Chinon 877 Macro (1976)
The Chinon 877 Macro is a silent super 8 cartridge camera, made in Japan and marketed in 1976. Almost everything on record comes from a single super 8 database listing, so the history is thin. The spec sheet it preserves is complete, though.
The 877 is built around a Chinon Reflex Zoom f/1.7 lens covering 7.5-60 mm, an 8x range, with manual microprism focusing and a macro setting. The reflex viewfinder has an adjustable eyepiece. Zooming can be done by hand or automatically at two speeds. Exposure is TTL via a CdS cell, with auto and manual modes, a backlight control, and +/- correction for auto exposure. Film speeds are set automatically across 16/25 to 160/250 ASA (daylight/tungsten). A built-in 85A filter and a switchable built-in ND filter handle the light management.
The shooting features are the standout: 18, 24, and 48 fps (slow motion), single frame, an interval timer that fires one frame every 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 40, or 60 seconds, auto fade in/out, and lap dissolve. It also has a remote control socket, a screw-type movie light socket, and a synchronized flash socket, but no cable release. It is a silent camera, so there is no sound recording.
Power comes from six AA batteries housed in the fixed handle, with a battery check button and an external 9 V DC outlet. It weighs 1500 g and measures 60 x 180 x 220 mm, with a 1/4" tripod socket. The original price and filter size aren't recorded in the source.
Known specs, in short:
- Format: silent super 8 cartridge
- Lens: Chinon Reflex Zoom f/1.7, 7.5–60 mm (8x)
- Focusing: manual, microprism; macro yes
- Zoom: auto (2 speeds) and manual
- Exposure: auto/manual, TTL CdS; backlight control, +/- correction
- Film speed: auto, 16/25 to 160/250 ASA (daylight/tungsten)
- Filters: built-in 85A; built-in ND with control switch
- Filming speeds: 18, 24, 48 fps, single frame
- Interval timer: 1 frame per 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 40, 60 sec
- Other: auto fade, lap dissolve, remote socket, flash sync, screw-type movie light socket
- Power: 6 x AA; external 9 V DC
- Weight: 1500 g; 60 x 180 x 220 mm
That is the full extent of the record. A period brochure or test report for the 877 would be a welcome addition.
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