DIY 16mm Film to 4K Digital Transfer System | Part 1

Here's Part 1 of my Do-It-Yourself 16mm film transfer system. I'll modify an Arri 16S camera movement for pin-registered, high quality film transport. In future videos, we'll assemble the film reels, control motors and lamp. The goal is to produce a system capable of frame-by-frame 4K transfer of negative and positive Super 16 and Regular 16 film.

[@joebruzek4830]

This is the clearest view of the Arriflex pull down mechanism that I’ve seen. I’ve been thumbing through diagrams endlessly trying to figure it out, and this video finally made it all click in my mind. Such an elegant design, thank you!

[@SplicesAndCelluloid]

Excited to see how this one turns out! I don't envy having to hand file the film gate though, that sounds unpleasant to say the least.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

It wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. The diamond files worked great for rough grinding. In some ways, doing it by hand felt safer to me, as you had total control of the speed and force. Thanks for watching!

[@CINEmprises]

I can't wait to see part two! I'd like to try this with an Arri 16s body

[@varno]

I would look at a monochrome camera, and three single colour led lights. 3 exposures per frame, but no loss due to debayering. The light source from an old led single chip dlp projector would probably work amazingly.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Interesting!

[@AfricanTvFilmaker]

You sir are inventing a product that could reinvigorate 16mm film production, I hope you succeed.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@hxy7167]

I am urge to see the part2!!!Great video!

[@brianmuhlingBUM]

Love your smooth voice, Mr Fresh Ground. I'll bet you did great voice overs. 😊

[@SUPERPOWERINDI]

Eagerly waiting for Part 2

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@Moiguay]

Thank you sir for your enlightening knowledge! All your hard work will surely pay off sooner than later. This small community you have gathered will help you with with whatever we can. Take your time, enjoy the process. Cheers

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Much appreciated

[@JohnSosenko]

Looking forward to part 2

[@chloeleedow7250]

Crazy interesting thankyou for making this.

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@miscx7355]

Awesome video mate love the creative hate paying for a lab in the US to scan my film while i live in Australia so pricy!

[@TravelClast]

This was mind blowing.

[@tbip2001]

Have you looked into 3d printing? I think you would love the options that open up for design and manufacture!

[@RMphy89]

I love it. Right up my alley.

[@docu-me]

Superexcited about part 2, when does it come?

[@southill]

Very nice and informative video. You definitely took more care than i did when converting my 8mm projector. I will be following this when i inevitably make the move to 16mm

[@tuylv.g.7976]

Wow! Amazing detail and very interesting! I’ll definitely be tuning in for the next episode!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@miscx7355]

Cant wait for next video!

[@AbrahamWilliams-xd7fz]

this is amazing. looking forward to seeing how this turns out!

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@mrshaheedmalik]

These are so good.

[@QARIB_JEWELRY]

Nice video👌

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

I wonder... if this tansport mechanism part could be re-produced and sold as part of a kit? Maybe this could also be converted as Super 8 and Normal 8? :O Shouldn't be too hard to measure every piece of that mechanism and reproduce it with fresh parts and maybe adapt it specifically for the Digitization needs so not every part of the original Mechanism has to be replicated. I just worry about the parent violations that would probably occour. Maybe Arri should sell those things as a side hustle. But i doubt that would come in affordable......

[@borgfeidor4875]

Good stuff:)

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Thanks!

[@goombastomp8508]

Great video really inspiring i'm trying to build a 16mm scanner using an old Bell & Howell 1692 projector but am having difficulty working out what size macro lens I need to capture the full frame and soundtrack. Any suggestions? Really looking forward to part 2. 👍

[@FreshGroundPictures]

If you can fit it in close enough, I think the Laowa 25mm macro lens would probably work - I'm using it in the 16mm transfer machine I'm building and it seems like you could capture the whole 16 frame and soundtrack, but the lens front would have to be pretty close - maybe an inch?

[@goombastomp8508]

@@FreshGroundPictures Thank you so much for the reply. I have had the pleasure of building your 8mm scanner and it works incredibly well. I followed every detail including purchasing the Laowa 25mm macro lens. It is a great lens but it can't quite fit in the full frame and soundtrack. Maybe there is a size up. Anyhow it is a fun project and learning experience. Thanks again and see you in part 2.

[@OwenPfilms]

Really admire your engineering film projects. Will part 2 be along soon?

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Yes! The unit is up and running, I just need the time to finish the video. I've been very busy with cinematography work and that pays the bills!

[@OwenPfilms]

@@FreshGroundPictures wonderful news…looking foward to it.

[@dopeytree]

What do you do for capturing the sound?

[@FreshGroundPictures]

Since I'm basically transferring raw negative as opposed to finished films with soundtracks, the audio is recorded on a separate digital recorder and synched in the edit.

[@ahmadokeil7420]

A shutter of a canon 6D is rated for a total of 150,000 actuations. 150,000 actuations divided by 25 frames per second gives us 6000 seconds of footage. That is 100 hours. Is this method too harsh on the camera? Is it possible to capture in video mode? Is it possible to synchronize a projector with a digital dslr video recording?

[@FreshGroundPictures]

As I mention in several videos, I only use a camera that has a completely electronic shutter with no moving parts. In this case, the Lumix S5.

[@ER7ABY]

From where i can buy this one

[@NC-oc3ld]

It’s been over “a couple of weeks”. 😢

[@FreshGroundPictures]

I'm finished building, and am now testing and adjusting - so far so good! I have a lot of video material of the build and not enough time to finish editing right now. I'm a cinematographer by day, and have been very busy as such. I might divide the footage into 2 videos so I can get one out sooner.