Page 16 - RD_2007-12

THE WITTNAUER Standard 8 mm
This American made combined camera – projector appeared in 1959. In comparison to the
forgoing units, this machine did offer a lot more in both camera and projector modes.
As a camera, the
Wittnauer offered
r e a s o n a b l e
performance. Film
advance was by a
battery operated
motor at a single
filming speed. A
large footage meter
was incorporated into
the side of the
camera. A four-lens
turret holds a wide,
standard, and a
telephoto lens for
camera use, as well as
a dedicated lens for
projection. The side-
mounted viewfinder
incorporated a top
mounted slider
adjustable to suit the
lens selected.

In projection mode,
the camera head The Wittnauer on its base in projector mode.
mounts onto a base unit, which incorporates an AC motor; this is coupled to the head via a shaft
through the bottom of the head unit. A 2-pin connector couples power to the 300-watt projection
lamp.

The projection lamp is
mounted just behind the lens
turret is off to one side of the
film path. The light from the
lamp is applied to the film via
a 90-degree mirror located
within the rear sprung
pressure plate.
The two spool arms swing up
to accept 400 ft reels of film.
Now, here is where the
Wittnauer is different to
those described earlier –
when the front spool arm is
moved into place, a cam
The Wittnauer in camera mode