My new 8mm film transfer system

[RCBasher]

With Franks new RGB backlight source and his custom software, the transfer itself can also run unattended. It writes the frames to uncompressed AVI, 1388x1036, progressive frame by frame at 17fps. This is possible because of the extreme short shutter speed: max. 120us.

Very nice work Fred!

A technical correction though...the fps limit is down to the camera and file system speed and not really the shutter speed or HS-CFLed RGB system. A Firewire 1394b camera with the same sensor (like the PGR GH2) will do 26fps at 16bit with exposures in the low 10's of ms. You should be able to get 20fps at 8 bit with the IMI on Firewire 1394a. The high speed flash was developed for a continuous motion machine but as you may have found with your temporary sticky tape setup, it is good for freezing unwanted vibration in the system too!

Frank

[VideoFred]

Thank you for the technical correction Frank!

As you know, I was testing the high speed flash system with my old TIS camera first. And the sharpness was already much better. So yes, high shutter speed eliminates mechanical vibration.

Fred.

[Will2]

Amazing. The clarity is astounding. I would have thought it was 16mm.

[marc]

Looks top notch as always. Being from 1958, I assume that it aslo benefits from being ASA10.

[woods01]

Fred, top notch as always. Can I send you all my film to transfer? ;)

[VideoFred]

Fred, top notch as always. Can I send you all my film to transfer? ;)

Hi Woods,

Sorry, for now I only do this for fun. Perhaps later, when I'm retired.

Fred.

[Nicholas Kovats]

Once again, Fred, superlative work. This is starting to exceed the big boy's output. I have never seen this type of quality in a major film when they queue the cliche old movie look. By the way would I be correct in assuming that your client was utilizing a 1.5x anamorphic compression system on his H8 Bolex?

I keep repeating that we have yet to exceed the tremendous information latent in film records. Bravo!

[VideoFred]

By the way would I be correct in assuming that your client was utilizing a 1.5x anamorphic compression system on his H8 Bolex?

Thank you too for appreciating my work

The maker of this film has given me all his other films too because he know I'm doing something with it. He is 85 years old now, a very nice man. But he's not a client because I do not run a transfer company.

He was using an Iscomorphot for the lens if I remember well. The same lens had to be placed in front of the projector to have the correct aspect ratio. In those days, this was very special for the amateur R8 format.

I keep repeating that we have yet to exceed the tremendous information latent in film records. Bravo!

Yes. But for me, it's a time machine too! I like to make a 1958 amateur film look like it was made yesterday. But that's my personal opinion of cource. I know others are preferring the vintage film look. On the other hand: if you see this film projected, it does not look vintage at all.

Fred.

[Nicholas Kovats]

Absolutely! It definitely has the quality as if it was shot yesterday. Excellent work.

[S8 Booster]

really impressive Fred. your results has become an art of beauty - taking film imagery into new dimensions...

Shoot.....

[Will2]

Yes. But for me, it's a time machine too! I like to make a 1958 amateur film look like it was made yesterday. But that's my personal opinion of cource. I know others are preferring the vintage film look. On the other hand: if you see this film projected, it does not look vintage at all.

That's a very interesting point. I wonder how much of the "8mm look" we've come to understand is really due to relatively poor transfers. If you can make stock from the 50's look this good it really does open up a new world.

[VideoFred]

really impressive Fred. your results has become an art of beauty - taking film imagery into new dimensions...

Shoot.....

Thank you Booster

But the man who has made this film, had a very good "eye" for framing too. The way he has captured those Scottish pipers for example.

Fred.

[VideoFred]

That's a very interesting point. I wonder how much of the "8mm look" we've come to understand is really due to relatively poor transfers. If you can make stock from the 50's look this good it really does open up a new world.

This is very true. The famous "8mm look" was not caused by the equipment, but by the bad amateur filmers. Bad framing, to much shaking and wrong camera settings. This footage on the example clip was made correct, but with a very soft lens. I have other R8 films here that are even better! And remember, when those films where new, there were no scrathes and no dirtspots.

Fred.