The short answer: Kodak introduced 16mm in 1923 as a cheaper alternative to 35mm for amateurs; only later did it become the format of schools, television, documentaries and industry. The quickest tell is the perforation: holes along both edges (double-perf) mean film that was silent from the start, typical of home filming; holes along one edge only (single-perf) leave room for an optical or magnetic soundtrack, the mark of prints and professional production. That decides whether there is sound, what speed to scan at, and how many minutes a reel holds.
16mm reaches us in two guises: a small tin with a family film grandfather shot in the 1950s, or a stack of large cans from an institution, a kibbutz or a studio. You identify by the film itself, not by the story.
How do you identify it by the perforations?
Gently pull out a few dozen centimetres and look at both edges against the light. Double perforation — a row of holes on each side — means film meant to be silent, and in most cases original camera material. Single perforation leaves room on the free edge for a soundtrack: an optical track appears as a pale band with a wavy or striped pattern, a magnetic track as a matte brown-copper stripe, like a thin audio tape.
| Film type | What it looks like | Sound | Who usually shot it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16mm double-perf | Holes along both edges | Silent | Amateurs and families |
| 16mm single-perf, optical | Holes on one side, pale patterned band on the other | Optical | Prints: education, TV, documentary |
| 16mm single-perf, magnetic | Holes on one side, matte brown stripe on the other | Magnetic | Small productions, working copies |
| Super 16 | Holes on one side, wide picture to the edge | Not on the film | Professionals, from 1969 |
What is Super 16?
Super 16 was developed in 1969 by the cinematographer Rune Ericson: single-perf film with the picture extended into the soundtrack area, giving a frame of 12.52 × 7.41 mm (1.69:1) against 10.26 × 7.49 mm (1.37:1) in standard 16mm. It is a distinctly professional format, and the scanner must capture the full width rather than crop to the standard frame.
How many minutes, and at what speed?
16mm with sound runs at the standard 24 frames per second, and by Kodak's figures there are 40 frames per foot, so a 400 ft reel (122 m) holds about 11 minutes. Silent amateur cameras worked in the 16–24 range and spring-driven ones did not keep a steady rate, which is why frame-by-frame scanning matters: we set the playback rate from the film itself.
Why does the film's age matter more than its type?
All 16mm that reaches us is acetate safety film, and acetate decays: according to IPI and the NFPF, film kept at room temperature begins to show vinegar syndrome after about 40–50 years — a vinegar smell, shrinkage, curling. Kodak states that film shrunk by more than one per cent is not safe to project, and typical old film has shrunk 1.25–2 per cent. See our vinegar syndrome guide, and why you should never project old film.
How do we scan 16mm?
Every reel is checked by hand before scanning: perforations, flexibility, splices, smell, signs of decay — and whether it is double-perf, single-perf or Super 16, and which soundtrack it carries. Scanning is done on a Filmfabriek Muller HDS+, frame by frame — no projector, no camera; each frame is captured individually, even when the film is shrunken or brittle. The soundtrack, optical or magnetic, is captured and synchronised. 16mm scanning costs 65 ILS per net viewing minute, with ProRes, MXF or MP4 output. Details on our 16mm film scanning page and on frame-by-frame film scanning.
Have a 16mm can and no idea what is inside? We will check it together before anyone touches the film.
We send couriers to your door anywhere in Israel, in both directions. Small jobs are usually ready within about seven working days, large ones within about 21 working days, and the first minute is on us — you will see how your film comes out before you decide. You can also drop off in person: our studio at 9 HaMa'ayan St., Rishon LeZion, 5 Lisin St. in Tel Aviv, or Mitzpe Hararit in the Galilee. Call 03-5610368 or leave your details on our contact page. What each service includes is listed on our price list (Hebrew).
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my tin holds 16mm and not 8mm?
By the width: 16mm is twice as wide as 8mm and Super 8, roughly the width of a finger.
Can double-perf 16mm film carry sound?
Not on the film itself — there is no room on the edge. Sound from a separate tape can be combined in editing.
I inherited an old documentary or training film. Is it worth scanning?
Often yes: institutional prints are sometimes the only surviving copy. If there is a vinegar smell, do not wait.
How many minutes are in a full 16mm can?
A 400 ft (122 m) reel holds about 11 minutes at 24 frames per second by Kodak's figures.
