Author
|
Topic: Maurer Data Acquisition Camera (DAC)
|
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-11-2016 12:14 AM
There is sparse information on the amazing Maurer data acquisition cameras, so thought it worthwhile to start this thread. Maurer cameras were utilized from Project Gemini through early into the Shuttle program and there have been several variants as the design and NASA's mission requirements evolved. Below images capture two of these variants — the model 308A (further identified by its -217 part (specification) number suffix as an Apollo CM/LM extended duration "J-Mission" version); and its 308B cousin which saw use on Skylab (identified by its -211 part number suffix) and Shuttle. They are essentially identical — can you spot the primary difference between the two?
|
kyra Member Posts: 585 From: Louisville CO US Registered: Aug 2003
|
posted 06-11-2016 11:29 AM
The lowest setting on one 1 FPS, the other 2 FPS. Do I win one of them? |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 06-11-2016 02:27 PM
Yep... the third one. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 08-16-2017 11:23 PM
Finally able to locate a 75mm Kern Switar mate (-302 variant) for the "J" mission DAC to include mirror mount adapter - pretty stoked. 75mm is a moderate telephoto lens that was swapped out with the standard 10mm and 18mm normally used by the Apollo crewmembers.
|
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-24-2018 05:45 PM
Addition of an 18mm to the DAC lens line up... the Kern manufactured lens was really the go to for internal and CSM to LM docking and also saw some lunar surface application.Unaware of any other shots collectively depicting the core lenses (10mm, 25mm, 18mm and 75mm) used in conjunction with this camera so here they are. Still looking for the elusive 5mm produced by Fairchild and examples of those monster telephoto lens used in later missions (180 and 200mm):
|
DMScott Member Posts: 359 From: Lexington, MA, USA Registered: Dec 2005
|
posted 11-25-2018 03:07 AM
Scott, Amazing sub-collection here. Really appreciate you sharing with us. Jealous! |
David Carey Member Posts: 921 From: Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 11-26-2018 12:06 AM
Beautiful, Scott. The completist in me appreciates/admires your effort and great assemblage of an important part of photographic history. |
space1 Member Posts: 904 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
|
posted 11-26-2018 06:38 AM
Really nice. Just curious if you also have any of the DAC power cords or camera mounts? (After that would be the spacecraft, so I'll stop there.) |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-26-2018 11:05 AM
Power, remote shutter control cable, mounts, ring finder, and of course a magazine very much remain on my want list. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-03-2018 11:59 PM
Nocsensi (an Italian website/Camera journal) in September published an article on the Kern lenses (in Italian of course). |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-24-2019 02:03 PM
180mm added — the longest focal length lens developed by Kern for application with the DAC. |
Tjindar New Member Posts: 1 From: Bagarmossen, Sweden Registered: Dec 2021
|
posted 12-21-2021 03:57 PM
I have a 9-27mm lens marked "NASA wide angle zoom" with a mount that looks like the Maurer lens mount. Did they ever make a zoom for this camera? |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4970 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-21-2021 08:20 PM
Not for the Apollo Lunar program, possibly for Skylab or an early Shuttle application. |