-inch LCD screen, allowing you to view your digitized film anytime. This feature may come in handy when you want to view your footage, even when you don’t have a compatible TV or monitor.
Aside from this, it is also possible to connect the device to a TV/monitor via the included TV cable, providing flexibility and convenience.
Keep Your Memories Alive
Finally, the Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter understands the importance of preserving precious memories, especially those captured on film. With this device, the memories that were once confined to 8mm reels can now be quickly and conveniently transformed into digital format while retaining their original quality and colors.
With the Eyesen 8mm & Super 8 Film to Digital Converter, you can keep your precious memories alive and accessible for future generations.
5. Kodak SCANZA
The Kodak SCANZA is a versatile film-to-JPEG converter that can digitize and optimize various films, including 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8, and 8mm negatives. It has a rapid five-second scan time and produces high-quality digital copies of your films.
The converter’s built-in software automatically adjusts color, brightness, and contrast to improve image quality, giving you the perfect digital copy of your precious films. This feature of the Kodak SCANZA ensures that your memories are preserved, vibrant, and clear.
One of the significant disadvantages of the Kodak SCANZA is that it does not convert to videos. The converter scans your film strip frame by frame to produce high-resolution digital images. This feature means you can enjoy viewing your films independently or edit them as you like, just like a photo.
The Kodak SCANZA comes with a built-in color display that features adjustable brightness. The display screen allows you to view your images on the spot as you scan them, and you can adjust the brightness for better image clarity. It is a 3.5-inch screen with a tilt function that lets you easily view the images at any angle.
With this feature, you can ensure that your scans are of the highest quality.
The Kodak SCANZA transfers files to an SD card up to 128GB. This feature is perfect for those who have a lot of files to scan and want to save them if they need more ready access to a computer.
You can store your files directly on the SD card for easy transferability, sharing, or editing. This feature makes the Kodak SCANZA practical and convenient to use.
Conclusion
The task of converting 8mm film to digital format is no longer the daunting task it once was, thanks to the proliferation of high-quality film converters. While each device on our list has unique strengths, they all excel in preserving cherished memories in a modern and accessible format. From the premium features of our Kodak top pick to the budget-friendly options, there’s a film converter for every need and budget.
Investing in a good 8mm film converter ensures that your precious memories are not just preserved but revitalized for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 8mm film be converted to digital?
Yes, 8mm film can certainly be converted to digital. There are multiple ways you can do this:
Do It Yourself: You can record the films while they’re playing using a digital camera. This method is relatively simple and cost-effective, but the quality of the output may not be the best.
Use a Film Scanner: Film scanners are devices that can convert your 8mm films into digital files. They work by scanning each frame individually, which can result in better quality compared to recording the film while it’s playing.
Hire a Professional Service: Several companies offer services to convert 8mm films to digital. These include Just8mm, Legacybox, Capture, ScanCafe, and Forever Studios. These services handle the conversion process for you, ensuring high-quality results. However, they can be more expensive compared to other methods.
How to convert 8mm or Super 8mm film to 4K or 8K?
The best and most economical way to convert 8mm films to 4K is to first convert them to 1080p using the Kodal Reels 8mm Film Digital Conversion tool. This process will allow you to digitize your 8mm film to an MP4 file on your SD card.
Then, transfer the 8mm digitized film from your SD card to your computer. Install Topaz Video AI to convert the video from 1080p to 4K or 8K.
Read our Topaz Video AI review for more information.
Liya Kravchenkin is an experienced portrait photographer. She has worked with clients worldwide and has even traveled to more than 50 countries. Liya loves photography because it allows her to capture a moment that can never be repeated. Liya also enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and seeing the world’s unique natural wonders. Her favorite travel memories are from swimming with dolphins in the Galapagos and eating cheesecake in New York City.
