T O P I C R E V I E W |
LM-12 | One of the accessories for the Maurer 16mm DAC was a right angle mirror that could be attached to the lens. It is described here. If the mirror is attached, wouldn't the images on the film be reversed? That might explain why the Apollo 11 LM ascent stage looks "backwards" as it approached the command module during rendezvous as seen at around 1:15:30 into this onboard footage. |
space1 | The same is true of some Gemini 16mm footage. Video editors need to be aware of the possibility that the images are reversed by the use of the mirror. |
nasamad | You are correct. I recall reading that it was a way of mounting the camera in such a way that it didn't obscure the window so much, as only the mirror needed to be placed within the bounds of the window frame. The camera could be mounted at ninety degrees to the plane of the action being filmed. I'll be honest, I don't have a clue what my source is. Too many books and too little memory. |
LM-12 | Another example of reversed images is the Apollo 15 transposition and docking. Looks like that was filmed using the mirror. |
LM-12 | The Apollo 17 photo index has a 16mm film list on page 15. The mirror images are identified in the film descriptions. Like this: Mirror image: LM ascent stage jettison, REV 54. The photo indexes for earlier missions probably did the same. |
holcombeyates | Here is some additional info on that right angle mirror. Hope it is of use. |
LM-12 | The LM ascent from the lunar surface is described as a mirror view in the Apollo 16 photo index. |
SpaceAholic | Here are some basic images showing rough DAC focal plane presentation (via an 18mm Kern Switar with a "test target" oriented vertically and horizontally). The right angle adapter will also affix to the 75 and 10mm, assuming they have the same number of lens elements results would be similar:
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randy | That explains why the video of the LM returning on various flights is reversed. I always thought it was that someone just reversed the video. |