How do I know what "gauge" my movie film is?

16mm movie film is 16mm wide, it typically has two sets of sprocket holes - one on either side of the strip - and the frames run down the middle. Occasionally the movie film will have only one set of sprocket holes - usually but not always to make room for an optical sound track.

8mm (regular 8) movie film is 8mm wide and has wide sprocket holes down one side. The sprocket holes take up almost one quarter of the movie film's width.

Super 8mm movie film is also 8mm wide and has one set of sprocket holes along one side - but the holes are smaller, taking up roughly one eighth of the movie film's width.

FAQ: How do I know if my movie film has sound?

Standard 8mm movie film won't have sound.
Super 8mm movie film will have a stripe of coppery or sometimes silvery colored metal along the edge opposite the sprocket holes. If it's stereo, there will be a similar, thinner stripe one the same edge as the sprocket holes.
16mm movie film with sound is "optical". There will be a stripe opposite the sprocket holes, varying in width. The stripe is transparent. Stereo 16mm will have a pair of these stripes.

A Super 8mm strip of movie film with "copper colored" "magnetic" stereo sound tracks.

For "mono sound" movie films, the single copper colored stripe is only on the edge opposite the sprocket holes. 






Close-up of 16mm strip of movie film with stereo optical sound tracks (2 black "wiggly" lines on left edge)

Note there is only one set of sprocket holes (on right side
.Older or "mono sound" will only have the one "wiggly" stripe.




At Home Video Studio, we're here to help you with your older film and video formats. Please call us to set up an appointment so you can once again enjoy your memories stored on film and video.   859-525-0305   deborah.w@homevideostudio.com