EVALUATION OF THE 35MM TIME LAPSE CAMERA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 54
• Publication Date: September 17, 1958
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
17 Sspte e r 1958
FOR: Chief, TSS/iSD
7mt= AC/MS/R&D
SI CT : Evaluation of the 35m a Tie Iapee camera
1. This division was requested by s memorandum from, DC/TBS/P8D
to C/Tss/RD dated 26 At 1958 to melee an evalustiou of the prototype
351me time lapse c?zs developed by TBS/APO.
additional inloa,^stion please coat`et
2. Attached herwvith is a copy, of this evaluation. For any
Chief
T88/ering Division
DD/p/Tss/Tn)
DOC _S.~ REY SATE By
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
 Declassified in Part Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
of the comers could not be removed to examine the
timing gears, etc. Unless this anti-tamper feature
is definitely needed, the above mentioned knobs could
be mode easier to operate by exposing then. A set of
tools should be provided with the unit for siaple
maintenance purposes.
(b) The lens locking knob is very bard to use and should
be marked with arrow to indicate which direction to
turn in order to tighten or loosen.
(C)
several of the lenses had play in them when mounted.
This prdbably does not affect the quality of the
photographs; hovever, it should be eliminated if
possible.
(d) To manually adjust the abutter speed, an unmarked knob
out be docked by depressing it. The return spring
on this knob is not strong enough to always return the
knob to a positive lock position.
(e)
(f)
There are several deficiencies which not be removed
from the automatic abutter mechanism. This is the heart of
the camera system and wit be extremely reliable to render
the tamers useful. When the camss+a wens first tested, reparo-
ducible abutter speeds could not be obtained for the same
light intensity. This my have been caused by an under-
powered servo motor, excessive friction, or interference
in the drive me baniem. After further operation of the
camera, the shutter would only go to 1/1600 second
under all light conditions. The mechanism for turning
the camera off when the light level is too low for a proper
exposure is also not functioning. These conditions should
be corrected and precaution taken to prevent their reoccurence.
The label for the shutter control knob is a little
ambiguous. The following label mould be clearer to the
operator:
3.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9
TV. P-ver Sunply
No evaluation was made of the batteries and radio switch.
The type sire weight etc. should be dictated by operational
requirements Some means should be provided to enable the
operator to tell When the battery charge is tee low to satis-
factorily operate the camera. Otherwise considerable operating
time may be wasted in taking pictures at the wrong interval or
at an ireorreet exposure.
It is v^.ry important that the annual be an clear as possible since
an exper4 eneed or eretor vi ll not always b? available to teach
`h., ua - of th-r cam-ra. Th re are places where the manual could
b, arranged better and a _feev addtttonal po'nts should be covered.
Partiealarly, no ration is sede in the bore sighting section
that the shatter oust first bennuaily opened to 1/50 second
before sighting and that the power lust be on. An sddittooel
section should be added giving raw and nudber to arch part
used in operating the camera. A detailed parts list should also
be provided for use in requesting replacement parts. Consideration
should be given to providing certain spare parts and tools with
the camera.
DD/P/19S/SD
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/02/14: CIA-RDP78-03172A000300020054-9