View Full Version : 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital


Marty Hamrick
February 24th, 2014, 11:13 AM
Check out this youtube. I thought as first he was using a GoPro to make the conversion, but he's using an off the shelf cheapo. I'm thinking about doing this with an 8mm camera, however the frame size is smaller, 3.3mm x 4.5mm to be exact. Can anyone tell me if there are any security HD cameras that can meet these specs?

Here's the youtube.
HDcamcorder into Bell&Howell filmo70 DIY(16mm cine-camera changes Digital) - YouTube

It would be nice if the original buttons and knobs can be made functional to the new conversion.This is the camera I want to convert.

Bolex Collector | Cameras | B-8L (http://www.bolexcollector.com/cameras/b8l.html)

I have no intention of destroying a beautiful antique, I only want to use a non functioning camera as the guts aren't needed. There are ton of broken Bolex and Bell and Howell 8mm and 16mm cine cameras on ebay and I think it would be cool to see them gain new life in the digital HD world as this kid did with a Filmo.

Marty Hamrick
February 24th, 2014, 03:07 PM
Here is what's being proposed for super 8 film cameras, and has already been done in the Arriflex 16 SR 3.

Nolab Digital Super 8 Cartridge to Breathe New Life into Old Super 8 Film Cameras (http://petapixel.com/2013/12/09/startup-nolab-building-hd-digital-adapter-super-8-film-cameras/)

Arri SR3 digital magazine.

P+S Technik 16Digital SR Mag Will Make Arri 16mm Camera an HD Camcorder | Studio Daily (http://www.studiodaily.com/2010/04/ps-technik-16digital-sr-mag-will-make-arri-16mm-camera-an-hd-camcorder/)

Rainer Listing
February 24th, 2014, 03:10 PM
Interesting find, thank you. Are you sure he's using and OTS cheapo? That sensor looks rather large and he has a lot of manual control. I'm thinking its out of a stills camera, probably a cheapo. Otherwise, there are a lot of sensors in low end camcorders around and smaller than 4mm. Very interested to see how you get on.

Marty Hamrick
February 24th, 2014, 05:41 PM
From what I understand the NoLab digital super 8 cartridge is only in the planning stages. It seems to be a massive technical undertaking. Its just that there has been a retro chic revival in recent years and from what I've seen this kid do with the Filmo, it looks relatively cheap. You can pick up a broken Filmo or something similar on ebay with lenses of less than a hundred bucks.

Marty Hamrick
February 24th, 2014, 05:45 PM
Do you know of any specific models of HD cheapos with small sensors?

Rainer Listing
February 25th, 2014, 04:00 PM
Anything with high zoom range should do it, the Canon HFR 406 sensor is 2.92mm X 2.16mm, around $250 if you shop around and want to buy new.

Marty Hamrick
March 2nd, 2014, 01:05 PM
Thanks. The Bolex 8L and some of the others in that series are really pretty and would certainly add some retro style.