16mm film is a motion picture format with a film strip that is 16 millimeters wide. Always a premium product, 16mm was enjoyed by discriminating amateur cinematographers as well as being an archiving and distribution method for TV and cinematic productions. We can transfer standard silent 16mm, 16mm with magnetic or optical sound, and Super 16mm films.
In order to keep all our pricing lower, we require a minimum charge of $50.00 for 16mm movie film transfer.
* Prices are approximate.
We deliver your film as mp4 on a jump drive you provide (new, in package) on a jump drive you purchase from us (cost varies by size) or by WeTransfer ($12.50 per 20 GB).
Film is transferred in high definition.
Film is downsized to standard definition.
Approximately 2,700 to 4,300 feet will fit on a disc, depending upon the type of film and the speed at which it was shot.
Approximately 54 to 86 50-foot reels, 13 to 21 200-foot reels, or 6 to 10 400-foot reels will fit to one disc.
Make copies of your discs to share with family and friends.
Authored discs are available with custom menus, chapters set per reel or group of reels,
and reels are addressable from menu (can go to specific, named reel from chapter menu of disc).
Free, instrumental background music is added by default to silent films. Music is designed not to take away from the action, but to enhance the viewing experience. The overwhelming majority of people have loved it. Silent is also an option.
Adding your own music is also possible for $10 Per Hour.
We can deliver movie film “straight from the source” as MOV files from our capture device.
These are the very large files used to assemble your project and are meant for the serious archiver who wishes to make their own edits.
Frame by frame photos are also available as JPEG images. Cost is by quote.
Frame by frame photos are also available as JPEG images. Cost is by quote.
Your 16mm memories will get new life as digital movie files. Those files can be played on TVs, computers, tablets and phones. Plus they can easily be shared with family and friends. Once the film is digitized, you’ll receive all your original media back, along with perfectly preserved copies on thumb drive, the cloud, Blue-ray discs or DVDs. Then gather the family and some popcorn, and begin the trip down memory lane. Tissues not included.
We inspect, repair and clean (if requested) your film in preparation for the transfer process. Proper handling of this media is a very important first step, as old film becomes brittle and can easily break or burn in an old projector. The experienced technicians at Fleetwood Photo are trained to properly handle vintage film and can splice existing breaks or cracks in the film.
If your film has a vinegar smell, it will soon be too late to transfer it at all! “Vinegar syndrome” (more properly known as acetate film base degradation) describes a chemical reaction that deteriorates motion picture film over time. The film base is made of cellulose triacetate plastic. When this plastic base decomposes, de-acetylation occurs. The acetate ions react with moisture to form acetic acid. This produces the pungent vinegar odor. This chemical reaction is continuous, and once started, cannot be stopped or reversed. Worse, the reaction is also autocatalytic, meaning it feeds on itself and speeds up over time. Film degraded by advanced vinegar syndrome suffers from shrinkage, embrittlement and warping – and cannot be transferred.
We never recommend shipping away family archives, treasured photos and irreplaceable home movies. It’s too risky. Fleetwood Photo has been professionally preserving memories for over 30 years.
COPYRIGHT NOTE – Fleetwood Photo respects all copyrights and will not print, copy, retrieve, modify, or forward copyrighted materials except with written permission from the copyright holder. If a print or image appears professionally produced (a notice of copyright on the work is not required), Fleetwood Photo must proceed cautiously and require a copyright release when using or reproducing materials supplied by our customers.
