Having someone professionally transfer your old film reels will cost a fortune. Sure, you'll probably get better results, but you'll be out a lot of hard-earned money. This product is middle of the road and good enough to invest a one-time cost of $400. My biggest complaint is the auto white balance. I wished they had left it alone. If someone wants to color correct, they will. The white balance shouldn't change in mid-shot. But other than that, it's a pretty good product and easy to use. I'm happy with it.

I have purchased this scanner just a couple of weeks ago, the Kodak Reels V.2.0.
So, its somehow updated from the first Kodak Reels, with, yes, spelled with a z.
If the update is only the name, a marketing change, or a physical change in thew machine or software would be interesting to know. What is new and affected me in a positive way was it is available in European Union to purchase with the electric inlet transformer made for EU sockets.
I was little nervous about the quality of the mechanic of the machine because watching a video on YouTube, of the version 1, you know with a z. On that video the pickup reel did stop after a while and the owner returned the machine for a new one. But it was acting in the same way.
Now I have started to use the machine and I just finished my eight reel of three minutes Super 8 films through the scanner with out any problems.
There is no information hidden about it is just scans two fames per seconds, so, yes it will take a good half hour to scan the three minutes film. It is what you are buying, so you can’t complain.
The rewind is not fast either, but on the other hand you can say it’s gentle.
For me as a hobbyist, the time is not a concern. So, I am happy so far.
I can’t complain of the picture quality. The small sized Super 8 is always grainy by its selves and I can’t expect the scanner to do anything about that. The colors look exceptionally good to me!
OK, not five stars? No because things can always be improved.
The machine is made for 8mm and Super 8 film. And what I’ve understand the reels for the two are not the same. The center fitting is of two varied sizes, if understand it right. The take up reel is made for 8mm, and the center hole is smaller then for the Super 8 reels. The machine is designed for the small center hole. So, there is two adaptors made and shipped with the machine for reels with the bigger holes. It is not a big problem, but I need to remove the adaptors every time I switch place of the film reel and the pickup reel. So, I will maybe purchase a new pickup reel with a big center hole and the adapters can stay on the machine and not being worn out.
I am also curious about if the machine software could be updated in the future with alternative of codec and frame rate settings, higher use of 8 M-pixel camera etc., etc. Probably not but it would have been a bonus for sure.
I said the time is not a problem for me. I had 26 three minutes rolls and two half hour rolls. I think this autumn all my film will be digitized. So, what to do with the scanner then? Small business to scan for others or sell it. Let us see.

I just bought this unit about a week ago. My first impressions is the build quality is pretty good and it's straight forward in operation. The large screen is a big improvement over the other scanners of it's type, although I've never seen any of the other ones in person. I've had some trouble with film frames sticking or jumping occasionally while transferring. I've managed to resolve this by not necessarily following the designated film path on the take up reel side. It's seem to vary with the film I'm scanning. You definitely need to keep an eye on the unit when in operation as it will hiccup every now and then, especially if there are splices in the film. The scan quality is not what you would get with a professional scan, not that you should expect that. I find transfers a bit on the grainy side and the color seems over saturated. I adjusted the sharpness and tint down a notch which seems to help. Overall, I think it does a pretty decent job of scanning film for the price and good way to view your old 8mm/Super 8mm movies.

I have absolutely no experience with film. My late father-in-law has a number of various 8mm and Super 8 film I wish to digitize, with the intent to show my mother-in-law. The current firmware is 1.0, and so far my biggest issues are with the film itself: loading it, getting it processed and wound through the unit. And then monitoring it. I am fairly well versed in many operating systems, devices, gadgets, etc. Not an expert, but can hold my own, and have dove into esoteric systems before (HP48SX, various PLCs, Linux, yadda yadda). The GUI is decent - gets the job done. Transfers are fine. Could use a bit more software automatic tweaking to framing the film. Maybe some more GUI handholding guidance. The basic firmware does the job. I just got the unit, wanting the larger screen and the Kodak backing. So I am not yet sure what to suggest as improvements. Dealing with old film I am finding out the software itself isn't a limiting factor compared to the film.

I will also say I looked at the competitors for a while, and jumped on this unit when it came out. The larger screen and overall ergonomics and button interface was much more of what I needed and wanted. Buttons on top, screen near the top, well out of the way of the film. Compared to the other offerings, this impressed me more.

The few films I've done so far met what I expected in resolution, clarity and focus. I reiterate, the film will be the biggest variable here.

I'll review again once I've accumulated more time with it, learning as I go. There were no reviews I could find, so thought I'd do one. The unit, for me, meets my current expectations and needs. Its doing the job. For someone with far less computer or device experience, I think the GUI would be fairly self explanatory. I cannot underscore enough how much the real job is simply managing the old film most people may try to put through it. Those quirks and learned skills will matter more than the unit itself.

Overall, glad I purchased. Compared to Wolverines and a few others, I do recommend.