Quarz DS8 Super 3

[monobath]

Hey, I just got this Quarz DS8 camera from Olexandr. The instruction manual that came with it is in Russian, and I can't read it.

I've figured out what most everything does, but I have a couple of questions. First, here is the picture. Not a really good one, I'm afraid, but it should do.



OK, what is the button that is half black and half white? On the black half it has OTK and what looks like an arrow, or maybe an A without the crossbar. On the white half it says BK ahd is followed by that little arrow or A symbol.

Next, why does the photocell below the lens (I assume it is a photocell, looks like one) have aperture numbers on it?

That's it. The rest is pretty much self-explanatory. I know that the film speeds on the dial that is on the green metal part closest to the lens is in GOST, not ASA. I have a conversion chart for that.
.

[Dusty]

Like this: ВКЛ. & ОТКЛ? That last letter is an L in Cyrillic (and the B is actually a V, B is Б).

Откл means "off" and вкл. is short for "on"

[rose hobart]

OK, what is the button that is half black and half white? On the black half it has OTK and what looks like an arrow, or maybe an A without the crossbar. On the white half it says BK ahd is followed by that little arrow or A symbol.

The black and white button is the Claw Knob, so one setting is on, the other is off.
Next, why does the photocell below the lens (I assume it is a photocell, looks like one) have aperture numbers on it?

This is the lens aperture (diaphragm control), this will control the meter needle in your view finder.
This is the same as my Quarz -5 2x8 camera.

[monobath]

Thanks Dusty and rose.

I figured out the aperture setting dial today when I shot some test footage. I like the location of the aperture dial. It is very easy to use while looking through the view finder to check the exposure needle.

rose, I assume the claw you refer to is the film pulldown claw that transports the film across the gate. Why would anyone want to disengage it?

[AngelDragon]

Monobath, didn't you get a Quarz DS8-M, my friend?

[monobath]

Hey AngelDragon. Nope. As you can see, I got the DS8 Super 3. The M is an older camera, I believe. It has a fixed lens with a wide and a telephoto adapter, whereas the Super 3 has a zoom lens. The M has a 48fps slowmo rate, which beats the 36fps rate of my Super 3. I decided on the Super 3 mainly because of the reflex view finder, which is clear and reasonably bright, by the way. The M has a non-reflex finder.

I'd love to hear subjective impressions of the M versus the 3 from someone who has used both. Maybe I'll get an M one of these days, too.

I haven't finshed my first roll of film yet, but if it comes out good, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to end up using this camera a lot. It has such a solid feel to it; built like a tank. The glass is lovely, the controls are well laid out. The spring motor seems to run very smoothly and evenly until just moments before it stops.

My first impression based soley on mechanical factors is very favorable. The proof is in the pudding, of course, but I don't think the roll I'm shooting right now will be sufficient for me to judge this camera. I'm shooting the expired roll of Svema film that came with it. The expiration date is 1992. Also, I plan to simply develop it using the Kodak D-94 / R-9 process, and I don't know if that is really optimal for this film. I have ten fresh rolls of Fomapan R 100 in my freezer, so I'll reserve final judgement until after I've shot and developed one of those.

.

[rose hobart]

rose, I assume the claw you refer to is the film pulldown claw that transports the film across the gate. Why would anyone want to disengage it?

This is the film pulldown claw. I sometimes switch it off in case I accidentally press the run button by mistake and film my feet walking, or some such accidental occurence. Also if the camera is not in use for periods of time it releases pressure on the spring.
Quarz cameras are great, undervalued sometimes I feel. I actually prefer
clock wound Standard 8 cameras to work with, my filming is more economic and I really try to structure, place and think about what I am filming. Changing the topic, sorry! Just got a Bauer 88H on ebay, never come across one before.


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[filmbuff]

rose, I assume the claw you refer to is the film pulldown claw that transports the film across the gate. Why would anyone want to disengage it?

You disengage it so that you can rewind film. Plus your suppose to disengage so that its easier to load the film into the gate.

[gianni1]

Just had look into the manual for my Quarz-5. Says a reason to switch off the feeding claw is to release the spring without unloading the camera. Also they say leave the claw in the off position when the camera is in storage and not used, and be careful to put it on again when shooting.

There is a section describing disengaging the claw for Rewinding and Lap Dissolves. You'll need to fade out by gradually closing the diaphragm and stop filming or use a matt box. Turn off the claw, insert the rewind crank on the other side, pushing down and turning, pulling the film off the take up spool, the desired number of frames... Do it in the post unless it's for a flicker fest in camera edit.

Just bought a Quartz M today with all the accessories, and the wide and tele lenses, at our local jumble sales. They wanted £15, but let it go for £10. Also got a toy Xylophone for £0.20p for music and effect tracks.

Gianni

[monobath]

Now all that makes sense. So you disengage the claw for the following reasons:

1) Relieve tension on the spring. Recommended for storage.
2) Ease film loading.
3) Backwind for lap dissolves.
4) Avoid unintended filming (as Rose said, unless you want to film your feet while walking )

I think you hardly need a manual for this camera, as it is all really quite simple once you know the mystery of the claw dial. But does anyone know if there was an English language version of the manual?

[Jean Poirier]

The motor of my Quarz stopped working after shooting one reel of fomapan. Sharpness and exposure were pretty good but registration was poor. Jean

[monobath]

Hey Jean, I hope mine doesn't break right away. Did you buy yours from Olexandr Kalynychenko, or from someone else?

[Jean Poirier]

I bought it on eBay from S Smirnov - Odessa, Odessa Ukraine. It was a fun camera to use. Maybe one day I will try to open it and find out what is wrong but I am not very good with repairs. Good luck with yours. Are you using fomapan? Like I said I had good results using a yellow filter. Jean

[monobath]

Yes, I'll be mainly using Fomapan, I think. Olexandr has plenty of Svema, but there is no fresh supply of it available. All expired in 1992, as I understand it. Anyway, Fomapan is a lovely film, and relatively inexpensive. I have ten rolls of it on hand.

If I could obtain it, I'd like to shot Plus-X, too. But I think there is no DS8 perfed 16mm Plus-X.

I've shot the roll of Svema that came with the camera. I've got a roll of Fomapan loaded up and ready to go. I'll develop them both soon, and evaluate the results. I certainly hope registration is good on my camera.