Evolution of the ACL Camera

The evolution of the ACL is a bit of vexing one to figure out as it has not been well documented, even in Eclair literature (Boris Belay says “I’m trying to find out all the information I can before posting it on a website.”). First complication is the French/English double history and different timeline:

The British ACL was produced from 1971 to about 1975. It did not evolve beyond the original model except for the addition of the British 120m. (400ft) magazine (so all British models shipped with the small motor, small base, and small Angénieux viewfinder). Camera bodies have a serial number engraved on the back of the base starting with C1xxxx. Magazines have serial numbers engraved on the left (feed) side of the magazine front starting with Mxxxx. I believe no more than 1000 were produced.

The French-built camera evolved progressively from 1971 to 1985. Often, even as improved features were available, the older ones remained as an option (viewfinder, light-meter, etc.) and some newer parts were retrofitted to older models, in particular the improved magazine-release protection system.

Cameras have a serial number engraved on the left side of the body, between the motor and the viewfinder starting with No. xxxx. Magazines have serial numbers engraved on the top side of the magazine front starting with a letter (A,B, C, or D) and 3 numbers. About 3000 were produced.

The ACL prototype shown at Photokina 70

1969-1970 * Prototypes – Filmmaker Jean Rouch is given a pre-production prototype to test during the filming of a 10 part television series and continuously gives feedback to Eclair engineers Anston Coma and Jacques Lecœur. Very early models (prototypes) have a traditional sliding switch to start the camera. No “Eclair” or “Eclair ACL” on front of camera or side of magazine.

The camera is officially presented to the public in October 1970 at Photokina 70, although the demonstration models were probably still prototypes (no filter slide, very basic grip, different on/off switch).

1971-1972 * The Original Model are produced in parallel in France and in Britain under the supervision of the Eclair-Debrie (UK) company. They have all the same features of the original model : small base, small motor (MIALA), small Angénieux viewfinder (with visible split lines), 60m. (200ft) magazine only. The first hand grips have no provision for filter holders, later ones can house two filters. The electronics of the motor are eventually improved into a ‘type b’ MIALA, but both kinds look the same from the outside. In the course of 1972, the SOREMEC-CEHESS company regains rights to produce Eclair cameras in France independently of Eclair-Debrie UK. (Legal battles over the ownership of the patents will continue for a couple of years until the ultimate demise of Eclair-Debrie UK around 1975.)

Camera illustrating the 1971 sales brochure has body # 446

1973-1974 * introduction of : a) the French 120m. mag (after the British made their own), b) the optional built-in light-meter (both announced in sales brochure 7301 and ‘73 manual), c) the heavy-duty multi-speed motor (first model MIMUL, which does not have mirror parking feature, silver speed rotary switch) and matching mid-size base (announced in ‘73 manual as forthcoming, depicted in brochure 7405), d) high-speed modified 60m. magazine roller design (introduced in October 74 according to Parts Manual). The model incorporating all of these improvements is officially known as “ACL Type 1974″.

1976 ACL

1975-1976 * Further progressive improvements on the camera : a) small Kinoptik viewfinder, b) the new magazine release protection system (which is not a feature introduced with the ACL II, despite what is said on the Super-16 ACL site), c) the heavy-duty motor is upgraded to the MIVAR model which includes the mirror-parking function (mirror sign engraved on motor side, black speed switch), and d) the large Angénieux upright-image viewfinder This camera is what people call the ACL 1.5, but this is not a name that was ever actually used by Eclair.

Serials of cameras range from 1200 to 1700 or so. The camera illustrating the 1976 manual has body # 1615 and motor # 1133. ACL II with 200 ft mag.

1978 ACL with 200ft magazine

1977-1978 * Eclair releases the rare “Single System” MOS sound ACL with a larger base needed for the sound electronics (French serials begin at 1700). The (optional) small viewfinder is again by Angénieux but has a tubular form. The motor is upgraded to be externally synched (model MIPIL with a bevelled plate that protects the inching knob, black and silver locking speed switch) The ’silent’ camera gains the large base “for future electronics” to match the base of the MOS model (but the base does not have the LEMO connector on the side for external synching) and the new ergonomic handgrip. Introduction of the ergonomic handgrip MIPOI in late ‘77.

Serials range from 1700 to 2300. The camera illustrating the MOS ACL manual has body # 1700 and motor # 2001.

1979-1980 * Eclair comes up with the name ACL II for the camera including all of these improvements and a new Kinoptik viewfinder (brighter and easier to use than the Angénieux). The large base now houses the LEMO connector for external syncing (unfortunately, the Eclair BOTEX syncing box is a very, very rare accessory today) The camera also comes with an on-board battery holder, the transport handle is slightly modified, and the magazines have 2-part pressure plates. Eclair never printed an ACL II manual, only a 4 page insert that is meant to replace the central pages in the 1976 manual. The insert describes the Kinoptik viewfinder, the large base and its connections, and the ergonomic grip.

ACL II serial numbers run from about 2300 to 3000 or so. The camera illustrating the US ACL II brochure has body # 2516.

PANORAM

1981-1985 * Trouble period for Eclair with the SOREMEC-CEHESS parent company being replaced by e-mit and Eclair factory. Development continues with two new models (based on the ACL) announced in November 1982 : the famous Super16/Normal16 (dual format called VARIGATE officially) PANORAM (only 3 or 4 working prototypes built), but also an E.X.16 model, which is basically a modernized version of the original ACL concept of a light, minimalist camera (60m. and 120m. mags, small Kinoptik-based VF, unobtrusive Aaton style motor). The last ACL IIs produced are basically the same as the 1979 version, with the MOS option still offered, as well as an in-camera time-coding system.

THE END * By July 1985, all production has stopped, and in April 1986 Aaton buys out the remaining stock, parts and patents. Maintenance of existing cameras is left in the hands of the main French service center renamed Epifac/Eclair SCOP (the remains of which were bought by Gérard Gallé of ART & MEDIAS in Argenteuil), while Aaton retained the control over all electronic parts. A new motor (maybe that of  E.X.16) and a set of new options (light-meter, etc.) were announced by Aaton in 1986, but I don’t believe many were delivered, if any at all. Understandably, Aaton chose to concentrate on the production of its own cameras, after the demise of the company that first hired Beauviala to adapt his quartz-controlled motors to the Eclair NPR.

This article was compiled by Boris Belay with additions from Erkan Umut.