Where to Buy 16mm Film Prints & Vintage Movies?

How to Buy Old or Vintage 16 mm Movies.

Relive the movie experience at your home by buying and collecting 16mm film prints of your favorite classics. Find a 16mm film projector first so you can watch your favorite films projected on your movie screen in your home! Here are some tips you might want to consider before you start becoming a movie collector. Before purchasing a used 16mm movie print online:

1) See if the eBay or other auction listing indicates the smell of the print. If not, don't be shy to ask the seller. If the film smells like vinegar, that is a sign that the movie is breaking down and will deteriorate soon. This problem is called cellulose acetate decomposition or "vinegar syndrome." Film in high humidity and temperatures are prone to this problem.

2) Film stored improperly in cold dark areas like the basement or garage are suspectible to mold. Film has a gelatin emulsion so moisture in the air in the darkness will allow the mold to thrive. See if the auction listing indicates how the film was stored or says it is mold free.

3) Ask the seller if he viewed the film for quality check. Auction listings where sellers say they don't have a projector to view the movie are risky. You might end up with blank or damaged film or footage of something else.

4) Buy from an experienced seller or film collector. Auction sites such as eBay have feedback records of the quality of the seller's past sales.

Below are the latest bargains on various 16mm available for sale online. Please check back regularly as this automatically updates the auction listings in real time. (If you do not see the listings below, please turn on javascript on your browser).