Alain LeTourneau

I have an old set of Miller sticks that I'm looking to find a 100mm head for and in need of recommendations. I don't do a lot of moves, mainly locked down shots.

I'm just looking for something that will provide sturdy support for my Eclair NPR.

My other option is to use a some Vinten sticks with a Vision 5 head that a friend of mine will loan me. Vinten doesn't make the 5 anymore. I believe it's been upgraded to the Vision 6, which supports 9.9-22lbs according to Vinten's website.

Has anyone used a Vinten Vision 5 or 6 head and sticks for an Eclair NPR or a camera of similar weight?

Alain

The session was not videotaped, but the audio was recordede and is available on CD from www.ifp.org.

Hey Mitch,

I looked all over the ifp.org site and could find nothing about the seminar/conference on Super 16 nor any mention of a CD. Is there a contact person at IFP NY that would know more about the availability of the CD?

Thanks,

Alain

Eclair's history of manufacturing 16mm cameras is proving elusive. I may have to talk with people in the UK and France if anyone has suggestions of people to contact.

I know that the company was in business from 1928-1982. And that British producer Henry Saltzman bought the company in 1972/3. This stuff can be found on the web without much effort.

Currently, I cannot give specifics more than what's listed below:

Eclair NPR - early to mid-1960s

Eclair ACL - late 1960s

Eclair ACL II - late 1970s/early 1980s (pre-1982)

Eclair GV16 (high speed camera)?

Alain

I seem to get a quite a few mags with np1. I use my four pin adapter from my dat recorder.

Jason

Is the ACL the same power draw as the NPR - 12V DC 3.5Ah?

Alain

http://www.trewaudio.com/catalog/items/item398.htm

 

NP1 to Canon 4 pin. Thinking of getting one for my ACL.

 

Anyone have a better price somewhere?

That's pretty dang small. Price seems ok but how many mags does the NP1 power?

Thanks,

Alain

Greetings Alain,

 

Have you tried the eclairacl list on the topica website?

 

you might find something to fill in the gaps.

Thanks Manny.

You know I'm signed on to that list and I'd actually forgotten about it.

Alain

I'll make the argument for you Nathan. Yes, I'd bet on the LTR being steadier. One of the many reasons I bought an Aaton.

Too bad Aaton LTR's are so much harder to come by than an SR1. One hardly sees the LTR listed for sale next the scores of SR1s that are for sale.

The cost is much better though.

Alain

Nathan,

Thanks a million for taking the time to compile this information.

A couple things here...

you wrote:

This guy might be able to give you more info on the NPR:

http://members.aol.com/npr16mm/

I have attempted to contact this person several times now and each time had my messages bounce back. Has anyone else had this problem? It's a shame as I'd really like to talk to this person. I really love the site and have found it incredibly useful.

The other thing is that I sent a message off to Aaton so I'll see what they have to say.

I've always found it odd that with written information about Eclair people usually just say the 1960s. I've never found exact dates that the NPR or ACL were introduced.

Best,

Alain

I'm working on a (general) historical timeline for the 16mm format, starting from Kodak's introduction of 16mm filmstock in 1923.

The timeline will include the introduction and discontinuation of various tools of the 16mm filmmaking trade - filmstocks, cameras, editing, projectors. This timeline will eventually be posted on the web.

I'm starting piecemeal with Eclair/Aaton, and figured that Nathan Milford and others on this list could fill in the blanks for me. The blanks being rather large at this point (but one has to start somewhere).

mid-to-late 1960s? - Eclair NPR, ACL

1971 - prototype for Aaton 7A

1973 - introduction of 7A

LTR

LTR 54

XTR

XTR plus

XTR prod

A Minima

There is obviously more to add, and many details are currently left out. This is where those of you with some information and knowledge can chime in and help construct this history.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Best,

Alain LeTourneau

Portland, Oregon

One great advantage to Aaton image steadiness is the horizontal pressure plate, which is basically a little spring-mounted bar that pushes against the edge of the film frame at the gate. Aaton has had this from the beginning in the mid-seventies, but it took until the Arri SR-3Advanced (not the original SR-3) for the Germans to admit that the French had a smart idea.

Does this include the LTR? Is the LTR steadier than the SR1?

Alain

George at Optical Electro House makes a battery that is small enough to velcro to the magazine door. Bob quoted me $200 w/ a charger. This seems like a lot for a battery that Bob said will only power 2 mags before it loses its charge.

Mitch's $100 5A 12V battery from Bescor sounds like a better option, but just to second the question: "will it work". I like the sound of $25 option too. Are the cells and hardware easy to locate?

The Eclair manual says 12V 3.5Ah.

Thanks,

Alain

I've been using a large NRG battery belt to power my Eclair NPR. Trouble is it's enormous and heavy when carrying it for long distances (I hate lugging it around when I'm carrying the tripod and camera at the same time).

