Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One -- Episode 382

cstanton — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:39:41 GMT

Current Revision posted to Documents by cstanton on 6/23/2025 12:39:41 PM

Watch the Episode

www.youtube.com/watch

One mans trash is a makers treasure! Clem found a super8 camera in the trash, and soon realised that the original analogue films and the processing is crazy expensive nowadays. So he creates a drop in replacement for the film cartridge that turns the super8 camera into a digital one! But that is easier said than done!

Clem's Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the image quality so bad compared to modern cameras?

This super 8 camera is 47 years old. The films originally used were very light sensitive (much more than any modern sensor that could fit in there) and even with the correct film home videos filmed in super 8 looked like that. The lens is what determines picture quality for the most part. if you want to see the difference a lens makes check out videos on my personal channel (http://youtube.com/mayermakes) and watch some the oldest and newest videos those were shot with the exact same camera(Nikon D3300) but with different lenses(old: Kit lens f4.5, new Nikkor 35mm prime lens f1.8) and more light. you may understand it better if you see it for yourself.

So the look of the footage I've taken with the Super8 camera is pretty authentic for "1970s home video". that is just how it was when your Parents were young, or even grandparents depending on how old you are.

Couldn't you just remove the lens of the picam and put it directly in place of the film?

No.Tried that in multiple version, but no the focal distance and the sensor width are extremely different, you can only get a blotch of light by doing that+ you can't even get to the exact same plane because of parts that would hold the original film and should not be damaged.

How did you get it to focus then?

Extended the picam lens to near maximum and found a position that allowed me to get alignment with the shutter by trial and error, focused to UE and pushed back and forth until the image was mostly sharp. this ended up being a position multiple centimetres back which resulted in the need to extend the case.

Why the big case?

See above + I damaged multiple flat flex cables when fitting everything in the tiny version ,with only a day left until deadline i had to make sure that won't happen again + easier to install the buttons.

Will you do another version?

I plan to but It may be a longer term project with dedicated self developed hardware.

if you would like to see that leave it in the comments below.

Supplemental Images and Links:

- Episode 382 Resource Files

- Super 8 Camera Digitizer -- Episode 505

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One -- Episode 382

cstanton — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 09:03:21 GMT

Revision 11 posted to Documents by cstanton on 6/23/2025 9:03:21 AM

Watch the Episode

www.youtube.com/watch

Clem's Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the image quality so bad compared to modern cameras?

Couldn't you just remove the lens of the picam and put it directly in place of the film?

How did you get it to focus then?

Why the big case?

Will you do another version?

I plan to but It may be a longer term project with dedicated self developed hardware.

if you would like to see that leave it in the comments below.

Supplemental Images and Links:

- Episode 382 Resource Files

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One -- Episode 382

cstanton — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:59:32 GMT

Revision 10 posted to Documents by cstanton on 6/23/2025 8:59:32 AM

Watch the Episode

www.youtube.com/watch

One mans trash is a makers treasure! Clem found a super8 camera in the trash, and soon realised that the original analog films and the processing is crazy expensive nowadays. So he creates adrop in replacement for the film cartridge that turns the super8 camera into a digital one! But that is easier said than done!

Supplemental Images and Links:

- Episode 382 Resource Files

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One -- Episode 382

cstanton — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 08:49:03 GMT

Revision 9 posted to Documents by cstanton on 6/23/2025 8:49:03 AM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital One

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

One mans trash is a makers trasure! Clem found a super8 camera in the trash, and soon relized that the original analog films and the processing is crazy expensive nowadays. So he creates adrop in replacement for the film cartridge that turns the super8 camera into a digital one! But that is easier said than done! Would you like to see this crude prototype getting transformed into a product? Let us know in our brand new element14.com/suggestionbox. That's the place where your feedback counts!

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

kellyhensen — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:57:56 GMT

Revision 7 posted to Documents by kellyhensen on 8/23/2023 3:57:56 PM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

kellyhensen — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:55:08 GMT

Revision 6 posted to Documents by kellyhensen on 8/23/2023 3:55:08 PM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

saradetwiler — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 18:07:41 GMT

Revision 5 posted to Documents by saradetwiler on 6/30/2022 6:07:41 PM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

kellyhensen — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:10:46 GMT

Revision 4 posted to Documents by kellyhensen on 4/19/2022 3:10:46 PM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

kellyhensen — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:09:38 GMT

Revision 3 posted to Documents by kellyhensen on 4/19/2022 3:09:38 PM

www.youtube.com/watch

One man's trash is a maker's treasure! Clem found a super8 camera in the trash, and soon realized that the original analog films and the processing is crazy expensive nowadays. So he creates a drop in replacement for the film cartridge that turns the super8 camera into a digital one! But that is easier said than done! Would you like to see this crude prototype getting transformed into a product? Let us know in our brand new element14.com/suggestionbox. That's the place where your feedback counts!

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

Tags: super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

Matt — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 09:03:37 GMT

Revision 2 posted to Documents by Matt on 2/3/2022 9:03:37 AM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes

Episode 382: Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

tariq.ahmad — Fri, 25 Sep 2020 10:51:03 GMT

Revision 1 posted to Documents by tariq.ahmad on 9/25/2020 10:51:03 AM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy NowBuy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy NowBuy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy NowBuy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy NowBuy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy NowBuy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy NowBuy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy NowBuy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital -- Episode 382

Matt — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 08:24:00 GMT

Revision 8 posted to Documents by Matt on 2/22/2019 8:24:00 AM

Modding a Super 8 Camera into a Digital

element14 Presents | MAYER MAKES VCP Profile | Project Videos

www.youtube.com/watch

Supplemental Content:

{gallery} My Gallery Title

Bill of Material:

Part
Raspberry Pi 3A+	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Raspberry Pi Camera	Raspberry Pi	1	Buy Now
Adafruit powerboost 1000	Adafruit	1	Buy Now
Tactile Switch, B3F Series, Top Actuated, Through Hole, Round Button, 100 gf, 50mA at 24VDC	OMRON	1	Buy Now
Signal Relay, 3 VDC, DPDT, 1 A, TQ Series, Through Hole, Non Latching	Panasonic	1	Buy Now
METAL FILM RESISTOR, 1KOHM, 500mW, 1%	TT Electroniks Welwyn	1	Buy Now
LED, Red, Through Hole, 5mm, 20 mA, 1.8 V, 643 nm	MULTICOMP	1	Buy Now
molex Board Connector FFC / FPC Board 1 mm, 15 Contacts, Receptacle, Easy-On 52610, Surface Mount	molex	2	Buy Now
molex Premo Flex Jumper FFC / FPC Cable, 14 Core, 1 mm, Same Sided Contacts, 12 ", 305 mm, White	molex	1	Buy Now

Additional Parts:

Product Name
Stranded Wire
Used Super 8 camera
Kodak Super 8 Film cartridge for Size and Position Reference
3D printed Case and Buttons (files are available for download)

Attachments:

community.element14.com/.../small-photos.zip
community.element14.com/.../FILES-FOR-DOWNLOAD.zip

Tags: clem, super 8, e14presents_mayermakes, element14 presents, camera, upcycling, friday_release, mayermakes, e14p_CMM