Looking for 12 PIN cable for Mekel Engineering 250fps camera

[Nicholas Kovats]

Also known as Visual Instrumentation Cine 8 SP-1 camera.

I recently scored this camera with a forthcoming 50lb 28vdc/AC transformer but I need the 12 pin cable connector between the camera and this transformer.

Anxious to start shooting close-ups of simulated car crashes in my forthcoming b/w-urban-marxist-post-apocalyptic-sci-fi film.

Regards,

Nicholas K
Toronto, Canada

[aj]

Check here> http://www.cinematography.com/forum2004 ... opic=22975

And the links mentioned.

[Nicholas Kovats]

Thanks, Andre.

I have posted to a request to Alessandro on that forum topic. Let's see if he bites...

NK

[aj]

BTW Which type do you have? Polaroid Polavision or the standard S8 cartridge model? Is the film indeed taken out a bit and looped around some toothed wheel?

You could also consider running it with power from a battery pack. NiMh C cells have so much capacity these days. With 4 5-cells racing packs in series it should be possible to run it for an hour or something. And I think the high current is when it is on 300fps. So that is when a cartridge lasts for 10 seconds It saves your back too. As I expect these 20 cells weigh like 2 lbs. Instead of your 50lbs transformer which needs a mains 110v (230v) connection too.

Look what they have for packs here http://www.newtecs.de/ The diving lamps or bicycle packs seem OK too :idea:


Are you sure it is 12 pin? The thing in the wikipedia photo has only 6 pins at the camera end of the connection. It looks a bit like a mini DIN with a lock.

There is a short cable on the grip. You could use that as donor

[Nicholas Kovats]

Hi, AJ.

As I mentioned previously..the Mekel Engineering/Visual Instrumentation Cine 8 SP1 for S8 cartridges.

My first tests will be stationary. I am struck by the fact that it is standard practice for ultra high speed mechanical cameras. They are typically setup on heavy duty mounts or cement blocks.

Intuitively this is not a handheld format. At speeds approaching 250fps there must be considerable internal centripetal/centrifugal forces at play...but I will admit my physics are a bit rusty. Maybe it's all precisely calibrated and these opposing forces cancel each other out?

But intuition says not to move or shake this camera handheld at these speeds. This camera will have to be checked out...it's over 35 years old. But the internal machining is amazing....reminds one of the internal guts of a Mitchell camera...but cleaner and on a micro Super 8mm scale.

It seems to use a 1973 era digital phase locked feedback mechanism to keep the double registration pins and oversize central sprocket wheel synchronized.

And yes...it is definitely a 12 pin connector.

I will document my efforts and post them eventually...as work, parenting, life and money permits.

I have several high end Super 8 mechanical projects on the go such as continued development of a multi axis 2:66 anamorphic adapter for various prime lens, test footage of my new ISCO 50mm 1.5x Anamorphic lens with iris for my various C -mount S8mm/Single 8 cameras, etc....

Where does the time flow?

Nicholas Kovats
Toronto, Canada

BTW Which type do you have? Polaroid Polavision or the
standard S8 cartridge model? Is the film indeed taken out a bit and looped around some toothed wheel?

You could also consider running it with power from a battery pack. NiMh C cells have so much capacity these days. With 4 5-cells racing packs in series it should be possible to run it for an hour or something. And I think the high current is when it is on 300fps. So that is when a cartridge lasts for 10 seconds It saves your back too. As I expect these 20 cells weigh like 2 lbs. Instead of your 50lbs transformer which needs a mains 110v (230v) connection too.

Look what they have for packs here http://www.newtecs.de/ The diving lamps or bicycle packs seem OK too :idea:


Are you sure it is 12 pin? The thing in the wikipedia photo has only 6 pins at the camera end of the connection. It looks a bit like a mini DIN with a lock.

There is a short cable on the grip. You could use that as donor

[camera8mm]

i have the one that takes the polaroid casettes.
I need to film some old polariod casettes to splice some super 8 film to see what results i get.

[reedsturtevant]

I also have a Polavision version of the Mekel 300. Can't part with my power cord but I can take measurements and send you a pin-out. May not help you because my power cable is 7-pin where it enters the camera and 2 banana plugs on the other end.

[Nicholas Kovats]

Interesting...

And yes I have a 12 pin connector which may have different "mappings" relative to yours. Me thinks I need to write Visual Instrumentation Inc for the old manuals and pin outs.

Have you been able to operate your camera and generate some images?

Regards,

Nicholas K.

I also have a Polavision version of the Mekel 300. Can't part with my power cord but I can take measurements and send you a pin-out. May not help you because my power cable is 7-pin where it enters the camera and 2 banana plugs on the other end.

[reedsturtevant]

Have you been able to operate your camera and generate some images?

Embarrassingly, no. As usual I am doing better at gathering gear than shooting film. After finding the Mekel I did get some unused 1970s Polavision cartridges cheap on eBay, and a C-mount TV lens, so really all I need now is to rig up a 28v power supply and find a suitable subject

[Nicholas Kovats]

Well then...

The first one to post test footage from our uber fast cameras gets one one of my slightly mangy c mount lens for that post apocalyptic smudge look,,,




Nicholas K.
Toronto, Canada

Have you been able to operate your camera and generate some images?

Embarrassingly, no. As usual I am doing better at gathering gear than shooting film. After finding the Mekel I did get some unused 1970s Polavision cartridges cheap on eBay, and a C-mount TV lens, so really all I need now is to rig up a 28v power supply and find a suitable subject