Sears C161 Super 8 Reflex Zoom Movie Camera User Guide
- June 30, 2024
- Sears
Table of Contents
Sears C161 Super 8 Reflex Zoom Movie Camera
Sears Super 8 Camera combines new movie-making ease with improved picture
quality
Your camera uses the new Super 8 film which comes in a cartridge already
threaded for you. The cartridge can be inserted into the camera in seconds-and
the correct film speed is set, the filter is properly positioned, the footage
counter is reset-all automatically. The film is single-width, which means
there is no longer a need to turn it over after 25 feet of shooting-filming is
uninterrupted for the full 50-ft. film length. The picture area is 5Ll% larger
than previous 8mm films, and results in movies that are sharper and more
brilliant. Features like battery drive, full-time motorized zooming, slow
motion and throughthe-lens viewing can help you take movies remarkably
professional in appearance. To be sure of getting the most enjoyment from home
movie making, get to know your camera by reading this instruction book
carefully.
know your CAMERA
- A Zoom Button (2)
- B Starting Button
- C Control Ring
- D Movie Light Sockets (2)
- E Manual Zoom Lever
- F Focusing Ring
- G Lens
- H Door Latch
- J Film “Data” Window
- K Viewfinder Eyepiece
- L Battery Test Scale
- M Battery Test Button
- N Film Footage Indicator
- P Battery Compartment Latch
- R Viewfinder Adjustment Dial
- S Remote Control Socket
- T Pistol Grip Sockets
- U Movie Light Socket Plug
- V Filter Control Socket
- W Tripod Socket
FEATURES
- Loads instantly-no film threading necessary: You just slip cartridge in camera and shoot entire 50 feet without interruption-film is single width and never needs turning over.
- Battery drive eliminates camera winding: Batteries provide all the necessary film-driving power for up to 25 rolls. Built-in tester tells you battery strength at a glance.
- Full-time motorized zoom: Touch a button and lens smoothly glides out to bring distant subjects up close; lens instantly moves back to film large groups or broad scenic shots. For easier composing, lens will zoom even when camera is not running.
- Through-the-lens viewing: You see all the zoom action the instant you film it, and you film exactly what you see. Signals in viewfinder tell when light is insufficient for good movies, also when end of film has been reached.
- Automatically adjusts film speed, filter, footage counter: You merely insert the film cartridge, it sets the electric eye for the correct speed of the film you are using and sets the filter in correct shooting position. In addition, the footage counter will be reset to “Start”.
- Improved electric eye is even more accurate: Helps give your movies brilliant, more lifelike color-electric eye is behind lens and measures only light from subject that reaches the film.
- Instant slow motion: Switch from normal to slow motion without scene interruption … ideal for capturing the fast action of sporting events.
- Animation : Takes single-frame shots to create cartoon or trick effects, with accessory cable release.
Loading your camera
- Load camera in shade whenever possible-avoid direct sunlight.
- Use only Super 8 cartridge film-the Super 8 film and cartridge are different in design from previous 8mm spool and magazine film and cartridges-they are not interchangeable!
- Open camera for loading by pushing back Door Latch (H). Insert cartridge in camera with notched end up and facing forward. When inserted properly the cartridge will be beneath the rectangular metal guide plate and the notch in center of cartridge will be seated around center guide pin of camera. Close camera door and lock by pushing Door Latch (H) forward.
NOTE : This camera is designed to accept daylight or Type A (indoor)
films ASA 10 to 400. When any of these films are used, the filter will be
correctly positioned, and the ASA film speed set, automatically.
Do not reopen camera door until entire roll of film has been exposed-film is
50-ft. single-widthdo not turn cartridge over to be completed as with
previous 8mm films. When film is completely exposed, open camera door and
remove cartridge by lifting (from rear) it up and out of camera.
Film footage indicator
The Film Footage Indicator (N) tells you how much film has been exposed. When
new film has been inserted, the band in the Footage Indicator will be entirely
black. As film is exposed, a portion of this band will be red-this red portion
indicates how much film has been used, the black area, how much is left to be
exposed. When you near the end of the film, a yellow bar begins to show in the
upper right corner of the viewfinder window; when this bar reaches the center
of the viewfinder window (in addition, band in Footage Indicator will be
completely red) the film is completely exposed. The markers in the Footage
Indicator are: “S”, Start; 1st dot,¼; 2nd dot, ½; 3rd dot,¾; and “End”.
Viewfinder eyepiece
The eyepiece of the viewfinder can be adjusted to your particular eyesight.
