Eclair ACL II User Manual

5 (2)
SOREMEC - CEHESS
Department “ECLAIR INTERNATIONAL”
41-45, rue Galilee - 75116 Paris
Tel: 723.78.56 + Telex: 610 663 F ECLAIRE Cable: ECLAIRCAM PARIS
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Technical Characteristics

4.3 kg without lens Overall dimensions: 275 x 180 x 160 mm, without lens (11" x 7" x 6" 1/2) Capacity: pre-loaded 60 meter (200ft) or 120 m (400ft) snap-on magazine 16mm film:
• double or single perforation
• A winding (emulsion out)
• B winding (emulsion in)
• on 50 mm (2 in) core-120 meter rolls
• on 30 or 60 m (100 or 200 ft) daylight load­ing spools Climatic conditions: Temperature - 20° C (4° F) to + 60° C (140° F) Humidity: up to 95% RH Film Transport: claw movement controlled by an excentric and a fixed cam. Reflex veiwing: by a half-speed oscillating mirror. Shutter: plane type with a 175° opening. Viewfinder: for left and/or right eye, rotatabhle through 360° with image re-erected, dioptry adjust­ment and eyepiece shutter. Gelatine holder: built-in and positioned between the C mount and the reflex mirror. Lens Mounts: in C mount, screwed directly on the camera, in Cameflex, Arriflex or Nikon mounts, adapted to the camera by means of interme­diate mount.
Exposure indicator: by 7 LED (light emmitting diodes) in vertical display seen in the viewfinder. Motor: 12 volts multiduty type, brushless, Hall effect, 6 crystal controlled speeds 8, 12, 24, 25 50, 75 frames per second. Automatic stop in viewing position. Power consumption: from 0.8 to 1.2 Amps at 12 volts (20 C to 68° F) Batteries: 12 volts MIBAC type: weight 0.640 gr (1.5 lbs) (capacity 1.2 ah); rechargeable in less than 30 minutes equivalent to eight to ten 60 m magazines or 12 volts BAKEL type: weight 1.650 kg, capacity 4 ah equivalent to ten to fifteen magazines Noise level: Quiet functioning that permits sync, filming without any blimp. Flat base: standard 3/8"x16 threads per inch taping for using a tripod or a polo stick. Hand-grip: adjustable lateral type with "ON/OFF" micro-switch. Standard screw: on top of the camera for attachment of accessories such as handle, boost lighting mike support, etc.
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DESCRIPTION

THE CAMERA HEAD (Code MIPEX)
The camera head (Fig A) in special aluminum alloy supports the lens mounts (1) in stainless steel, the interchangeable ge­latine-holder (2), the reflex viewfinder (3), the motor (6) with its control for electronics (7), the electronic base (8) incorporating the sliding on/off switch (32), the lateral support (75) of the hand-grip (36) with its micro-switch (76), the magazine lock release lever (16) with its safery catch (17) and the removable hand-grip (36).
On the rear (Fig B): the mechanism plate (9) on which are mounted film gate (10),
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the fixed guide bar (11) and its side pressure bar (12), the magazine drive shaft (18), the 4 pin power supply socket (19) for connection with the battery, the clapper switch (20) and the potenti­ometer (34) of the exposure indicator.
Inside: the claw mechanism (13), the oscillating mirror (14), the plane shutter (15) and the exposure indicator unit.
The snap-on 60m, or 120m magazine are attached onto the camera head as well as the fixed focal or zoom lenses.
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NOTA. The above camera head can be sup­plied without Exposure indicator unit; its commercial code is MITAN.
29
30
17 16
9
1 14
10 11
12 13
18
34 19
75 76
6
7
20
32
8
Fig. A Camera head front view. Viewfinder positioned for the left eye.
Fig. B Camera head rear view. Viewfinder positioned for the right eye.
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THE MULTIDUTY MOTOR (MIVAR)

