8mm Forum: Maltese cross movement

This is topic Maltese cross movement in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on September 03, 2008, 06:17 AM:

The Coronet B is well known as an example of a 9.5 mm camera that uses a Maltese Cross (or Star Cross) movement to drive a sprocket for pulldown. Does anyone know of any other camera, particularly 16 mm, that uses this method instead of a claw?

Martin Jones

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on September 10, 2008, 03:07 PM:

Never saw one in a camera, there is a good reason. The maltese cross movement is very long wearing and reliable, but it is not as steady as a claw and registration pin. In a projector it's ideal for long wear and easy on film.

It is a more expensive thing to build as well which is why they are only found on the more (most?) expensive of 16mm projectors such as the Eastman 25, several Italian machines, etc. Eiki finally offered on on the 6000 series xenon projector as a 6120 and even made a model 4120 (or at least two that I've seen). But they were a premium over and above the price of a standard 6100.

There was a spring loaded cog wheel that to the operator looked like a maltese cross but wasn't. I've seen on some very early JAN projectors. Again, not as steady or reliable as the claw movement.

John

Posted by David Kilderry (Member # 549) on September 11, 2008, 05:02 AM:

I think from memory both Bauer and Philips also offered maltese cross movements in their full sized professional 16mm projectors.

The Philips was a left side thread projector so it could be placed close to the back of a 35mm projector to save space and use the same projection port in some instances.

David

Posted by John Whittle (Member # 22) on September 15, 2008, 03:24 PM:

The French Hortson was also a left thread maltese cross movement projector.

I can't think of any US projector other than the Eastman 25 series, however. There were many in Europe, however.

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