8mm Forum: 8mm films from the 50's viewable on European/German projector?

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Posted by Christine Geyer (Member # 570) on April 07, 2007, 03:23 PM:

Hello all,

I hope my question is not too stupid. It's my first posting and I admit am a complete layman about films. [Big Grin]

My name is Christine and I come from Germany. I am a hopeless 1950's lover and and would love to buy some old 8mm films of the era from the USA. Since I don't have a projector yet, the question is: If I buy a projector here in Germany, will it play film spools from the USA or is/was there a difference in "formats"(similar to video tapes) between the USA/Europe (Germany)? Ideally I'd like to buy also an old projector from the 50's.

Any hint is highly appreciated... Thank you very much!!
Christine

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on April 07, 2007, 04:08 PM:

Hi Christine, and welcome to this forum. The 8mm standard is universal across the world, so 8mm films from the 50's will play on any 8mm projector. The only thing you need to be careful about is that there are two types of 8mm film. There is the original standard/regular 8mm film which is basically 16mm film split down the middle, and there is the modern Super 8mm/single 8mm film, which is still 8mm wide but has smaller sprocket holes and a 50% larger picture area than standard 8mm. The thing is super 8/single 8mm film will not be playable on a standard/regular 8mm projector and viceversa. The one exception is dual 8mm projectors , which can play both formats. Super 8mm film was not inroduced by Kodak until 1964, so it sounds like you are looking for an old standard 8mm projector and standard 8mm films. Standard 8mm films are by and large silent. Super 8mm films are extensively sound, although a lot are available in silent versions. Hope this helps

Posted by Joerg Niggemann (Member # 611) on April 07, 2007, 04:12 PM:

Hi Christine,

film formats can be exchanged and projected all over the world without problems. However, there are 2 variants of the 8mm format which are not compatible, "Standard 8" and "Super 8". Since Super 8 was introduced in 1964, you will only find Standard 8 mm films from the 50's.

For projection, you have the choice between models for one of the two formats, or a multi format projector which can handle both of them.

Joerg

Edit:
Paul, your answer from the US was faster than mine out of the neighbourhood. Modern Times...

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on April 07, 2007, 05:25 PM:

Excellent answers that were neck and neck at the finish line!

Christine,

Welcome to the Forum! Please let us know if you need help deciding what make/model Standard 8mm projector to get. It would seem you'd want one that was maufactured in the 50's!

Doug

Posted by Christine Geyer (Member # 570) on April 08, 2007, 05:32 AM:

Thank you all so much for your helpful and superfast replies!! What a friendly forum this is. [Smile]

So it looks like I could start looking for a projector right now. As you said, Douglas, I'd really love to get a vintage projector from the 50's. Adequately for the old films. Thank you very much for offering your help with that! I can definitely use it. Will start putting out my feelers for them and sure come back for your advice.

Happy Easter
Christine

Posted by David Pannell (Member # 300) on April 08, 2007, 07:53 AM:

Hello Christine and welcome to the Forum.

I have been a lover of the Standard/Regular 8 format for more years than I care to remember.

I still shoot with it as well as Super 8, though I have to say that on balance, I do actually prefer using Standard 8.

Good luck with your search for a suitable projector. Don't forget to ask here on the Forum if you have any questions - no matter how simple you might feel they are - we're here to help.

Best,

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