Professional Services to Transfer 8mm Film to Digital

  • Bring us films in any condition and get a no-obligation estimate
  • 2KHD transfers, AI enhancement, sound syncing
  • Enjoy our App for easy sharing, streaming & secure backup

We convert all 8mm film formats, including both Regular 8 and Super 8 film reels, to DVD, USB and digital files. 8mm film is the oldest motion picture format we see, and we take a special pride in digitizing it. Our team of over 80 technicians loves 8mm transfer work because it’s where we get to look furthest back into history. You’ll benefit from digital files at up to 2KHD, and you’ll receive individual labeled scenes for each reel on your USB, DVD or cloud archive. If you’re not sure how much footage you have and what the project will cost, contact us anytime for a free estimate. The formats are priced and digitized the same way, but you can learn more about Super8 film to digital here.

EverPresent's owners Eric and Jennifer Niloff on the production floor with Winston, the mascot dog

Our Mission

“By making the hard work of digitizing and sharing easy for our clients, we will preserve our world’s history before old formats fade and family stories are lost to time. Our ultimate goal is to make your best memories EverPresent in your life.”
– Eric, Jennifer & Winston

ARRANGE SERVICE
A collection of editorial logos that have featured EverPresent: TopTenReviews, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple

Why Choose Our 8mm Film to Digital service

High-Tech 2K Film Conversion for All Formats


We digitize developed 16mm8mm, and Super8, and other formats – all in house. We’re one of the first in the country to use the Flashscan Nova which is a is a high-end film scanner designed to safely and accurately digitize film. What makes it special?

  • It’s built with trusted German engineering and used by film archivists around the world.
  • It captures each frame in stunning detail using advanced 2K or 4K Sony sensors.
  • The Nova gently moves film through the machine without using sprockets, which means less risk of damage, even for older or shrunken film.
  • It offers an optional wet gate system to help reduce scratches and dust during transfer.
  • It’s a professional-grade machine that delivers high-quality, safe, and precise transfers.

In the rare cases that we do not have the equipment, we may subcontract to a local archivist who specializes in rare formats who we have worked with for decades. In all cases, we personally transport tapes to his lab. Nothing is ever sent in the mail.

2kHD Film Reel Transfers with Optional AI Enhancements

Our process combines true 2k frame-by-frame capture with optional AI enhancement tools.

  • Optimize exposure for consistent lighting
  • Reduce visible grain and noise
  • Stabilize motion and reduce frame jumping
  • Improve overall clarity while preserving original detail and authenticity


Across all analog formats we use artificial intelligence as a support tool, not a substitute for human expertise. AI assists with stabilization, cleanup, and consistency, allowing our specialists to focus on judgment, quality control, and preservation decisions.

We don’t apply the same approach to every format, and we don’t automate simply for speed. Slides demand different care than VHS tapes; audio requires different judgment than film. Each project is reviewed by people who understand the material, the era it came from, and the responsibility that comes with preserving it.

Every order reflects the same philosophy: thoughtful technology, human oversight, and respect for the original.

Film Transfer Pricing

8mm, Super8 & 16mm

$0.31 after your first 1,000 feet

First 1,000 feet: $0.36 per ft
This 30% bulk discount will be applied automatically! Same price for 8mm, Super8 and 16mm formats


INCLUDED:

  • Frame by frame digital transfer
  • Individual Mac/PC compatible .mp4 file per reel
  • Written labels transcribed into file names
  • EverPresent mobile/web app with 60 days of private storage, unlimited sharing & downloading
  • Add USB (+$19.99)
  • Add DVD set (+$19.99)
  • Extend your free 60 days of storage for an entire year (Starting at $25)
  • Mold removal, incubation, deep cleaning (starting at $15 per reel)
  • MOST POPULAR UPGRADE: 2KHD film transfer with optional AI enhancements (+$0.15 per foot)
  • Capture and sync of sound (+$0.10 per foot)
  • Professional Service (+$0.45 per foot): 2KHD transfer, ProResHQ .mov master files, film incubation, restorative deep clean, scene-by-scene transfer optimization for exposure, contrast & shadows

We quote by 50 feet to make the math easy because 90% of our orders are the 3″ 50 feet reels. These reels fit in the palm of your hand and increase from there. For example, 4″ is 100ft of film, 5″ is 200ft and so on.

Film is one of the most delicate and technically demanding formats to digitize. Many consumer services rely on simple projection transfers or software upscaling that can miss detail and degrade quality. At EverPresent, we capture film using true native 2K frame-by-frame scanning, preserving far more detail and stability than common transfer methods. We also capture sound strips when present, transcribe written reel labels into filenames and DVD menus, and apply optional AI enhancements for stabilization, exposure correction, color recovery, degraining, and sharpening.