With the lens set at the farthest telephoto position, look into Viewfinder
Eyepiece (K) and sight an object. Set the lens footage scale (see “Focusing
the lens”) to correct distance between camera and object. Rotate Viewfinder
Adjustment Dial (R) until object appears sharpest. Viewing will now be sharp
for you at all distances and lens positions.
Exposure indicator
The exposure indicator needle shows you whether or not there is enough light
for good movies. When there is not enough light, the black indicator needle
will be visible in the viewfinder. When you cannot see this indicator needle
in the viewfinder, light condition is bright enough for taking movies. When
the end of the film is reached, a yellow flag will be seen in the center of
the viewfinder as a signal to stop shooting.
Making a “battery check”
To check the operating strength of the batteries in your camera, point camera
lens straight down. Press Battery Test Button (M) and observe the position of
the red needle along Battery Test Scale (L). When needle rests on the green
band of the Scale, camera may be used for both normal and slow motion filming.
When needle goes no further than the red band on the Scale, batteries are
exhausted and should be replaced.
How to hold camera
Hold camera steadily with both hands, and with the index finger of your right hand on the Starting Button (B). The Push-button Zoom Controls (A) can be operated by two fingers of your left hand. You can keep the camera steady and level by resting your elbows against your body and the camera against your cheek. Keep all movements as smooth and deliberate as possible; jerky, unsteady movements will be noticeable and objectionable when film is projected (Sears No. 9449 Pistol Grip is a distinct aid in keeping the camera steady). Film each scene for at least 5 seconds to achieve a smooth-flowing story.
The Control Ring
The Control Ring (C) has 3 positions “Off”, “Run” and “L.R.” (Lock Run). “Ott”
position keeps battery drain to a minimum-to be sure of maximum battery life
always store camera with Control .Ring set to “Off”. “Run” is correct Control
Ring position for normal or slow motion filming. “L.R.” (Lock Run) position
will keep the camera running and allow you to get into the picture. Place
camera on tripod or other sturdy support. The Control Ring can be rotated to
“L.R.”. (Lock Run) only when the Starting Button (B) is depressed. To set the
Control Ring to either the “Run” or “Ott” position, merely rotate the knurled
portion of the Control Ring until the setting you wish is opposite the white
dot.
The Starting Button
With Control Ring (C) set at “Run” press the Starting Button (B) just to the
position that starts the motor running-this is the normal speed position; to
shoot slow motion movies, depress the Starting Button as far as it will go-
this will cause the motor to run faster for slow motion filming. This faster
filming speed captures all the action in a scene for more detailed study. Use
slow motion to analyze your golf swing, tennis stroke or high dive. Capture
baby’s first steps and tumbles too. It’s on the screen longer and you see more
of it, when it’s filmed in slow motion.
To take single-frame exposures for animation effects, a cable release must be inserted and screwed into the threaded opening in the center of the Starting Button (B). Sears No. 8482 Cable Release can be purchased from the camera department of your nearest Sears Retail Store or from the Sears Catalog. With the cable release in position, each time you press the plunger an exposure will be made. This technique can give many unusual effects; moving a toy slightly between each single exposure will make it appear to move by itself when the film is projected. Use tripod or other firm support for single-frame exposure, making sure the camera position does not change.
Zooming
Motorized zooming makes it easy to add dramatic impact to your movies.
Pressing the Zoom Button (A) nearest the camera lens will start the lens
zooming outward to give intimate, breathtaking telephoto close-ups. Pressing
the Zoom Button nearest back of camera gives you broad, sweeping wide-angle
coverage in your scene. Generally close-ups make the most interesting movies.
Since the zooming of the lens is battery powered you may use the Zoom Buttons
to compose your picture before actually shooting it. If, at some time you wish
to operate the zoom lens manually this may be accomplished by using the Manual
Zoom Lever (E).
Focusing the lens
For the greatest range of sharpness in front of and behind your subject under
ordinary conditions, rotate the Focusing Ring (F) until you reach the detent
position (black indicator line will be about half way between 15 and 25feet).
This setting gives best results when filming fast action and scenes at hard-
to-anticipate distances.
When shooting close-ups, telephoto shots or when shooting under poor light conditions, the area of sharpness in your movies is reduced. For best results under these conditions, rotate the Focusing Ring (F) until the number on the focusing scale corresponding to the exact distance to your subject is opposite the black indicator line. The camera focusing range is 3 feet to infinity.
Close-ups
Accuracy in setting the footage scale becomes increasingly important as the
distance from camera to subject becomes smaller. Therefore, greater care in
estimating (or measuring) the distance should be taken when shooting close-
ups. Also, when the lens is in telephoto position there is less tolerance for
error in distance setting than with the lens in normal or wide angle position.
