Victor Four and Five Aircraft Type Movie Camera User manual

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  INSTRUCTIONS
    FOR OPERATING THE NEW
    MODELS{vFOUR ond FIYE
    AIRCRAFT TYPE CAMERA





      A Producf of
VICTOR ANIMATOGRAPfiI CORP.
   A Dfvfslol{ oF cuRrfss-wRloH7 conPoRlrrofl
        DAYENPORT, IOWA. U.is. A.
330 W. 42nd St.                       188 W. Rondolph N5WNEW YORI(lvln    18a9                     cHtcAGo I-                                            4
                                                                          d

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YEARVICTOR
GUARANTEE BOND
          rrrs document certi6es that Victor Cin6-Camera,
         Serial No...-.---.-...----has been constructed through'
        out to perform according to  all published ciaims
      made by the Victor Animatograph Corporation
        and that it is guaranteed against defective materials
for  life and workmanship  for a period of ONE YEAR
fiom  original date of  purchase fronr authorized Victor
distributor or dealer.
Adjustments or  replacements during the period of  this
guarantee, will be made by the manufacturer without charge,
prouided the owner's namc and serial number of the camera
are registered at the Ioctory; and provided the instrtlment
is returned transportation charges prepaid to the factory at
Davenport, Iorva, or  to one of the factory branches
New York or  Chicago. If  during the period covered-
by this Guarantee (one year from date of original prrr'
chase) any adjustments,  replacements or repairs may be made
at any authorized Victor service station at a cost to the user
of reasonable labor charges only, any new parts required
for replacement will be furnished Ly the factory at no cost.
Any alterarions, revisions or changcs of constructton made
by the user or damage caused by careless handling, cancels
the manufacturer's responsibility for the correct performance
of the instrument. Guarantee is otherwise unconditional
and will be fulflled s'ithorlt question on rlturn of camera to
factory.                                    (': .:
                                    ,5/t'o1,L
                                           pres
  V]CTOR ANIMATOGRAPH CORPORATION
  A DIVISION OF CURTISS.WRIGHT CORPORATION
          DAVENPORT, IOWA. U. S. A.
NOTE-This Guarantee is efiective only when the
VICTOR CAMERA is properly registered by owner
                  af the factory.
    SEND REGISTRATION CARD NOW!

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o ENERALwww.butkus.us
IN STRUCTIONS
Read Carelully !
WHEN LOADING THE CAMERA follow carefully
the instructions given on pages i and 6 for threading
the film, setting the film lootage meter, and locking
the camera door. At the beginning o[ each roll of
16 m/m reversible film there is attached approximate.
lV 6Vz .feet of black and red opaque paper or ol .
opaqued film which is referred to as LEADER.
This leader protects the filrn from exposure to light.
Always \eep leader tightly wound about the film- on the spool when loading or unloading.
TEST TAKEUP SPOOL each time rhe camera is
loaded. _ See speci{ic instructions on following pages.
Bent takeup spools may cause the camera to jam ind
result in spoiled film.
IHE CAMERA IS LOADED AT FACTORY with a
sl'rort strip of leader to show correcc threading. Run
this through camera by pressing operating bulton to
observe film travel and the action of the film loops.
LOCK DOOR SECURELY making cercain thar it
is clear down in position all around. }\ever open^has the camera door until the entire spool of film
been exposed. If film has jammed because of incor,
. rect threading take camera into dark room to unload
and rethread. c
BEFORE OPERATING CAMERA BE SURE TO:
Checft lens for exposure setting and make certain that it
has been properly focused for distance if it is a
Focusing Mount Lens.
Chec\ setting of the speed regulating dial to insure
that it is set for position at speed desired. If other
I1l

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lhan nortnal speed is used, check back on the ex,
posure settlng of che lens. See Exposure Compensa,
tion Table, page 10.

