16mm Film

16mm film, whether magnetic or optical, measures 16 millimeters in width and is made of either acetate or polyester stock. Typically, perforations run down one side of the film, and if audio has been recorded, the soundtrack runs along the other side. Since the early 1920s, 16mm film has been produced primarily for independent, institutional, and educational filmmaking in the United States. Foreign language tracks of U.S. films were often recorded to 16mm film, especially in Central and South America.

Sound can be recorded to 16mm film optically or magnetically, with or without picture, although the frequency response is limited compared to that of 35mm film. 16mm magnetic film stock is also capable of recording up to two audio tracks, but was not usually used for stereo recordings.

16mm optical sound tracks have relatively poor frequency response, (approximately 100Hz to 6kHz) and a rather limited dynamic range (approximately +3vu before distorting). This is due to the slower speed at which it runs: 36 feet per minute with only one perf per frame. Wow and flutter can also be an issue with this format.

16mm film has 1 sprocket hole per frame.