Behind the scenes, we recently upgraded our film scanning system to the MWA Nova, widely considered the industry’s premium scanner. It’s the kind of professional equipment typically used by archives and studios, and it allows us to deliver dramatically better results than the projection-based methods used by most retail and mail-in services. When film needs extra care, we also offer restorative services like repair, mold cleaning, incubation, and wetgate scratch mitigation—capabilities rarely available from consumer transfer companies.

We know that finding the right film reel conversion service for your needs can be tricky. That’s why our team will walk you through the technical options in advance before you commit to anything. It’s free to get your materials to us for an estimate and there’s no upfront payment.

We don’t promote flashy discounts or expiring coupons. We offer volume discounts because it’s fair, and we apply them automatically.

We offer the widest range of options and capabilities to ensure your project gets what it needs, but out of respect for your budget, never more than it needs. In our business, one size rarely fits all (or fits in a box).

A $50 service fee applies to all orders. This service fee provides for safe handling procedures including: intake, item coding, physical & digital storage, quality checks by senior technicians and packaging.

ARRANGE SERVICE

Our App

All digitizing projects include 60 days of free access to the EverPresent app. Download your archive and save a copy to any device or keep storing with us.

Download our app on Android and iOS for access on your smartphone or tablet. Easily cast to any smart devices sharing wi-fi with the app.

Share your whole collection or just one file via email, text, social media and more. All directly from the app.

Keep your photos and videos securely backed up to the cloud for as long as you want with our low monthly backup subscriptions.

Folder and flag your favorite photos and videos. Rename, reorganize and caption. Whatever you want!

Stop Searching. Start Sharing.

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

3 easy ways to digitize 8mm Film with us

A senior EverPresent driver with a recently picked up project in front of a branded transport vehicle

HOME PICKUPS

Too many boxes to move on your own? Complimentary home and office pickups are offered along the East Coast from Maine to Florida.

Paperwork being exchanged at a local store drop off

LOCAL STORES

130+ locations available for convenient drop-off. See which store is closest to you. Our drivers personally transport projects to our local lab for digitizing.

A box with an EverPresent shipping label

FREE SHIPPING

We accept mail-in orders from across the U.S. We’ll email a pre-paid UPS label or apply a shipping credit if you ship on your own.

ARRANGE SERVICE

Still have more questions about converting 8mm Film Reels?

866-363-3351

Call us or click Inquire below to get a free estimate. 

Click “Arrange Service” to select the most convenient option to get us your 8mm film reels.

ARRANGE SERVICE

Comparing The Five Largest Digitizing Services

An honest comparison to help you choose the best company for your project.

Digitizing Film Reels

We recently upgraded our film transfer machine to the BMW/Mercedes of the industry – the MWA Nova. It’s a $100K machine that dramtically performs the equpment used by out competitors. We know – we used to use the methodology everyone uses until we upgraded.

EverPresent

LegacyBox

iMemories

ScanCafe

CVS, Walmart


True native 2K
frame-by-frame capture


Not available


Software
upscale only


Not available


Not available


Done for You;
Transcribed from your film reel boxes
or included label instructions


DIY
In App Only


DIY
In App Only


Per item labeling can be reqeusted,
up to 20 characters


Folder labels only


8mm sound strips captured AND
16mm optical sound;
16mm magnetic sound


Sound not captured


8mm sound strips only


8mm sound strips only


8mm sound strips only


AI upgrades for stabilization, exposure, color, degraining and sharpness


Not available


AI enhancement available


Not available


Not available


Available: Repair, mold cleaning, incubation, wetgate mitigation of scratches and blemishes


Not available


None Advertised


None Advertised


None Advertised

Shipping & Drop-off Experience

All transport between our stores, your homes and our high-tech labs is handled by our private in-house logistics network that’s 100% devoted to safely transporting your precious photos and videos.

EverPresent

LegacyBox

iMemories

ScanCafe

CVS, Walmart


Yes. Northeast, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, DC, Florida


Not available


Not available


Not available


Not available


Yes. Over 130 local stores.


Not available


Not available


Not available


Local stores receive
projects that are then shipped to Atlanta


Included


Included


Surcharge


Surcharge


Included


Free labels to be used on
any sized box


Fully prepaid box; size limits


Prepaid ship kit; size limits


Prepaid ship kit or mail yourself


Boxed and shipped for you at retail counter

Shopping & Service Experience

We are the only major national company that makes it 100% free to get us your project, counts everything for you, build an inventory, and provides a free estimate and personal consultation before you pay a dime.

