3 5 R

O P E R A T I O N A&D S E R V I C E M4NUAL

F R I E S 35R BE4MSPLITTER REFLEX CONVERSION TO MITCHELL GC HIGH SPEED

35MM M O T I O N P I C T U R E CAMERA

P R I C E la.00
 CONTENTS

SECTION 1 DESCRIPTIOK
General .......................................... 4

Camera Box ....................................... 4

Orientable Viewfinder ............................ 5

Optical Block .................................... 6

High Speed Movement .............................. 7

Shutter .......................................... 8
Footage Counter .................................. 8

!,lagazines ........................................ 8
Lenses ........................................... Q

Dimensions.......................................lO

Accessories......................................lO

SECTION 11
Loading Magazines................................1 3

Changing Magazine Drive Belt.....................1 3

Threading The Camera.............................1 4

Film Buckling....................................1 6

Changing Lensmounts..............................

Groundglasses....................................lQ
Film Clip........................................1 9

Filter Holder....................................1 9

Shutter Adjustment...............................2 0

Footage Counter..................................2 0

Matte Box........................................2 0

Video Assist.....................................2 1
 CONTENTS

SECTION 111 MAINTENANCE

Cleaning Camera Box..... ........ . . . . . . .24

Cleaning Beamsplitter... ........ . . . . . . .24

Cleaning Pressure Plate. ........

. . . . . . .26

Cleaning Aperature Plate ........ . . . . . . .27

Cleaning Film Movement.. ........ . . . . . . .28

Timing The Movement..... ........ . . . . . . .28

Lubrication............. ........ . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 1 - Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Fries 35R is a reflex conversion to the Mitchell Standard/High

Speed camera. The Mitchell was choosen for its world famous steadiness,

reliability, and high speed capabilities. To meet the various require-

ments of modern day special effects and commercial productions, a modular

design has been incorporated. This allows the cameraman the freedom of

choice of lenses, lens centering, motors, video assists, etc., and at the

same time the conveniences of a modem reflex camera.

CAMERA BOX

The camera box is divided longitudinally into two compartments. The

left-hand, or operating side contains the film moving mechanism and the

intermittent movement. The right-hand side contains the camera driving

mechanism. The operating side has a door hinged at the bottom. On top

of the camera is a recessed plate for attaching the film magazine and an

opening through which the film is drawn from the magazine to the film

compartment of the camera. A dust plate is provided to cover this open-

ing when a magazine is not in place. The magazine drive assembly is lo-

cated on top of the camera box.

Film is drawn from the magazine and fed to the movement by a sprocket

with 32 teeth. The film is held against the sprocket by two sprocket

guide assemblies. A buckle trip is provided to stop the camera immediate-

ly in case of film take-up failure. The buckle trip lever actuates a

film buckle switch in the camera motor door, cutting off the power.
 ORIENTABLE VIEWFINDER

The entire viewfinder can be adjusted through 360’ of rotation.

To adjust: Loosen the viewfinder locking ring by turning counterclockwise

(it should not be necessary to loosen by more than l/4 of a turn),

position viewfinder, and tighten locking ring by turning clockwise.

NOTE: The viewfinder rotation locking ring should never be tightened

mre than “finger tight”.

The image must be reoriented with every new viewfinder position. To

adjust, rotate orientation adjusting ring until image is horizontal.

Viewfinder

Eyepiece
Focus

Lock Ring

Open x ose
Orientation
Adjusting Ring
Light Valve
The eyepiece is adjusted by turning the eyepiece locking ring counter-

clockwise to loosen, sliding the eyepiece in and out to focus on ground-

glass, and turning the locking ring back clockwise to tighten.

The light valve is opened or closed with a l/4 turn of the light

valve thumb wheel. This eliminates stray light returning through the

viewfinder to the film when the viewfinder is not being used.

 6

OPTICAL BLOCK

The optical block is,the heart of the 3% conversion of the Mitchell

GC-Std. It’s external cover plate is located under the viewfinder adjust-

ment mechanism and is held in place with two captive screws. To remove the

optical block, loosen the captive screws and slide the optical block out

horizontally, holding it by the cover plate. Care must be taken to keep

glass parts free of fingerprints.