This brushiess motor (6) has a very high efficiency (from 0.8 to 1.2 amp. con­sumption at 12 volts to drive the camera at 20°C (68° F) and has permitted a weight reduction not only in the camera but also in the battery (37) - page 12 - which weighs only 640 grammes enabling one hour of filming between recharges, i.e. eight to ten 60 m magazines.
The incorporated electronics (7) control the sync. speed by crystal ; changing from 24 to 25 f.p.s. or vice-versa is made by shifting switch (38) so that the white spot mark is adjacent to the desired speed. Others speeds : 8.12.50 and 75 are obtained by setting the engraved button 35 accordingly.
The MIVAR will stop the camera automatically in viewing position, i.e. the mirror being in the aperture axis allows the cameraman to frame and focus without loss of time. See pages 24 and 30.
The motor will only operate when it is attached to the camera.
The lamp (47) on the motor lights up until the marked speed is attained. In the event of speed reduction (flat battery for
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Fig. D. - Front part of the MIVAR.
7
47
38 35
38
35 47 6
7
Fig. E. - Rear part of the MIVAR.
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THE 60 m MAGAZI N E
The two chambers of this snap-on co­axial magazine are separated by a median partition and are connected by a light tight ramp for the passage of the film from the feed side to the take-up side (Fig F).
THE 120 m MAGAZINE
Bearing in mind the versatility and light weight of the 60 m magazine which can be changed almost instantaneously, there are occasions where a « long take » in excess of 60 m is required and for this purpose a 120 m capacity magazine is available.
This co-axial magazine retains all the characteristics of simple threading and snap­on action for which the Eclair equipment is famous.
Fig. G
Fig. F
Fig. H
Fig. I
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Fig. J
36

THE HAND-GRIP

The portability of the ACL is increased by the use of the hand-grip (36) supplied with the camera.
Adjustable in the horizontal and the vertical plane, it permits the choice of the most confortable position. It can be screwed either under the camera base or on the right hand side of the camera (fig K).
To carry the camera, the hand-grip (36) with its knurled knob (79) - fig. QR - can also be screwed on top of the camera head.

MOUNTS AND LENSES

The ACL has been designed to accept « C » mount lenses (fig Q, the mechanical back focal distance of which are 17.52 mm, and also other professional mounts such as Eclair CA (fig M) Arriflex, Nikon, etc... the mechanical back focal distances of which are greater than 17.52 mm.
75
Fig. K
Fig. L
Lens in C mount
Fig. M
Lens in CA Eclair mount
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48 mm
Ca mechanical back focal distance
C mechanical back focal distance
17.52 mm
24
Film plane
25
Fig. N
Intermediate mount
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The mechanical back focal distances (fig N) being different according to the profes­sional equipment manufacturers 48 mm for ECLAIR (Eclair CA), 52 mm for Arriflex, 46 mm for Nikon, corresponding intermediate Eclair TS mounts (Fig P-P’-P”-) can be supplied for these different makes of lenses for use with the ACL camera. For Arrif lex, specify « normal mount » or « new steel bayonet mount ».
Hence, the ACL lens support (1) comprises an internal threading (21) the diameter and the thread pitch or which corre­spond to the C lenses standards and an external threading (22) for the Eclair TS mounts (Fig P-P’-P”); the orientation of the lens is ensured by the slot (23) at tfie top of the flange.

ACCESSORIES

The principal additional accessories of an “ACL” equipment are :
• The 12 volts battery type VR 1,2
• The connection
cable camera/battery VR 1,2 .............
• The rapid charger ............................... or
• 12 volts battery type VR 4 ..................
• The connection
cable Camera battery VR 4 ...............
• The compact charger .........................
• The connection
cable Charger/battery ........................
• The pilotone module ...........................
• The connection cable Module/recorder (according to the make of the recorder)
• The transport case ..............................
Code MIBAC
MIBLE
MIRAP
BAKEL
BABAC
CIBRE
COURE MODUL
MALAC
Fig. P
Intermediate mount
for lenses in CA mount
23 21
22
Fig. O
Fig. P’
Intermediate mount
for lenses in Arriflex mount
Fig. P’’
Intermediate mount
for lenses in Nikon mount
1
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GENERAL INFORMATION

REFLEX SIGHT

The reflex image is obtained with an oscillating mirror (14) moving at half camera speed, which transmits the image formed by the lens onto the ground glass during the descent of the film.
The viewf inder (focussing tube) is a new mechanical /optical realization which gives an exceptionally bright image.
As on the Eclair 16, the ground glass gives a field of view greater than the recorded image, which eliminates the possible intrusion of microphones, etc... into the recorded picture. (Fig Q).
This viewfinder - 10 x enlargement ­can be used for left eye or right eye viewing it can pivot through 360' parallel to the camera thus allowing the cameraman to frame and to focus in the most comfortable conditions whatever the position of the camera; for example, he can shoot with his back facing the subject. The eyepiece is adjustable of ± 5dioptres.
The standard ground glass is en­graved with the 16 mm frame (10,2 x 7,4 mm), the TV frame and a cross in the centre (UER standard).