The dramatic effects you can obtain by shooting at close range should be ample
reward for the little extra effort needed to take such shots.
Indoor Movies
The Sears No. 8832 Super 8 Movie Light attaches conveniently on top of your
camera and permits sparkling color movies indoors too. Before attempting to
attach the movie light, insert a coin in the slot of the Movie Light Socket
Plug (U) and rotate coin counterclockwise to remove Socket Plug. When the
Sears Super 8 Movie Light is properly mounted on your camera, the built-in
filter is automatically moved out of position, making any further filter
adjustment unnecessary for taking indoor movies.
If you wish to use a movie light which mounts beneath the camera and does not correctly position the built-in filter for indoor movie making, you may do so by first inserting the filter control pin included with your camera. Press the filter control pin down into the Filter Control Socket (V) until pin is firmly seated. You may now attach the movie light. Be sure to remove pin for outdoor shooting.
Remote Control Socket
Your camera is equipped with a Remote Control Socket (S) which permits you to
operate the camera from a distance. To accomplish this an accessory Sears
Remote Control Unit No. 9450 and Remote Control Battery magazine No. 9451 is
available at the camera department of your Sears Retail Store or from the
Sears Catalog.
TIPS on movie making
- Movies are best taken with the sun behind the camera-whenever possible avoid filming side-lighted or backlighted subjects.
- Try to take your movies before and after the noon hour-movies made at high noon usually contain harsh, unattractive shadows.
- Whenever possible, position your subjects so that lighting is uniform on background, foreground and subject.
- To assure movies that are comfortably smooth to view, hold camera as steadily as you can. A tripod or Sears No. 9449 Pistol Grip will improve your results, especially when using the lens in telephoto position or when zooming.
- Keep fingers and camera straps away from lens.
- When using a light bar or movie light other than Sears No. 8832, be sure filter is correctly positioned for the kind of film you have in the camera-if the film used does not require a filter, and the light bar or movie light you are using does not automatically move filter away from lens, be sure to insert the filter control pin.
- When panning (moving the camera horizontally or vertically) to follow a moving subject, or to film more of a scene than the viewfinder shows, move the camera slowly. Fast camera movement will produce an uncomfortable blur on the screen … don’t pan unnecessarily.
- When filming action scenes (sports events, parades, etc.) or when shooting from a moving vehicle, do not film at right angles to the direction of subject movement … an angle of approximately 45° will give best results most often.
IN EXTREME COLD CONDITIONS, TO KEEP BATTERIES WARM (WHEN NOT FILMING) HOLD THE CAMERA UNDER YOUR COAT AND CLOSE TO YOUR BODY.
Camera Care
- Keep Control Ring (C) in “Off” position when camera is not in use for maximum battery life, be sure to rotate Control Ring to “Off” before putting camera away.
- Battery replacement: Batteries should be replaced about once a year, or after approximately 25 rolls have been run through the camera, whichever comes first. The red needle of Battery Tester resting on red band when a battery “check” is made indicates batteries are exhausted and should be replaced (be sure to point camera lens down when testing batteries). Replace with Sears No. 8952, Eveready E91 or Mallory MN1500 Akalinetype batteries. If necessary, carbon-type, penlight size flashlight batteries may be used, however, Alkaline-type batteries give best overall performance. To replace, move Battery Compartment Latch (P) away from lens, remove compartment cover and lift out batteries. Insert fresh batteries, making sure batteries face the direction indicated in the diagram on inside of battery compartment. Replace compartment cover.
- Clean the exposed surfaces of the Lens and Viewfinder Eyepiece with lens tissue or other soft, lintless tissue whenever necessary.
- Protect camera from dust, dirt and rough handling.
- Do not expose camera or film to excessively high temperatures, such as might occur in a closed automobile under a hot sun.
- Do not attempt to repair your camera. If service is required, return it to the camera department of your nearest Sears Retail Store or Catalog Order Plant.
This Sears Projector threads film for you-reel-to-reel and turns a room lamp off, its own lamp on to start the show.
Sears Easi-Load P203 Super 8 Movie Projector
- Shows your Super 8 Movies brilliantly and beautifully detailedjust a twist of Varizoom lens and movie fills screen.
- Forward, reverse and still projection.
- Projects in slow motion at the flip of a lever-analyze all the fast action of sporting events.
- Dichroic lamp keeps heat away from film, helps increase film life.
- Variable speed control lets you adjust for variations in current.
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