10 Myths about Film Digitsing
We often get asked if digitising damages the film so here’s a deeper dive into some common myths about film digitising and the facts that dispel them:
Myth #1: “Digitising 8mm, Super 8 or 16mm film will permanently damage the original reels.”
Fact: While it’s true that digitising requires handling the original film, reputable digitising services use gentle processes and equipment designed to avoid any damage. Digitising is very gentle, much more so than using a projector.
In fact, digitising your Super 8 can help preserve the film’s contents without repeatedly subjecting it to the wear of repeated playback. Using quality equipment and avoiding repeated playback actually prolongs the life of the original reels.
Myth #2: “All digitising services produce the same quality.”
Fact: The quality of digitising varies significantly depending on the technology, equipment, and expertise of the service provider. Some services use high-resolution scanners with wet gates that capture incredible detail and all of the dynamic range of the original, while others use basic setups that may miss finer nuances, like film grain and colour accuracy.
High-quality services will also offer options like wet gate damage reduction stabilisation, sharpening and frame-by-frame scanning for smoother playback, resulting in a more faithful digital version of your original Super 8.
Myth #3: “Digitising will make my Super 8 footage look modern and new.”
Fact: While digitising does preserve footage in a modern format, the aesthetic and feel of Super 8 film typically remains. Depending on the quality of the original film and the methods used, you may notice some improvements in colour, brightness, or stability, but it will still look vintage. Many people digitise specifically to keep the nostalgic look while making the footage easier to view and share. Some modern AI methods can make footage look false with odd artefacts added as well as strange tones across faces that can look very digitally manipulated, so we don’t recommend it currently.
Myth #4: “DIY digitising is just as good as professional services.”
Fact: DIY digitising can be done, but it often requires considerable technical knowledge and specialised equipment to achieve results comparable to professional services. Even a high-quality DSLR setup will lack the stabilisation, colour correction, and consistency of professional equipment. Many DIY methods can end up with issues like flickering, poor colour balance, or reduced sharpness due to slight misalignments or variations in lighting.
Myth #5: “Digitising Super 8 film is too expensive.”
Fact: While digitising costs can vary, many affordable options are available, including basic digitising services and some self-service models. Prices have become more competitive as demand has increased and technology has improved. When you consider that digitising allows you to preserve and easily access family memories for future generations, the investment can be worthwhile. Plus, digital files are easier to share, edit, and back up, which is an added value compared to film reels sitting unused.
Myth #6: “Once digitised, I don’t need to worry about preserving my digital files.”
Fact: Digital formats are not immune to time and technology shifts. File formats and storage media can become outdated, and data drives can become corrupt or none operative over time. Backing up digital files to multiple locations and formats like external hard drives and cloud storage is essential for long-term preservation.
Myth #7: “Super 8 film quality isn’t good enough to justify digitising in HD.”
Fact: Although Super 8 film is an older format, it still contains a surprising amount of detail and nuance. Digitising in HD can capture film grain, colour depth, and fine details that lower-resolution scans might miss. This higher quality becomes especially apparent on modern displays and can make a big difference in the viewing experience.
16mm Has even more detail and can produce quite detailed images in 2K or higher resolutions.
Myth #8: “All my footage will look exactly like it did on my projector.”
Fact: The digital version of Super 8 footage may look slightly different from the analog playback due to improvements in brightness, stabilisation, or other adjustments made during the digital transfer process. However, high-quality services aim to replicate the original feel and look as closely as possible, often allowing options for the level of correction or enhancement you prefer.
Myth #9: “I can use free software to achieve professional-quality digital restoration.”
Fact: Free software is useful for basic editing, but professional restoration often requires advanced software for colour correction, stabilisation, and noise reduction. Professional services have access to this specialised software and the expertise to use it effectively, which can make a big difference in final quality
Myth #10: “Digital is forever—digitising film is a one-time process.”
Fact: While digital formats make it easier to preserve and share your footage, “digital forever” is a bit of a myth. Technology and storage standards change over time, so it’s wise to stay updated and migrate files as needed. Keeping your files in commonly-used formats and maintaining backup copies on updated media (like cloud storage or newer external hard drives) ensures continued accessibility.
I hope you this guide has helped bust a few myths, but if you have any questions about your films do get in touch we love film here and love digitising them to highest standards!
