The Panascope/UltraPan8 conversions of Marco Kroger

[Nicholas Kovats]

I would like to officially introduce the amazing optical-mechanical work of Marco Kroger of the former East Germany. He is not a member of this forum and may be contacted on Facebook. Marco studied at the Technische Universität Chemnitz and he is actively adapting, modifying, converting, retro-fitting optical-mechanical R8/S8/16mm/35mm lenses/cameras. He has also created SLR/stereo ultra-widescreen 35mm photography systems. He also has built controllers, strobe/flash systems, photo-cell triggers, etc. He also utilizes the term Panascope to describe his ultrawide modifications to Regular 8, Double Super 8 and Standard 16mm transports. He alternates between the two terms but the aspect ratio is identical to UP8 based Regular 8, i.e. 3.7 x 10.3mm. He was originally inspired by my numerous UltraPan8 films online. Here is the current list of his Panascope/UltraPan8 projects, i.e.

1. Zenit Quarz Double Super 8 camera converted to Regular 8 based Panascope/UltraPan8 C-Mount w/ Newton parallax viewfinder matched to 10mm Zeiss Jena Tevidon C-MOunt lenses (APO). He rejected a Double Super 8 based transport on account of the more common availability of Regular 8 film stock, i.e.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_cont ... BPNJO86KZc

2. Panascope/UltraPan "8 Regular 8 based projector, i.e https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh2bFlPIUx0

3. Panascope/UltaPan"8" scanner, i.e. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XHSn_H ... e=youtu.be

4. Panascope/UltraPan "8" directors viewfinder w/ C-mount. It appears to have a dioptre. To be confirmed. He recently suggested that it may used as twin-reflex C-Mount parallax viewfinder on his conversions.

5. Presently converting a Meopta Admira A (Czech Republic) 16mm electric to Panascope/UltraPan 8, i.e. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV-qyrvjj_c

His choice of cameras is based on weight (light), low cost and their general availability in Germany (common). All built over the last two years in addition to his multiple format camera projects. The year 2016 is shaping up with many options for film enthusiasts.

Nicholas Kovats
Toronto

[Nicholas Kovats]

More pictures of marco's recent work. The gate shots are stock parts.

[Nicholas Kovats]

More pictures.

[slashmaster]

I really like what I'm looking at here! He got rid of the whole front of the camera with that through the lens prism, v shaped iris and zoom lens and replaced it all with a plate and a prime c-mount. That's 3 major improvements alone. Then he filed the gate to ultrapan8. I wonder how this guy would attempt pin registration? Anyone know of anyone who has even tried to add pin registration to a camera?

[Nicholas Kovats]

Interesting question slashmaster. But I suspect that adding pin registration is overkill for this camera. It would not be a trivial undertaking. I will pass on your comments to Marco.

[slashmaster]

Interesting question slashmaster. But I suspect that adding pin registration is overkill for this camera. It would not be a trivial undertaking. I will pass on your comments to Marco.

This camera doesn't have a sprocket wheel before and after the gate so I think it would help a lot. I've got films shot from cameras like this where the picture moves up and down at the frequency the reels in the camera turned. A not so straight reel flange was rubbing the film for part of the rotation.

I've got an argus 802 I'm thinking about converting to a c-mount in the same manner. It's a very cheap camera with a fixed focus and typical v iris but has an all die-cast body. Might even try it as a d-mount first then bore it out to c-mount. http://img0103o.psstatic.com/155959561_ ... -case-.jpg