ALCS Single-Speed Crystal Controller for CP16R

[Aapo Lettinen]

I will collect the final orders for the 1-speed CP16R crystal update kits this Spring and can make couple of installation kits in Autumn2024. If there is orders, I will try to build and extra one or two if it is possible so that I would have something in stock if someone would need a kit years later. Additionally I will keep some spare boards in case someone needs a replacement but those are not sold, only kept for warranty purposes.

I can make the previously described internal film counters in the same batch too, but only at the same time when building the last 1-speed kits and not before or later. The film counter software is not finished as there was no demand for it previously and thus will need to know beforehand if it is needed or not so that I know to reserve some time to finish the software.

After that single last batch I will have to concentrate on other projects and because the CP16 camera modifications seem to be very low demand items (I was only able to sell two of the basic kits total) it is likely that no other stuff will be developed for the CP16 cameras by me. These 1-speed kits are relatively affordable products and are only possible to build if I make multiple of them at the same time, so there has to be some demand to keep them available in the first place.

So the deadline for final orders of the 1-speed CP16 crystal sync update kit is May15th, 2024 and they need to be paid for in May2024 so that I can reserve enough resources to make the batch in time. If you want to order the built-in footage counter, the same deadlines apply.

Price for the 1-speed crystal sync kit is 400usd + shipping a piece, two kits for 700usd + shipping. Footage counter board is 150usd + shipping. The kits are shipping in late 2024, likely in September or October if there is orders so that the batch can be made.

[Aapo Lettinen]

COLLECTING FINAL ORDERS for the 1-speed CP16R update electronics, LET ME KNOW BEFORE APRIL 20 IF WANTING ONE!!!. I still have possibility to make one batch of these in Summer but this will be the last chance to get one, I technically already discontinued this product last year but can still give one last chance to order if there is someone needing it. This project did not create revenue and I need the storage space for other stuff but would hate throwing the materials and board away if there is a chance someone still needing a kit for their camera.

 

The 1-speed update electronics completely replace the old control electronics of the CP16 camera, you can see in the picture the insides of the camera after the installation, the only original component used is the motor itself and everything else including the tachometer sensor is replaced with modern electronics and the design of the update kit allows very easy servicing of the camera for leaving all the mechanical parts easily accessible and not blocked by circuit boards like with the original electronics.

No shutter parking, there is a inching function which is easy to use to manually park the shutter by pressing the button shortly once or twice to run the camera just a tiny bit forward until one sees the mirror is in viewing position. the same inching button can be used to run the camera at slow speed (adjustable with a trimmer on the circuit board) to shoot basic "time lapse" kind of effects.

The camera has one internal crystal speed of either 24 or 25 fps. More speeds can be fed via the 6-pin accessory connector on the back panel and it has additional start-stop connection and footage counter pulse output as well. The update kit is tested with a CP16R with 25fps belt gears (red coloured belt gear) but if your camera has 24fps gear I will need some easy to measure information about the gear tooth count to ensure that the kit is setup correctly here.

 

Price is 450usd + shipping per kit, or two kits for 800 including shipping.

 

This is a user installable update kit, includes very good instructions how to install it to the camera. The back panel colour may be slightly different from the images and the switch is slightly different and will have a protection collar.

 

Like mentioned before, this is the absolute last chance to order one and I can only make one final batch if there is enough paid orders this Spring. If not, I will throw most of the materials away and sell my test camera body to make room for other projects and only keep the absolute minimum to have couple of spare parts in case the existing users need them. No new kits possible to sell then anymore.

Edited March 15, 2024 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 3/15/2024 at 12:05 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

COLLECTING FINAL ORDERS for the 1-speed CP16R update electronics, LET ME KNOW BEFORE APRIL 20 IF WANTING ONE!!!. I still have possibility to make one batch of these in Summer but this will be the last chance to get one, I technically already discontinued this product last year but can still give one last chance to order if there is someone needing it. This project did not create revenue and I need the storage space for other stuff but would hate throwing the materials and board away if there is a chance someone still needing a kit for their camera.

 

The 1-speed update electronics completely replace the old control electronics of the CP16 camera, you can see in the picture the insides of the camera after the installation, the only original component used is the motor itself and everything else including the tachometer sensor is replaced with modern electronics and the design of the update kit allows very easy servicing of the camera for leaving all the mechanical parts easily accessible and not blocked by circuit boards like with the original electronics.

No shutter parking, there is a inching function which is easy to use to manually park the shutter by pressing the button shortly once or twice to run the camera just a tiny bit forward until one sees the mirror is in viewing position. the same inching button can be used to run the camera at slow speed (adjustable with a trimmer on the circuit board) to shoot basic "time lapse" kind of effects.

The camera has one internal crystal speed of either 24 or 25 fps. More speeds can be fed via the 6-pin accessory connector on the back panel and it has additional start-stop connection and footage counter pulse output as well. The update kit is tested with a CP16R with 25fps belt gears (red coloured belt gear) but if your camera has 24fps gear I will need some easy to measure information about the gear tooth count to ensure that the kit is setup correctly here.

