The Hobby of Collecting Library Blockbuster Movie Titles on Film for Playback in the Home is Alive and Well.
Exploring the Super 8mm Film Format
Are you a movie enthusiast who appreciates the quality and nostalgia of film? If so, you may be interested in collecting library blockbuster movie titles on film for playback in your home. And while many may think of film as a thing of the past, the hobby of collecting and playing films on a small-footprint film format called Super 8mm is still alive and well.
A Brief History of Super 8mm Film Format
Super 8mm film was introduced in 1965 by Eastman Kodak and quickly became popular due to its ease of use and affordability. The film has a single sprocket hole on one side and a magnetic stripe on the other, which can be used to record and playback sound.
Movie Titles Available on Super 8mm
Several companies, including some movie studios like Universal, Classic Home Cinema, Derann, Castle Films, and many others, produced and sold movies on the public market in Super 8mm format. Thousands of movie titles were created and sold in their native release format, which included cinema scope, flat, color, and black and white.
The Thriving Hobby of Collecting Super 8mm Films
Despite the rise of digital media, the hobby of collecting and playing films in Super 8mm format is still popular. Many of these movies are in demand and can be found for sale on eBay and several film forums. For example, you can find almost all of the Disney animated classics, many of the Universal horror movies, as well as several blockbusters from James Bond, Terminator, Alien, Indiana Jones, star wars and more.
Advantages of Super 8mm Film Format
When played back on a good quality film projector, Super 8mm films can surpass the quality of a good Blu-ray in color, contrast, and sharpness. Film is truly a large screen format, and the bigger the image, the better it looks. Many of these prints can still be found in pristine condition without scratches, making for a truly unique viewing experience.
Limitations of Super 8mm Film Format
One limitation of Super 8mm film format is the amount of light that can pass through the tiny film gate. While you can easily project an 8 to 10-foot wide image in both scope or flat, you will need to modify the projector with a more efficient light source such as xenon if you want to project a larger image.
Resources for Super 8mm Film Collectors
There are several film forums worth checking out if you’re interested in collecting Super 8mm films. One of the more popular forums is Film-Tech.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while digital media may have taken over as the primary form of entertainment, the hobby of collecting library blockbuster movie titles on Super 8mm film for playback in the home is still very much alive and well.