Wolverine and Reflecta film scanners

[@giuseppestruzzo]

The speed, after scanning with the Reflecta, is much higher than the original 8 mm film and must be reduced by approximately (+/- 60%) after scanning to MP4. Is that also the case with the Wolverine?

[@KopeBrian]

I was looking though the comments and noticed that I neglected to reply. After I finished my scans I sold my scanner. It has been a long time and now I can't recall a way to answer your question.

[@TransatlanticFL]

Interesting, thank you. Unfortunately, they use very high image compression setting. If only they offerd the choice between high and low compression, you could get significantly better results...

[@KopeBrian]

The technology is rather new but I think it is the best available (at least at an affordable cost). More choices could come in the future. Thanks.

[@fasstang87]

Hi Brian, Thanks for the great review. Would it be possible to create a video to outline the cleaning process of the film? Thanks, again Chris.

[@KopeBrian]

My review has had a lot of visits so I suppose it has been helpful. I may be able to make a short video to help you out but can't predict when I will have an opportunity. Cheers, Brian

[@fasstang87]

Thanks Brian, looking forward to trying out the Wolverine this weekend.

[@KopeBrian]

I did some video taping of the cleaning process but have not had time available to process the clips into KZbin format.

[@kevindonahoe6202]

Yes. That would be very good to see how to clean films in a video.

[@sonja4047]

Thank you for sharing your film scanning experience. You mentioned cleaning your film, what method did you use and what ingredients were included?

[@KopeBrian]

I used FilmGuard and PecPads. I wet the corner of a pad and fold it over the film while the film is rewinding. I have even done a second pass while returning the film to its position for scanning. Thanks for watching.

[@petergerhardsen20]

Interesting review. Thanks for posting. I am wondering if there is a way to have the film transfered so that the digital version will play at the correct speed (which is clearly not the case here).

[@KopeBrian]

Thanks but, sorry, the answer is beyond my expertise.

[@KopeBrian]

Good to know, but the application is probably not free. I have Cyberlink Power Director 15, maybe there is something there also?

[@ThriftyAV]

For Power Director 15, load the clip into the timeline, then select Tools > Power Tools > Video Speed > Speed Adjustment > on speed multiplier, move the slider to 0.600

[@TransatlanticFL]

I am wondering what happens if you run an 8mm film with the Super 8 setting. Do you get to scan the entire 8mm frame (presumably with borders) instead of a cropped image when using the 8mm setting? The idea is later to work on the whole 8mm image and crop as needed for each individual scene. Hence you might avoid cut feet or similar problems...

[@KopeBrian]

I believe I have scanned my entire collection and the equipment is not still set up. I can't test your idea right now. Maybe later. Thanks for your input.

[@OC35]

Why isn't your frame counter incrementing when recording?

[@KopeBrian]

Thanks for viewing. It is difficult to remember anything 3 years after my scanning was finished. I see a number at the bottom of the scanning window and think it is just the number of scans up to that point.

[@OC35]

Ah! My new Reflecta scanner has a frame counter. Guess it's a better way of showing the use it gets. Probably put there to show if it was used commercially therefore voiding the warranty.

[@eventhorizonbm]

Thanks for the review Brian. Well explained. Hoping you can help me out: While you're showing it on the tv at the 2:05 mark, is it possible to remove all of the wolverine's info while it's recording? (Was hoping to be able to capture via computer with a format of my choice). Or can the film be played through the wolverine (through a tv) without it being read from the card? (before compression) Thanks in advance.

[@KopeBrian]

I tried a reply but don't see it, so perhaps it did not get sent. My scans have gone to the SD card which was then loaded to my computer. The TV view is just a convenient way to see what would otherwise be visible on the tiny Wolverine screen. Still there is a playback mode which permits viewing of the processed film. I don't see any advantage to trying to use that output directly vs. just moving the SD card output to the computer. Cheers! Brian

[@eventhorizonbm]

I see that it captures in 720. If I could capture with my pc directly, I would have been able to capture at 1080. Must admit I'm not sure if there would be much of a difference...if any. Thank you for your quick reply. You've been very helpful. Cheers!

[@KopeBrian]

I am rather sure that the capture resolution is firmly established within the Wolverine's hardware. I expect that to get finer resolution you would need to get more-expensive equipment. I do wonder how much better resolution can be obtained from those tiny images that were exposed with the old camera. The results so far seem to be rather good in my opinion.

[@eventhorizonbm]

Understood. Thanks.

[@thriftyplus]

Have you had any issues with the Wolverine jamming at splices?

[@PictureHouseCinema]

We sent our Reflecta scanner back too for the same reasons plus unbelievably slow. Took a load of hassles and European Trading standards authorities to get the money back. The Wolverine is a better machine.

[@KopeBrian]

Thanks for your comment. I recall that it took a while to get my refund also. I thought I had finished my collection but came across one that I had overlooked so will need to put the Wolverine into service again. I had thought that I might offer it on eBay but hesitated in case I got some more old films from other family members or friends that needed some help.