 

Price is 450usd + shipping per kit, or two kits for 800 including shipping.

 

This is a user installable update kit, includes very good instructions how to install it to the camera. The back panel colour may be slightly different from the images and the switch is slightly different and will have a protection collar.

 

Like mentioned before, this is the absolute last chance to order one and I can only make one final batch if there is enough paid orders this Spring. If not, I will throw most of the materials away and sell my test camera body to make room for other projects and only keep the absolute minimum to have couple of spare parts in case the existing users need them. No new kits possible to sell then anymore.

Anyone interested in the 1-speed system?

there is still about 2 weeks left to order these kits if you need one. As said I will probably throw the leftover parts away and sell the camera body in Summer so there will be no cp16r crystal update kits available then anymore

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 4/3/2024 at 11:08 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Anyone interested in the 1-speed system?

there is still about 2 weeks left to order these kits if you need one. As said I will probably throw the leftover parts away and sell the camera body in Summer so there will be no cp16r crystal update kits available then anymore

Still couple of days left to order. No one has asked about these so far so looks like it is safe to discontinue it after all?

I checked out some things and it does not seem to be practical to make user installable kits like this anymore. Could make a technician installed more advanced kit later but that would be much much more expensive so very uncertain would it work at all.

Again, still couple of days left to order if you need the 1-speed system for the CP16 camera. this will likely be the last user installable kit available for this camera model and if there would be any kind of later model made at some point it would need to be camera tech installed for being too complicated for anyone to install by themselves

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 4/15/2024 at 5:02 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Still couple of days left to order. No one has asked about these so far so looks like it is safe to discontinue it after all?

I checked out some things and it does not seem to be practical to make user installable kits like this anymore. Could make a technician installed more advanced kit later but that would be much much more expensive so very uncertain would it work at all.

Again, still couple of days left to order if you need the 1-speed system for the CP16 camera. this will likely be the last user installable kit available for this camera model and if there would be any kind of later model made at some point it would need to be camera tech installed for being too complicated for anyone to install by themselves

I will likely make the absolutely final devices in October. Preorder-only, paid upfront, will only assemble the exact amount ordered and no extra ones.

Let me know during September2024 if wanting to order a 1-speed CP16R crystal sync kit for your camera. WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTERWARDS.  

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 8/18/2024 at 2:54 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

I will likely make the absolutely final devices in October. Preorder-only, paid upfront, will only assemble the exact amount ordered and no extra ones.

Let me know during September2024 if wanting to order a 1-speed CP16R crystal sync kit for your camera. WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AFTERWARDS.  

Ordering deadline 1st October 2024.

it does not look good at the moment but hopefully there would be some orders 🙂 

I re-evaluated different options about multi-speed CP16R crystal sync system but to me it looks like a multi-speed system would be too expensive for most users of these cameras as the CP16R is kind of intermediate camera between Bolex-style cameras and Eclairs so people often upgrade to Eclair instead of spending lots of money on CP16R. So a multi-speed system, which costs from 1100 to 1400 usd + installation costs and shipping , is not needed as far as I can see. And considering there has already been some multi-speed Cp16r projects in the past which did not sell I think it is not necessary to design such a system. Let me know what you think... 

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 9/18/2024 at 2:01 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Ordering deadline 1st October 2024.

it does not look good at the moment but hopefully there would be some orders 🙂 

I re-evaluated different options about multi-speed CP16R crystal sync system but to me it looks like a multi-speed system would be too expensive for most users of these cameras as the CP16R is kind of intermediate camera between Bolex-style cameras and Eclairs so people often upgrade to Eclair instead of spending lots of money on CP16R. So a multi-speed system, which costs from 1100 to 1400 usd + installation costs and shipping , is not needed as far as I can see. And considering there has already been some multi-speed Cp16r projects in the past which did not sell I think it is not necessary to design such a system. Let me know what you think... 

It looks like it is good time to wrap the 1-speed CP16R project for good. There was very little demand for it after all ( I sold two kits and installed one to my own camera). And frankly speaking I want to get rid of the bits and pieces I have saved for this project and only save the essential stuff needed for possible repairs of the existing systems.

I am concentrating on Eclair and Arri motor projects for now as there is more demand for them and I am able to finance the projects better than these Cinema Products systems which seem to create lots of losses and there is fewer active users.

It is still possible to order custom made crystal update kits for the CP16R of course, for example multi-speed ones with basic display and shutter parking etc, but there is minimum order amounts for custom work (typically from 2500 to 3000 usd minimum order paid upfront and one would get maybe 2 or 3 kits with that price depending on features). Custom work has the advantage of being able to affect the features and user interface if you have special features in mind. The disadvantage of custom stuff is that it is not possible to order single ones (well it is but it would still cost the minimum of 2500 or 3000usd so as well you could get two or three and sell the rest to others).

