Pocket Movie Camera

...This is a working sound film movie camera developed by Steve Hines for Eastman Kodak in 1977, in nine months from concept to working prototype.

...Although originally conceived as a consumer camera, this technology is useful as a covert spy camera. .The camera operates almost silently due to its continuous film drive, mechanically similar to the tape transport mechanism in audio cassette recorders. .It lacks the chattering noise of an intermittent pull-down mecchanism in traditional movie cameras. .At the heart of the camera is an optical differential which chases and exposes the moving film with an image from the scene. .This allows the microphone to be located in close proximity to the film drive mechanism.

...The camera's vertical shape makes it comfortable to hold and easy to operate. .The camera is fully automatic to minimize the need for technical know how on the part of the user. .Other than the 3-1/3 minute running time, and its use of photographic film, this camera differs in almost every way from Super8 sound movie cameras which weighed 4-8 lbs. at the time this was developed.

...This sound movie camera fits easily in a shirt pocket. .The size is minimized by attaching the film and battery cartridges to the outside of the camera to complete the form, rather than inserting them into a larger camera. .Playback is by means of a video player which synchronizes on fiducial marks made by the camera on the film.

...Once highly classified, this technology, by agreement between HinesLab and Eastman Kodak, is available for license from HinesLab. .It also serves as an example technology which can be developed for clients of HinesLab on a contract basis.

Technical Specifications:

Dimensions: 1 x 2-1/4 x 4-1/2 in.
Weight: 6 oz.
Film load: 3-1/3 min.
Sound: Built-in microphone, automatic gain control
Taking Lens: ƒ3.5
Exposure: automatic
Viewfinder: fiber optic
Eyepiece: focusable
Film type and ASA: automatically keyed to camera by film cartridge