1 WHEN OPERATING CAMERA
Hold Came'ra Level and watch tire penduium level in rl
the front finder to prevent the taking of "up, or .i
down,hill" pictures. Press clear down on operating I
buttott [o start the tnechanism. Hold button down
I Jirmly as J'ur as it wtll go. Watch chis particuiarly
when tnaking slow tuotion pictures. Do n<-rt depress 4
or release operating button gradually. Instantaneous
actiolr is esser-rtial to prevetrt slow starting and stop,
ping. Orr tlre other hand, do rrol jarnb the button
'. Oowtl.

i When punoranirtg (ruoving carnera in arc) for filming I
scenery or groups <-rf people, MOVE CAMERA i VIIRY SLOWLY. If you think you are tnoving
slcrwly, ulone everl n'tore slowly. Pivot the entire body
instead of moving only the camera or the arms. Us. irrg tlre 2f or 32 opelating speeds pernrits ol ruak. i
iug smclother "pauoralns" than wherr operating at the
l6 l'rame speed. Par-roraming should be avoided as 4 rnuclr ts possible and preferably used only when fol,
Iowirrg a rnoving object.
Do ttoL "Luedve" Lhe camera around or "bob" it up and
dclwn.
Meastwe dtwaLiotr of scenes. Short scer.res are besc and
plevcnL unncccssary wast-e o[ {ihn. 'f,r.., ruuch "[oot-
age" of oue scene is boresome whe.n the fiLn is pro,
jected, unless there is soure plannecl cor-rtinuity in
the acti<-ru. The average scene should be from ten
to fifteen seconds duration.
When ftlnting distant uie rus have solnc person or other
. rnovir.rg object fairly closc tcl the cali)era in the fore,
ground. Generally not more than one,third sky
shorrld slrow in the picture area.
lletuind lnotor spring after runlring filteen t() twenty
ieet of film to prevent rurrning dowlr drrring some
rmportal)t srrbsequent exposure.
127
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Do not point camera toward sun but always at an artgle
whiclr will permit the shade on the front of the lens
ro prevent direct sun,light from reflecting into the
ter)s proper.
The best light f.or rnaking motion pictures is that period
of the day between two hours after sunrise and two
hours before sullset. If pictures are takert earlier or
later, open the lens one or two stops larger, depend'
ing ou tire hour o[ fiLning to insure sullicient ex,
posure. .
lu ntal{ng interior scenes, follow closely che special in.
strr.rctions provided with supersensitive panchromatic
{ihn, or with interior photolights for settirrg the lens
stop to iusure the proper exposure for the atncltntt ol'
alti{icial illuurination available.
When using TeleplroLo lenses. particularly o[ four inch
or greater focal length, the camera should be operatecl
lrour a tripod as the use of long focus lenses exagger,
irtes ar)y lnovement of the calne[a resulting {ronr
hand,holding. Tripod socket will be found dircctly
rrnder the body of the camera and fits the head screw
ol' any ordinary wood or tnetal carnera tripod.

CARE OF THE CAMERA
'The \/ictor Cuntera is o precisior"r.built itwLruntertL an<l
reqtrires reasorrable care atrd attention for best results.
C)iling ancl cleaning should be done regtrlarly in ac.
corclirncc with instrtrctious given. Speed oI the cam,
era shorrlcl be checked olrce or twice a year, and regu.
liried as per instructions given in the following pages.
DO NOT ATTEMTT TO TAKE CAMERA APART. lI for iuly reas()u rt is necessaly to clisassemble the
irclnt trnit or to relnove the rnotrlr, MAKE CER,
TAIN THAT THE SPRING IS COMPLETELY
liLlN DOWN ircfore doing so. Otherwi.se, the
.'irrnerel rnal' be seriously damagccl and such darnage
ls l'lot covered bv the quarantee
t3l