The optical block contains the reflex beamsplitter, interchangeable

groundglass, field lens, and special holders for both gelatin filters and

film clips.

The primary beamsplitter is most sensitive to contamination. The

front surface has a partial vacuum deposit. The back surface has a high

Groundglass
Film Reg. Pins

Primary
Reflex
Beamsplitter

Film Clip
7

efficiency anti-reflection coating. Both surfaces must be handled with

extreme care. To replace, loosen, but do not completely remove the two
screws located on the beamsplitter holder; push the beamsplitter holder

upward until the two screwheads are located above their expanded slot
ends, and pull out. A new beamsplitter and holder may be installed in the
reverse order. Make sure that there is no dirt or particles under the

holder as this may affect the focus and line-up.

The groundglass is located just under the field lens. It is held

in place horizontally between two guide rails and against two precision

aligned film registration pins. It is removed by simply sliding out

from back -- installed with grind on bottom.

With the groundglass in place, a narrow slot is formed on each gib

to accommodate the insertion of a film clip. A film clip may be cut with

regular scissors being careful to include one more set of perforations;

those being the same ones used by the movement to register that frame.
Hold the edge with the extra perforations and slide the film clip in from

the front until the extra perforations are lined-up with the pins. Care-

fully push onto the pins.

The filter clip is located behind the beamsplitter and will accommo-

date a 1” x 2” gelatin filter (obtained by cutting a standard 2” x 2”

filter in half).

HIGH SPEED MOVEMENT

The high speed movement moves the film intermittently and holds it

in position for the exposure of each successive frame. A pull-down claw

draws the film into place behind the aperture, and registration pins on
a horizontal shaft actuated by a cam hold the film stationary during

exposure. A removable pressure plate, held in place by a retainer arm,

holds the film flat at the aperture. The aperture plate is made of

stainless steel, hard chrome plated, and has raised surfaces at the sides

that hold the film along its edges. A matte slot in the aperture plate
allows the insertion of mattes for multiple exposure work. A space of
.015 inch in the film race is sufficient for two films or spliced film.

SHUTTER

The rotary dissolving shutter is designed for hand-operated dissolves

and fades. It has a maximum opening of 170°, calibrated in increments of

lo’, and can be closed down to any smaller opening at any rate of speed or

locked and operated in any desired position. The shutter opening scale

and adjusting lever are mounted on the rear of the camera. The shutter is

synchronized withtie movement so that when its open segment is in front

of the aperture the film is at rest. The film moves while the closed seg-

ment of the shutter covers the aperture.

FOOTAGE COUNTER

A footage and frame counter is built into the rear of the camera box.

The reset knob is located to the left of the counter. Some cameras have a

dial counter that records the amount of film used from the magazine.

MAGAZINES

Magazines may be obtained in 400-foot or lOOO-foot capacities. Each

rusgazine is corduroy and velvet lined. Two lids on the side of the maga-

zine unscrew to permit loading or removal of the film. Both compartments

of the magazine are light proof, and a spring-loaded ball at the center

of each lid insures a snug fit and prevents rattling. The magazine throat

or light trap consists of three velvet-covered rollers held in contact with

even pressure by spring tension on the outer rollers. This keeps the
magazine light-tight at all times and prevents film scratches as the film

is drawn from the magazine. The loading compartment spindle has a keyway
to fit standard film cores. In the IOOO-foot magazine, the take-up spool

is of the contractible type. The take-up spool in the 400-foot magazine

may be used in this magazine if desired.

The magazine take-up spindle is turned by a belt and pulley connecting

with the main drive shaft of the camera. Either a spring, plastic or
leather belt may be used. The magazine is held in place on the camera by
a toe plate at the front and by a hold-down screw at the rear.

LENSES

Interchangeable lensmounts are available for Nikon, Canon, Olympus,

Contax (ZEISS), and BNCR mounted lenses. All lensmounts are interchangeable
and can be ordered on standard Academy centerline or on full-frame silent

centerline for those shooting background plate, etc. However, due to the

special nature of the Canon lensmount, it cannot be added later, but must

be ordered at the time of the initial reflex conversion. A follow focus

unit is available for use with the BNCR mounted lenses.

