Step into the world of Super 8 film development. Learn about our comprehensive services, including processing, scanning, digitisation and more at Rewind Photo Lab

<p><img src="https://uploads.gorgias.io/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/super8_flat_small-183c752e-8a3b-4880-9810-c1bb0f4e8621.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></p><p id="isPasted">Stepping into the world of Super 8 film development might seem daunting, but at Rewind Photo Lab, we&apos;ve made the process accessible and straightforward. Let&apos;s explore how you can get your Super 8 cartridge developed with us.</p><p><br><a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/services/motion/"><u>You can view more details on our motion services here</u></a></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><h3 id="step-1-check-your-film-stock"><strong>Step 1: Check Your Film Stock</strong></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">At Rewind Photo Lab, we&apos;re equipped to process both ECN-2 Colour Negative and Black &amp; White Negative films. We specifically process the following Kodak Vision3 and Tri-X stocks:</span></p><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Vision3 50D #7203</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Vision3 200T #7213</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Vision3 250D #7207</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Vision3 500T #7219</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Double-X #7222 B&amp;W</em></span></li><li><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Tri-X #7266 B&amp;W</em></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Unfortunately, we can&apos;t process any expired or old film stocks. If you&apos;re unsure about your film stock, please contact us.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 693px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://uploads.gorgias.io/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/super8-490c6566-381d-4400-87d5-ceddbf4362a0.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Our Motion Picture Film Processor</span></span></span><br></span></p><h3 id="step-2-understanding-the-process"><strong>Step 2: Understanding the Process</strong></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Our service stands out because we offer a comprehensive development, scanning, and digitisation service under one roof. Using our top-of-the-line Universal Mark II scanner, we capture each frame of your reel at 2.5K resolution, creating a movie file that matches the frame rate you originally shot.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">We provide an overscan feature for maximum flexibility in cropping or implementing pan-and-scan techniques. If you&apos;d rather have a scan with no visible rebate, let us know and we&apos;ll accommodate your preference.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><h3 id="step-3-choose-your-service"><strong>Step 3: Choose Your Service</strong></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">You can either choose &apos;Develop Only&apos; (where we develop the film and hand it back to you on a reel for your own scanning) or opt for our &apos;Develop and Scan&apos; combo service where we handle both aspects for you.</span></p><p><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 693px;"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://uploads.gorgias.io/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/000126820024_24_copy-1ac798fa-f5e9-4717-8d90-0cb7cc3e5a42.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-inner">Our Universal Mark-II Scanner</span></span></span></p><p><br></p><h3 id="step-4-select-your-scanning-options"><strong>Step 4: Select Your Scanning Options</strong></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">For scanning, we offer a 2048 x 1536px .mov file. Choose between a compressed H.265 file (ideal for those planning to share online without editing) and an Uncompressed DNxHR 444 file (for the editors and colour graders among you).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br></span></p><h3 id="step-5-data-delivery-methods"><strong>Step 5: Data Delivery Methods</strong></h3><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">For UNCOMPRESSED video orders or large jobs, we require customers to either provide a USB or Hard Drive or purchase a USB from our store. Due to the size of uncompressed files, we can&apos;t offer download options for these. For smaller or compressed jobs, we can upload the files for download.</span><br><br></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Once your film is scanned, we deliver the files to you via your chosen method.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Whether you&apos;re a Super 8 beginner or a seasoned pro, Rewind Photo Lab is here to make your film development journey seamless and rewarding.</span><br><br><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/services/motion/" id="isPasted"><u>You can view more details on our motion services here</u></a></span></p>

Your Guide to Developing Super 8 Film with Rewind Photo Lab

Dive into Super 8’s tungsten world. We explain colour temperature, show how the in-camera 85 filter and cartridge notch keep hues accurate, note the ⅔-stop exposure penalty, and give quick reference tables.

