Lance Neame

:)

Within reason you're probably right. The camera designers would specify a particular oil to keep the bearings running wear-free for as long as possible, within a certain temperature range. The oil needed to be viscous enough to form a barrier between shaft and bushing and not leak out, but not so thick as to clog the mechanism. Different bearing tolerances and materials would require slightly different oils, but generally they were all variations on clock oil. Some old cameramen I've talked to say they used Singer Sewing Machine oil on their wind-ups for years without a problem.

 

The article you linked to that mentions sperm whale oil is actually about a different camera, the much less refined Cine Kodak Eight. As previously pointed out, the article only states that the sperm oil was used in the sealed spring housing, not the exposed bearings. Sperm whale oil was a fantastic lubricant used for many years in precision mechanical devices, so I wouldn't rule it out though. It was widely used in car transmissions - apparently when they phased out its use in the 80's the transmission failure rate went through the roof until suitable synthetic replacements were found. The well known Nye oil used sperm whale oil, as did NASA for use in the sub-zero climate of space. There are internet rumours that the Hubble telescope still uses it, but I doubt that. Interestingly, Kodak, Fuji and Konica all hold current patents relating to image recording using whale oil.

 

For most old wind-ups I'd probably say just use clock oil, or Bolex oil, but the Special was a different class of camera, aimed at professionals like doctors and engineers to use in their practice. It pioneered the interchangeable magazine idea later utilised by Arri with their SR cameras. It was heavy and solid enough to be used extensively during WWII, but much more refined than the Bell and Howells.

 

The Special II refined the design even further. It's probably the most beautifully engineered wind-up camera ever made. But realistically, if you're going to the trouble of finding the proper oil, it would really need a complete overhaul, with new grease as well as oil.

 

And finding out the original grease would be a whole new adventure!

Thanks Dom,

I am actually thinking of giving the camera a complete overhaul, as I want to put it to serious use again.

What would make that job easier would be finding a copy of the military repair & overhaul manuals.

There is a mention of the Cine-Kodak Special II Repair & Overhaul Manuals on this website http://www.cameraweb.com/manuals.htm . The Email addresses given are inactive :huh: , so it only serves to show that such manuals were available. Where do I look now? :unsure:

Cine-Kodak Special II Camera: Serial number 12984.

PAR Products Hollywood reflex viewfinder: Showing serial number 568:

PAR Products Hollywood - 4 x C mount lens turret and reflex viewfinder conversion: Showing serial number 342 on base of turret:

Rear view of camera 2.

Rear view of camera 1.

Showing internal view of the 200ft film chamber.

Showing 200ft film chamber.

Cine-Kodak Special II Camera

:) Hi, thanks for the responses, particularly Dom.

I have the exploded parts list also, which in that regard, is of little help.

There has been reference to a military Cine-Kodak Special II Repair & Overhaul Manual, does such a thing exist I wonder?

Repair & Overhaul instructions would be invaluable, and definitely worth purchasing if anyone had a copy.

I have yet to begin work on my camera, and am gathering as much information as possible before I do.

Mineral oil, such as those listed, would be more appropriate than modern synthetics I presume?

I will keep searching……

BTW cinematography.com has already provided much useful information; I am pleased to have finally become a member.

Best Regards,

Lance.

Hello,

I am in the process of resurrecting an old Cine-Kodak Special II (a clockwork/wind-up regular 16mm camera), and have been searching for a suitable modern lubricant to use.

I have looked at using high speed spindle oil, namely the following….

Mobil Velocite 6 (iso-10)

Shell Morlina 10 (iso-10)

Mobil Velocite 10 (iso-22)

Can anyone please advise if these are suitable choices for lubricating the bearings in these cameras, or suggest possibly a better option?

Thanks for your time in reading this post; any replies will be sincerely appreciated.