Handbook of High Speed Photography - IET Labs, Inc.

transient events. The desired flash rate may be set without running
the camera and thus wasting film. Also, the flash rate may be set
higher than the camera frame rate. This results in a series of images
separated by very small time intervals —smaller intervals than can be
obtained with the conventional shutter. This method effectively mul
tiplies the normal maximum picture rate of the camera. Usually, more
information can be obtained by this technique than from a regular multiflash
still picture.
6.4 MOVIE CAMERA SYNCHRONIZATION.
For most straightforward applications, it is best to synchronize
the stroboscope to the movie-camera shutter. Generally, conventional
movie cameras do not come equipped with built-in means for synchroni
zation; only some high-speed cameras have this provision (as an op
tion). In most cases the means for synchronization must be added.
These built-in synchronizers may be electrical contacts (not recom
mended for high-speed cameras), or reluctance or photo-electric trans
ducers. The camera manufacturer should be consulted first to determine
if a synchronizer is directly available. If not, a repair service special
izing in camera modifications should be consulted to determine the
feasibility of such an installation in the particular camera concerned.
A few organizations are listed as a guide.
The synchronizer must be compatible with both the camera in
which it is to be installed and with the stroboscope it is to drive. The
device must operate reliably and accurately —at the same point in the
shutter cycle for each frame —if unexposed frames or apparent subject
jitter are not to be a nuisance. The synchronizer phasing must be as
shown in Figure 6-5. That is, the shutter must be capable of fully un
covering the film window, and the synchronizer must operate just after
1 Paillard, Inc., (Bolex) 1900 Lower Road, Linden, New Jersey 07036
Arriflex Corporation of America, 25-20 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
(West), Woodside, L.I., New York 11377
Marty Forscher, Professional Camera Repair Service, 37 West 47th,
New York, New York 10036
Martin Syrauss, 930 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20004
Mel Pierce, 6501 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California 90028
Adolph Gasser, 5733 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, California 94121
63