Belladonna- Our 2k/HD raw data scanner

Our 2k raw data scanner - codenamed Belladonna, is just about complete. Here's some of our test scans. Thanks to Jordana Aarons and Iris Ng for the film.
You're looking at: Super 16 7222 (tri-x) 2k Raw data scan + Super 8 Tri-x (cross processed - underexposed 1 1/2 stops)
Both Shots were graded to feel like an old nosferatu style silent film. High contrast.

We're pumped about the scanner.. she's beautiful...

Super 8 Transfer Samples - 200t 7217

Super 8 200t (7217) looking beautiful as always...

Transferred here for Mimmo & Naz

Shot on a Canon 1014XLS

Transfer Samples - super 8 / super 16

Montage of footage from Kelly + Maya's visit to Toronto. The super 8 footage has a soft glow and diffused effect to it. Shot at 18 fps super 8, transferred at 15fps for a slight slo-mo feel. 16mm was shot at 24fps, transferred at 18fps to also have slight slo-mo. Nice for a 'memory feeling'.

I rate the 3374 b/w high contrast at 150 ASA for best results. If I want it a little more contrasty (blow out the highlights a little more, bleaching the skin tones, I'll rate it at 100-125).

Camera: Beaulieu 4008 ZMII 6-66 schneider zoom, Bolex super 16 - 16-100 Switar zoom
Stock: Ektachrome 64T, 250d V3 (7207), 3374 high con
Processing: Exclusive Film and Video, Niagara Custom Lab
Transfer: Frame Discreet - colourist Justin Lovell
Cinematographer: Justin Lovell

Super 8 Transfer Samples- "Sheila's Day Off"

Super 8/RED Short "Sheila's Day Off".

A great little short film shot on both RED camera and super 8. Seasoned actress' Heidi Tan and Amanda Lewis co-produced this project-- Amanda Lewis' directorial debut. Taking a challenging approach Richard Fiander shot all the super 8 on ektachrome 64t. A tough stock to use for interiors because of its slow speed. Most people would choose to shoot this with the negative 200/500 ASA film stocks for the extra latitude and speed. Richard ended up pushing the processing in certain shots to be able to maintain exposure. Good on 'ya for taking a less conventional approach!

Camera: Rollei SL85 & RED
Format: Super 8mm
Stock: Ektachrome 64t
Cinematographer: Richard Fiander

super 8 transfer stills

More recent transfer samples from filmmakers Deniz Berkin (ektachrome 64t and frame discreet frequenter David Mason (200t negative).
All super 8 transfers to 720 x 486 8 bit uncompressed blackmagic codec.

Thanks for getting us involved in your projects!

Super 8 Transfer - CERVELO AD

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An homage to a movie named, "La Course en Tete" a documentary about the Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx mace in 1974, this spot was shot in the town of Altdorf for the Tour de Suisse Time trial to Klausenpass. The race is each cyclist against the clock, it takes approx. an hour and is 25 km long from 400m above sea level to 1948m above sea level. 25km an hour average speed, I can barely do that on my bike in Toronto, let alone these guys going up hill the entire way. Driving down from the mountain after the race seemed to take longer than these cyclist take to go up.

The de-saturated and grainy look is a reference to the original 1974 documentary. Hairs in the gate, dirt, scratches were all kept in as this was the goal. A great example of a look that can not be faked any other way. Best way is by shooting the original 8mm format.

-"Guy Godfree" Frame Discreet Cinematographer

Camera: Super 8 Beaulieu 4008 ZMII

Stock: 7217 (200t), 64T

Cinematographer: Guy Godfree

Music Video- Sloan

Recent music video for Sloan shot by frame discreet cinematographer Michael Leblanc. Originally shot in colour neg, then crunched down and stripped to black and white for a grittier more contrasty feel.


Cinematographer: Michael Leblanc
Format: Super 8
Stock: Super 8, 500t 7218
Camera: 1014xls, C8 wide adapter
Transfer: Frame Discreet
Processing: Niagara Custom Lab

Transfer Samples -Super 8

A few more sample frames from Jeff Moneo's recent transfer with us. Super 8 200T and 500T (7217/7218). Get your exposure right, and it can look saaah-weeeet!

Transfer Samples - Super 8

Some recent footage shot by Jeffrey Moneo for Cherry Blossom Season. Mix of Super 8 200T and 500T. Especially impressed by the resolution on the last image. Click to enlarge. Some really slick footage...

Transfer Samples -Super 8

Super 8 sample transfers for recent clients (in order- 2x 64T reversal, 2x 200T 7217 neg, 2x 500T 7218 neg). Just giving you more of an idea of what is possible with super 8, and the different looks that the stocks can provide. Thanks for choosing us!

super 8 transfer comparison

A client bring us footage to have re-transferred after having it done at a different transfer house. The image looks muddy and flat, like a VHS dub. The problem was the equipment that the other transfer house was using. Take a look at the detail in the watch and the overall color rendition in our transfer on the right. (click to enlarge)

We take pride in the custom work we do here. If you think you're getting a wicked deal somewhere else, it may be too good to be true. Do your research, as we have!

super 8 transfer stills

Some stills from a recent transfer for Homegrown skateboards. Wicked group of guys producing their own custom skates and videos out of Nova Scotia.

Stock: 7218 500T + 64t Cross-processed
Format: Super 8mm
Processing: Niagara Custom Lab
Transfer: 8 bit upcompresed QT files

On Location- Mimmo+Naz Interview

Watch Video

Interview shoot for Mimmo and Naz photo+video. Naz found this brilliant location and we just had to make use of it. Climbed over a stagnant river of sludge and crawled through a tiny busted in door to find this amazing warehouse space. As you can see, the photos couldn't handle the contrast ratio of the bright windows, nor could the DVX-100 that we shot the interview with. I look forward to seeing how the 250D super 16 footage will be able to handle the extreme contrast ratio. I travel off to Winnipeg for 3 days in August to follow up on the interview and shoot some more super 16/super 8.

*UPDATE* Stills from the Transfer

Stock: 7246 Kodak 250D
Format: Super 16mm, Mini-DV
Camera: DVX-100A, Bolex Super 16 (POE 16-100 zoom, 5.9mm Angenieux)
Cinematographer: Justin Lovell

*UPDATE*

Flew out to Winnipeg to shoot their ceremony. Happy to say we hired a cinematographer who we'd been doing transfers for to operate our Super 8 2nd camera. Thanks Mike Maryniuk from the Winnipeg Film Group! View video here: Christine + Mark.

SHORT FILM - Picnic at Sea

Click to Play

U.S. Director/Cinematographer Sam Kuhn contacted us to do some HD testing for some of his upcoming projects. Check out some more of his *really cool* work here: SAM KUHN

Stock: 7217 200T
Format: Super 8mm
Camera: Nizo S800 (ext. shot between f 11-22, int. shot @ f-2).
Director/Cinematographer: Sam Kuhn

Super 8 - Corrected VS. Uncorrected

Sample frames of 7217 Vision 2 Super 8 Corrected and Uncorrected (flat) in the transfer. It is essential to make sure that your transfer house has the controls to properly manage the colors, contrast and density of the new (fabulous!) negative film stocks. We've had to do a number of 'retransfers' for people who have had their films transferred elsewhere and were not satisfied with the results.
Stock: 7217 200t
Format: Super 8mm
Camera: Canon 1014xls
Cinematographer: Justin Lovell