New 8mm scanner from Tobin

[prtprt]

Tobin is developing a new 8mm scanner:

http://www.tobincinemasystems.com/index ... age429.htm

Will be interesting to read more about it when it is ready.

Charlie

[MovieStuff]

I'm sure he'll be much happier not having to deal with the idiosyncrasies of 40+ year old projectors. I know we're breathing easier having left that world behind. We looked at using a triggered strobe like Clive is implementing but, after much research, I determined it was a huge legal minefield. There are a variety of enforced patents that cover a transfer unit exactly like he is about to release commercially. Here's one of them that describes using a strobe:

http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20130076890

I decided it wasn't worth the risk to put that much R&D into something just to have the patent holder come along and shut me down. And then I would be at the risk of having to buy back all the units from customers. That's what happened to Kodak when they infringed on Polaroid's instant film process. Kodak lost the patent lawsuit and had to buy back all their instant cameras from those that wanted a refund. Too scary for my blood but maybe Clive is doing something different. He's a pretty clever guy and a good engineer.

Roger

EDIT: Let me be clear- I am in no way suggesting that Clive has copied someone else's design. My concern is that someone may feel any scanner that uses a triggered strobe is an easy legal target so I hope he's careful, that's all. I've always felt there is plenty of room in this market for everyone and, the more people that make it possible to scan Super 8, the better.

[MovieStuff]

Now this is really interesting:

http://cameramaker.se/moviescanner.htm

Wow. What a project.

Roger

[prtprt]

Tobin now has a little more information about the new scanner:

http://www.tobincinemasystems.com/index ... age429.htm

He also asks if there is any interest in a similar product for 16 mm.

Charlie

[prtprt]

I read on the Tobin web that the new 8mm scanner is now possible to pre-order.

Interesting! I hope Tobin will publish some transfer samples soon.

/Charlie

[clivetobin]

Hi, Thanks for everyone's comments.

The name of the Tobin Strobe Transfer TST-8 machine is now actually a misnomer, because we have abandoned the idea of having an actual strobe light and instead are using a short shutter speed that is a normal and integral part of a standard camera, with a constant illumination. Also we are not using a laser beam, rubber O-rings, anamorphic lenses, tension sensing of the film strand, and other elements mentioned in the patent. "Freezing" the motion of a moving object with a fast shutter speed is a long established part of photographic practice that has been well known for over 100 years. Likewise the use of sprocket holes to position the image has been an integral part of film technology since the beginning.

Cheers, Clive Tobin

[Will2]

Now this is really interesting:
http://cameramaker.se/moviescanner.htm
Wow. What a project.

That doesn't look complicated at all. 8O

[Will2]

So based on what I'm reading on Clive's page, the 1280x960 resolution camera should give you images that can present well in that resolution or scale as well.

I know Super 8 scanning resolution is tricky because the vast majority of Super 8 footage is most likely out of focus and there is a large debate about how much a higher-res scan actually makes it look better, but it seems to me that being able to scan at least 1920 pixels wide would be optimal so you can fill a 16:9 screen or down-res to a 4:3 format rather than up-resing the other way around.

Maybe it's just pixel peeping but with everything I'm hearing about 4k shooters down-resing to 2K or HD with excellent results, it seems like it might be worth it to have a slightly higher resolution image to work with.

Would that add significantly to the cost? I understand it would be slower but maybe worth it to some people? Personally I love the idea of scanning Super 8 and 16mm to 2.5k (like the Blackmagic Cinema Camera) to allow some re-croping and adjustments when going to HD.

[Andreas Wideroe]

Have a look at this document:

http://db.tt/5SlAVkbT

Reg8 = 2K
Super8 = 3K

/Andreas

[Will2]

Have a look at this document:
http://db.tt/5SlAVkbT
Reg8 = 2K
Super8 = 3K

/Andreas

Thanks Andreas. That pretty much sums up what I would have expected. Jeff knows his scanners. Just wish there was a scanning machine option in the sub $20k area for 3K Super 8 and 4K 16mm.

[prtprt]

Clive, when you have the scanner in manual exposure mode, do you then adjust the light from the lamp, or do you adjust the shutter speed (or something else) in the camera?

Another question: will it be possible to use larger reels (240 meter, 800 feet) in some way?

Charlie

[clivetobin]

Exposure is controlled by changing the shutter speed or gain in the camera menu. This can be manual or automatic. The lamp brightness is fixed.

The reel tensions need to be kept within the design range, so we recommend 7 inch diameter low-torque (2.4 inch hub) 400 ft. reels.

[prtprt]

Thanks Clive.

I hope you will have some transfer samples available soon.

Charlie

[Scanner]

Has anyone tested one of these Tobin TST units yet?

[carllooper]

Have a look at this document:

http://db.tt/5SlAVkbT

Reg8 = 2K
Super8 = 3K

/Andreas

Good article. Love the pics.

C