[@PictureHouseCinema]

I've done all my films but I would like to pick up another Wolverine to attempt to modify for full frame transfer. I note the Wolverine is also available as a "Reflecta" model. I would be very warey of buying it as that brand from my experience of reflecta even though the scanner will probably be okay. There have clearly been a lot of unhappy people with reflecta scanners.

[@giuseppestruzzo]

The speed, after scanning with the Reflecta, is much higher than the original 8 mm film and must be reduced by approximately (+/- 60%) after scanning to MP4. Is that also the case with the Wolverine?

[@fredjekroketje]

Reflecta offers a scanner identical to the Wolverine, no differences to see.

[@robbycarell8607]

Great review. Thanks a lot

[@KopeBrian]

You are welcome. I am glad it helped.

[@danielphillips9950]

Hello Brian. Just subscribed. The transfers look great! I know you returned the Reflecta but, did you happen to do some scanning on that machine to 'compare'-it to the quality of the Wolverine results? Thanks and look forward to your response!

[@KopeBrian]

I had some successful scans with the Reflecta but did not notice that the results were better that I got later with the Wolverine. The problems mostly were the feed through the device. It kept stopping and said the film was stuck. In one case I lost several hours of scanning. When I checked reviews online and learned that others also had the problem I decided to return the Reflecta scanner and have not regretted doing so. The Wolverine has proved to be quite a bit easier to use.

[@danielphillips9950]

Brian! Thank you so much for getting back with me on this issue. Your advice meant so much to me because I am wanting to get the right unit for transfer and I do not have hundreds of dollars to spend. I have compared watching 'samples' from both the Wolverine and Reflecta here on KZbin and I can't tell a whole lot of difference! You have confirmed that with your honest opinion and I am so grateful for that Brian. This will sure steer me in the right direction. Your transfers look amazing and keep up the good work..... Cine'cerely, Dan

[@KopeBrian]

I am not an expert and have just reported my own experiences. The main difficulty with the Wolverine was that there was not room to load a reel larger than 5-inches. I had to unload my 7-inch reels to 5-inch. fortunately, i still had my old motorized editor and it was not too big a chore. Otherwise, I expect an old projector would have been needed. I think the film cleaning materials I purchased online were a worthwhile, small-cost, investment. Good luck, hope to hear how things work out for you.. Brian

[@danielphillips9950]

Thanks Brian! I will sure let you know how things are going. May be a little bit before I have enough to get one. Like to do many of my home movies in Regular 8 and Super 8 plus definitely offer this to others as well. You mentioned film cleaner. I have found out that FilmGuard works so good. It cleans and has a wet-gate quality to eliminate most lines and surface scratches! Look forward to contacting you later. You have helped me so much in deciding what unit to get !!!

[@caremiao]

amigo sou do brasil, quero começar a trabalhar com conversão de filmes super 8 e 8mm, voce pode me dar mais informações deste equipamento. quanto custa e como posso compra aqui pelo brasil. obrigado. suas informções seram de grande ajuda.

[@KopeBrian]

Google translate did not do a very good job translating your message, but I think you are interested in the cost of the Wolverine scanner. I purchased it a few years ago and do not recall the exact amount but it was not much more that 300 U.S. dollars. You might be able to find a more precise amount by looking at such places as eBay or Amazon. Best wishes, Brian

[@mogsta]

Great review Brian. I purchased one of these not long after scouting KZbin for reviews like yours. I'm happy enough with the quality, but I have nothing to compare it to really, as I don't have a projector or another scanner. Do you have a projector? How does the Wolverine copy compare to the same film projected? I'm particularly interested in the contract (shadows / highlights). Thanks again for the review!

[@KopeBrian]

I was scanning the comments and noticed that I had not replied. I do have a projector, somewhere in my storage location, but have not actually used one in many years. It was getting difficult to find replacements for the lamps and they were costly.

[@boomer647]

Brian,Your film looks so clean. How did you do it? I want to clean my film before scanning to digital. Thank you.

[@KopeBrian]

Cleaning is a low-cost and worthwhile investment, I believe. I ordered the products online and used FilmGuard and PecPads. I wet the corner of a pad and fold it over the film while the film is rewinding. I have even done a second pass while returning the film to its position for scanning.

[@boomer647]

Thank you for sharing your information. I will order the two items and start cleaning up my films.

[@vikwurtz5320]

Dieses Gerät lässt das Bild des Films wackeln. Das Auge wird schnell müde. Dies ist bereits in diesem Video zu sehen, in dem das Endergebnis gezeigt wird.

[@KopeBrian]

thanks for viewing. Technology keeps changing

[@warlockd]

Yea I have a reflecta apart on my table, its really build like garbage with a strangely overpowered scanner. Felt like a rushed product honestly.

[@giuseppestruzzo]

The speed, after scanning with the Reflecta, is much higher than the original 8 mm film and must be reduced by approximately (+/- 60%) after scanning to MP4. Is that also the case with the Wolverine?

[@topman749]

It take a long time to scan a film.

[@KopeBrian]

Yes, since each frame is scanned individually.

[@KopeBrian]

I have visited much of upstate New York. I especially remember the wonderful waterfalls and climbing to the top of one of the mountains in the Adirondacks!