SOREMEC - CEHESS Department “ECLAIR INTERNATIONAL” 41-45, rue Galilee - 75116 Paris Tel: 723.78.
Technical Characteristics Weight: 4.
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).
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.
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.
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. 75 Fig.
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 ».
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...
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.
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).
THE BATTERY (MIBAC) THE CHARGER (MIRAP) The low torque ot the camera and the high efficiency output of the motor have allowed the construction of a low power battery (1,2 amp-hour) which at 20°C (68°F) provides power for ten 60 m (200 ft) magazines i.e. for about 600 meter of film. This battery (37) weighs less than 1-4 lbs (640 grammes). It is a Saft type VIR 1.2 ten cell cadmium-nickel which is enclosed in a polyurethane case (48) fig. AB.
BATTERY (BAKEL) CHARGER (CIBRE) If a battery having a larger capacity than the MIBAC battery is desired, especially if the camera is often used at higher speed than the standard, we can supply the BAKEL battery (of the Eclair NPR 16) type VR 4 (4 amp-hour). It is a 12 volts cadmium-nickel battery - Fig EF - with a discharge controller (Schoeller galvanometer) and is supplied in a plastic box made of unbreakable black polyethylene with a carrying textile belt.
CABLES AND PLUGS Taking into account the preceding information, will you please find hereafter diagrams that will help you to understand easily the instruction manual; they will also help you should you have to order cables or plugs you may need.
UNITS CONNECTIONS Schema KL Equipment • Camera with crystal controlled motor • Recorder with crystal controlled motor Schema LM Possibilities Sync. without connection cable No clapper Possibilities Sync. with connection cable Clapper Schema NO Schema MN Equipment • Camera with crystal controlled motor • Recorder with crystal controlled motor • Pilotone module fed by the camea battery Equipment • Camera with crystal controlled motor • Recorder with crystal controlled motor Possibilities Sync.
INSTRUCTION MANUAL When you receive your equipment for the first time we recommend you examine every unit individually in accordance with the information given in this brochure. After that, you will be able to follow the instructions for use more easily. MOUNTING A “C” LENS • Remove from the camera the protective cap of the lens mount. • Remove from the lens the cap protecting the thread. • Remove any dust from the flange with your finger. • Screw in the lens in 21. Fig. 0.
DIOPTRY ADJUSTMENT OF THE VIEWFINDER Legend of the external parts of the viewfinder: Ll - Eyepiece with shutter and rotatable rubber eyecup. L2 - Control ring of eyepiece shutter. L3 - Locking knob of the dioptry adjustment ring. L4 - 360' rotatable viewf 1 nder unit. L5 - Eyepiece support with rocking motion for left and right eye sight. L6 - Locking ring of the rotation of the eyepiece support. L7 - Adjusting ring for partial positioning of the ground glass image.
Adjustment without lens : Direct the camera towards a well lighted part (sky, for example) and follow the preceding instruction 1-2-3-6- and 7. Instruction for use Position L5 for your left or your right eye, as needed. Make sure the dioptry adjustment is correct and the button L3 is perfectly tightened. If the image on the ground glass is not optically horizontal, turn ring L7 in one way or the other to level the image. If you.
FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC BASE 150 E a) On/off switch (32) This is a double action switch : it puts under tension the diodes of the exposure indicator, without starting the camera. Or it sends the power supply to the motor to start the camera. tee page 24 detailed instruction. b) The clapper switch (20) In the central position this switch provides no clapper. In outside right position : the clapper is automatic and provides fogging of the film for 0,3 secondes at each start.
LOADING THE FILM 60 meter (200 ft) magazine: To load a film on a 2" (50 mm) core, proceed as follows: Feed side (fig. XY) (to be done in a dark room or in a changing bag) • Put the magazine on its side, nose to the left. • Depress the safety lock button and turn the lid catch anti-clockwise; lift the part of the latch that projects over the edge of the magazine. At the same time pull the lid backwards to clear it from the magazine. • Lift the counter arm (53) which locks up utornatically.
Loading a daylight loading spool to the magazine • Choose a shaded area if possible. • Pull and lift vertically the flange catches (71) on the supply and take-up sides. • Remove the flanges (70). • Load the film as for a core load. • Lock the spools in place with the catches (71) ensuring that they are pushed firmly home. NB. In order to ensure the lowest noise level check that the spools are not warped and that they are firmly locked onto the axle as indicated above.
MOUNTING THE MAGAZINE ON THE CAMERA: Before snapping on the magazine, check the loop and ensure that the aperture plate (10) is clean as well as the side guides (11-12), make sure that the pressure guide (12) is working correctly. 16 17 Make sure also that the outside loop of film is equalized (up and down) in front of the gate. With the magazine tilted backwards (fig. G) place the lower part of the magazine nose at the bottom of the aperture plate, the magazine drives shafts (18-74) are aligned.