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           THREADING THE FILM
First wind the camera. Pull Winding Crank from clip
  and fold over until slot in crank arm engages lug on
  end of winding shaft. Revolve to right until stop in,
   dicates winding is complete. Open camera door by
   lifting up the folding "grips" of the door locks and  turning to "O". Lift up back of door to remove.
Load Camera in shadow, not in direct sunlight. Re,
  move film spool from box, carefully preventing film
  from loosening on spool.
                Refer to llluslraiion One
Place spool of film on upper shaft (B) so that leader
  unwinds from the bottom.
Leader (if paper) must be black side up, and on top
  of roller (C).
Raise knob (D) and pr:rll upper film.shoe to position
  shown.
Raise knob (F) and pull back film.gate to position
  shown.
Raise knob (G) and pull down lower film.shoe to posi.
   tton snown
Lay leader in place as shown, allowing upper and low,
   er loops to touch camera wall (See Illustration One).
Make sure that teeth on top of sprocket (E) engage
  the perforations (holes) on edge of leader; then  snap shoe (D) back into place. Close gate (F).
Make sure that teeth on bottom of sprocket (E) engage
   perforations of leader, then snip shoe' (G) lnlo
  Place'      See llluslration Two
The threaded film, with film
  shoes and film gate closed,
  should appear as shown.
With empty take,up spool
   ireld in hand with square
   hoie toward camera, attach
   enci of leader to slot in hub
  of spool. Turn spool two
  or three turns to right to
   firmly attach leader.
                   trl

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rEST TAKE.UP SPOOL
BE^{f SPOOLS ftLay caLLSe film "snagging." When
threading a new fiIm altt'a)s test the empty, or ta'\1e.
up spool to see that both side.s are straig'ht and paral.
lel to each other and that the lectder will nas.s be.
tween f reely.
Place take,up spool on lower shaft with scluirre hole fit.
ting over square hub at base of shal't.
With operating button (Illustration 7) set at normal
speed _'16", press button for a rnornent only tr> ob.
serve 1[n6;-pnper leader properly engages teeth or.r
top and bottom of sprocket--leader is exactlv irr the
film channel behind the lens-leader is fiimlv at.
tached to take,up spool.
Threadir-rg is now completed. Replace carnera door arrcl
lc,ck securely.

SETTING FILM METER fi
lmmediately after threading film and
locking door, revolve knob of film {jl
meter (Illustration 3 ) in directiorr ol arrow until indicator hand points to
line between "10" and "100".
Start motor by pressing operating but, lllrrs. -l'lrree ton and run until meter indicator
points to :'100". Paper leader hirs now been
unrvound from film and fihn is in place in aDer.
ture ready for exposure. Avemge .."trts shoulcl liave
a duration of 10 to li seconds.

BEFORE OPERATING THE CAMERA
Adiust Visual Focusing Finder. (As long as srrme per. son is using cam@ra. the finder sigirt ne"d _L..tadjgggd I
only Each user should. however, adjilsc*fotut, rfg finder-once. for his particular evesight.) To-adjust
finder, have a lens_in focusing position-irnrnediaiely
belo'"v focusing sight tube when camera is held hori,
f6l

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zorrtally (Illus. 5). The Lens Turret nray be revolved post (Illus in eit6lr'directioir by pulling up <-rn _lock
+) and by then pressing with thumb and torehng.er
uil uttu two of t'he thrJe turret posts until the de'
sired lbns is brought into the focus'
ing position.
Set the focr.tsirtg ring of the lens at
"Infinity" which is usually indicat' !!oo ed thus: " or "INF". Set tlre
diaphragrn or exposure rirrg for the
larfest lens opening-?.J, 2.9. 1.5.
()r' I llrrs. Iiorrr etc. --- according to the speed
type of iens being used.
eltclt user, screw it To set the focusing eyepiece for
ol' in or out until the "grail-l"
the ground glass is focused sharp'
irnagcs I lv. To avoid distracting I remove the lens or point callrel'it
I against the sky.
Focus Lens on Obiect to be Phttto'
ll s.rabhed. Whilo viewing the ob'
ie.f thtough the focusir-rg findcr' lllus. Flve
ievol.,'e thi focusing ring of the
i"n, (t1'," ring nearest catnera, ttstrally nutrl<ed,itt feet
or meters) until central object itr scette is irt slrarpest
possible foctrs.
,\or.u'oitito,,r-reuolue the tLlrret unLil the lens i's itt talling qit:u:1.:11' canterct. Do ii lrfi ii4, , '''ut' turret' revolving wher-r lens"1setting
Press plunger locl< (Illustration 4)
down lnto-place to insure rigidity
positior-r. of turret -t.., lens is in
Consult ExPosure scale on Door,
preparatory to setting lels for ex'
po*t". (Iilustration -6)-. Push indi iator to the tyPe of duy, "Bright - Sunn', Bright CloudY", "Dull
Cloudy", oi "Very Dark CloudY",
Lt)

