Old film, new files
Bring your Super 8 and 8mm films into the digital age, or hire equipment to work through your own film, slides and photographs.
Not operating yetDigitising and equipment hire are being prepared. Bookings are closed; the options and rates below are for planning, and you can send an enquiry.
Choose how to do it
These services are being set up. Send an enquiry with what you have, and Main Train Brain can discuss availability and a quote.
Have your films digitised without working through the reels yourself. Pricing will be based on the number and length of reels, with a quote before work begins.
Tell us how many reels you have, their approximate size or running time if known, and whether any are railway footage.
Prefer to digitise your own reels? Ask about hiring the film digitiser. Choose a weekend, weekday, one-week or two-week hire. Check the rates and calendar below; exact collection and return times are arranged with you.
Work through your slide and photograph collection using hired digitising equipment. The hire rates are half the film digitiser rates. Check the calendar below or tell us what you plan to scan.
Railway footage
If your Super 8 or 8mm films feature trains, railway places or related history, eligible reels can be digitised for half the standard quoted price if you choose to give Main Train Brain permission to share agreed footage on its social channels.
The quote will identify which reels qualify for half price; other reels remain at the normal quoted rate. Sharing is optional, and standard-price digitising does not require permission to publish. For footage you do choose to share, we would agree on the selected material in writing before posting. Posts would credit the film-maker and owner and identify the collection, for example, “From the [name] Collection”.
Equipment hire
Choose a hire period to see the calendar for each digitiser. Collection and return times are arranged after booking.
| Hire period | Pickup | Return | Film digitiser | Slide & photo digitiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend | Friday afternoon/evening | Sunday afternoon/evening | $40 | $20 |
| During the week | Monday | Thursday afternoon/evening | $40 | $20 |
| Whole week | Friday afternoon/evening | Thursday afternoon/evening | $65 | $32.50 |
| Two weeks | Friday afternoon/evening | Thursday afternoon/evening two weeks later | $120 | $60 |
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Get in touch
Please describe the format, number of reels or images, and what you want to do. No need to send valuable originals or upload files before discussing the arrangements.
Contact Main Train Brain