<article><p>If you have ever wondered why some Super 8 film stocks end with the letter &#x201C;T&#x201D;, or what that tiny orange filter icon on your camera does, you have come to the right place. This guide demystifies tungsten&#x2011;balanced film, colour temperature, and the clever cartridge&#x2011;notch system that makes the Super 8 format so beginner&#x2011;friendly.</p><p><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/hc/q0jJY2DOmd6eBWMO/2025070801-fccd4467-dea5-4f03-ae9f-c299d002b0d9-57c629c3-9b25-4b55-b140-3620804504e4.jpeg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"></p><h2 id="colour-temperature">1. What Is Colour Temperature?</h2><p>Different light sources emit light at different colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin (<abbr title="Kelvin">K</abbr>). While our eyes adapt automatically, film sees these differences very clearly.</p><table><thead><tr><th scope="col">Light source</th><th scope="col">Approx. temperature</th><th scope="col">Appearance</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bright daylight</td><td>5,500&#xA0;K</td><td>Blue&#x2011;white</td></tr><tr><td>Overcast sky</td><td>6,500&#xA0;K+</td><td>Cool blue</td></tr><tr><td>Tungsten bulb</td><td>3,200&#xA0;K</td><td>Orange&#x2011;yellow</td></tr><tr><td>Fluorescent lamp</td><td>Varies</td><td>Often green</td></tr><tr><td>Candlelight</td><td>1,900&#xA0;K</td><td>Deep orange</td></tr></tbody></table></article><article><br></article><article><h2 id><br></h2><h2 id="why-t">2. Why the &#x201C;T&#x201D; Appears on Super 8 Film Boxes</h2><p>The &#x201C;T&#x201D; stands for <strong>tungsten&#x2011;balanced</strong> film. Stocks such as <em>Kodak Vision3&#xA0;500T</em> are designed to look neutral under warm, 3,200 K tungsten light. Shoot them outdoors in daylight and everything shifts noticeably blue unless corrected.</p><h2 id="-1"><br></h2><h2 id="internal-85-filter">3. Kodak&#x2019;s Clever Fix: the Internal 85 Filter</h2><p>When Super 8 debuted in 1965, most holiday footage was shot outdoors with tungsten stock. Kodak solved the colour&#x2011;shift problem by fitting a tiny <strong>Wratten&#xA0;85</strong> orange filter inside almost every Super 8 camera. Engage the filter for daylight, disengage it for indoor tungsten light&#x2014;simple and fool&#x2011;proof.</p><p><img src="https://attachments.gorgias.help/VvEzB7NjWpX7beky/hc/q0jJY2DOmd6eBWMO/2025070801-d0770dce-ea53-4c39-a96b-0340b939f1e2-97c593eb-1aa5-4f09-96f7-dfb3469b64f5.jpeg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil"></p><h2 id="-2"><br></h2><h2 id="cartridge-notches">4. Cartridge Notches: How Your Camera Swings the Filter</h2><p>Flip your cartridge over and you may see a small rectangular <strong>filter notch</strong>. This simple bit of plastic tells the camera whether to leave the internal 85 filter in place or park it out of the light path.</p><table><thead><tr><th scope="col">Cartridge type</th><th scope="col">Notch present?</th><th scope="col">Internal 85 filter action</th><th scope="col">Result</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Tungsten&#x2011;balanced (200T,&#xA0;500T,&#xA0;800T)</td><td>Yes</td><td>Filter stays <strong>in</strong></td><td>Tungsten film records daylight correctly</td></tr><tr><td>Daylight&#x2011;balanced (50D,&#xA0;100D)</td><td>No</td><td>Filter swings <strong>out</strong></td><td>Daylight film records colours naturally</td></tr></tbody></table></article><article><br></article><article><h2 id="-3"><br></h2><h2 id="exposure-penalty">5. The Hidden Cost: Exposure Penalty</h2><p>The internal 85 filter absorbs roughly <strong>&#x2154;&#xA0;stop</strong> of light. For instance, 500T metered at 500 ASA behaves more like 320 ASA when the filter is engaged. Most modern cameras compensate automatically, but older models may not&#x2014;so be ready to open up or rate the film slower.