What are the Different Types of Film Reels?

Here are the different types of film reels and their differences:

1. Super 8 Film: Introduced in the late 1960s, Super 8 offered improved image quality and the option for magnetic sound recording. Its user-friendly cartridges made it popular for home movie enthusiasts. Look for a copper edge on your reel to check if it has audio. 

2. Regular 8 Film (Standard 8mm): Also known as Standard 8mm. It was the predecessor to Super 8. It utilized larger perforations and required manual flipping of the film for recording on both sides. Despite its limitations, Regular 8mm film was widely used until the advent of Super 8.

3. 16mm Film: Introduced in 1923, 16mm film was initially for amateur use but became popular among independent filmmakers and documentary producers. It offered higher image quality and better light sensitivity compared to 8mm film.

4. 35mm Film (Nitrate): Introduced in 1892, 35mm film gained widespread adoption in the motion picture industry for its superior image quality. Initially made of nitrate, it was later replaced by safety film stocks due to flammability concerns.

Key Differences:

• Image Quality: 8mm offered good quality, 16mm improved further, and 35mm provided exceptional resolution and color depth.
• Application: 8mm was ideal for home movies, 16mm for independent films, and 35mm for mainstream cinema.
• Size and Portability: 8mm was the smallest and most portable, while 35mm was the largest and required specialized equipment.

Size of Reels

There are many variations of reel sizes. The most common are the three inch 8mm reels and seven inch 8mm reels.  Reel sizes can range up to 15 inches or more depending upon how your family used film back in the day.