Looking to Buy a Used 8mm Film Scanner – Professional Quality Preferred

[Steve Melnick]

I am looking for a used 8mm film scanner
Hello,

I'm currently in the market for a used 8mm film scanner, ideally a frame-by-frame system capable of delivering high-quality digital transfers. I run a professional media digitization company and am looking to expand our film transfer services with a reliable scanning solution for Regular 8mm and Super 8 film.

I'm not interested in consumer-grade devices (like Wolverine or Reflecta) — I’m seeking a professional or semi-professional machine that prioritizes image quality, film safety, and consistent frame capture. Ideally, the scanner should output either image sequences (TIFF, PNG) or high-bitrate video (ProRes, uncompressed AVI, etc.), and if it includes audio capture, that’s a huge plus.

Here’s what I’m looking for in general:

Supported formats: Regular 8mm and Super 8

Capture method: Frame-by-frame (not real-time projection-to-video)

Output options: Image sequences (TIFF preferred), ProRes MOV, or other high-quality formats

Condition: Used, but fully functional — I’m open to doing minor repairs or upgrades if needed

Brands/Models I’m considering:

MovieStuff Retro-8 / Retro-8 Pro


Müller Framescanner or equivalent

Filmfabriek Pictor or similar (if used/within budget)

Any DIY/custom-built machine that was designed with pro-quality output in mind



I’m willing to pay for shipping or arrange freight for the right scanner. If you’re a university, archive, transfer house, or private individual with an unused or upgraded unit sitting idle, I’d love to hear from you.

Please reach out with details including:

Make/model

Condition

Photos or video of the unit in operation

Any included accessories or software

Your asking price

[Stan Jelavic]

The Wolverine Hawkeye mod that I put together produces a pretty decent video but I would not recommend it for you because the Wolverine is pretty cheaply made and could give you issues in a long run.
There are many DIY machines done here in the forum where people modify the standard projector for the frame by frame transfers. Essentially you add a stepper motor, trigger mechanism, LED with the diffuser and change the lens to a 50mm lens. Let me know if you need more details.

[Nantawat Kittiwarakul]

Whatever your decision is, NEVER EVER CONSIDER MovieStuff Retro-8 / Retro-8 Pro, period. See the sticky post...

[Annette Perry]

I respect everyone's feelings about Moviestuff and Roger Evans in particular, but he did put out some incredible machines. If anyone is reselling their machines none of that money goes to him. I have one of his Mark II transfer units that I have been using for quite a while and I love it. Say what you will about Moviestuff, but if an owner of one of these units wants to sell theirs, the buyer should really consider it.