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according to the condition of light existing when
picture is to be taken. Through the round openings
read the number appearing above kind of pictuie
to be taken, as shown in the six spaces on the lower
half of the meter. This nurnber indicates the lens
opening,- sometimes called the "stopn' or "diaphragrn
opening", to be used.
Set the Lens Opening to the corresponding figure. giv.
by the-exposure meter. The Knurled ring on the 9n
Iens barrel is revolved to set the ope.ing. Thi, d;a, "on phragm positiions different ^ Iing is - in varying makes ot Ienses, but is identified by the indicator and
series of numbers which usually ir" o, follows: 16. 11, g, ,.6,4,3.1,2.g, etc.
(It is. a good pracrice to keep the lens which is in
s;roltrr"rg posirion ser at'1i feet and at Fg (on bright
day) for making quick emergency shots that do iot
ri allow time for focusing o. ,.iti'g'lens- i;; ...p;rure. )
1;
To^Set Operating Speed. The
Uperating Burton (Fig 7) is
marked with an arrow io seiect
speed designations of g. 16.
24 and 32 frames per second.
plus ULTRA (apiroxirnarelv
80 frames per..co.rd). When
camera is not in use, arrow
should be placed at LCjCK for
protection against unin, Illus. Seven
tentional film usage. To move
operating Button, raise and turn to desired position.
Io operate, depress wlth firm downward fr".rrrr.. To. stop, releas.e- abruptly. Operating Button *u/ l"
locked at 8-, 16 an[ i+ frame spEeds by o .ilght
counter,clockwise turn after depressing.
To Run the Camera. Turn selecror arrow to speed de,
sired and_depress the Operating Button with a firm
.do.y"yqld pressure,.as f ar as it will go. It must be held fully dqpresscd during operatioi.
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16, Normal Speed, (meaning 16 exposures or frames
pgr second) is. the sleed at which natural action
pictures are taken. The Exposure meter readings
F give the "stop" or "diaphragm" to use at this .rormil
speed.
1 8. conditionsHalf Normalare Speedpogr andis usedwhenatarimesparticularlywhen lightingdesired
picture is to be taken. Half,speed doubles tire actual
eacl'r exposure. Comedy, re, or quick,action
exposing t timesultsoflrorn half,normal at ipeed. When
using this speed move the lens diaphragm to the next smaller stop, than used for "Noimal-. (See Lens
n Srop Compensation Table).
24,- One and One Half Normal, is used for shooting
fast moving objects, .which if shot at slower speeds ari
blurred because of too rapid movement during each
individual exposure. 24 frames per second geimuch
si'rarper pictures of objects in rapid motion.
Tt:: "stop" or diaphragm to use for this speed is
rnid,way between the "Normal" stop and the stoD
next larger._ Example: if F.8 for "Normal" set stop
between F.8 and F i .6 for 24 frames per .".o.,d.
( See Table) .
3 2. Twice,Normal makes more perfect, sharper pan,
oramic scenes and- may also be used for shooiing very
rapidly moving objects.
The "stop" for 32 frames per second is the next - larger than for "Normal". Example: If F.g for normal use F i.6 for 32 speed. (SeL Table).
t 64,. Ulra1p_eed is used for taking pictures thar give
the SLOW motion effect when projected on th.
screen. The higher the rate of speed, the "Slower" I the action in the projected picture.
To take SLOW morion prctures wrth the Vicror
Cin6,Carnera, turn the ipeed regulator to "64
Speed". Slow,mocion pictures must be made with
Iel

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stclPs wider open than when the lens set at two full
  "shooting" the same scene at normal speed.


