Eclair Cameras: My Message to Kodak

[Michael Welle <mwelle@starband.net>]

I sent the following e-mail to Kodak:

Dear sirs,

Your website contains the following description of the 
Eclair cameras:

Éclair:
Once the "State of the Art" in lightweight precision 
cameras, these machines do not have the popularity that 
they enjoyed in the US in the 1960s and 1970s. All 
Éclair Cameras will run 1R. The Éclair NPR is designed for 
400' loads. The ACL Model has 200' magazines for 200' 
Daylight Spools (NOT A-Minima), which could 
be a challenge if we no longer offer this spec. Few are in 
use in the US. 

Many of the statements here are not true especially the 
one about "few are in use in the US."  First of all, the 
Eclair ACL is experiencing a revival among independent 
filmmakers and is exteremely popular as evidenced from 
simply typing the keywords "Eclair ACL" into the google 
search engine.  There are many informative websites such 
as the ones listed below:

 www.eclairacl.com/index.shtml 

 www.geocities.com/erkanumut2/acl.html 

 http://members.aol.com/Super16ACL/

  The ACL is also easily and affordably converted to the 
futureproof Super 16 as evidenced in the following website:

  www.lesbosher.co.uk/Eclair%20ACL%20Page.html

   There are lots of accessories made for this camera 
such as a video assist and a barney:

    http://hometown.aol.com/azspectrum/

    http://www.warrenyeager.com/barney/ 

   In addition I would like to address the following 
statements: "The Eclair NPR is designed for 400' loads.  
The ACL Model has 200' magazines for 200' Daylight Spools 
(NOT A-Minima), which could be a challenge if we no longer 
offer this spec."  First of all, the way these two 
sentences are worded subtly implies that the Eclair ACL is 
incapable of shooting readily available 400' foot loads.  
In actuality, the versions 1.5 and 2 are equipped with a 
heavy duty motor which permits the use of 400 foot 
magazines.  In addition, the original ACL is able to pull 
400 foot loads when using English designed magazines.  The 
second sentence concerning the A-Minima loads is not 
true.  Any 200 foot magazine for the Eclair ACL will take 
these loads provided they have the core adaptor plates on 
the feed and takeup sides.  Through snapping off the 
plastic flanges in a black bag, and inserting the tip of 
the film into the opposite takeup side, an ACL user can 
use these A-Minima loads with a 200' mag.

Lastly, I would like to mention that there is a list forum 
for the Eclair cameras: 

http://www.topica.com/lists/EclairACL

A couple other forum members have written Kodak asking you 
to change the description on your website.  They mentioned 
that you did not reply to their posting.  I did not like 
hearing that, and will not purchase any more Kodak motion 
picture film and will buy Fuji until the misinformation on 
your website is changed to the correct information.  I 
usually buy about $300.00 worth of film each year.  I 
would like to make it known that it is unethical to 
misrepresent a movie camera, even if it was made 30 years 
ago by a company that went out of business in the 1980's.  
This camera is one of the most ergonomic and versatile 
filming machines ever built.  It rivals the A-Minima.  Its 
popularity on the web grows every day.  Please change your 
website to reflect the issues I have mentioned.

Sincerely,
Michael Welle
Independent Filmmaker
and Eclair ACL owner
Charleston, SC

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