The following is a list of lenses compatible with the 35R:

Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Contax/Yashica: all lenses

BNCR/Mitchell/Mobil Optics High Speed: all lenses
BNCR/Bausch & Lomb Super Baltar: all lenses - caution,
some 5Omm F2 lenses may require slight rework.
BNCR/Cinema Products/Canon Ultra Fast: all lenses except
the 181ms T2.8
BNCR/Kowa Cine Prominar: lOOtmu T2.3, 751nmT2.3 & 501mn T2.3
are compatible. 4Omm T2.3 8 25mm T2.3 prevent re-
moval of the optical block while the lens is in-
stalled. 321~s T2.3 - caution, some lenses may re-
quire slight rework. 2Omm T2.3 & 15mm T4 will not
fit.
 CAMERA DIMENSIONS AND MOUNTING

All cameras are refinished in standard black wrinkle. Weight: 18

pounds - no lens or magazine.

CAMERA ACCESSORIES

MAGAZINES: Standard GC 400 and 1000 foot Mitchell Magazines.

MATTE BOXES: Rod holders are available for both the GC lower matte box.

and BNC Side Swingaway Mitchell matte box.

FOLLOW FOCUS: A follow focus assembly is available for the BNCR lenses.

mlMRS : The 12OM is a DC-Servo - controlled drive motor especially de-

signed for the Fries 35R camera. The motor operates from a 30 VDC

battery or power supply. The motor has eight switched frame rates

from 12 FPS to 120 FPS. It is crystal controlled at 24 FPS or

25 FPS; runs both forward and in reverse. The motor has provisions

for remote control functions such as TV interlock, single frame,

variable speed control, and an intervalometer.

11

The RlZOM is a small hand-held control box for remote start-

stop. Also contained in the remote box is the single-frame con-

tro1. Continuous actuation runs the camela at 4 FPS tine speed.

The single-frame exposure is l/8 second at 170’ shutter opening.

The RVl2OM is a continuously variable speed control in a small

hand-held unit. Frame rates are infinitely variable from 4 to 120

FPS, and can be locked onto any selected speed. A built-in LED

display is switchable to read speed in frames per second or film

usage in feet. In the film usage mode, the display can be switched

to read frames. Also contained in the variable speed unit is a

single frame control with the same features as the R120M abow.

The 35R will still accommodate the standard Mitchell motor door and

drive motors. NOTE: The standard motors interfere with the Video Assist

opt ion.
VIDEO ASSIST: All 35R camera conversions are prepared for video assist.

The video assist utilizes a 2/3-inch low-light newicon black

and white 12 VDC video camera. The video systems are avail-

able in both American and European standards. The standard

Mitchell motors interfere with the video assist.

AUTO-FOCUS 35R: AF35R was designed for computer-controlled or “motion

control” camera tracking systems. The unit is basically a

35R beamsplitter reflex conversion to the Mitchell with the

addition of a sliding base plate and bellows that allow the

film plane, rather than the lens, to be adjusted for focus.

A stepper motor drives a lead screw with a linear travel of

.200 in./revolution.
The base uses Microslides crossed roller ways for minimum
 12

friction with any load throughout the full 4-3/4 inch of

travel. An optional internal capping shutter is available

in addition to the camera’s variable shutter that, under com-

puter control, allows random frame access and ramping up to

the speed before exposure. Other features include a stepper

motor camera drive, motorized camera shutter control, and

magazine torque motor take-ups.

13

SECTION II - Operation

LOADING MAGAZINE

The magazine is loaded in either a dark room or a changing bag.

1. Unscrew magazine covers and turn velvet light trap rollers to

make sure they are free. Before loading, clean inside of magazine with a
brush or light air pressure.
2. Unpack the roll of unexposed film from its wrapping and unwind
about two feet of film.
3. Lay the roll to the left of the magazine (by the front drum)
with the film coming down from the right side. This is important as the
emulsion is on the inner surface and this side must face the lens.
4. Push the film end down between the idler rollers and the center
portion, then through the light trap rollers of the forward compartment.
NOTE: Threading the magazine can be accomplished more easily by first
making a six-inch diagonal fold in the center of the film end and slant-
ing to the edge.
5. Place film roll core in position on spindle and pull through all
slack. The film core key fits a keyway on the magazine spindle.