Edited September 27, 2024 by Aapo Lettinen

[Aapo Lettinen]

I am selling my CP16R this year. it has the 1-speed crystal sync system installed but I determined it might be best to make a simple 4-speed internal crystal sync system for it with variable speed to get better price of the camera body. And then I could get some kind of closure for the CP16R projects by making a controller which by my opinion fits the camera model the best at the moment.

crystal speeds 16fps, 24fps, 25fps, 33.333fps and the variable speed is crystal sync too so you can get additional crystal speeds from the variable selector if carefully measuring the running speed or if cranking it to the highest or lowest setting which are firm. I will probably set the top vari speed to 50.00fps crystal, the lowest speed will be determined but likely something around 6 or 8fps or so. Other features will be optimized based on if there is extra orders or not ( =how much budget there is for extra work)

By my research this it the most optimal crystal sync system for that camera model by price-quality-features ratio at the moment so it will be the last one I will make for CP16 cameras and then letting the whole camera line go as I need to concentrate on Eclairs and Arris now. One could argue that super cool oled display ultimate systems could be made for cp16r but they are not optimal for this camera model because of the mechanical construction of it and the price point between Arri16BL and Eclairs : if making too cool expensive controller for the camera one could just buy a Eclair with the same money so one really needs to think it through what is the best for the camera to still keep it affordable. That is why the 4-speed is the best one can get for the cp16r by my opinion.

If you want to purchase a CP16R camera or a diy installable 4-speed crystal sync system for such a camera, contact me before April2025 so that I have time to make and install the crystal sync system for the camera and service and test it before the Summer + make any additional crystal sync kits if someone wants to purchase them separately. I can't promise I'll have time to make anything after June2025 and in Autumn I will definitely be too busy so it is basically April - May 2025 or nothing.

approximate prices: the 4-speed system 600 or 650 usd as a diy installation kit.

cp16r camera body with 1 magazine and original video optics and viewfinder, no video tap, N16, butterfly shutter, with 4-speed electronics installed, includes cp16 to arri bayonet lens adapter. Belts changed to new ones, extra motor belts will be included :  2000usd

Edited March 2 by Aapo Lettinen

[Robert Houllahan]

On 3/2/2025 at 1:41 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

If you want to purchase a CP16R camera or a diy installable 4-speed crystal sync system for such a camera, contact me before April2025

approximate prices: the 4-speed system 600 or 650 usd as a diy installation kit.

I would like to get two of the 4 speed for two CP16 bodies we have at Cinelab.

I will email separately about this and order etc.

[Aapo Lettinen]

11 hours ago, Robert Houllahan said:

I would like to get two of the 4 speed for two CP16 bodies we have at Cinelab.

I will email separately about this and order etc.

Excellent! I can move the project forward as soon as getting the first paid order. Earlier start would allow making more tests, I want to experiment with shutter parking possibility if I can get it included

[Tomáz Távora]

I would be interested in one of your controllers for the cp-16r as well.

i’m also interested in your arri 16st crystal motor, but i don’t have the budget for both at this moment. 

[Aapo Lettinen]

I got one order for 45-speed version of the controller. So a 45-speed version will be made, it is 750usd a piece. If specifically wanting the slightly cheaper 4-speed version (650usd) contact me asap as I can do both if knowing very early on, otherwise I will only concentrate on the 45-speed version and the 4-speed discarded

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 3/24/2025 at 7:32 PM, Aapo Lettinen said:

I got one order for 45-speed version of the controller. So a 45-speed version will be made, it is 750usd a piece. If specifically wanting the slightly cheaper 4-speed version (650usd) contact me asap as I can do both if knowing very early on, otherwise I will only concentrate on the 45-speed version and the 4-speed discarded

First draft of the 45-speed back panel design. Things may change but the two buttons and one IO-connector will probably be in final design as well as the 2-character display to select the crystal speed

[Aapo Lettinen]

Here is the new thread for the 45-speed CP16R kit. I will update news on the 45-speed project there.

https://cinematography.com/index.php?/forums/topic/103291-alcs-cp16r-45-speed-crystal-electronics/

[Aapo Lettinen]

On 4/9/2025 at 1:11 AM, Aapo Lettinen said:

Here is the new thread for the 45-speed CP16R kit. I will update news on the 45-speed project there.

https://cinematography.com/index.php?/forums/topic/103291-alcs-cp16r-45-speed-crystal-electronics/

end of an era, removed the fully working 1-speed controller from my cp16r today and installed a cardboard print of the new 45-speed panel in place of it to test the dimensions and switch placement.

1-speed controllers officially discontinued and not available anymore, I will keep that removed one as a curiosity and not selling it like originally intended. If wanting to order 45-speed controllers check out the new thread 🙂 

[Aapo Lettinen]

Here is how the old 1-speed system looked like when installed to the CP16R camera. pretty good basic view of the camera body too 🙂 

https://youtu.be/BtI-rcAqRh4