70mm Hasselblad electric camera
This page should be moved to the Apollo Flight Journal. Edited and annotated by Eric Hartwell - Last updated March 22, 2006
The 70mm camera is primarily used for high resolution still photography and is hand-held or bracket mounted. Camera features include inter changeable lenses and film magazines. The standard lens is an 80 m f/2.8, and 250 mm f/4 and 500 mm f/8 telephoto lenses are provided for photography of distant objects. Two types of 70mm film magazines are provided, one for standard-base films, the other for thin-base films. Camera accessories include filters and a ring sight.
Some specific uses of the camera are:
- Verify landmark tracking
- Lunar landmark and mapping
- Record Saturn IVB separation
- Photograph disturbed weather regions (hurricanes, typhoons, etc.), debris collection on the spacecraft windows, SLA separation, LM during rendezvous and docking, terrain of geological and oceanographic interests, and other space equipment in orbit
- Act as a backup to the 16 mm sequence camera
- Record in-cockpit operation, e.g., normal positions of suited crewmen.
A built-in 6.25-vdc battery-powered, electric-motor-driven mechanism advances the film and cocks the shutter whenever the actuation button is pressed. An accessory connector permits remote camera operation and shutter operation indication for time correlation. The weight of the camera, with 80 mm lens and 2 batteries, without film magazine, is 4.04 pounds.
[edit] Camera accessories
- 80 mm f/2.8 Lens
- Standard or normal lens for the 70 mm camera with 2-1/4 x 2-1/4-inch film format. Used for general still photography when a wide angle or telephoto view is not required. Focuses from 3 feet to infinity. Has built-in shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/500 second. Field of view, each side, is approximately 38 x 38 degrees.
- 250 mm f/5.6 Lens
- A telephoto lens that is primarily used for photography of terrain and distant objects. It produces a 3X magnification over the standard 80 mm lens. The relatively narrow view of this lens necessitates careful aiming of the camera to ensure that the desired scene is photographed. A mount is available for mounting the camera and lens at the right rendezvous window to view parallel to vehicle X-axis. The lens focuses from 8.5 feet to infinity, and has built-in shutter with speeds from 1 second to 1/500 second. The field of view is approximately 13 x 13 degrees. The weight of the lens is 2.06 pounds.
- Remote Control Cable
- The function of the remote control cable is to actuate the shutter from the left couch while sighting targets through the COAS in the left rendezvous window. The cable is 48 inches long with a handle, button, and control knob at one end and a connector at the other. The control knob has settings of TE (time exposure), 1, 6, 12, and 24 fps.
- 70 mm Film Magazines
- Two types of film magazines are used, one for standard-base film, the other for thin-base film. Either film magazine attaches to rear of camera and is locked in place by a lever-actuated clamp. The type 100 film magazine is for standard-base film and its capacity is 100 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 inch frames. The type 200 film magazine is for thin-base film and its capacity is 200 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 inch frames. Each film magazine contains gross-film indicators for frame count.
- Lunar Surface 70 mm Film Magazine
- The lunar surface 70mm film magazines are standard 70 mm magazines that have a thermal protective coating. They are stowed in the 70mm magazine LM transfer bag.
- 70 mm Magazine LM Transfer Bag
- The 70 mm magazine UI transfer bag is made from Beta cloth, has a capacity of three magazines, has and a flap cover to restrain them. The magazine bag with exposed 70 mm magazines is transferred from the LM to the CM for return to Earth.
- 70mm Camera Mount for 80 and 250 mm Lens
- For the purpose of photographing parallel to the CM X-axis, the camera mount is used. It is T-shaped, the stem being 7 inches long and the bar 6 inches. The stem inserts into a socket mount along the right or left side of the hatch frame, marked EHC MOUNT ATTACH (80 MM/250 MM LENS, approximately 7 inches from the TV socket mount. The T-bar portion has two quick couplings (lower and upper) that attach to the camera. The lower quick coupling is for use of the camera with the 250 mm lens and will align the camera parallel with the X-axis. The upper quick coupling is for use of the camera with the 80 mm lens and is pitched upward 12±2° from the CM X-axis during pre-launch alignment to give the camera an unobstructed view. The couplings are labelled on the back of the mount. To use the mount, the 70mm camera is assembled, adjusted and set. The camera can be attached to the appropriate mount quick coupling by sliding it to the stop and locking by rotating the (flag) lever 90 degrees. Failure to position the camera all the way to the stop before locking may result in the window aperture obstructing the camera view. The stem is inserted into the socket mount near the hatch frame until the latches snap in. The intervalometer cable is then attached. The camera is sighted by using the COAS and orienting the CM X-axis toward the target. To use the 80 mm lens, the COAS elevation scale is set to +12 degrees. The camera can be momentarily displaced (swung out of the way) by pressing the latch levers and rotating until the latches reseat.
 Camera bracket (Hasselblad Camera Adapter) for mounting a Hasselblad camera in the Command Module. Allowed a camera with 250mm telephoto lens to be aligned with the spacecraft +X axis (looking forward). A camera with 80mm normal lens would be aligned 12 degrees above +X to get a clear view through the forward window. Attached to a socket next to the hatch frame. Credit: Historic Space Systems |
- Intervalometer
- The intervalometer is a remote control device for taking sequential pictures. It is extremely useful for making a strip map (vertical stereo strip from rendezvous window, oblique stereo strip from side windows, etc.). Its control box is 2.5 x 2.5 x 1 inches and has an ON/OFF switch. A 120-inch cable connects it to the camera accessory connector. The intervalometer is preset at 20-second intervals and is powered from the Hasselblad electric camera battery pack.
- HEC Timing Cable
- The function of the HEC timing cable is to route the HEC shutter activation signal , generated by the intervalometer, to the RHEB panel 227 which is then routed to the PCM junction box. The HEC timing cable is 41 inches long with a 3-inch tee in the center. A large connector on one end is labeled P1 and connects to RHEB panel 227. The tee connector is labeled J1 and connects to the intervalorneter cable. The HEC connector is labeled P2. When not in use, the cable is coiled, secured with a utility strap, and stowed.
[edit] HEC Operation
During preparation for lunar orbital photography the HEC, cable, and mount are unstowed. SC1 INST PWR switch on panel 227 is verified OFF and HEC cable (P1 connector) is connected. The HEC and the intervalometer are mounted. The HEC cable (Ji) is connected to the intervalometer and the P2 connector to the NEC battery pack. It is not necessary to turn the panel 227 switch on. The intervalometer switch is placed to ON to begin photography. When photography is completed, the intervalorneter switch is turned to OFF, HEC timing cable is disassembled in reverse order, and stowed.