CHANGING MAGAZINE DRIVE BELT

Spring-type belts can be pushed through the magazine drive belt race

without removing the drive. The ends of these belts are rotated in

opposite directions, then screwed together to form a smooth joint. Leather

belts can also be inserted in this way, but the belt must be opened before

insertion. The plastic-type endless belts can be inserted only by removing

the drive assembly from the camera. Remember that there are two sizes of

magazine drive belts. Do not attempt to stretch the 400 foot belt over the

1000 foot magazine drive pulley.

 THREADING THE CAMERA

Threading the camera is done without cutting the film. When

preparing to use a cold camera, run the camera for several minutes before

threading the film. This will allow the motor and mechanism to warm up to

operating temperature, insuring a constant speed when the first scene is

taken.

1. Withdraw register pins from aperture plate by aligning witness

marks on top cam assembly.

2. Loosen pulldown arm lock screw (6), and pivot claw assembly (1)

back as far as it will go to remove claw assembly from aperture; tighten

pulldown arm lock screw to hold claw assembly in back position.

3. Remove and clean both the aperture (3) and pressure plates (5) as

instructed in Section III, After cleaning, reinstall both plates. The

plates must be cleaned each time the camera is threaded.

4. Release sprocket film guide keepers (12). Then extend film loop

by pulling film from supply side of magazine. Thread camera as shown in

diagram.

5. Loosen thumbscrew, allowing spring to push claw arm forward

against film.

6. Pull film slowly upward and claw arm will drop into perforation;

tighten thumbscrew. (Door cannot be closed unless thumbscrew is tight).

7. Make certain lower loop between movement and sprocket is adjusted

correctly. Lower loop should clear bottom of camera box by l/8 to l/4 inch

at lowest point of travel. If loop is too short, turn the threading knob

on sprocket with film disengaged from sprocket and film guide.

CAUTION: Film loops must be adjusted accurately. Film must be takeLfi;;t

or taken up over the sprocket, not by moving the film in the race.
breakage is usually caused by improper threading, particularly in the
forming of loops. If a film breaks, the camera must be thoroughly cleaned
and then rethreaded.
15

SECTION 11

Threading the Camera:

1. Pulldown claw 9. Sprocket.

2. Pilot pin. 10. Sprocket guide rollers.
3. Aperture plate. 11. Idler rollers.
4. Register plate. 12. Sprocket film gides.
5. Pressure plate. 13. Camera box door.
6. Pulldwon arm lock. 14. Sprocket guide registers.
7. Aperature plate locks 15. Pulldown l o c k r e g i s t e r s .
8. Aperture plate matte 16. Buckle trip.
slot. 17. Buckle trip reset.
 8. Adjust upper loop so that film has free entry into aperture plate
and just clears the upper radius on aperture plate when loop is at its

fullest. If loop is too short, draw necessary film from feed sprocket.
Place film in position on top of sprocket and lock in place with upper
sprocket film guide.

9. Turn camera slowly and observe movement of film at aperture and

action of pulldown claw and registration pins. Make sure film does not

tighten on idler rollers or touch box at any point.

10. Close camera box door. If upper or lower sprocket guides are not

in place, the camera door will not close.

FILM BUCKLING

Film buckling is immediately apparent because the buckle trip switch

will stop the camera. No attempt should be made to turn the camera by hand

or serious damage may result. The occurence of buckling will be indicated

by the noise of the film crumpling inside the camera before the motor is

stopped by the buckle trip switch. As soon as the motor stops proceed as

follows:

1. Turn power OFF.

2. Remove belt from take-up pulley on magazine and take up the excess

film in camera by turning the pulley by hand.

CAUTION: Do not allow the magazine belt to move the mechanism inside the
camera while taking up the excess film. Operation of the camera movement
at this time may cause serious damage. If the film is so tightly jammed
that it cannot be taken up by rotating the pulley, it will be necessary to
open the camera door and free the film before winding it up on the take-up
spool.
3. Open the camera door and remove the aperture and pressure plates.

