16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital at DVinfo.net

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.

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

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

Arri SR3 digital magazine.

P+S Technik 16Digital SR Mag Will Make Arri 16mm Camera an HD Camcorder | Studio Daily

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.

February 24th, 2014, 11:13 AM	#1
Marty Hamrick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 42	16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital 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 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. Last edited by Marty Hamrick; February 24th, 2014 at 03:02 PM.

February 24th, 2014, 03:07 PM	#2
Marty Hamrick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 42	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital 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 Arri SR3 digital magazine. P+S Technik 16Digital SR Mag Will Make Arri 16mm Camera an HD Camcorder \| Studio Daily

February 24th, 2014, 03:10 PM	#3
Rainer Listing Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nowra, Australia Posts: 440	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital 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.

February 24th, 2014, 05:41 PM	#4
Marty Hamrick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 42	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital 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.

February 24th, 2014, 05:45 PM	#5
Marty Hamrick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 42	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital Do you know of any specific models of HD cheapos with small sensors?

February 25th, 2014, 04:00 PM	#6
Rainer Listing Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nowra, Australia Posts: 440	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital 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.

March 2nd, 2014, 01:05 PM	#7
Marty Hamrick Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 42	Re: 16mm and 8mm Cameras Becoming HD Digital Thanks. The Bolex 8L and some of the others in that series are really pretty and would certainly add some retro style.