I've been in the photography and videography for a few years now and I just recently decided to make an attempt to fire up my grandfather's super 8 as an ode to him as he is no longer with us, and to become more unique from the normals of railroad videography.
Researching the camera and the type of film to use was something I could handle alone, but I'm really struggling with the development portion. Originally the only website I could understand (since I really only speak train, not film..... yet) was Pro8mm. Their prices seemed reasonable, but before I sent my cartridge I read some reviews and it seemed that it was a hit or miss quality wise. I'm looking for a company online (or a place thats near Washington DC or Baltimore in the US) that provides cheap pricing, but reliable service. Can anybody help me out on this one?
You may consider processing the film yourself. In the short length of S-8 it is still to handle and similar to processing type 135 still film, except for the drying.
This is Vision 3 color negative, not sure home processing would be a great idea, ECN II chemistry, the remjet, and then how do you look at it-- it has to be scanned.
I have used Yale Film and Video too. Very reliable, not expensive, recommended.
Concerning scanning, I take the view that S-8 is to be projected on a S-8 projector and not to be scanned. Taking a movie on film and then scanning it for showing makes no longer sense to me. But I know that some fellows here do not share my view.
Trick is finding someone who has persuaded Kodak to do a batch of super 8 print film, or who has cut it down from 35mm stock. Last time I saw it listed their was something like 79 rolls of 16mmX2000 feet minimum for the 16mm DS8 stock. and that was in the 2013 catalogue
KODAK VISION Color Print Film / 3383 / VCP628 / 16 mm x 2000 ft roll / On Core / Super 8 (1-3) / 2R-1667
CAT 180 7858
If you need a good scan Spectra has a very good reputation for both scanning and processing. You may not find much close to home these days so mail order is the way to go. I usually send my film to Dwayne's in Kansas City for reversal processing but I don't have them scan. They don't do a very good job scanning but I have never had a problem with their development. I shoot reversal film and project it so I rarely get it scanned.