Heikki Repo

As Aapo is building the first prototype motor for me, I can perhaps say in his stead that in the discussions thus far have been several crystal speeds and LCD screen for displaying the footage. Furthermore, as Aapo above writes, he plans to make the electronics in such a way that depending on the size of the base, the electronics can be installed in the base or in a separate enclosure. The ACL I have shipped to Aapo has a larger base, but it's not exactly the same as the ACL2 base. I'm having the electronics replaced, which allows using the XLR plugin of the base. Many details of the project haven't been fixed yet and might change along the way, so please be patient if Aapo doesn't explicate everything at this point :)

Here's how the motor connector looks like in ACL with the mid size base. As you can see, most connectors available won't fit. The right side accessory port is different: there a full size connector with the side "wings" fits.

Yes, that's what I did. No need to go all the way to the original destinations, which might risk making more damage with the hot iron.

Tedious! If one has to do that, it's best to systematically clip one wire at a time from the connector and solder it straight away to the new connector's wires and only then move to the next wire. That way the risk for mixing the wires is very low, one can hold the connector the right way around and compare. Before that, the connector should be made fit the base.

The issue with metal ITT connectors is that if I remember correctly, the connector for the motor on the base side doesn't fit unless it is cut down (I have had to replace it because it broke). With plastic that's much easier done...

Yes, that's normal. You can see those in film-era Hollywood movies quite often. What's the exact cause, someone else can tell - strong light bouncing from film gate bottom?

This is somewhat misleading. The original ACL was produced 1972-1973. Only late SN (2250-->) ACLs (starting from 1979) were officially called ACL2, while a combination of its features were available on ACLs many years before. The lightmeter is one of those features that were available already in 1973. Furthermore, the lightmeter was optional, so some 1973 (and later) ACLs have it while others don't. Bernie used to remove the lightmeter when he worked on the ACLs. It's a shame though, I thought it was a nice feature for anything more documentary style work.

Hi Duncan! Some answers to your questions: Two years ago Brenda Collins wrote: "www.SealconUSA.com Part numbers for mini jaeger connectors male and female. SJ533800006 SJ533811006" However, if you are handy with soldering iron, you could just replace the Jaeger connector with a XLR connector. I have done that -- there is a "tail" coming out of the camera. Works great. If I did it now, I'd probably test if a mini XLR connector would fit. You are correct. Only sliding switches here. But if you get a 9-pin mini-itt connector, you could wire a sticking button to it for running the camera like the one on the ergonomic grip is. That button activates the motor when the sliding switch is locked in the other position. Here and there. I guess those who own more tend to stay silent about the treasures they own ? Motors -- you are pretty much out of luck. Those are rare and expensive! Which is why there are lots of ACL bodies without motors going around. Fortunately, a new motor is in the works, but it won't use the original electronics. As for Pilotone boxes -- I'm pretty sure there must be some people who might occasionally visit this forum and own one, but aren't selling them on Ebay since they aren't worth much in the current digital reality. And those, who sell everything probably don't know they are ACL Pilotone boxes, even if they have inherited such pieces... There have been the single speed motor and then the two different variations of heavy duty. The Cinema Products modified motor is based on the original single speed motor. There was also in the early 2000s Clive Tobin's TXM-25A that replaced the camera base, but those seem to be rather rare. And as I mentioned, there is going to be a new motor later this year ? The issue with the original motors is that they were manufactured by the French defense contractor Thomson-CSF. I have asked about schematics but those who know more than I do say that such schematics don't exist and that these motors used non-standard components which is why they can't be repaired. The single speed motor even has one of the boards and components painted brown! I know that AZ Spectrum has been able to repair some motors, but apparently it's much easier to replace the motor innards that regulate the motor speed with entirely new electronics. BUT: There is also this guy I found by accident, who apparently has schematics for the heavy duty motor. He has done the work. You could ask if he would be willing to sell you the schematics: https://pouch4.wixsite.com/index/eclair

Very nice!

Well, I think it was Bernie who mentioned that. Then again, perhaps he just meant that one has to readjust the whole system if that's done, one can't just switch the GG and expect it to be in correct focus.

Later this year a new motor for ACL will be available from Finland. It replaces the original electronics and offers multiple sync speeds and includes a LCD to display battery voltage & footage counter.

The ggs were hand matched to cameras at the factory so as far as I know, one really can't use a different gg in a particular camera. But if Shurco does still re-etch ACL viewfinders that is a nice info. I really need to look into what is the correct procedure for removing the gg and especially for putting it back in.

I think his son does work with him, that's the impression I got when I sent him my ACL nearly a decade ago (how the time flies!). As for ACL techs, I think moving forward the key to success is to discover the service manuals (or at least what is left of them) and have copies available online. These cameras are surprisingly simple and reliable and pretty much any camera tech who knows how movie cameras work should be able to service ACLs. There are parts catalogues online with exploded view drawings to help with the process.

That was to make sure the shutter is closed by the time mirror moves in front of the gate to guarantee that the exposure is uniform across the frame. But I have read someone say here that they had Bernie replace the shutter and didn't see any difference. I myself have tried to look very hard if there is any difference in exposure between different parts of the frame and really, haven't found any issue.

ACL S16 modification requires only metal parts. It might be that VP has previously had a stash of parts for the modification but not having any left, aren't interested in manufacturing new parts. There was previously a set sold under the name of HD-144 for ACL conversion, that included a 144 degrees shutter. Perhaps VP had these? Those sets haven't been available in over a decade on the market, as far as I know. Les on the other hand apparently makes the parts himself. The conversion by Les differs from HD-144 in some ways. Online sources tell that the shutter isn't modified (175 degrees is retained), the viewfinder opening isn't modified and the VF is not moved upwards 1.1 mm to center the image on the VF. The ground glass isn't cleaned and redrawn, instead the extended part of the screen is marked. It's not as refined conversion, but it's very affordable and it works - and it's still available.

Les does still S16 modifications.

Very good to know!

Now that sounds wild, but I guess that could happen too. The thing is, even though there was that hole in my camera, I didn't get so bad flicker unless direct light was hitting it. In shade, or not facing direct light the flicker could pretty much disappear, as you can see in my video. Must have been quite shiny innards in your clients' cameras! ?

Yes, that works perfectly. Also, if there is a hole where I had it, using a lens adapter that uses the TS-mount works as well. My issue wouldn't have come up if I hadn't used the c-mount, leaving the TS-mount edges bare (and the hole in it!)

For comparison:

Hi Lars, Resembles the flicker I got back when I had mine converted. Look around the TS-mount and check if there is a hole in there -- mine had one there. You can use a flashlight to see if you get light inside some other way than through the lens...

Look here:

While it is certainly possible that Klüber would make a special run just for Arriflex, there are also good reasons to suspect it's the same stuff: 1) The amount needed for all Arriflex cameras of the world is extremely tiny even when all put together compared to the needs of other industries (or even bicycling enthusiasts, some of whom use this Special A for their expensive bikes). 2) No chemical stays good forever, so if Arri had bought a special run from them for a large quantity several decades ago, they wouldn't be able to sell fresh lubricants now. I don't own an Arri, but servicing older Eclair ACL movement I decided to go for these very same lubricants Duncan is using.

Just a few days ago @David Sekanina wrote that "There for sure is a shortage of hard fronts, mirrors, prisms, motors, relay lenses, elbows for the Aatons and SRs already now." So I guess it depends a bit on what parts are needed. I think there are more SR spares going around than ACL ones but then again, I'm not sure how often something breaks in the ACL movement either. Break the mirror and it's going to be difficult with almost all cameras.