Examine the film aperture to be sure that no pieces of tom film are
obstructing the light passage. Examine the registration pins and pulldown

claw to make certain they have not been bent. Examine the slots and holes

in the aperture plate to make sure that punched pieces of film have not
lodged there. Make certain all torn pieces of film are removed from the
camera.

4. Rethread camera and reset buckle trip by pulling out knurled

reset knob (17).

5. Run a short length of film through the camera, then remove and

examine it carefully under a magnifying glass to see that no scratches are

present on emulsion and perforations are undamaged.

CHANGING LENSMOUhTS

CAUTION: Before removing or changing lensmounts, the optical block should

be removed from the camera. See Optical Block in Section 1, page 6 .

Interchangeable lensmounts are available for Nikon, Canon, Olympus,

Contax (ZEISS), and BNCR mounted lenses. All lensmounts are interchange-

able and can be ordered on standard Academy centerline or on full-frame

silent centerline for those shooting background plates, etc. However, due

to the special nature of the Canon lensmount,it cannot be added later, but

must be ordered at the time of the initial reflex conversion.

The lensmounts are attached to the camera body with four screws, as

shown in sketch below.

 18
Interchangeable Lensmounts

Lensmount

CAUTION: Mtg.
screws should
not protrude
ast this surface

CAUTION: When attaching the lensmount to the camera body, check to make
sure none of the mounting screws protrude through the front wall into the
,optical block area.

LENSES

The following list of lenses are compatible with the 35R:

Nikon : all lenses except the older fisheyes that required
mirror lock-up on the Nikon camera.
Canon: all lenses.
Olympus : all lenses.
Contax (ZEISS): all lenses.
BNCR/Mitchell/Mobil Optics High Speed: all lenses.
BNCR/Bausch & Lomb Super Baltar: all lenses. CAUTION: Some
5Omm FZ lenses require slight rework.
BNCR/Cinema Products/Canon Ultra Fast: all lenses except the
l&ma T2.8.
BNCR/Kowa Cine Prominar: 1OOmm T2.3, 75mm T2.3 5 5Om~s T2.3 are
compatible. 4Oana T2.3 F, 25mm T2.3 prevent removal of the
optical block while the lens is installed. 32nun T2.3.
CAUTION : 32nm1 T2.3 Some lenses may require slight rework.
2Omm T2.3 f, 15mm T4 will not fit.
19

CAUTION: All Canon lenses must have the auto-iris control lever locked in
the manual position. This accomplishes two things. First it engages the
iris (or diaphram) control ring for direct manual control of the “F’‘-stops.
Second, it positions the lever to clear the beamsplitter in the reflex
conversion. IF THE LEVER IS NOT LOCKED IN THE MANUAL POSITION, POSSIBLE
DAMAGE TO THE BEAMSPLITTER COULD RESULT FROM INSERTION OF THE LENS. On
older lenses (where just the silver lock ring turns) the lever is pushed
counter clockwise until it locks into position with a positive feeling
detent. On newer lenses (those that the entire lens turns on installation
or removal) a special plastic insert must be purchased from a Canon dealer.
The iris control lever is held in the extreme counter clockwise while the
plastic insert is installed in the slot to hold the lever in place.

GROUNDGLASSES

The groundglass is readily interchangeable and available for all

standard formats including: 1.85/TV, 1,33/TV, 1.85/1.33, 1 . 6 6 , 2 . 3 5 , 8 e t c .

Specials can be made to customer requirements.

The groundglass is part of the optical block assembly. To change

groundglass, see Optical Block sketch in Section I, page

FILM CLIP

A special feature of the 35R is the ability to insert a film clip in

the viewfinder. The clip is positioned on a set of precision aligned

register pins,and therefore, needs no special punch. The clip is viewed

simultaneously by the operator and the optional video assist. The film

clip is located in the optical block assembly; see Optical Block sketch,

Section 1, page s

FILTER HOLDER

An internal gelatin filter holder is located in front of the aperture,

but outside of the viewing system. This design maintains full viewfinder

brightness with any filter inserted. The required size is 1” x Z”, which

can be obtained by cutting a standard 2” x 2” in half.

