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HD-144 Conversion Kit
ACL tricked out with HD-144 upgrade
The “HD-144″ is a conversion kit that was designed by Mark Sobel at Cinecan Productions. An ACL Super-16 conversion normally requires hand cutting and machining of various camera parts such as shutter, lens mount, etc. The HD-144 includes a standardized set of machine-made parts to create a Super-16 ACL as though it had just come off the assembly-line from Eclair with new Super-16 factory parts.
The kit is intended to be installed by a qualified technician, however the advantage is the machine made parts should result in a higher quality conversion.
As of 2010 is it unlikely that HD-144 kits are still available for sale, however you can try the contact info here.
The complete PLATINUM HD-144 Kit includes:
- HDTV/Super-16 Aperture Plate; Hard Chrome Plated
- HDTV/Super-16 re-centered LENS FLANGE
- HDTV/Super-16 SHUTTER
HD-144 Information for Camera Owners:
- Pricing and Ordering Information
- Silver vs Platinum Kit
- HD-144 Individual Parts
- Camera Technicians
- Special S-16 Considerations for Europe
HD-144 Installation Guide For Technicians:
- Before Undertaking the Conversion
- The ACL Mechanism
- Installing the Super-16 Aperture Plate
- Installing the Lens Flange
- S-16 144 Degree Shutter
- S-16 Re-Centered Mirror Support Spindle and Plastic Connecting Rod
- Name Plate, Temporary Rub-On Frame Marking and Tripod Hole
- Modification of Viewfinder Mounting
- Modification of Magazines
- Re-Painting The Body
8 responses to “HD-144 Conversion Kit”
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I believe that the HD-144 kit is the only way to go for Super-16: here’s why. By using the kit you are using modern components that are manufactured for S16 on state of the art CNC machining equipment. These parts are not “modified” from 30 year old parts, but are designed from the ground up on computers for S16 use. The Shutter is critical and many other “conversions” use tape to achieve the proper opening. Not so with the HD-144 kit. The aperture, shutter, and lens mount are all new, add to this a new Tobin motor and you have a state of the art camera. There is also a company called Schurco Tool (1-616-966-8606) that can regrind the ground glass for S16 and HD markings for about $150.
I am very impressed with Bernie O’Doherty, an original ACL tech from NY. I sent my ACL to Bernie and would highly recommend him. My camera was a total basket case; it had been used by film students and had a very hard life. I had purchased it off ebay with a bad motor and broken mirror. Bernie installed the HD-144 GOLD Super-16 conversion kit , replaced the mirror, had the ground glass etched for Super-16 and Laser Brightened. Bernie also installed and quieted down the new Tobin motor. (He has stated that the motor is now as quite and is perhaps only 1 db louder then the original.) I was in contact with him the whole process and sent parts back and forth for powder paint. He was always quick to get back to me and answer my questions. I have total trust in Bernie and feel that his work is top notch. He was more than fair with the cost involved. I would not hesitate to send him my equipment. It is great to know that he will be there to stand behind his work!
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I highly recommend the HD144 kits. I have two and they are top quality.
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Mercer January 27th, 2009 at 02:35
I sent my ACL to Bernie O’Doherty to install an HD-144 shutter and HD-144 off-axis mirror shaft. Bernie also installed a new shutter shaft, replaced all the bearings and shims, did his laser bright treatment on the ground glass (makes the image two stops brighter through the viewfinder), readjusted the viewfinder, adjusted lens mount, collimated two lens, quieted three mags, and did it for a great price. He is also great to work with and very helpful. Since he was an original Eclair tech, I’m confident about the camera, and he is one of the only techs I feel I can trust to shoot me straight and not overcharge for the
services. You can’t go wrong with Bernie. -
the letrasets [of Super-16 markings for the ground glass] did the trick – getting the framing was much easier with them as a guide. It saved me not just time but a few hundred bucks to boot.
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Jeff Goldstein May 23rd, 2009 at 21:00
“Cant go wrong” with Bernie? Have you dealt with him recently? Four of us have all had similar experiences with him, and they were not good. He is a wonderful human being, and I adored him in that regard, but as a tech he has been making some downright irresponsible and unexplainable errors. He said to three of us when asked about the collimation he had just performed, “focus by tape? Oh no, all the pro’s only focus by eye”. When this was mentioned to the great techs at Duclos Lenses, they replied: “Who told you that? If that were true, we’d be out of work”. Add to that about a half dozen other issues, and you have a handful of people that will never again trust our gear there. I paid almost $800 to undo the bad job that was done on my camera. Never again. I have noticed that people are amazingly quick to jump to his defense, knowing little about him. Just remember these words next time you get some advise or service from him that just doesnt sound or feel right.
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jason May 24th, 2009 at 00:50
Hey Jeff, sorry to hear that. I can only speak based on my own experience which is that I’ve been happy with Bernie’s work on my gear. He just did a Super-16 conversion for me and it went to another tech for adjustment to the video assist, who told me that the conversion looked good. If you haven’t already, you should definitely let Bernie know that you weren’t happy. It sounds though you feel Bernie is losing his touch and it would serve no purpose, but my impression is that he is still enthusiastic, loves his work and would want to know. There’s only a handful of guys who even work on these cameras anymore, so it’s in all our best interest to keep everyone on top of their game.
Your comment should serve as proof to anyone reading that posts on this site are real and neither censored nor biased towards any specific tech.
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I just picked up an Eclair Acl. Is there a certain 4 pin xlr cable I should specifically get? Would another harm the Eclair?
Thoughts?
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Dale Robertson June 27th, 2011 at 02:15
Help. My CP-GSMO drive belts have melted do to old age, I need parts for my Mint GSMO, belt part numbers are for “Shutter 79-0425″ and for Sprocket drive 79-0426. please contact me at 415-935-7943, or email me at arrifilm@gmail.com.
Thanks; Dale Robertson
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Sean January 27th, 2009 at 02:34