Heikki Repo

Yes, it's very useful! Also if you get one that's also a trailer, you can take your both babies to countryside and enjoy the scenery bicycling! https://www.thule.com/en-ca/bike-trailers/multisport-trailers/thule-chariot-cheetah-xt-2-_-10100824

I guess at the moment the closest 16mm camera there is to A-Minima size with reflex viewfinder and option for PL mount is the early version of Eclair ACL. Its 200ft mags allow for normal winding on core and 100ft daylight spools. Most labs should be able to spool down to 200ft loads if you buy 400ft of film. If you happen to have extra money just laying around and want such camera, there is on BB List an ACL that has been there for ages -- the seller (from UK) won't consider any offers and the price is relatively high, but I guess that even with buying from him and then having it S16 modified by Les Bosher and a PL adapter added would be much cheaper than a minima, under £2500.

Anyone willing to part with an earlier version Eclair ACL (version I), regular 16mm? Looking for the small base, 24/25 fps motor but preferably with the built-in light meter. This camera would be used for family home movie making, which is the reason why I do not need the heavy duty motor or 400ft mags. As the end product is going to be work prints watched with a projector, no need for Super16 either. I got lenses as well, so there is need only for a camera body & viewfinder & working motor with perhaps 200ft mag or two. Main issue is price. I'm looking for a camera that has price in line with the features or - rather lack of them - and that is in line with the current prices paid for ACL versions 1.5/2 (R16 & Super16) on Ebay. So, if you have one laying around collecting dust, make me an offer!

Unfortunately those prices are pure fantasy 🙂 It ain't cheap to make custom metal pieces and if someone is to put it all together, that person probably would also need to be paid for the work... 😇

Spot on, Tyler 👍🏻

Ain't that true about many digital cinema cameras as well? If I got a dollar for every Youtube/Vimeo camera clip with "test" in the title, I might be able to buy a new Arriflex 416 or two with that money! 😂

By the way Aapo, I have to say that your plan to make optical sound recording possible on a CP16R made me really consider buying one! That would be a very cool modification. Would I use it for professional work? No, quite probably not. Home movies and projection? That would be awesome. IMHO, every can of film bought, shot and processed is good for the film industry, even if it is Nolan and Tarantino ultimately keeping it floating with their features. Back to topic!

I really have trouble understanding why people do this - discourage others and spread disinformation on something that doesn't affect them in any way and on something as harmless as *motion picture cameras*. While caution is to be commended with expensive or dangerous projects, there is a difference between friendly advice and (especially repeatedly) telling that there is no point in doing something new.

Tyler, I agree with most of the things you write. However, what David has stated earlier in this thread has left me with the impression that this is a passion project for him -- not a decision to start a new film camera company to compete with Arri. He mentioned opening the designs later to allow for production of replacement parts when his supply runs out. While this might not be enough support to convince a rentals company, for hobbyists it might be. Many of them are currently using old cameras with no support (spare parts, design documents, etc.) whatsoever. Regarding Logmar I have to say, I see the numbers differently: a new 5k super-8 camera sold a 50 (!) pcs batch in the 2010s - wow! 😮 Arri SR2 is a great camera, but it is not really lightweight or small. It is nearly industry standard though. But that's not what David's camera is about, is it? First post on this thread: Niche compact 16mm camera. Anyway, it is David's venture and project, so it's not really my place to argue for it -- and I'm quite sure he doesn't even need it -- but I just felt like it is important to reiterate what this project has been said to be and what it has not been said to be. Looking forward to hearing more details from David, even if it in the end becomes only a prototype in his possession!

Yes, just right above your message Jack Jin mentioned that Silbersalz scanner has FPN issues. So if there was some, I'd have wanted to see an unscaled - perhaps cropped - part of the frame, how it looks out of the scanner. Sorry for the confusion!

Uli, looks great! Do you or Jack have a sample of 100% crop and how bad the FPN looks?

I know two people who have had their Eclair ACLs super16 modified by Les this summer. The wait and silence was long (at least for one of them), but they have received them already and are, AFAIK, satisfied with the work done by Les.

Tyler, may I ask why are you so actively discouraging people on the Facebook 16mm filmmakers group regarding this camera? You have there referred to this camera as non-reflex and non-sync. As far as I know, David hasn't stated anything on these features in this thread yet. On the other hand, the Y8 project was definitely a reflex camera, so I really wonder what makes you state such facts on Facebook? David referring to this camera possibly as "beefed up" Ikonoskop? But more often than that, David has written of a "simpler A-Minima". Do you have something to lose if people become interested in buying a camera from David? I see all the time that Eclair ACLs are sold as soon as they appear on Ebay (not counting those two definitely over priced ones) and they are all either nearly 50 years old or 50 years old, broken and not super16. Buy one and start by sending it in for repairs and modifications. Hope that by the time you get to shoot something with it, it's still working. I believe there is demand for a couple of new super16 reflex cameras. Those interested in buying them might not live next to a rentals company or might just want to own one. Also: if there are several middle class (possibly near-retirement) people who have the money to spend on a 100K sports car in Finland (very short summer and relatively high taxes due to progressive tax), I'm pretty convinced there are 10-20 people globally who have the funds and the will to pay 6-8K...

Yolklab naming convention, I think 🙂 David previously was designing a super-8 camera which was Y8

What is the audience? I guess with a heavy lens, matte box etc. being able to load the magazine separately from the camera would be optimal. If it is mainly for run and gun use or for rigging in weird places, changing the daylight spools with the camera on your lap might be okay. As an owner of an Eclair ACL with both 400ft and 200ft magazines, I tend to prefer the way it works. By the way, ACL 200ft mags also give the option of using 200ft loads on a core in addition to 200ft daylight spools, making it very useful with a bit longer short ends from 400ft loads. If you go with the separate magazines, might be useful to look in to having removable platters for core loads.