    LENS STOP COMPENSATION TABLE
                         FOR
  CAMERA SPEEDS OTHER TI.{AN NORMAL, AND FOR FILTERS
(For use with regular speed 6lm only. When using Super.sensitive Panchromatic Film, follow
                           film manufacturers' special instructions.)
Numerals  in parenthe-ses indicate camera speed in frames per second.
Exposure indrcated  for
Normal Speed (t6)            F r.t   F2   F2.9     F3.5  F4          r)     F8    Fll  Fl6

Half Speed (8)                    2.t   3.5                 ,<        ) -o   t.6-8                     ll           I
                   'IimesOne      t/ One.Half
         (2+)                                                  l.t  ,2.2.9   '2.9.3.t    3.t      4     4.t  t.6.s   8-t I   l1.lNormal
Double Speed (32) or
2x Filter with 16 speed                        2    82.2.9    2.9     3.t             ).o      8     1l
Ultra Speetl.Slow Motion or
4x Frlter rvith I6 speed                                                                                         l -)     2  2.2.9     2         4     t.6      8
*Wherc tu'o figurcs are giverr, set thc lcns at half'x'ay betrveen the two stoPs indicated

           TAKING THE PICTURE

                                             sameHold the Camer4 close to the face in abottt the
  Dosition as shown in Illustration 10, with the second
  br thrrd finger of the right hand over operating. but'
  ton (?).  fiota the arms, elbows in. close to the.bo-d,t
  to pievent tiring and to promote steadiness in 6old'
  ing the camera.
                                                                        2Locate Scene in Finder. Notice that the readings,
  feet to infinit;' (8),'altetttut"on the Dist'a'sight rear finder                                                                          sca.lg'   (Illustration 8;        on both. sides. of
             Wittr all usual outdoor shots with
               one,inch 1ens, it is not necessary to set
               sight for exact distance. Leave it  at
                      " It  feet" for all except close'ups ot'
                objects at 6 feet (or less) djstance. Set   lllus. Eight                 aciurately when using telephoto lenses.
                   l10 l

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The Front View F'inder (Illustratiorr 9) has 4 field
areas. The whoie scene visible in
the view firrder represents the area
covered by thc rlgular one inch
iocns lens. The three rectangular'
areas etched on the finder reDre.
sent the fields takerr in by lenses
of longer focai length. The larg,
est indicates the field covered by lllrrs. Nine
ir 2 inch focus lens. the next. a
3 inch iens. aud the smallest, a ,$ inch lens. For in'
stance, when using a 4 inch lens, only rvhat can be
seetr in the srnalle.st etched rect:rngle rvill he exposed
on the filrn.
Hold Camera Leuel. Pendulum in front 6nder (lllus.
tration 9) will, i[ watched.
nrevent unintentional tilt.
ing oi cerffIera. Do rrot
"V/ea\re" or Inove calneril
about to get several difler.
ent objects in:rt one ex.
posure.
Press ctperating buLLott douvrt
AS FAR AS IT WILL
GO to start the rneclrarrism:
Illue. Ten continued pressLtre l<eeps
it running: release oI ttre
button stops ti're rneci'ranism instantlv.
Length of Scene. The average scene slroulcl be from
10 to 1i seconds duration. Estimate duration of
scene by countir-rg slowly, each cou ltt representing
passage of one second or exposrrre oi 16 frarles.
, Entire fiIm l'tas been exposed when "100" again showsI on film meter (Illus. 3 ). Before opening the door continue pressure on operating button for period
sufficienr to permic passage of 5 {eet lnore of filrn to
wind the trailer around the exposed filrn. Then open
the dcior and remove film.
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Camera rnay be loclled in operating position so that
the operator can get into the picture and camera run
unattended. This is done by depressing operating
button and sliding over the lock lever as described
on page 9.
To hand.driue the Victor Cin,i'Camera, the spring
motor must be completely run down. Turn the
speed dial to speed desired and lock down the
operating button as described on page 9. To remove
crank from winding shaft for hand cranking, re'
volve to left until it comes loose. Remove protect'
ing button just above winding shaft and attach wind-
i"E crank to hand drive shaft. When driving hv
hand, revolve crank to the right at a speed so the
governor is just "dragging."
The Stop.Action is to expose but one -picture or "frame" at a time; for trick tx'ork, or for making animated cartoons. Set speed dial at 8. A quick -button, pressure of the starting instantly released.
lllo*s but one "frame" to be exposed.
f or Double Exposures or Lap'dissoluesTo Bacll.IJp'J Film cover (Model only ). Remove hand'drivc shaft
(just above ',viiding shaft) and insert se-parate crank *Uch is supplied with camera. Cover' front of lens
with lens cap or paln-r of hand to prevellt exposure
of film.
Hold crank to prevent revolving and lock operating
button down at any speed setting. Turning crank
backward (counter'cloikwise) backs up the film.
Each revolution of the crank tllrns back seven frames
,rf film.
Backing up tl're {ilm winds the motor spring. There'
iore, oirly as rnuch film can be reversed as has beerl
' exposed since the last full winding of the motor.
After lap or double exposure has been made, reset
fihn rneter to read the same as before 6lm was re'
verseti.
[12]

