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Re: Eclair ACL Magazines
Hmmmmm. Interesting questions. Regarding the HD-144 kits, once I sell the
last 2 Gold kits I'm just staying with the PLATINUM and SILVER --- I'm not
going to manuafacture any more mirror offsets (though I do still have a bunch
of connecting rods if anyone needs a replacement). Although I personally like
knowing that my ACL is up to full S-16 specs by having the mirror re-centered
and new "factory-like" S-16 parts in the camera, most ACL owners seem to want
basic functionality as cost effectively as possible --- in fact, many owners
will have their ACLs converted to S-16 by having their Tech modifying the
existing R-16 parts, and this works perfectly well.
Since keeping the mirror on the R-16 shaft seems to give the same quality of
S-16 image on film, most owners have not really been interested in
re-centering the mirror. That's why I've put together the PLATINUM kit ---
the GOLD was more than most users wanted, and the Platinum kit costs less by
eliminating the offset. Hopefully it will satisfy most needs, because I've
run out of precious metals!
--------------------
I will try to get back to my workbench and finish my latest finessing of the
350' mag conversion so that I can post photos on my site for those interested
in it. My prototype was fully functional, but now I'm trying to make the
little added "hump" on the top that contains the rollers look "factory"
instead of jerry-rigged. Unfortuately I'm more of a "draw the plans and let
the shop build it" type --- I'm not a machinist --- but because of the
horrific cost of prototyping (the HD-144 kit got out of control, and I still
haven't broken even) I'm forced to do my own lame machine work and it takes
me forever. Mayone once I post the photos some machinist out there will see a
way to take my modifications and create an assembly-line approach that would
allow for a good price to modify a large quantity of 200' mags to 350''. An
inexpensive conversion to small 350' mags would really put the ACL in a
special class --- the A-minima can't do that!
---------------------
The future of S-16 in general is a good question. The following are just
personal speculations based on reading a few tidbits here and there, and I'm
not an authority on any of this:
I think the longterm survival of S-16 depends on how quickly HD cam-corders
come to the consumer market (the MPEG-100 format). Right now I don't think
there is any doubt that the specs on S-16 are still technically superior to
mini-DV (and even DV-cam), and Kodak will certainly be coming up with even
better film stocks that will allow S-16 to match the 1125 line res of HDTV so
that it remains viable (hang onto those Zeiss lenses, folks!). Almost all
drama primetime TV series for cable are currently shot on Super-16 to retain
HD compatibility. And because there is disagreement among the 4 major TV
networks on whether to go 720p or 1125i, (2 plan to start broadcasting with
720p and two with 1125i), the HD compatibility issue will likely create fear
among producers that can only help S-16 stay alive longer. And of course if
the current schedule for a 2003-2006 switchover to HDTV in America is
scrubbed, that will help S-16. And the longer America and the World stay in
recession, the more slowly new technologies are likely to be deployed. On the
"indie" front, there will be those folks who will go with DV-cam (or mini-DV
on the lower end), and those who stick with S-16. 2 of the 5 films that won
Sundance last year were shot on mini-DV. BUT ...
my prediction is that when consumer versions of HD cam-corders come out (even
at less than full HDTV resolution), then I think that nothing will save 16mm
film. HOWEVER, my guess is that viable MPEG-100 is still many years away ---
until all American networks are broadcasting in HD there probably won't be
enough HDTV sets around to make introduction of an HD consumer camera in the
US viable (unless everyone is content to watch their videos on their
computer). And if I were the Japanese electronics companies, I'd be worried
about pre-maturely marketing really hi-def consumer equipment that might
destroy the professional market. But that's just my personal guess --- for
all I actually know the consumer HD cameras will be out next week. (Meanwhile
the 7 major Hollywood studios just announced that they were forming a
consortium to create standards for digital theatrical projection.) I'll bet
a lot of others have thoughts on the matter, and likely more exact info since
I don't really keep up with this stuff on a daily basis. Mark.
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