Post by Ron Walker on Jun 23, 2022 12:05:48 GMT -7
As some of you might know (or not) I write a column for the "Planetarian" magazine called "A Different Point Of View". I'm sure those of you that get it immediately turn to my pen scratching's to see what this hobbyist has to say about whatever. In the June 2022 issue you will find me talking a bit about the old Adler and me making a short documentary in the early sixties. I talk about some frame grabs off of this 16mm film but they appear to be missing. As I get older I tend to forget things and perhaps did not attach them (no...there is the file I sent and they are attached).
Anyway, for those of you reading the column and wondering where the pictures are I will place them here.
"By the early 60's I had graduated to 16mm film and wanted to document everything I could. There were several eclipses of both Sun and Moon in this time period. No doubt I would enjoy watching time laps films of eclipses but a true documentary would require more, something to hold the story together. Perhaps a trip to the Adler. And accommodating they were, allowing camera, tripod, and lighting even into the lair of the mighty Zeiss II/III itself. Not a lot of film (silver plated ribbon was indeed expensive) but enough to get a feeling of the entire building itself.
Attached please find a few frame grabs including the gentlemen who allowed my brother and I to walk the halls but also run the giant Zeiss projector (it was a movie after all). Sixty years have clouded my memory and all I have is a shot of his back (perhaps someone will remember) and a frame of the projector from before it was sold and lost in 1970 and recently found and returned to the Adler. The original was Kodachrome II which was the new fast ASA 40 (ISO to you young whippersnappers). The color held up well but with most material black on black and going through the video film chain the pictures lack a bit. The lighting was a literal “light bar” with four 350 watt photofloods pointed directly at the subject. Perhaps that is why I only have a picture of his back. Perhaps one of you will know who it is. I believe this was shot in 1963." [copyright 2022 The Planetarian used with permission]
The original Zeiss II/III conversion.
Operator from behind.
Control panel where they used mercury normal house switches.
Anyway, for those of you reading the column and wondering where the pictures are I will place them here.
"By the early 60's I had graduated to 16mm film and wanted to document everything I could. There were several eclipses of both Sun and Moon in this time period. No doubt I would enjoy watching time laps films of eclipses but a true documentary would require more, something to hold the story together. Perhaps a trip to the Adler. And accommodating they were, allowing camera, tripod, and lighting even into the lair of the mighty Zeiss II/III itself. Not a lot of film (silver plated ribbon was indeed expensive) but enough to get a feeling of the entire building itself.
Attached please find a few frame grabs including the gentlemen who allowed my brother and I to walk the halls but also run the giant Zeiss projector (it was a movie after all). Sixty years have clouded my memory and all I have is a shot of his back (perhaps someone will remember) and a frame of the projector from before it was sold and lost in 1970 and recently found and returned to the Adler. The original was Kodachrome II which was the new fast ASA 40 (ISO to you young whippersnappers). The color held up well but with most material black on black and going through the video film chain the pictures lack a bit. The lighting was a literal “light bar” with four 350 watt photofloods pointed directly at the subject. Perhaps that is why I only have a picture of his back. Perhaps one of you will know who it is. I believe this was shot in 1963." [copyright 2022 The Planetarian used with permission]
The original Zeiss II/III conversion.
Operator from behind.
Control panel where they used mercury normal house switches.