When deciding which film to use, think about the lighting conditions and how much grain you’re comfortable with. As film sensitivity increases (higher ISO), the film becomes more sensitive to light, which allows for capturing images in lower light conditions. However, higher sensitivity often leads to larger and more noticeable grain in the resulting image.

50D has the lowest sensitivity among the three films, making it ideal for bright outdoor scenes with ample natural light. It performs best in daylight or well-lit outdoor environments and is the sharpest, least grainy Super 8 film available.

200T has a moderate sensitivity, making it suitable for general-purpose shooting in various lighting conditions. It can handle both daylight and artificial light situations and maintains a relatively fine grain structure.

500T is the most sensitive of the Vision3 films. It is designed for low-light and nighttime shooting and it exhibits larger grain compared to the lower ISO films in Vision3 series.

Super 8 is a popular and widely recognized film format. It uses 8mm film stock that has smaller perforations  compared to Double 8. The smaller perforations allow for a larger image area on the film. Super 8 cameras often have automatic exposure and focus features, making them user-friendly for amateur filmmakers. 

Double 8 uses both-edge perforated 16mm film stock, which is run through the camera twice. On the first pass, the film is exposed along one half of its width. Then, the film is flipped and reloaded into the camera, and on the second pass, the other half of the film is exposed. After processing and development, the film is split and spliced together, resulting in a final Standard 8mm film. So Standard 8 is essentially Double 8 that has been split and spliced for projection.

Double Super 8, also referred to as DS8, is an improved version of Double 8. It uses both-edge perforated 16mm film stock with smaller perforations along both edges, similar to Super 8. After processing and development, the film is typically slit lengthwise, resulting in two Super 8mm strips. 

Colour negative film captures images with inverted colours when developed, while colour reversal film produces a true positive image. Negative film requires colour inversion during scanning, while reversals can be directly viewed or projected.

Negative film has a wider exposure latitude, handling a broader range of lighting conditions and exposure errors. It offers flexibility for colour correction during printing or scanning, allowing adjustments for exposure or white balance issues.

Colour reversal film faithfully reproduces colours, closely matching the original scene. However, shooting with reversals demands precision and attention to detail, requiring accurate light readings and proper exposure for desired colours and tones.

Being on backorder means that the film is currently out of stock. You can still place your order and we will ship it to you as soon as the stock becomes available again.

FPS stands for frames per second, indicating the number of individual frames captured per second in a film camera. You can check the camera’s user manual or look for information on the camera body to determine its FPS capability. Many film cameras have a dedicated dial or switch for adjusting the frame rate.

For Super 8 film format, the standard frame rate is 18fps, commonly used by most automatic Super 8 cameras. 

The standard frame rate for normal 8mm film format is 16fps. In 16mm film format, the standard frame rates are typically 24fps or 25fps, although 16fps and 18fps were also used in older cameras before the 1960s.

It is recommended to shoot each cartridge or roll of film at a consistent frame rate. However, if you have used different frame rates within the same film roll, we recommend you select the frame rate in which the project will be displayed for scanning.

Your shooting time varies depending on the filming speed you are shooting but the standard FPS to use for a Super8 camera is 18. The estimated running times of a single 15 m (50 ft) film cartridge at the most typical frame rates are:

18 frames per second = 3min 20s
24 frames per second = 2min 30s
25 frames per second = 2min 24s

Removing a Super 8 film cartridge before completing the entire roll without exposing the film is indeed possible. It can be done safely even in daylight, resulting in the loss of only a few frames, equivalent to a brief moment of footage. 

However, it’s important to keep track of the filming duration as the frame count metre will reset when a new cartridge is inserted.

If you do not have immediate plans to shoot with your film stock, it should be stored in the refrigerator. However, if you intend to store it for periods longer than six months, it is recommended to keep the film in the freezer. 

When you are ready to use the film, make sure that you allow it to reach room temperature before loading it into the camera. After shooting, it is important to promptly process the film.

Films are shipped for processing every Monday, which is why all undeveloped films need to be with us latest by noon on Mondays. Processing takes 5-7 business days from each Monday. The delivery time for both processing and scanning is 10-14 business days from every Monday.

See more on the turnaround times and some exceptions here: Turnaround times

Yes. Rush services are available and will be arranged on a case by case basis and invoiced accordingly. Please note that Rush services are available more for 16mm and 35mm films, less for 8mm films as they are developed only once per week.

You can read more on the rush services available here: Rush services

Now that you’re done shooting, you can send your films to us for processing and scanning. Mark the cans/cartridges clearly with the film type, length (16mm & 35mm), any special processing requirements or notes, your name and email address or your order number. 

When packaging, surround your film with cushioning material such as old newspapers or whatever you have in hand to prevent it from moving around. Use a sturdy shipping box and seal your package with thick tape. Remember to send us the tracking code. 

You can check our detailed shipping instructions and address here: Shipping film to us

Digital files will be delivered to you onto a cloud service on MediaShuttle, from which you will receive an email notification with a direct link to your downloadable material.

We can also transfer your files onto your own hard drive, in this case, please remember to include your drive in the shipment with your films.

You can choose whether you want your original negatives back or not. If you do not want your negatives back, they will be disposed of by us.

For getting your negatives back, you can choose either pick-up at our office in Helsinki, or delivery to your chosen shipping address for an extra shipping cost.

If you have chosen pick-up but have not retrieved your negatives within 3 months of the completion of your film order, you will receive an email reminding you to either collect them or permit us to dispose of them. Failing to react to several emails of this nature, we will eventually dispose of your original negatives.

Yes, we provide development and scanning services for vintage films. Vintage films include all old film stock that is no longer manufactured and has a different developing process than the current fresh stock. See more on the services available here: Vintage films

Scanning style

The choice of scanning style depends on your preference for colour grading. With Technical grade, we handle all the colour grading for you. However, with Flat or Onelight, you have the flexibility to make your own edits. 

Output format

If you intend to share your material on platforms like social media or simply for personal enjoyment, it is recommended to use a lightweight file type such as MP4 as your output format. This ensures that the file sizes remain easily manageable but still maintain sufficient quality. 

Cropping style

Cropping style is simply a personal preference that lets you customise the visibility of perforation, previous frames, and next frames. Options range from Super Overscan, which offers a comprehensive view of the film, to Cropped style for a more focused and subdued look. You can also choose variations in between, like Tight Overscan and Overscan, to find the perfect balance for your desired aesthetic.

FPS

If you’re shooting on an automatic Super 8 camera, most likely your film will have been shot on FPS of 18. You can still check the camera’s user manual or look for information on the camera body to determine its FPS options if you’re unsure.

You can see more information on the different scanning styles here: Scanning info