 20

The filter holder is located at the back of the optical block. For

adding inside gelatin filters, see Optical Block, Section 1, page .

SHUTTERADJUS’IMENT

Variations in shutter opening from 170’ to fully closed can be made

while the camera is in operation or the shutter may be locked in position

at 10’ increments. This exposure change is made by moving the hand dissolve

lever on the rear of the camera. The knurled locking pin at the outer end

of the lever can be pulled out and turned so that the pin will clear the

holes on the segment 10’. The lever can then be moved smoothly for fades.

As the camera speed is increased, the shutter exposure time is reduced.

FOOTAGE COUNTER

The dial counter should be reset to zero whenever a new magazine is

installed on the camera. A knob at the center turns the pointer. The

frame and footage counter can be used to record the footage of film used

for an individual scene. The reset handle is directly to the left of the

counter windows. The last window on the right of the footage counter

registers individual frames and is marked in increments from one to sixteen.

(There are sixteen frames per foot of film). The frame counter does not

reset to zero with the footage counter.

MATTE BOX

The 35R is designed to accommodate both the lower original CC matte

box or the Mitchell BNCR Side Swingaway type matte box: The lower GC Rod
Holder is mounted to the underside of the front casting with two locating

pins and one large captive screw. The Side Swingaway BNCR Rod Holder is

mounted to the motor side of same casting, and is mounted with two captive
 screws, and a square key slot. Both can be used on the camera at the same

time; the side for a matte box, and the lower for a zoom lens support, etc.

VIDEO ASSIS’l

Installation:
First, remove the optical block, (See Section 1, page ), n e x t ,

remove the viewfinder assembly. This is aCcomplished by removing the three

allen cap screws, and carefully lifting the housing up and forward.

\‘ideo Camera

Optical Housing Assembl!

Top Prism Housing

Prism Assembly
Vertical Centering
Adjustment
S’ideo Canera
Support Plate

Video Iris Control

Mirror Assembly
Horizontal Adj.

Beamsplitter
Viewfinder
Assembly
 22

Then install the video beamsplitter assembly with its two mounting

screws as shown. Remove the video cover plate, and install the optical

housing assembly to the motor side of the camera as shown above.

Screw the video camera support plate to the top of the 35R camera

body as shown. Mount the video camera to its support plate and align front

with the optical housing port.

Reinstall camera optical block and viewfinder assembly.

Alignment Procedures:

NOTE: All alignment and focus procedures are easier to accomplish

with the film camera prime lens removed or pointed at a blank white card,

allowing the video system to see the groundglass reticle only.

Optical alignment involves the centering of the groundglass image on

the faceplate of the video tube by adjusting (repositioning) a mirror and

a prism in the optical path.

To reposition the image vertically, remove the three screh’s and cover

on the top prism housing and loosen the two inside screws that lock down the

prism assembly. Slide the prism assembly forward or backward until the

image is centered, lock down the two screws and replace the cover plate.

To reposition the image horizontally, remove the four screws and cover

plate of the lower mirror housing. Loosen the two inside screws, tilt the

mirror to achieve horizontal center, and lock the two screws down on the

mirror bracket. Replace the cover plate.

Electronic centering can also be used to correct the image. Inside the

video camera are trim pots labeled: “VC”, vertical cenrering, and “HC”,

horizontal centering. Normally these controls are preset to approxiametely

their middle range, and all corrections are made mechanically as previously
23

described. This assures your image of being in the center of the faceplate

of the tube. If necessary, these controls can be used to make minor

adjustments.

Focus :

Two focus controls are available. Mechanical focus is found on top of

the video camera. First, loosen lock screw. Next, use flat tip screwdriver

(not Philips) to turn the internal cam that moves the video in and out of

focus. After finding sharpest focus, tighten lock screw.

An electronic focus is located inside the camera on a trim pot labeled

“FOC1t. This control is normally factory set, and does not need readadjust-

ing until the tube ages. If you have adjusted the mechanical focus for

optimum sharpness and are still not satisfied, carefully adjust the trim

pot to its sharpest position. If you are not sure of any improvement, return

the trim pot to its original position.

