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How to Convert 8Mm Kodachrome to Digital

Prior to the advent of video recording technology, 8mm Kodachrome film was often used by home movie enthusiasts. Archiving libraries of 8mm movies to a digital format will ensure valuable family history is preserved for years to come. Using a device known as a telecine, you can accomplish flicker-free transfers of 8mm movies to video. Depending on the video camera you use, you can record directly to DVDs or other digital recording formats.

Things You'll Need

  • Film cleaning solution (methyl chloroform or perchlorethyline)
  • 8mm film editor
  • 8mm telecine system
  • Digital camcorder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Clean your Kodachrome film using a film cleaning solution consisting of methyl chloroform or perchlorethyline. Use a film editor to thread the film onto a take up reel. Dampen a soft lint-free cloth with the cleaning solution and gently pinch the film with the dampened cloth so the solution moistens and lubricates both sides of the film. Carefully wind the film so that is it passes through the cloth. Take care that the solution fully evaporates from the surface of the film before it spools onto the take-up reel.

    • 2

      Locate your 8mm telecine system on a flat, level surface with enough room to place your video camera in front of the telecine projection surface.

    • 3

      Mount your video camera on a tripod and point it towards the projection surface (known as the aerial image) of the telecine’s condenser lens.

    • 4

      Thread the cleaned Kodachrome film into the telecine projector. Begin projecting the image.

    • 5

      Focus the video camera lens onto the aerial image of the telecine. Adjust the zoom on your camera lens so the film image fills the viewfinder frame. When you have completed adjusting the image in your video camera, lock the camera down using the controls on the tripod to prevent any movement during film projection.

    • 6

      Rewind the film in the telecine projector and begin projection of the film as you press record on your video camera.

Film Production

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