STARTING THE CAMERA Having fitted a lens and the magazine on the camera and checked the dioptry adjustment of the viewfinder: • Attach the battery to the camera with the cable MIBLE (or with the cable BABAC if you are using a BAKEL battery). • Make sure that the motor has been set at the right speed : for 24 frames per second, move the switch (38) to the right so that the white spot will be in front of 24. Turn the knob 35 so the letter N faces the datum mark. For 25 f.p.s.
Audible warning device in magazine: This system S (fig. YZ) also called « ghost indicator » functions if the film loop is resorbed; it produces a clicking sound which warns the cameraman. In that case : • Stop the camera and remove the magazine. • Check the loop and divide it normally. • Re-mount the magazine on to the camera. • Restart the camera. Should this occur again, check in a changing bag the threading of the magazine; you will probably find a film jamming due to some damaged perforations.
Advantages of the system • Compactness of the measuring assembly and display situated next to the ground glass This lay out requires the minimum of optical components, no reflection, no intermediate optics, (no risk of misalignment). • System of setting up by comparison No setting imposed by the manufacturer, the operator is the judge of the optimum fighting for the film. No variable density disc, no compensation for non-linearity of the CDS cell respose.
MIBAC BATTERY To plug in a Jaeger plug simply turn and push the plug onto the socket until the locking ring clicks into place. To remove the plug, pull on the ridged ring. MIRAP BATTERY CHARGER It might be useful here to give a simple outline of the operation of the rapid charge system : when recharging a battery with a current in the order of C 5 Amps a clear and reproducible increase in voltage becomes apparent towards the end of the charge, whatever the initial level of charge of the battery.
BAKEL BATTERY CIBRE CHARGER The BAKEL battery - fig GI - the principal characteristics of which are described page 13, is always supplied discharged after a complete cycle of charge and discharge. The technical characteristics of the CIBRE charger -fig HJ -are: • Dimensions: 125 x 64 x 40 mm • Power supply :115 or 220 volts AC by voltage selector, 50 or 60 cycles. 9 Weight: 0,420 kg. • Safety : fuse on the alterning current, type 01 0,25 amp. • Rate of charge : 320 mA.
ACCESSORIES PILOTONE MODULE As already said, this accessory is a 5 crystal pilot frequency generator 50-60 and 100 hz. Its precision is ± 510 within a temperature limit of - 20° C to + 60° C (- 4° F to + 140° F). The output tension is 1 v. effective. A three position switch 50-60-100 selects the pilot frequency recorded on the magnetic tape corresponding to the standard used when transfering the sound to 16 or 35 mm perforated film. Our pilotone-module provides two possibilities : 1.
CHANGING THE MOTOR If you must replace your motor, please proceed as follows Removal: • Disconnect the battery from the camera before this operation is carried out. • Take the lens off the camera. • Turn the knurled knob 31 to bring the reflex mirror in the aperture centre.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USING OUR CAMERAS UNDER EXTREME CLIMATIC CONDITIONS FILM AND TEMPERATURE Storage The package in metal cans conserves the sensitometric and mechanical characteristics of the f ilm (raw stock material). On the following table, we indicate the maximum temperatures for storage not exceeding a period of 6 months. Black & white negative film 12° C = 53° F. Black & white positive film 18° C = 64° F. Color film 10° C = 50° F. Lower temperatures would not entail any inconvenience.
COLD CLIMATES Preparation Check whether the camera has al ways been maintained and repaired by one of our agents; the use of appropriate lubricants, the respect of mounting tolerances for all moving parts etc... all this will give you the best guarantee for satisfactory service under frigid conditions. For temperature lower than - 15° C (+ 5° F) would you please consult one of our agents. He will carry out a « Winterizing treatment » which has been elaborated by our research department.
USEFUL INFORMATION Weights and sizes: Camera front head . 1,175kg 160x85x1 15 mm Mivar motor ......... 0,845 kg 176x72x45 mm with intermediate plates and screws Angenieux viewfinder ...... 0,610 kg 1 00x87x1 25 mm Lens protector ....... 0,030 kg 068 mm Handgrip ............... 0,270 kg 158x47x35 mm 60 m (200 ft) magazine ........ 1,735 kg 242xl 65x67 mm 120 m (400 ft) magazine ........ 2,900 kg 289x2O2x78 mm Mible feed cable ... 0,235 kg 1-2 metres Pilotone module ....
Ref. NUMBERS AND FIGURES Ners 1 2 3 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 34 DESIGNATION Lens mount support ............................................. Gelatine holder .................................................... Reflex viewfinder ................................................. Multiduty mivar motor .......................................... Motor electronics .................................................
The big-ass view from page 20! Schema UV Schema VX 35
About this .PDF document This document probably originated from this website: The online Eclair ACL 16mm camera manual: http://www.biksco.com/acl/ The site has all sorts of links and info about the Eclair ACL, including the original Eclair ACL I manual in .PDF format. Here’s the whole sorrid tale of the creation of this document: This document started as a series of 300 d.p.i. full-page scans of an original Eclair ACL 1.5 manual.