Question about types of 8mm film

[sanray74]

I have been trying to verify if single 8 mm film is different than standard 8 mm film. I have a Chinon 6100 projector that was advertised a dual 8mm/super 8mm. In the manual it states it runs super 8/single 8mm film so I am reluctant to try and run a regular 8mm film through it.
Thanks.

[aj]

Single 8 and super 8 have the same perforations. Single8 is best to start with a leader otherwise some projectors have trouble pulling it in.

Duals take standard 8mm too. Probably there is a switch and when this on 8mm then it should pull standard 8mm too.

[Patrick]

Single 8 film is indeed different to Standard 8 film. Single 8 and Super 8 are identical in frame size and perforation size. So any Super 8 projector will run Single 8 film just fine. Standard 8 film (which has larger perforations and a smaller frame) is also known as Regular 8mm and Double 8. If the manual states that this projector can only run Super 8 and Single 8 film, then don't run any Standard 8 film through it!

[sanray74]

Thank you both so much for your quick answers.
Patrick - you are right- I tried a standard 8 film that I didn't really want, and the projector totally wrecked it. So your information totally confirms what I suspected but couldn't confirm until now. I have been searching websites for months. I have some rare figure skating 8mm films that can't be replaced.

[Patrick]

Be careful of putting a regular 8mm film through a super 8 projector, not just because of the inevitable damage to the film. I know a guy who reckons that you can harm the projector as well. However, there may be a chance that this projector could run standard 8mm film just fine. If the projector really is dual guage, then there should be some sort of switch, usually with 'standard' and 'super' on opposite sides of the switch.