8mm Sniper HDL Instructions

The following instructions are for the Sniper-HDL unit set up.

For Velocity-HD software instructions, as well as the connections
and set up for BlackMagic, please click HERE.

Please read carefully before attempting to use your unit.

NOTE: Do not plug in unit until directed by instructions.
If you are an international customer with 50 cycle, 220VAC power,
you will not need a transformer. Just use an adaptor to change the plug
to your local standard.
 

After unpacking the unit, look for the white alignment mark on the back side
of the camera mount as seen in the picture below.

Lower the camera until the marks align.


Use a medium phillips screw driver to attach the camera mount
to the camera compound. A firm fit is required but do not
over-tighten or you will strip the threads. It is best to tighten
each side a bit and alternate until firmly in place, making sure
that the edges of the camera mount are aligned with the edges
of the camera compound.

Plug camera power cable into camera as shown.


Attach the provided RGB Component Video
cables to the camera.


Attach the audio sync "Y" cable and Component cables
to your Intensity Pro or Decklink input harness as shown.
Attach input harness to computer.



Plug unit into power.
If you are an international customer with 50 cycle, 220-240VAC power,
you will NOT need a stepping transformer. Just use an adaptor
to change the plug to your local standard.

Turn on the power.

The camera is shipped in the "power on" mode but
may have been turned off during packaging. If you do
not hear the camera power up, just turn it on and leave it on.
It will power up automatically when you turn on the unit
in the future.

NOTE: The camera has been pre-set internally for optimum
results. Please do not remove the black control guard and
make adjustments to the camera. Also, please do not attempt
to remove the camera from the mount nor remove the lens
from the camera. This camera should not be used for recording
to tape and the eject button should never be operated.

Doing any of the above may void your warranty or incur
additional fees to re-establish settings.

Before loading film, it is always a good idea remove
the side cover and blow out the gate and film path.

To remove the cover, unscrew the black retainer knob as shown.
Do not remove the threaded metal post.
If it becomes loose, just gently tighten with a screw driver.


When replacing the knob, do not over-tighten as this may
affect the film path and cause instability in the film.

Make sure the reel slot seats fully on the small spline.

NOTE: There is a super 8 adaptor for use with super 8 film.
To use regular 8mm reels, please remove the adaptor.
To remove, do NOT press down on the silver metal clip.
Just grab the adaptor by the black plastic and firmly,
but gently, pull.

Cut the end of the film to a taper as shown.
Your leader should be straight without excessive curl.


Insert the film and push through the unit until it appears
at the back end. If the film seems to get stuck, just bump the
motor switch to make the claw retract.

NOTE: Never load or run the unit with the side cover off.



 

There are small hooks on some of the take up reels. Lay the film on the reel and the hooks
will engage the sprocket holes of the film. Turn the reel while maintaing tension on the film.

Close the gate by turning the control knob to play.

Seat the film by turning the motor switch on and off briefly.

Launch the Velocity HD software and follow the instructions
for appropriate settings for your computer. Once the software
is launched, you should see an image in the capture window.

To adjust the vertical placement of the image, use the framer knob
as seen in the photo below. This should only be adjusted
while the unit is running.

To adjust focus, use the silver focus knob on the camera.

To adjust side to side position, use the black compound knob.

To change the cropping of the image, use the zoom
control on top of the camera.

Always start the motor before starting the capture in Velocity HD. Always stop the
Velocity HD capture before stopping the motor.
 



Manual Exposure Control

 

The units exposure can be pre-set to a desired level
by adjusting the pre-set knob.
 

NOTE: The internal default mode for the camera is always auto-exposure. Adjusting the knob will make fine adjustments in the overall brightness and contrast of the picture but the camera will still be operating in the auto mode. For greater control, you can put the camera temporarily in a manual exposure lock as follows:
 

Remove one of the screws holding the rear control guard in place and rotate the guard out of the way.
 

Gently press in on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.

This will reveal a control icon in the lower right hand corner of the camera control panel.
(For earlier HD units without this panel, look in the viewfinder of the camera)
 

Next, gently press down on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.

This will put the camera in the manual exposure mode.
 


 

Next, gently press up on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.


 

This will allow access to the camera's manual exposure settings.
 


 

You can then use the joy stick for a fine adjustment of the overall exposure and/or use the Pre-Set knob on the Sniper front panel or the remote for a more coarse exposure control.

To reset the camera to full auto, just turn off the power to the Sniper or to the camera and then turn back on. It will automatically reset to all auto operation. Do not attempt to use the camera controls to reset to auto. Just turn the unit off and then back on to regain auto exposure capability.


Adjusting the white balance.

There may be times that it is necessary to adjust the white balance on the camera. For regular home movies, it is best to just white balance to the empty gate of the projector.

Gently press the function button ONE TIME ONLY.
 

This will reveal camera preference icons on the left and bottom of the control panel.
 

Next, press down on the joy stick ONE TIME ONLY.
 

This will put the camera cursor onto the icon for manual white balance.
 

Press the joy stick to reset the white balance.
Hold for about 2 seconds and then release.
 


 

Press the function button ONE TIME ONLY to lock the white balance into place.
The camera will hold this white balance even after being turned off.


Transferring Color Negative

Insert some color negative into the gate and then follow the above white balance procedure.
Transfer your film in the silent mode.
Process with the "NEGATIVE" option in the settings tab.

IMPORTANT: Always reset your white balance to an empty gate after transferring color negative. Otherwise, your next home movie transfer will come out very very BLUE!!!!



 
 

If you have any questions regarding set up or operation of this unit,
please feel free to call me at 830-966-4664. We have an operator on call
24 hours a day and I will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Or email me at moviestuff_tek@swtexas.net.

Thanks!
Roger Evans