FAQ’s
Hopefully I am able to answer
some frequently asked questions that you may have regarding the film
transfer process. Read on.
Question:
How can I tell how many
feet of film I have?
Answer:
 Please
look at the following illustration as well as the chart below to help
you decide the type of film you have as well as how many feet of film
you have. The number of feet and amount of times are approximations.
8mm-Super 8mm
7 inch reel in diameter
= 400 feet = 30 minutes
5 inch reel in diameter = 200 feet = 15 minutes
3 inch reel in diameter = 50 feet = 3 minutes
16mm
15 inch reel in diameter
= 2300ft = 64minutes
13 11/16 inch reel in diameter = 1600ft = 45minutes
12 ¼ inch reel in diameter = 1200ft = 34minutes
10 ½ inch reel in diameter = 800ft = 22minutes
7 inch reel in diameter = 400ft = 11minutes
5 inch reel in diameter = 200ft = 6minutes
Question:
How can I tell what is
on my film before I send it to be transferred, I no longer have access
to a projector?
Answer:
 Because
of the risk of permanently damaging you film, as mentioned earlier,
I don’t recommend that you find an old projector at a yard sale, thrift
store. The chance of finding one that is refurbished, properly maintained,
and in good condition is fairly remote. Some projector models even
when brand new had a reputation for scratching and tearing film. If
you are able to acquire the right projector your film must be cleaned,
conditioned and repaired before you attempt to run it through the
machine. Check the supplier links in this booklet to find companies
that sell used refurbished 8mm/Super 8mm movie projectors.
A far better, less expensive
and safer way to view your films is with a film viewer sometimes called
a “film editor” This is a device where you can have your film displayed
on a small screen that is illuminated with a special light bulb. You
manually roll your film forward or backward with little hand cranks
while you watch it on the screen. These are significantly easier on
your film than a projector and you can get away with running your
film through one of these without any special preparations. These
are available from about $20.00 and up on Ebay. Some companies such
as TransferYourMovies.com
offer to loan these units to their clients to enable viewing of the
film before it is sent off to be converted to DVD.
Question:
Why did my film turn red?
Answer:
Many of the older 8mm/Super8mm
and 16mm films show fading or warming with a tint range from light
pink to a dark red. Sometimes they can take on a blue or green tint
as well.
Some film stock seems to be more prone to this then others. This is
caused by spontaneous chemical changes in the image dyes of color
as well as B/W films. It affects Hollywood’s professionally shot film
as well as home movie film and over time this problem just gets worse.
Storing your film as suggested
in the storage section should help to prevent this problem from occurring.
If your film has already taken on a pink or red tint contact us at
info@transferyourmovies.com immediately so that we can help you determine
the best remedy.
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