How to Digitize 8mm Reels at Home

I’m glad you’re here. Converting your old 8mm or Super 8 film reels has never been more important yet accessible to do at home.

Before I start, there are companies that will digitize your memories for you. While it is easier to have someone else do it, the price can quickly add up.

Another option is taking these to a local store. My local photo shop converts 8mm reels at about $15 per reel. The cheapest reliable machine to convert 8mm reels at home is still $300 so if you are purely looking for the cheapest option, you would need at least 20 reels to make this cost effective. Regardless of the cost, you still may not be comfortable shipping away the only copy of your family’s memories and that safety is priceless to some.

This is how I digitize all of the 8mm and Super 8 Reels that I find at thrift stores:

What you’ll need:

• Wolverine Moviemaker Pro Converter (Amazon, $399)

• SD Card (Amazon, $16)

• Film Reels

• SD Card Reader (Amazon, $17)

I use the Wolverine Moviemaker Pro but there is a cheaper model, Wolverine MovieMaker, for $300 on Amazon.

Step 1. Insert the SD Memory Card into the slot on the back.

Step 2. Plug in your machine and turn it on.

Step 3. Follow the instructions on the device and in the manual to load the film reel for conversion.

• Please follow the instructions carefully and handle the film with care. There are a few steps and there is a learning curve for how to latch the film properly - if you have any questions, message me on Instagram.

Step 4. Make sure you have selected the correct film type, Super 8 or 8mm, with the lever on the bottom*

Step 5. Align the frame using the arrows, adjust the exposure in settings, and press enter to begin recording!

Step 6. Once the machine has finished recording, press enter again to stop recording.

Step 7. Follow the instructions on the device and in the manual to load the film reel for reversal.

Step 8. Turn off the machine, remove the SD Card, and use the SD Card Reader to view your memories!

Be mindful that you have to let the film reel play for the full duration of the recording. The MovieMaker captures the video as it plays.

*Here is a comparison between 8mm and Super 8 film. The size and spacing of the notches are a quick way to distinguish the, from each other:

If you need more help than this, I recommend looking on YouTube for a tutorial like this one.