Gelatine filter holder

Each ACL is equipped with a gelatine holder 2 (Fig A and R) which is located between the C mount and the reflex mirror close to the rear element of the taking lens. Its advantages are :
• It is not necessary to change filter at each lens change.
• It is possible to check the presence and type of gelatine through the viewf inder.
• It eliminates the requirement for front glass filters for each lens diameter, the price of which is very high compared to that of gelatine filters which are readily obtainable.
2
Fig. R
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• Its position, away from the fi I m plane en­sures any small dust or finger marks on the gelatine that may occur are out of focus on the final result and rarely visible.

Shutter

Contrary to reflex cameras in which the mirror mounted at 45' acts as a shutter, the ACL has a plane shutter of large diameter completely independant of the mirror (14). It is placed very close to the film plane with an opening of 175'. Cutting the image in the direction of the smallest dimension gives a perfect exposure, maximum definition and reduction of jerky effect on some panning shots. The exposure time is 1 /51 of a second at 25 frames per second and 1 / 49 of a sec­ond at 24 frames per second (page 33).
+
0
-
Fig. Q
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Mechanism

The complete silent mechanism is mounted on the mechanism plate which greatly reduces the time required for the normal overhaul and cleaning which we would strongly recommend to be carried out by one of our agents.
The claw movement (13) is controlled by an excentric and a fixed cam (39), the security is ensured by a counter-cam.
The four drive shafts run in self­lubrificated bearings and the camera mecha­nism should NEVER be oiled.
As already indicated page (4), the aperture plate of hard chromium-plated steel has, on the left, a fixed guide (11) which is the edge reference for the film and a spring loaded guide (12) on the right, which main­tains the film against the fixed guide.
The two guides (29-30) fig B position the magazine nose onto the mechanism plate.
Fig. S
13
14
39

Exposure indicator

The ACL camera had to have a very safe « Exposure Indicator device » because of the professional work it must ensure. It could not be question of an ordinary photo­cell system due to the fragility of moving parts; on the other hand, a 100% automatic device leaves the cameraman no change of artistic creation.
The basic idea is to leave the camera­man freedom to determine the exposure of the film and thus give him the possiblility of working according to his own technique; in other words he must have the possibility of
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adjusting the diaphragm if he needs a special effect by under or over exposure, e.g. contrast.
Before filming, the operator sets the exposure indicator with the aid of his profes­sional photo- cell exposure meter indicating the diaphragm opening (stop) of the lens; it gives him a reference lighting intensity « EO ». The camera being connected to the battery, he adjusts the sensitivity potentiometer (34) so that only the middle diode EO, visible in the viewfinder, lights up. Thus the camera is now matched to the exposure meter.
During filming, if the lighting intensity of the subject varies, the control diodes visible in the viewf inder will be seen light up either + or ­. The operator wiII then correct the diaphragm of his lens so as to maintain the lighting inten­sity on the film to a value of EO, if he deems it necessary.

ELECTRONIC BASE 150 E

This unit (8) forms a flat base for the camera body and consists of:
• 1 Jaeger socket (19) for power supply to the camera.
• 1 Sliding on/off switch (32) at the front part.
• 1 Cannon socket (33) for the accessory power supply.
• The stabilized 5 volt supply.
• 1 Souriau socket for electrical connections with the camera head.
• 1 sensitivity potentiometer (34) for adjustment of the exposure indicator.
• 1 Clapper switch (20). This flat base is provided with the stan-
dard congress 3/8 tapped hole for tripod mount­ing or hand- grip mounting (36).
Fig. X
Magnetic recorder side
Fig. Y
34
19
20

PILOTONE MODULE

The ACL servo-control led crystal motor
33
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allows the shooting of sync. sound without any cable connection between the camera and the tape recorder if the latter is equipped with a crystal controlled motor (e.g. Nagra 4, Perfectone E P 6 A2, Stellavox). Such a system (diagram KL) does not permit the use of the clapper.
If, however, the two units Camera and
recorder are connected by a cable, the clapper will function (diagram L M). See additional information page 29 for connection and use.
When the recorder has no crystal, the
synchronization can be ensured by using the Eclair pilotone- module (option) which contains its own signal.
THE ECLAIR PILOTONE MODULE is
contained in a metal cover. Its size: 92 x 66 x 23 mm is slightly larger than a packet of 20 ciga­rettes (fig. Y and Z). it is a crystal pilot f req uency generator 50-60 and 100 H Z.
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32
Fig. X’
Camera side
Fig. Z
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