Recording something is something that has become a part of our everyday life. Today, we can record anything with our mobile devices, which usually have a high-quality camera. Therefore, a vast majority of people don’t know how hard this was just a couple of decades ago. Just think about that, at first, you needed a big camera, with a long cord, to record anything that comes to your mind.

Surely, this is not something common folk didn’t have the funds to purchase. That’s why these were used only by television stations who brought them to the place where they want to record. We know these scenes from movies from the seventies and eighties. Common folk who had some sort of camera used it to record some memorable moments from their family life.

So, a lot of seniors these days have a lot of 8mm films stored away. Sadly, not all of them have the measures to watch them over again, because the technology used to record these are not pretty outdated. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean that you cannot watch them again. With that in mind, we would like to provide you with a couple of tips on how you can preserve these most efficiently.

1. Cold and Dark Place

Source:everpresent.com

As you can presume, the first thing you need to think about is how to preserve these properly. The first step is always properly storing them. Over time, there is a chance that 8mm films can shrink over time, and they can require repairing before you can use them on a projector. Not to mention that the color can start to decline. To prevent this from happening, you should store them in cold and dark places.

Plus, be sure to re-check the projector before you play a movie. We believe that this is an absolute must. So, doing this every time before you start can prevent a wide array of different problems. Even the slightest problem with your projector will cause irreplaceable damage to the film. Therefore, along with proper storage, always make sure that you have checked the quality of the projector.

2. Refrigerator

The next tip we would like to provide you with is something we think a vast majority of people didn’t know about. You can store these inside a refrigerator or a freezer. Naturally, make sure that there is no food inside these at the same time. The reason is that meat or vegetables can release some liquids that can damage the film. Usually, this damage will be so severe that it cannot be resolved by any means.

That doesn’t mean that you don’t need any additional features to make the conditions more proper. Meaning, you need to make sure that the device can help you to regulate the temperature. It’s because if the temperature is too low, it can big damage down the road. So, it’s best to keep it at an optimum. Plus, make sure that the humidity is on the level it cannot cause any problems for the films.

3. Do Not Use Plastic

Source:av-workshop.com

One of the commonest mistakes people make with storing their 8mm films is by storing them in some sort of airtight container, or more commonly, plastic bags. The reason why doing this can cause some big problems is the material these films are made of has an essential need to breathe. So, they need to be placed in a room that will not be shut off completely. Be sure to have that in mind.

When it comes to, let’s say, the amount of air these need, you’ll be happy to hear that they don’t need much. What does this mean? Well, you can keep them in some sort of bag, but you can leave them open. Therefore, you can opt for the cheapest solution, and keep them in the best condition at the same time. All-in-all, don’t any plastic in any case since this material is not a good way to do it.

4. Record Them Again

In case you don’t have proper conditions where you can keep these, you can always record them once again. When we say that, we mean that you should record the film while you play it. Naturally, you will use a high-quality camera in this process. Just think about that, the quality of the image will be pretty much the same, but you can watch these films on any device, like a laptop or mobile device.

Naturally, you need to think about where you will place that camera, and when you should start the record. While this method might look like the easiest thing you can do, you should have in mind that there are a couple of obstacles that can cause you some big problems. To resolve a vast majority of them, you should use some sort of light gray or white wall for the projection.

5. Hire a Professional

In case you don’t have the means or knowledge to perform any tips we have provided you with, you can always hire a professional to take care of this process. For example, the technological advancements provided us with a chance to convert these old 8mm movies to a format we can watch on practically any device that’s popular these days, like a mobile device or a DVD player.

At the same time, we can see that this technology is not as exclusive as it used to be just a couple of years ago. Many professionals can take care of this process for you. Sure, you should opt for those who have substantial experience in this field, just in case something goes wrong. In case you require these services, be sure to click here.

Summary

Source:pinterest

As you can see, keeping your 8mm films in a mint condition is much easier than many people presume it is. Here, you can take a look at some of the easiest ways you can do it. Whatever you choose, we are sure it will be of much help. We are sure they are efficient enough.