In an age where nearly every phone has

the ability to capture video, it can be hard to

appreciate the impact that 8mm film had on

home movies. For the generation that grew

up with it, however, 8mm film was a game-

changer that allowed families to capture

precious moments like never before, and

for budding amateur filmmakers to make

movies in their backyard.

In 1923, Kodak released the

most popular early film camera

for the average consumer, the

Cine Kodak. Using 16mm film,

the Cine Kodak was heavy and

cumbersome, and required the

operator to hand crank the

camera at two revolutions per

second. More than that, it was

also expensive, putting home

movie making out of the reach

of most average Americans.

Nearly a decade after it brought the

16mm Cine Kodak to the market, Kodak

also introduced the first 8mm film

camera. Unlike later models, these early

8mm cameras still used 16mm film,

which would be run through the camera

twice. After the film was developed, it

would be split down the middle and

spliced together to create a 50-foot reel

of 8mm film.

Despite being far more bulky and difficult to operate than modern

cameras, Kodak’s 8mm cameras were considered a revolution at the

time. From the time it was introduced in the 30s, these cameras

became an increasingly common sight at weddings and

on family vacations. It wasn’t until 1965, when Kodak

released the Super 8mm camera, that the home movie

making phenomenon exploded in the U.S.

The Super 8mm, often simply

called “Super 8,” can rightly be

called the first modern home

movie camera. It was lightweight,

made entirely of plastic, and (from

the 1973 model and beyond) could

record sound; with previous home

cameras, sound had to be

recorded separately and synced

with the 8mm video in editing.

Perhaps most importantly, Super 8

film came in an easy-to-use

cassette. Finally, a film camera

that anyone could use was made

available to the masses.

The Super 8 may be best remembered

as a tool for making home movies, but

it also found widespread use outside

the world of amateur filmmakers. For

scientists and anthropologists, the

easily transportable and user-friendly

Super 8 provided a chance to

document the world’s cultures and

natural wonders in a way that had

never been possible before. Anyone

who wanted to capture something on

film could now do so easily and, just as

importantly, inexpensively.

Despite the advent of more advanced home video cameras

and digital video technology, 8mm film is still in use today.

The distinct look of 8mm film can be seen in modern

commercials, music videos, and movies. Meanwhile, a

vibrant community of enthusiasts still exists around the

Super 8 camera, over 50 years after its initial release.

Due to its popularity after its release, many

families have a stockpile of vacations,

weddings, and other special events captured

on 8mm film. Today, those 8mm prints can be

transferred to DVD in crisp

digital quality, preserving

their contents on new

technology for the next

generation.

8mm to DVD specializes in transferring 8mm film, videotapes, photograph

slideshows, and more to a modern digital format. To learn more about transferring

your photographs and videos to DVD, visit www.8mmtodvd.com today.