Your Family's Film Reels, Finally Watchable
I transfer 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm home movie film to digital files your family can watch today, without ever shipping the reels away.
Every year, the film degrades a little more
Film physically deteriorates
Cellulose acetate film shrinks and becomes brittle with age. What looks fine on the reel today may be unwatchable in five years.
No projectors left
Most families do not own a working projector anymore. The film sits in a canister with no way to watch it, waiting for a solution.
These are the only copies
Home movie film from the 1950s through 1980s was never duplicated. The reel in that box may be the only copy of a moment that no one living has ever seen on screen.
Your Reels Never Leave Colwood
I have been transferring film reels for Victoria families for over 35 years, and I know how much is riding on that canister. Film is fragile. It shrinks, becomes brittle, and loses detail year by year. The sooner it is transferred, the more you get back. Every reel I receive is inspected before I start. I capture frame-by-frame at high resolution, which means nothing is skipped and no frames are merged or dropped in the interest of speed. Fragile reels, stuck reels, and reels showing early signs of vinegar syndrome all get extra attention and I will tell you what I find before I proceed. Your originals never leave Colwood. They are not shipped to a lab. From the moment you drop off to the moment I hand them back, they are in my care.
How It Works
Drop-Off in Colwood
Use my online form to book a private drop-off time. This ensures I can review your items with you personally when you arrive.
Approve Estimate
Once I have your project, I don't just process it. I inspect the condition of every tape and page. If I find something that needs special attention, I’ll call you.
Enjoy and Share
You’ll receive a secure download link, and a USB if requested. You can finally watch your memories on your phone, tablet, or TV.
Film Formats I Transfer
8mm Film
8mm is the most common format I see. Each reel runs 3 to 4 minutes of footage at 18fps, or longer if shot at 12fps. I handle both.
Super 8
Super 8 offers a larger frame area than standard 8mm, resulting in better image quality. Many families mixed Super 8 and standard 8mm - bring everything and I will identify each reel.
16mm Film
16mm is less common in home collections but often holds exceptional footage. The larger frame size means excellent image quality when transferred correctly.
How I Handle Your Film
Film reels are fragile and irreplaceable. Before any reel goes on my telecine equipment, I inspect every frame for splices, shrinkage, and brittleness. Reels that need cleaning are treated before transfer. Your originals never leave Colwood.
Asked Often
Are the reels safe to handle?
I inspect every reel before transfer. Reels that show signs of brittleness or vinegar syndrome are handled with extra care. I will tell you what I find before I start.
How long is a reel of film?
A standard 3-inch 8mm reel runs about 3 to 4 minutes at 18fps. A 5-inch reel runs 8 to 12 minutes. Super 8 runs similarly. I will log the estimated duration for each reel in your estimate.
Can you transfer reels that are damaged or stuck?
Sometimes yes. I can often recover footage from partially damaged reels. I will tell you honestly what is and is not recoverable before starting.
What format will my films be in?
You will get MP4 files that play on any device. I also deliver them on USB drive, or via private download link.
What happens to my original reels?
Your original reels come back to you in the same condition they arrived. Nothing is kept or discarded without your permission.
Is film more fragile than videotape?
Yes. Film can become brittle with age, which is why preservation is important.
What film formats do you handle?
I digitize common home movie formats such as 8mm and Super 8.
What if my film is very old or brittle?
I use a gentle scanning process designed for delicate film.
Will splices or breaks ruin the scan?
If a splice comes apart, I carefully continue. Any missing frames are usually unnoticeable.
What My Clients Say
“I found a tape of my grandmother telling family stories from the 80s. I was terrified to play it. Dave handled it so carefully and the digital audio file he sent me is a treasure my whole family now has. The fact that I could just drop it off in Colwood was a huge relief.”
Transparent pricing. Every job guaranteed.
Every job starts with a free estimate. See typical costs before you commit, and if anything is not right when I am done, I will fix it at no charge.
These films have waited long enough.
Book a drop-off in Colwood and I will tell you exactly what your reels can yield. Your originals come back the moment I am done.