Cine-Kodak Special 1:1 shaft motor coupling adapter.

James Rhodes · August 7

I was wondering if anyone here knows where I can find a motor coupling shaft adapter fitting for the Cine-Kodak Special I and II cameras. I am planning to build an intervalometer using a stepper motor and would prefer not to fabricate my own coupling because I don’t want to put undue stress and binding on the internal mechanism due to shaft misalignment. I believe F&B/Ceco and JK/Meritex made these for their time lapse systems for the CKS cameras. The shaft appears to be a 3/16“ round shaft machined down to 1/8“ x 3/16.“ I have found that aftermarket products for these cameras are much more different to find for these cameras than the Bolex cameras, but one of these must be in someone’s drawer somewhere. Thanks!

Simon Wyss · August 7

The CKS have a unique film lateral guidance which was developed for Kodacolor. Stock perforated on both sides gets centered in the gate, single-row perforation film doesn’t and frame-by-frame work traditionally has no good steadiness. I recommend to use a different camera unless you’ll expose 2-r. perf. film.

James Rhodes · August 7

That’s odd. The time-lapse scenes I’ve shot using the single frame lever on both CKS models have excellent stability and consistent exposures , even with single-perforated film stock. I would have to say that to my eye this camera has a more stable image than the Bolex H16 Reflex cameras I have owned, regardless of film stock and filming speed. These cameras were used by Clokey Productions to film the Gumby and Davey and Goliath TV series of the 1950‘s and 1960‘s, using stop motion techniques and animation motors coupled to the 1:1 shaft. I doubt that Art Clokey and other professionals had an issue with them. Thanks, Simon.

James Rhodes · August 7

Not to dismiss your knowledge and experience, as I know you have dissected these cameras and examined them in great detail and I enjoy your comments on them. Maybe my cameras are an exception to the rule but as long as I get the exposure correct I get excellent results with these cameras. I wish they had the availability of accessories that the Bolex does. Maybe that’s why they’re such a bargain on the market these days.

Simon Wyss · August 7

All the better then. I must admit that stability sideways depends also on the clearance of the film canal which varies among examples. We have low-shrinkage triacetate and polyester-base films today, back in the thirties that was unknown. Half a year of shelfing could lead to a little shrunken stock but already so much that the margin between perforation holes and edge was narrower than good. The film is guided on the inner hole edges.

See my article

The CKS are interesting cameras. I personally dislike the film path but I am just a tech.

Brandon Paterno · August 7

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7392985 to a flexible 8mm to (whatever motor you're using) coupler. Or gut out one of the existing motorized CKS's. or cut a rod down the middle. many ways to go

James Rhodes · August 7

I have read your very interesting article, Simon, thanks. I share your dislike of the CKS film path and I miss the automatic threading of the Bolex but I think the CKS cameras are superior instruments, just not as easy to use. Thanks for the information on couplers, Brandon.

Simon Wyss · August 8

I know that an automatic translation from German to English yields weird results. If need be, I will make the effort to translate myself. The most common error occurring is feather for Feder. The German Feder is a bird’s feather as well as a technical spring.

James Rhodes · August 8

I printed out an English version of your article a while back and I still have it, Simon. A very thorough and informative piece on the CKS cameras. My only issue is the double perforated film question. The CKS manuals themselves say the cameras will accept all film types. I know a man in Australia, where only 1R film is available, and he has had excellent results with it. I will try to attach a link to his YouTube site.

James Rhodes · August 8

Here is the link:

James Rhodes · August 8

Here is the link:

James Rhodes · August 8

Here is a link to some footage I shot with my 1955 vintage CKS II. I had some exposure issues on some of the shots but I don’t detect any issues with lateral weave or anything like that.

Brandon Paterno · August 8

0:40 onwards exhibits some jumpiness. More than ive seen with double perf captured intermittently. But still not bad. your transport might need an adjustment tho. off the shelf if sitting and doing nothing the parts inside the mags get oxidized and tough.

im having to switch to single perf print print films within the next couple hundred feet or so and im not looking forward to it. the transport works really well with double perf and will take single, but its pretty clear why its not ideal. Too much additional pressure on that side. Probably matters less nowadays if you are just scanning and manipulating the footage digitally.

it may be a matter of picking up a few more mags and playing around with machining the raised bumps on the ST area off of the pressure plate.

James Rhodes · August 8

Well, in that case maybe you and Simon are on to something. The difference to my eye is negligible but may be more obvious displayed on a large screen. I have access to both types of film as I usually order it from the Film Photography Project. I currently have 2r Kodak Vision 50D in my CKSII and will look to see if it does a better job. Since I don’t have a 3D printer I think I will just buy a 5mm to 3/16” set-screw coupler and use 1/32” brass shims along the flat faces of the CKS 1:1 shaft. Thanks for your input, Simon and Brandon.