Connections:

Video out is through a standard BKC shielded connector on rear Of

video camera. Power into the camera is through a screw type terminal strip

mounted on the rear of the video camera. The camera requires a standard 12

VDC supply although anything from 10.5 VDC to 16 VDC will work. The

terminal strip is marked (+) and ground. The connection marked LL is not used.

The camera consumes about 7 watts.

 24

SECTION III - Maintenance

CLEANING CAMERA BOX

The interior of the camera must be cleaned after each period of use.

The cleaning is usually done with an air syringe to blow off loose dust, a

camel’s hair brush to dislodge clinging foreign material, and a lintless

cloth for wiping polished surfaces. To clean the camera box interior, pro-

ceed as follows:

1. Open the camera door and remove the aperture plate and pressure

plate. (See page 27)

2. Vacuum all loose dust from the mechanism and from the corners of

the camera box.

NOTE : The camera shutter should be in the closed position during

cleaning so that the dust does not go into the viewing optical system.
When camera is run without film or pressure plate--excess oil from move-
ment may be slung onto the beamsplitter.

3. Use camel’s hair brush to get into corners and around the sprocket

and guide rollers. Make sure all bits of emulsion or film are removed.

4. Wipe the polished metal surfaces carefully with soft, lintless

cloth.

5. With the camel’s hair brush, remove fromthemechanism and interior

of the box any threads or foreign material that may have been loosened by

the cloth.

CLEANING THEBEAMSPLIlTER

The beamsplitter is fragile and should be cleaned and handled only

when necessary, and with extreme care.

The beamsplitter is a part of the optical block assembly. Remove

the optical block as explained in Section 1, page 6.
25

Section 111

Cleaning Camera Box:

1 . Pulldown arm. 6. Pressure plate rollers.

2. Pilot pin. 7. Pressure plate retaining
3 . Aperture plate. arm.
4. Register plate. 8. Aperture plate locks.
5. Pressure plate. 9. Movement cam.
 26

1. For dust or light dirt specs try using a clean, soft camel hair
brush; brushing the beamsplitter surface lightly.

2. After brushing, if there are still a few small specs or oil spots,

try using standard lens cleaner and lens tissue. Do not apply any pressure
to the beamsplitter surface.

3. For more stubborn dirt or oil spots. A thorough cleaning is

required. To thoroughly clean, the beamsplitter holder must be removed from

the optical block which is explained in Section 1.

CAUTION: Do not try to remove the beamsplitter glass from its holder.
The beamsplitter in its holder should be submerged in a mixture of liquid
detergent soap and warm water. (l/3 water; 2/3 liquid detergent). Let
soak for approxiametely 5 - 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with clean warm
water and wipe dry with lens tissue.
PRECAUTIONARY NOTE: If beamsplitter is not wiped dry, but allowed to
dry in air, a stain may result which will permanently damage the coating.
Liquid detergents which have been used and yielded satisfactory results

are, “Joy” and “Gl im”. Both are available at most grocery stores.

CLEASING PRESSURE PLATE

The pressure plate must be inspected and cleaned each time the aperture

plate is cleaned.

1. Remove pressure plate from camera by swinging retainer arm up-

ward and lifting plate out.

2. Remove all loose dust and bits of emulsion with a camel’s hair
brush.

3. Wipe the forward side of the plate with the ball of the thumb to

remove all loose dust and bits of emulsion.

4. Test the rollers to see that they revolve freely. If they show a

tendency to stick, immerse the pressure plate in cleaning solvent, re-

valving the rollers while they are in the fluid. Dry the plate thoroughly

with a clean, lintless cloth; then use an air syringe to evaporate the sol-

vent that may be adhering to the roller bearing pins. When the plate is dry,

apply a minute amount of camera oil to the roller with a toothpick. Be

sure to wipe off all excess oil.

CLEANING APERTURE PLATE

Clean aperture plate at least every 1000 feet or each time the camera

is threaded.

1. Turn camera to threading position.

2. Pass a piece of film between the register plate and aperture plate

to ascertain that registration pins and claw are fully retracted from

aperture plate.

