GAF 65 Auto Zoom Super 8mm Cine Camera

GAF 65 Auto Zoom Super 8mm cine camera, 1965-1970, GAF Corporation, made in Japan. Serial No 6362331. Zytar zoom lens f/1.8, F=1030mm. Fabric neck strap. Modified for widescreen usage to take Kodak film stock. Modified by Mr Stuart Warriner, founder member of Morecambe Bay Movie Makers and an active amateur widescreen filmmaker. Minirama widescreen process.

The camera was modified to give a wide screen image by mounting the shutter at a 45 degree angle across the film meaning that the camera and projector had to be positioned at an angle to take and show the films. The concept was undeveloped as Kodak did not agree to remove their name from the edge of the film stock which unfortunately appeared on the screen in flashes. The Minirama format consists of conversions to off-the-shelf Super 8 technology: a GAF 65 Auto Zoom camera; and a Eumig 610D projector. The camera gate and viewfinder were modified – and so, too, the projector gate. The interventions accommodated an extra-wide 2.64:1 image oriented diagonally on normal Super 8 film. Later on, Warriner added a tape cassette player to the projector and its cradle, to allow for soundtracks to be synchonised to the film. He also installed a lamp conversion, to increase the brightness of the picture.