</p><h2 id="-4"><br></h2><h2 id="outdoor-scenario">6. A Typical Outdoor Scenario</h2><ol><li>Load <em>Vision3&#xA0;500T</em> in bright daylight.</li><li>The cartridge notch engages the 85 filter.</li><li>Colour balance is neutral, exposure is &#x2154;&#xA0;stop slower.</li><li>Forget to disengage the filter indoors and shots under tungsten bulbs turn orange.</li></ol><h2 id="-5"><br></h2><h2 id="filter-switch">7. Manual Filter Switch &amp; When Built&#x2011;In Filters Fail</h2><h3 id="ageing-plastic"><strong>Ageing plastic</strong></h3><p>Many original 85 filters were acrylic; time, heat and dust can yellow or craze them, softening sharpness.</p><h3 id="modern-options-exist"><strong>Modern options exist</strong></h3><p>Daylight stocks like <em>50D</em> mean you no longer need to rely on tungsten film plus an internal filter outside. For ultimate clarity, tape the filter switch to &#x201C;out&#x201D; and use a fresh glass 85 screw&#x2011;in filter only when required.</p><h2 id="quick-reference">8. Quick Reference Tables</h2><table><thead><tr><th>Lighting situation</th><th>Film &amp; filter</th><th>Exposure tip</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Bright daylight</td><td>50D <em>or</em> 500T + 85 IN</td><td>Meter at box speed</td></tr><tr><td>Overcast / golden hour</td><td>50D <em>or</em> 500T + 85 IN</td><td>Open &#xBD;&#x2013;1&#xA0;stop</td></tr><tr><td>Indoor tungsten lamps</td><td>500T, 85&#xA0;OUT</td><td>Meter at box speed</td></tr><tr><td>Mixed night street / neon</td><td>500T, 85&#xA0;OUT</td><td>Accept slight casts, fine&#x2011;tune in grade</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 id="-6"><br></h2><h2 id="tips">9. Tips for Stress&#x2011;Free First Rolls</h2><ul><li><strong>Start with daylight film outdoors.</strong> No notch means no filter&#x2014;zero settings to forget.</li><li><strong>Label your filter switch.</strong> A small &#x201C;IN/OUT&#x201D; sticker prevents mistakes when light changes fast.</li><li><strong>Watch the ISO loss.</strong> Tungsten + 85 outdoors? Rate 500T at 320 ASA or open &#x2154; stop.</li><li><strong>Inspect the filter glass.</strong> Torch through the lens port; haze or scratches invite an external replacement.</li><li><strong>Relax&#x2014;scans are forgiving.</strong> Labs can rebalance modest blue or orange shifts in post.</li></ul><h2 id="-7"><br></h2><h2 id="creative-use">10. Creative Approaches to Colour Temperature</h2><p>Rules are there to be bent. Shoot tungsten film in daylight <em>without</em> correction for an icy, futuristic blue. Use daylight film under tungsten bulbs for romantic amber scenes. Your colour choices become a storytelling tool.</p><h2 id="-8"><br></h2><h2 id="conclusion">11. Putting It All Together</h2><p>Think of the internal 85 as orange sunglasses that automatically pop down whenever a tungsten cartridge drops into the camera. The cartridge notch is the handshake that says &#x201C;I&#x2019;m tungsten&#x2014;leave the sunnies on&#x201D;. Remove the notch (or flip the switch) and the sunnies come off. Master this notch&#xA0;&#x2192;&#xA0;filter&#xA0;&#x2192;&#xA0;colour relationship and you have solved 90&#xA0;% of beginner Super&#xA0;8 headaches.</p><p>Ready to shoot your first reel? <a href="https://rewindphotolab.com.au/services/motion/" rel="noopener">Explore our motion services here</a> or drop by the lab for advice.</p></article>

Super 8 & the “T” – Beginner’s Guide to Tungsten Film, Built‑in 85 Filters & Cartridge Notches

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Rewind Photo Lab

Explore our comprehensive services for Motion Film Processing & Scanning. From processing Super 8 ECN-2 colour negatives and 16mm black and white films, to scanning and preserving vintage footage, Rewind Photo Lab provides expert solutions.