EverPresent

LegacyBox

iMemories

ScanCafe

CVS, Walmart


Formats identified and counted for you


You do the work


You do the work


You do the work


You do the work


Free quote provided, pay after approval


Fully pre-pay before sending in your project


Pre-pay for ship kit


Pre-pay for ship kit
OR 75% deposit based on
DIY counts


Fully pre-pay before sending in your project


Choice of phone consultation or online self-service


Online shopping cart


Online shopping cart


Online shopping cart with option to call first


Online shopping cart


Download and private cloud app free for 60 days


Downloads not included in listed pricing


Download and private cloud app free for 30 days


Download from a .zip file via email or sign up for third-party hosting


Available for 60 days via Google download

*Information regarding competitors is based on public research and market knowledge available at the time of publication. Product features, and service offerings are subject to change. EverPresent does not guarantee the absolute accuracy of competitor data. Please verify all information directly with the respective service provider.

frequently asked questions about 8mm Film to Digital

Yes, we convert both 8mm and Super8 film but you don’t need to know the difference to start your 8mm film to digital project.

We certainly can handle large 8mm film to DVD transfer projects. EverPresent digitizes over five million feet of film reels every year. While turnaround times can vary, we recently did a project with over 200,000 feet of film in under six weeks. Most of our larger projects come from institutions like libraries and universities or sports franchises. We can not only handle large volumes of 8mm film, but also can handle archival needs like labeling files, adding searchable metadata and more.

If budget is a huge issue and you have a large project, it can make sense. But given that putting together any decent at-home digitizing rig will cost many hundreds of dollars, you have to have a few thousand feet of film to justify the cost – presuming you have the time and inclination. In our experience digitizing millions of feet of film, less than 20% of our clients have a large enough 8mm film collection that it would be worth considering the investment in a DIY setup.

Yes. Our baseline services include film cleaning, some light software enhancements that stabilize the footage and the grain, and we clip each individual reel into its own labeled scene. Beyond that, when it comes to editing, the .mp4 h264 files types we give you are an industry standard and have no protections on them, so you have the option to edit on your own with free software. Our team is also available for custom editing projects, for which we charge $95/hour. For the same rate we can also perform additional enhancements to your film. The most common film restoration people hire us for revolves around scene-by-scene exposure adjustments along with color correction. If you know you have significant exposure issues with your film, it’s best to let us know upfront. Exposure is best corrected if we can adjust the lighting element during the initial transfer to digital. Color optimization can happen after the initial digitizing.

We are proud to offer 2KHD film digitizing at a very competitive price. That said, given the nature of most old 8mm films, you likely don’t need it. Most original home movie footage is not very sharp to begin with, so the added sharpness from 2K transfers can be a poor use of a limited budget. Further, most television show a maximum of 1080p HD, and some only 720p. 2K is one step above and provides peace of mind. If you see someone pushing 4K or 8K captures, remember that your TV cannot visually represent 4K and 8K. Unless you are in a professional video production situation or money is truly of no object, a 2K capture is more than sufficient, and likely more than you need for your film to digital transfer.

This is even easier than you might imagine and is not hard at all. The footage of a film reel can be measured by the diameter. For example, one of the most popular 8mm reels we see comes in the yellow Kodak boxes. These fit in the palm of your hand and are 3 inches in diameter. That 3 inches means there is 50 feet of film. You can see a full chart and learn in detail how to measure your reels from our blog post here.

If you can’t remember whether or not your old film reels have sound, we have an easy way to uncover these details. When you unroll one of your 8mm film reels, check for a thin copper strip on the edge of the reel. This is an indicator of audio! Be sure to check both sides, as it only appears on one.

We can usually transfer moldy 8mm film to DVD, but occasionally no. We have the ability to do a level of surface cleaning to your film reels, but significant mold on a reel can affect the quality of your film to digital transfer and sometimes a reel is damaged beyond saving. It’s important to properly store and care for any film reels you haven’t converted to DVD or USB yet.

The dyes in your color 8mm film are already faded and will continue to do so. The rate of deterioration is multiplied when you store your film reels in the attic, basement or any conditions with unstable temperatures and exposure to sunlight. Our technicians can convert 8mm film to DVD, scanning your film frame-by-frame using our cutting-edge equipment and do everything available to provide you a beautiful and optimized DVD or digital file of your priceless family movies that you will be able to enjoy forever. Good news: if your film reels have sound, we do digitize it!

If you would like to convert your 8mm TAPES to DVD, visit this page.
If you have a different film reel format, you can find more formats here.

These links will take you to short videos about our other services. You’re in good hands! Our team has decades of experience turning millions of photos and videos into beautiful digital memories that you can share with others.

Digitize Photos
Video Transfer Services
Slides to Digital
Album & Scrapbook Scanning
Film to Digital
Audio Conversion

Fill out this form or give us a call