CAUTION: Failure to check this may result in damage to the aperture

plate.

3. Turn the two aperture plate locks until the pins point upward, then
carefully slide aperture plate straight out of camera.

4. Inspect for bits of emulsion on aperture plate. Clean aperture and

film race with a camel’s hair brush.

CAUTION: Never use abrasive cleaners.

5. Remove accumulated emulsion from the film race, the registration

pin holes, and the pulldown claw travel slots using an orange stick or any

other type of pointed, soft wooden prod.

. 6. Blow through the registration pin holes and the claw slots with an
air syringe. I

7. Polish the film race with the heel of the hand. Place a drop of
I
Mitchell Camera Oil on the film race and rub it in thoroughly with the thumb
or heel of the hand to remove all excess oil. The hand must be free of
I
grit and perspiration. Be sure the registration pin holes and claw slots

I
-
 28

are dried completely.

CLEANING FILM MOVEMENT

The movement mustbe keptclean at all times. If salt water, sand, or

any other foreign material enters the movement, it should be thoroughly

cleaned as follows:

1. Remove and clean aperture and pressure plates.

2. Remove the flywheel from the movement shaft. The flywheel is held

onto the shaft with a retaining screw and lock screw key.
3. Remove the three screws which hold the movement to the camera box

and withdraw the movement. Be careful of exposed registration pins when

aperture plate is removed.

4. Immerse the movement parts in solvent and clean them with a soft

brush. Remove all oil and grease.

5. Blow all parts dry with air or wipe them dry if air is not available.

5. Lubricate the movement by oiling or greasing all points shown on

lubrication chart. Force grease into the ball-bearing races. Force three

drops of oil into pulldown arm ball-bearing.

7. Reinstall aperture and pressure plates.

8. Time movement as in following paragraph when replacing it in

camera. Whenever movement is removed from camera box it must be retimed

with the shutter. DO not attempt to operate camera if movement and shutter

have not been placed in proper synchronization.

TIMING THE MOVEMENT

The camera movement must be timed whenever it is taken out of the

camera. The timing operation consists of synchronizing the movement and

shutter so that the shutter is closed whenever the film is in motion and
29

open when the film is registered, and motionless in front of the aperture.

Thus, when the pulldown claw is engaging or leaving the film sprocket holes,
the shutter must be closed.

1. Insert movement in camera box and seoure it with the three screws

provided.

2. Turn the large brass gear in the right side of the camera box

until the punch mark on this large gear is opposite the scribe mark on the

stop motion gear.

3. Slide the flywheel into position so the index mark on the rim of

the flywheel is slightly above the index mark on a spoke of the large

brass gear.

4. As the flywheel gear is pushed into mesh with the large gear, it

will rotate counterclockwise. This should bring the index marks together,

and at the same time the rounded portion of the stop motion shaft should be

at the top.

5. Replace the flywheel retaining screw and lock screw.

6. Place a small amount of grease on all gear teeth.

CHECKING TIMING

1. Remove the taking lens from front of camera.

2. Set the shutter lever at 170’.

3. Insert a strip of film in the film race.

4. Turn the movement slowly, causing the arrow on the cam to turn

clockwise until the registration pins touch the film. At this point the

shutter should be just starting to open. (About l/8 inch of the shutter

opening will be visible in the lower left-hand corner of the aperture.)

 30

SECTION III - Timing the Movement

Stop Motion Gear

Retaining
Screw and
Lock Screw

- Timing Marks
31

5. Turn the movement so the cam arrow rotates counterclockwise until

the registration pins touch the film. At this point the shutter should be

closed except for about l/g inch of opening in the upper right-hand corner

of the aperture.

LUBRICATION

Use Mitchell Camera Oil for all

lubrication points requiring oil. The

lube points shown in the movement sketch

should be lubed after every 1000 feet of

film; especially when running at high

speed. All other idler rollers, sprocket

guide rollers, and keepers need only to

be lubricated after every 50,000 feet of

film.

1. Movement cam.
2. Pulldown arm oil hole.
3. Pulldown arm rear support.
4. Pulldown arm shaft.
5. Pilot pin front guides
(2 lube points).
6. Pilot pin rear guide.