Hi - I’m not an experienced forum poster so please be kind if I stuff this up. I am thinking of a project to convert super 8 film to digital format and I was wondering what frame rate the camera device is capable of when fitted to the RPi Zero. From what I have read the RPi4B should be able to eat this, but then I read a bit about the smaller unit and it looked like it might be capable as well.
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I think it’s better to first digitize the film, and then adjust the frame rate in the video editor. If I understand your question correctly.
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are you following this tute?
which camera are you using?
https://picamera.readthedocs.io/en/latest/fov.html#sensor-modes
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Kay - thanks for the reply. Actually, the idea is to use the RPi to perform the digitising by photographing each frame as it is transported past the camera. My understanding is that the RPi4B could support up to 90+ fps and I was just wondering if the RPi Zero could do something similar (or at least up to say 30 fps).
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I like your idea, very interesting. But no, my idea is to make a film to digital conversion kit that allows me to transfer my old super 8 film stock into a digital format. I know there are a few commercial products that appear to be able to do this, but I have read reviews that suggest they are a bit clunky/flaky and besides, it seems like an interesting thing to do.
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Hi Stu
I believe you would have to synchronise so your camera photographed each frame while it is stationary in the projector gate. I don’t quite know how you would go about it as I have never had occasion to think too much about this. You may be able to do something manually frame by frame and put it all together with a video editor but this would be pretty tedious.
Cheers Bob
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Telecine! Totally forgot that word:
https://hackaday.io/project/167426/instructions
Turning the spools with motors could damage the film. Be careful!
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Not half as much as the claw can if it decides not to play the game.
Cheers Bob
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Nil - the result achieved is essentially what I have in mind, but my original thought was to use a RPi4B together with the newish HQ camera fitted with a macro lens. The trick will be to built a suitable film transport and camera support and synchronising camera trigger setup, but I have a few thoughts about that that I can try with my 3D printer. I appreciate the issue with tearing the film, my current Super 8 projector has managed to do that a few times already. The reason for the post was to ask if anyone knew what frame rate the RPi Zero could manage, doing the same thing. I would expect it is substantially less than the RPi4B but it might still be fine for what I am after.
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Just noticed the second video - DIY film scanner. That’s essentially what I have in mind.
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Glad to help a bit. Also this:
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Thanks for the links nil - it’s given me a number of new ideas. The link to the high frame rate article is amazing. Seems that the sky’s the limit if you really need it (which I don’t). Cheers.
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Hey Stu,
Welcome to the forum!
Sounds like an awesome project, I’m keen to see where you take it!
And an excellent discussion here, getting that 1000 FPS out of a camera sounds awesome!
the bits about moving the film without tearing it is something that I would never have thought of!
Liam
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Hi Stu and co.
Not sure how helpful this will be, but the pi HQ camera supports sync functions. Here’s a thread on it:
https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=281913
You might be able to use this to automate your frame advance or similar, however film is not my speciality so I’ll let you be the judge on whether this would help in your application.
All the best with your project, I’m keen to see how it goes!
-James
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James - thanks for the link. That definitely sounds interesting, I’ll see where it takes me. Still working on creating a useful lens adapter that I can use to attach my old Zuiko lens’ to the HQ camera. Cheers.
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