Introduction
I planned to convert the 8mm cine films that my dad took during the 60s and 70s, when we were kids, as part of my family photo conversion project, and I finally got around to it. There were several reels, comprising 8mm and Super 8 formats, of which I had no recollection as to the content. The reels were sent via courier to Langebaan in the Western Cape for digitising. The process took about three weeks.
Before viewing the footage, I only vaguely remember what might be on the reels. Seeing the footage again for the first time since childhood was quite a surprise. The experience brought back memories and moments I had long forgotten.
I still have the 8mm cine camera and projector my dad used, but I don’t know what happened to the Super 8 camera, which I suspect he might have borrowed from his brother, my uncle.
I used my siblings’ and my birthdate to establish when the footage was taken.
Birthdates:
- Xander – 1962
- Arica – 1966
- Tharina – 1971
I tried various AI video enhancement tools to try and enhance the footage, but was not successful. I did edit the footage – colour correction was done, and background music and captions were added.
The final results can be found on YouTube – @ThomasABuys.
Links below.
- 1966 – South Coast Holiday & Family Memories
- 1970 – Kruger National Park Holiday
- 1971 & 1972 – Birthdays
- 1971 – Garden Route Holiday
- 1971 – London and New York
- 1972-01 – Schooldays
- 1972-05 – Mozambique Holiday
- 1973 – Cape Holiday
Beaulieu Film Camera Model T8 President 1955-1959
The “Beaulieu T8” refers to a model of the Beaulieu brand of 8mm cameras, specifically the T8 “Président” model, dating back to 1954. Beaulieu cameras were known for their quality and were often used by professional filmmakers.
The Beaulieu T8 is one of the first 8mm cameras manufactured by the Marcel Beaulieu company, a year before the Beaulieu 8 was marketed. Technically, the 2 models are similar, except that the 8 had a single lens.
This T8, therefore, has a small turret with 2 lenses, here 2 Som Berthiot of 12.5 and 35mm (standard and telephoto for 8mm). The camera has 5 speeds at 8, 16, 24, 48 and 64 frames per second. The lenses are interchangeable in the D mount. A counter is present on the right side. The motor is a simple spring mechanism. The viewfinder has 2 settings: one at the front for focusing, the other at the back to adapt the framing according to the lens used.
In 1955, it was selected as the most representative model of the French film industry and offered to the President of the Republic at the time. It will then take the name “BEAULIEU T8 Président”.
Specifications
| Year of production | 1954 to 1960 | |
| Place of production | France (Fontenay sous Bois – 94) | |
| Format | Double-8 | |
| System, Film Length | Reels, 7.5 m | |
| Training | Mechanical with regulated speed, spring winder | |
| Frame rates | 8/16/32/48/64 i/s, VPV | |
| Aim | Optical viewfinder adjustable according to the chosen lens,Diopter adjustment, Parallax correction | |
| Mount | Standard “D”, 2-lens rotating turret | |
| Lenses | SOM Berthiot CINOR B 1:1.9 F=12.5SOM Berthiot CINOR 1:3.5 F=35 | |
| Counter | In meters and feet | |
| Dimensions (LxWxH ) Weight | 5.5 x 12 x 12 cm, 1.1 kg | |
| Case, Finish | Cast alloy, frosted paint in gray, green, blue, brown or pink | |
| Serial number | In the case, Example 6828 | |
| Accessories | Wrist strap, revolver grip | |
| Observations | Succeeds the “Beaulieu 8” of 1953, adding a 64 fps frame rate | |
Eumig P8 8mm Silent Cine Projector
Eumig P8 cine projector for 8mm film, up to 400 feet capacity. Eumig Eupronar coated projection lens F: 20mm f/1.4. Two sprockets and a claw drive. Electric motor, slider speed control. On-off switch. Framing control. 12-volt, 100-watt A1/186 lamp, single contact bayonet cap. Reflector condenser system. Two flat pin input socket. Mains voltage adjuster. Hand rewind. Spool arms fold away inside the body.
EUMIG was an Austrian company producing audio and video equipment that existed from 1919 until 1982. The name is an acronym for Elektrizitäts und Metallwaren Industrie Gesellschaft, or the “Electricity and Metalware Industry Company.” This was Eumig’s most popular projector. Between 1954 and 1969, 1.3 million examples of this model were manufactured.
Eumig P8 8mm Silent Cine Projector
Specifications
Type: standard 8mm
Lenses: Eumig Eupro 1:1,6 F20 or Harmony-Zoom F 1.5 15-25mm
Lamp: 12V 100W, Ba15S (BXT)
Reel capacity: 120m / 400ft
Projection speed: 8 – 24 FPS, variable speed by switch, forward and reverse
Film loading: manual threading
Super 8 & 8mm Cine Film Reels
8mm films were shot at 16 frames per second, while Super 8 films were shot at 18 frames per second.
Sound was usually not present on Super 8 and 8mm films. Therefore, the vast majority of home movies were silent.
Specifications
Common Reel Sizes and Running Times
| Reel diameter | Length | Approximate running time |
| 3 inches/8cm | 50 feet | 3 minutes |
| 4 inches/10cm | 100 feet | 6 minutes |
| 5 inches/13cm | 200 feet | 12 minutes |
| 6 inches/15cm | 300 feet | 15 minutes |
| 7 inches/18cm | 400 feet | 24-25 minutes |
- 4 to 5 minutes for standard 8mm
- 3 minutes and 20 seconds for Super 8
- 13 cm reels, which last 13 minutes for Super 8 and 15 minutes for 8mm
- 18 cm reels, 26 minutes for Super 8 and 30 minutes for 8mm
Resources
8mm film reel sizes and running times
How long does a 50-foot reel of Super-8mm film run?
Digital Conversion
Cine Films
Cine film to digital
When it comes to converting 8mm cine film to digital and 16mm cine film to digital formats, we use an imported film transfer machine to ensure the highest quality without losing the original frame size. We offer the highest quality and do not use a film projector.
Our high-resolution film transfer machine process adjusts the film speed and stabilises the image, resulting in the highest quality by capturing the full frame size directly off the film using a cold light source, which ensures vibrant colours and impeccably sharp, flicker-free image film transfer.
Don’t let these memories fade; preserve your film memories from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s for many years to come by allowing us to convert your special film memories to digital today.
Why is it so essential to preserve your Cine Films?
8mm cine films last around 70 years. But that is only if the films are kept in very specific conditions. Unless you have considerable resources, those films will eventually decay, potentially losing precious memories to time. Nothing lasts forever, especially film. Allow us to convert your films to digital format and save and share your precious memories.