Eclair ACL 16mm Motion-Picture Camera

ACL stands for Agusti (Austin) Coma / Jacques Lecœur (named after the designers)

 

Erkan Umut proudly owns a latest make ACL II!

 

 

Two modern ACL IIs 

 

 

 

 

 

a latest ACL II with the Kinoptik HC orientable viewfinder, Thomson-CSF high speed motor and flat base (toggle switch) - Courtesy of Mr. Jose Araujo of TUPA FILMS, New York

  

The latest French ACL (officially called ACL II) Specifications

 

 

Source: Original brochure

 

SIZE (H x W x L) and WEIGHT:

* CAMERA BODY: 6 ⅜" x 3 ⅜" x 3 ⅜" (162mm x 86mm x 92mm), 3.3 lbs. (1.5kg)
* CAMERA w/ viewfinder (extended), motor and 400' magazine: 8" x 7 ¾" x 12 ⅜" (203mm x 197mm x 321mm), 11 lbs. (5kg)
* CAMERA w/ viewfinder, motor and 200' magazine: 6 ½" x 6 ⅜" x 10 ⅜" (165mm x 166mm x 276mm), 9 lbs. (4kg)
* MOTOR: 2 ¾" x 1 ¼" x 6 ¾" (70mm x 45mm x 168mm), 2 lbs. (.9kg)
* 400' MAGAZINE: 8" x 3" x 11 ¼" (203mm x 76mm x 286mm), 6lbs (2.7kg)
* 200' MAGAZINE: 6 ½" x 2 ½" x 9 ½" (165mm x 64mm x 241mm), 4lbs (1.8kg)

CAMERA:

* FILM: 16mm -- double perf or single perf (A winding or B winding) on 2" core or daylight spool.
* FILM TRANSPORT: claw movement controlled by an eccentric and a fixed cam and positively positioned by a counter cam.
* REFLEX VIEWING: oscillating mirror traveling at half camera speed, reflected onto ground glass with 16mm full aperture and TV safe action area markings.
* SHUTTER: 175° rotating focal plane shutter with fixed opening; shutter speed 1/50 second @ 24fps.
* NOISE LEVEL: 28dB
* FILTER SYSTEM: gel filter holder located on a plane ½" (12.7mm) in front of aperture
 
 
    

MOTOR:

* TYPE: brushless, Hall effect, crystal controlled, variable speed
* POWER CONSUMPTION: less than 1.1A at 12V (68°F or 20°C) at 24 fps; film footage driving capacity remains relatively constant at all speeds.
* FILMING SPEEDS: 8, 12, 24, 25, 50 and 75fps (all crystal controlled).
* OUT-OF-SYNC WARNING LIGHT: detects sync accuracy to ± 8ppm
 
 
 Earlier design 400' magazine with display counter, its feed side, later design 200' magazine take-up side and 400' magazine take-up side
 (Later design magazines are almost the same with earlier design magazines except some minor refinements such as in footage counters.)

MAGAZINES:

* TYPE: 200' or 400' (60m or 120m) single sprocket belt drive; coaxial; snap-on; instant change
* FOOTAGE COUNTER: indicates unexposed film in both feet and meters
 
 
ACL II ground glass 
 
 

 KINOPTIK HC AUTO-ERECT IMAGE VIEWFINDER:

Specially designed for the ACL II; both viewfinder and eyepiece rotate 360°, left or right eye viewing, pressure of the head opens the eyepiece iris, ±6 diopter adjustments.
LED 7 EXPOSURE GUIDE
* SENSING ELEMENT: rapid response CdS photo-resistant cell.
* SENSITIVITY RANGE: ISO 4 to 400
* TYPE OF MEASUREMENT: behind the lens (TTL); semi-spot (eg: 4mm diameter -- 10° acceptance with 25mm lens).
* AREA OF MEASUREMENT: Center 30% of viewing area
* DISPLAY: seven light emitting diodes representing ± 1 ½ stops in ½ stop increments

CA-1 CAMERA MOUNT:

flange focal distance 48mm

"C" Mount:

flange focal distance 17.52mm 

OPERATING TEMPERATURE RANGE:

-13°F to 140°F (-25°C to 60°C), special winterizing available

POWER CONNECTOR:

* Cannon (XLR) 4-pin Male
* WIRING OF PINS: 1) Ground; 2) Bloop [.3 second fog, .3 second 1000Hz 8V signal]; 3) 12V output to pilotone module; 4) 12V input
 
 
 

TIPS:

Important! 
- It will be better choice, if you can buy only a French-made called ACL II or 2 model (1.5 model is also fine). Especially, when you want to use 400' magazines, and shoot at hi-speed up to 75fps. Magazines should be French-made also (There are I or 1 model & magazines, which are English-made, but not recommended for precise works!).
- Do not forget to cover the magazines or to tape the edges of magazines when loaded.
- Be sure that the magazine is seated against the body properly and check the magazine lock. This is one of the most important disadvantages of ACLs = Magazines might fall or would leak light onto the film!
- Put some gaffers tape over the fps button for fixing (the button may pop off).

It is a real best buy camera for budget documentaries & music videos, which is really lightweight, simple to use and gives high image steadiness! High cost ones may include video tap & Super16 conversion.
Available options flow: 

Magazines: French 200' > English B-wind low-torque rubber capstan 400' (suitable for small Thomson dual speed (24/25fps) Hall effect motor, but having jam up problems and adjustment is difficult) > French A-wind (!) direct-drive 400' (heats up and dies the small Thomson dual speed (24/25fps) Hall effect motor)

 

Motors: Thomson dual speed (24/25fps) Hall effect motor > Dual speed Xtal motor > 8-48fps motor made by Cinema Products, Los Angeles > Thomson-CSF high speed (up to 75fps) motor

 

Viewfinders: Angénieux rotatable box (rotating image) > Tubular (fixed) > Rotatable small (rotating image) > Angénieux dove prism orientable (always erect image) > Kinoptik HC orientable (always erect image)

  

 

 

 

 
 144° shutter for Super16 (HD-144 modification)
 
Artist's impression (1982)
 
 Later model E.X.16 is similar to ACL except the some minor differences such as a small dual speed 24/25fps Xtal motor and a small rotatable viewfinder (MASTER SALES CATALOG, NUMBER 20, alan gordon enterprises, Hollywood, 1985).
 
 
The sample budget for having a Super16 camera with the color video tap:

Regular16 camera set (used, including body with viewfinder, motor, handgrip, two 400' magazines, zoom lens, mount adaptor and original case) > around USD 4000

Body conversion to Super16 including two 400' magazine conversion and to a brighter viewfinder > around USD 2500

Color video tap (new) and installation > around USD 4000
  
 ACLs & Modification Services are available at the following locations:

In the U.S.A.:

OPTICAL ELECTRO HOUSE, Culver City, CA (well known for ACL Super 16 conversions & repairs)
AZ Spectrum, New York, NY (well known for its video-assist systems & motors for ACLs)

 Visual Products, Wellington, OH

Alan Gordon Enterprises, N. Hollywood, CA

Du-All Camera, New York, NY 

SUPER-16, Inc., Newark Valley, NY (well known for its Laserbrighten viewing enhancements & ACL Super 16 conversions)

 

In Australia:

 

The Aranda Group, Wandin, Victoria 

 

 

 Eclair 16mm Community ACL page (useful info) 

 

 
 You may also visit eBay for auctions or you may order a copy of In-Sync magazine...
 
 
 
Any questions, comments or suggestions? You want to be added? Please feel free to contact me.