Preserving the Past
Advances in technology allow us to continuously store more information in smaller spaces. While most often immediate progress is appreciated, there are occasions that merit a conduit between the old and new ways. Memories kept on old 8mm film wheels can never be replaced. And every year, these precious items are stored away in attics, where they deteriorate--and a little of those moments are lost. However, there are a few ways to keep your movies intact, while securing their place in the years to come.
Projection
The easiest way to transfer film to digital is called the reverse-kinescope method. This entails simply projecting the film onto a screen, blotter board or bare wall and recording the image with a camcorder. Start by setting the film projector close to the image screen. Place your camcorder as close to the projector as possible, adjusting the lens so the resulting image fills the viewer. Set the projector for greatest degree of brightness allowed, while maintaining full capacity of the camera's viewfinder. While the recorded image will be offset slightly from the original, you can change the frame sizes, until finding a reasonable facsimile.
Rear-Reverse-Kinescope
As stated, one problem with the first method is that the end result will always be off-center from the original. This is because the two cameras can't possibly occupy the same space, so they will be approaching the image from two slightly different angles at any time. To fix this, you can use what's termed the rear-reverse-kinescope technique.To do so, you'll need a small device called a rear screen projection unit. This time you would set the projector at the rear of the screen and place the unit directly in front. The rear screen projection unit will reverse the image so that it presents an accurate reflection from the front. In this way, both projector and camera can target the picture at the same angle.
Film Speeds
A common problem with recording from film is that the reproduction will have a constant flicker. 8mm film is typically recorded between 18 and 24 frames per second (fps). Video is done at higher speeds, around 30fps. This leaves gaps in the resulting record. Flicker can be managed with a projector that uses a variable-speed motor control. By adjusting the control, through trial and error, it is possible to counterbalance the camcorder's shutter speed.
Sending It Out
There are several professional video production companies that offer to execute the transition for a fee. Often these media groups are using a rank-cintel film-to-tape machine. These machines cost tens of thousands of dollars, but film transfers made in this manner are of the highest-quality reproduction. Costs can range from $300 to $600 per working hour. Some companies use a recorder that stops and records the footage frame-by-frame. This produces high-grade video at a more reasonable price ($20 to $50 per hour).
Tags: rear screen, from original, problem with, projection unit, rear screen projection, screen projection, screen projection unit