Can anyone recommend a smaller battery to power an NPR? Possibly something that is an on-board model?

Thanks,

Alain

Zeiss, yes but which Zeiss lens do you mean when you say older super speeds?

T1.3 (mk I)? T2.0? T2.2? T2.4?

Thanks,

Alain "new to fancy glass" LeTourneau

2 questions -

I'm on a budget and need to find a good prime lens in the 12mm-16mm range for less than $500 in a bayo mt what would people recommend?

What prime lenses (in the same range and mount) would people recommend for under $1500? (This is a down the road, planning for the future question.)

Appreciate any and all assistance.

Alain

John,

Optical Electro House sells a CA-1 > Bayo adapter for $102. If it wasn't possible I'd think they say something?

Convertering to a Bayo mt would cost $600.

Best,

Alain

I've been using C mount Switars with my Eclair NPR. The lenses are fast, and much more affordable than the Arri std and B lens, and CA-1 primes. Big drawback is the size...those Switars are small, a little hard to read and operate (hate the focus ring).

Here's my questions:

(1) CA-1 mount primes are hard to come by and can be spendy. Does anyone recommend getting an Arri Std or B mount adapter instead or in addition to?

(2) If I was to get a CA-1 > Std or B mount adapter which is better, Std or B mt. I use wide angle lenses only, no long lenses.

(3) I'm on a budget with lenses and looking for wide angle primes - 10, 12, 16 - which means I'd like to pay $250-350 for a lens, but if it was worth it I could probably do $400-500. Beyond this max amount is really out of the question.

Appreciate any and all assistance.

Best,

Alain LeTourneau

I'm posting the link to this petition again to ask that people take a

moment to sign and help circulate to others you feel would be

interested in endorsing this petition.

I've posted this to the "General" category because I feel this is a matter

that concerns filmmakers, students, professional cinematographers, archivists,

and the film community in general.

As a plan B to the suggestions mentioned below to Kodak there's the

possible option of using 35mm E6 Dupe film (currently used to duplicate

slides) as a multi-purpose stock similar to the way that Kodak uses

Kodachrome 40 for 35mm slide, 16mm and super 8. That is, the E6 dupe

could replace 7399 in addition to being used for making duplicates of 35mm

slides.

Thanks to Timoleon Wilkins for bringing the above to my attention.

Best,

Alain LeTourneau

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below is a link to an on-line petition requesting that Eastman Kodak

continue the manufacture of Ektachrome 7250 and 7399 motion picture

film stocks by switching to an E6 process.

The Ektachome VNF-1 and RVNF processes for camera and print stocks will

be discontinued by year's end 2004. All that will remain is the E6 process

camera stock 7285 (100D).

There will no longer be a means of making prints of color reversal

camera stocks without going the costly route of making an internegative if

Eastman Kodak follows through with its decision to discontinue 7399. In

addition, filmmakers will be limited to one Ektachrome camera stock if

Kodak elminates 7250.

Please take a moment to read the petition and sign if you feel it is a

measure Kodak should strongly consider.

http://www.40framesdirectory.org/petitions/kodak01/

Entering your email address will not make it public. The address will

be contained within the master list which will be sent to Eastman Kodak.

You email contact will not show up in the endorsement fields below the

petition.

Please make certain to include your organization and title. If not

representing an organization please note "filmmaker", "student", or

whatever you feel is appropriate.

Sincerely,

Alain LeTourneau

Pamela Minty

Special thanks to Samuel Miller for technical assistance, and Jeff

Kreines and Robert Schaller for editorial assistance.

------------------

40 Frames Directory

Portland, Oregon

____________________

Below is a link to an on-line petition requesting that Eastman Kodak

continue the manufacture of Ektachrome 7250 and 7399 motion picture film

stocks by switching to an E6 process.

The Ektachome VNF-1 and RVNF processes for camera and print stocks will be

discontinued by year's end 2004. All that will remain is the E6 process

camera stock 7285 (100D).

There will no longer be a means of making prints of color reversal camera

stocks without going the costly route of making an internegative if

Eastman Kodak follows through with its decision to discontinue 7399. In

addition, filmmakers will be limited to one Ektachrome camera stock if

Kodak elminates 7250.

Please take a moment to read the petition and sign if you feel it is a

measure Kodak should strongly consider.

http://www.40framesdirectory.org/petitions/kodak01/

Entering your email address will not make it public. The address will be

contained within the master list which will be sent to Eastman Kodak. You

email contact will not show up in the endorsement fields below the

petition.

Please make certain to include your organization and title. If not

representing an organization please note "filmmaker", "student", or

whatever you feel is appropriate.

Sincerely,

Alain LeTourneau

Pamela Minty

Special thanks to Samuel Miller for technical assistance, and Jeff Kreines

and Robert Schaller for editorial assistance.

------------------

40 Frames Directory

Portland, Oregon