Shoot 8mm films on iPhone

For much of the 20th century, standard 8mm film – and, later, Super 8 film – was the go-to format for amateur film-making. (You know the grainy vintage film look? You’re probably thinking of Super 8 footage.)

The 8mm Vintage Camera app pipes the retro film aesthetic directly into your iPhone’s camera, with filters and effects that simulate some of the most iconic looks in film history – including the home videos your parents probably shot.

But 8mm Vintage Camera isn’t just a simple imitator: it’s so realistic that it was even used to film some scenes in the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.

Open the app and you’ll see a live viewfinder alongside all the buttons you need to craft your masterpiece.

At the bottom-right, cycle through different filters. 8mm Vintage Camera offers a dozen antique looks from all types of films and eras. (Want to conjure up a 1940s murder-mystery? Go with Noir.)

Then tap the button in the top-right for lenses that offer additional effects, plus film borders that can further set the vibe. (Making a home video at the beach? Try the Indigo filter and the Light Leak lens.)

Tap the big red record button and you’re ready to start filming. While recording, tap the yellow button in the bottom-right to simulate the jitter effect that used to inflict old-school projectors stuck on a frame.

Adjust the flash and sound settings with the tools below the viewfinder and even flip to selfie mode if it suits the vision of the auteur.

Once you’re done shooting, see all of your edited clips, which you can then assemble into a film with titles and credits to share with the world.

If you were born after 1990, make sure to send your parents the footage you come up with. They’ll wonder how you were able to find all that film!

8mm Vintage Camera

Authentic retro film effects

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