Convert your 8mm film to VHS.
Before the introduction of Super 8mm film in the mid 1960s, 8mm was the choice of home movie-makers and film lovers throughout the United States. Rather than letting those old memories gather dust in an attic, you can transfer your 8mm film to VHS so that you can watch it again. The main things that are required for this process are an 8mm projector and a VHS camcorder. Although they are both older technologies, you can find used models for sale online or even in someone's attic.
Instructions
1. Set the projector up on a table in the center of a room, facing the wall. For the best transfer, the room should be as dark as possible, so a room without any windows is the best choice for this. Or you could do the transfer at night.
2. Set up the projection screen facing the projector. If you don't have a projection screen, you can use the walls on the room. However, these walls need to be white, or the film will be tinged with your wall color. On colored walls, you can hang a sheet on the wall, or tape a piece of white posterboard to the wall's surface.
3. Turn on the projector. Attach the 8mm film reel to the supply arm and feed the film into the projector. Loop the other end of the film around the take-up reel. Run the film and adjust the projector so that the projected image fills up your screen. Adjust the focus as necessary.
4. Set the VHS camcorder so that it is parallel with the 8mm projector. Zoom the VHS camera in so that the image on the projection screen fills the entire viewfinder. Focus the camcorder as needed. For this procedure, it's best to switch the camera to manual focus.
5. Insert a blank tape into the VHS camcorder. Rewind the projector to the start of the 8mm film.
6. Turn off the lights in the room. Press "Record" on the VHS camcorder. Start the 8mm projector. Press "Stop" on the VHS camcorder when the reel is finished. Repeat for as many reels as necessary.
Tags: projection screen, your film