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CARE OF THE CAMERA
Oiling ls lmportant.

l5
Illustration Eleven
? Oil Camera euery t-hree o,r f ourrnonths or after every
ten or spools of film have been exposed. Threl -morg I iroles distribute_ oil to all imporrant beirings. With I
a smail screw driver remove two round heid screws.
14, 1i (Illus. Eleven). Put not rnore than three
drops of oil in holes 13, 14 and lj (sewing machine
or equivalent) and replace scr€ws. Special VICTOR
camera lubricating oil is recommended.
Keep aperture plate clean. Emulsion from the film is
consta.ntly being deposited on the aperture plate and
,should be removed after' exposing two or riore rolls
oi film. Use a sharpened *ood stick. Never touch
the aperture plate with metal, as scratches will cut
and damage film.
When l-oading carnera, clean out any accumulated dust
or other matter before threading film.
To^Checll Speed for correctness, open door (when no
film is in camera), and with speed set at "Normal,';
Press o-perating button while counting the revolu,
tions of the red dot on the sprocket (E, Illustration
One.,) The sprocket should revolve sixteen times in
seven seconds. This is correct normal speed. If run, ning too fasr, turn regulating diai (Illus. T )
13 ] [

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slightly until the correct speed setting is obtained.
Hold the takeup spindle to approximate closely the
normal calnera load. Then mark the outer edge of the
speed dial knob accordingly. The other speeds can
be checked in the same manner. This check, how'
ever, should be necessary after long use or .only operation under exceptional conditions.
Do not uttenlpt to talle the Cant.era apart. The fr<-rnt
casting, and the spring unit must never be removed
from the Camera body until the spring is completely
run down, otlterwise the mechanism may be ,.eriously
damaged.
Caution, If Tahing Camera Apart,
SPRING MUST BE COMPLETELT RUA{ DOWN
before front casting or spring attachment is removed
from the carnera body. When reassembling put on
front first, making sure gears mesh correctly before
tightening screws. Then reassernble spring motor
attachment. Before tightening screws push operat'
ing button down and insert crank in hand drive
shaft and revolve tcl rnake sure all gears mesh. Then
tighten screws.
If Repairs Are }\eeded, it is best to send Camera to the
factory or authorized service station.
Camera Should be Seruiced at least every two years at
the factory. For complete inforrnation, see "General
Instructions" in front of book.
Successful operation of the Victor Cin6,Camera is very
sirnple if the instructions in precedir-rg pages are
carefully followed until all points concerning oper:l.
. tion are thoroughly familiar. The Victor Animato.
graph Corporation welcomes correspondence from Vic.
tor owners and will provide any inforrnation desired
in connection with adaptation or operation of Victor
products.
VICTOR ANIMATOGRAPH CORPORATIOI\I
A DIVISION OF CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION
DAVENPORT. IOWA., U. S. A.
[14]

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