Andor 'Aldhani' Macrobinoculars

[Archive&Future]

My day job is making large format analogue cameras- as a result I spend a lot of time around real photography enthusiasts.

I started to design a file of the macro binoculars seen on Aldhani in the latest episode of Andor before I realised I was probably looking at a found part.
A quick bit of research later and I think I've found the camera model- a Bell & Howell Zoomatic!

Hopefully I don't jade the photography crowd by encouraging prop makers to destroy vintage cameras...

-Will

 

[Archive&Future]

Well, I quickly found out that this is just a reused prop from TROS and the good people of The RPF had identified the base camera as being a Bell & Howell Sportster IV.

My excitement was short lived! Anyway, I'll keep this thread open as I'm going to be making 3D printable files

 

[Alan Solo]

I was lucky enough to get one very cheap back in January, great to see it used in good star wars! Now to make the lenses rotate as they do in Andor...

 

[woodywaverider]

The prop is actually different from the one used in TLJ, at least the viewfinder is. This is the one from the films, in andor its wide and curved, the screen shots for the episode arn’t up yet.

Also they made those lenses spin, which was cool, not sure if that was a physical effect or cg?

This is the one from T

 

[joberg]

Seems to me that those lenses spins were practical rather than CGI...Another cool macro-B. to build

 

[Vagabond Elf]

The prop is actually different from the one used in TLJ, at least the viewfinder is. This is the one from the films, in andor its wide and curved, the screen shots for the episode arn’t up yet.

Also they made those lenses spin, which was cool, not sure if that was a physical effect or cg?

This is the one from T

Spinning the lenses needs nothing more than a motor, a battery, and a switch; since no-one needs to be able to actually see through the camera, that would be pretty trivial for a professional effects shot to achieve.

 

[the.rebel.agent]

You may contact original conceptual designer about it:

Matthew Savage on Instagram: "Prop Master Jamie Wilkinson suggested using a beautiful Bell & Howell Camera as the base for Rebel Binoculars as they fitted perfectly into the Star Wars Universe with hardly any additional elements. - - - - - - - #starw

Matthew Savage shared a post on Instagram: "Prop Master Jamie Wilkinson suggested using a beautiful Bell & Howell Camera as the base for Rebel Binoculars as they fitted perfectly into the Star Wars Universe with hardly any additional elements. - - - - - - - #starwarsprops #starwarsprop...

www.instagram.com

 

[VinMan]

I h

My day job is making large format analogue cameras- as a result I spend a lot of time around real photography enthusiasts.

I started to design a file of the macro binoculars seen on Aldhani in the latest episode of Andor before I realised I was probably looking at a found part.
A quick bit of research later and I think I've found the camera model- a Bell & Howell Zoomatic!

Hopefully I don't jade the photography crowd by encouraging prop makers to destroy vintage cameras...

View attachment 1620759
View attachment 1620757

View attachment 1620758

-Will

I have this camera

My day job is making large format analogue cameras- as a result I spend a lot of time around real photography enthusiasts.

I started to design a file of the macro binoculars seen on Aldhani in the latest episode of Andor before I realised I was probably looking at a found part.
A quick bit of research later and I think I've found the camera model- a Bell & Howell Zoomatic!

Hopefully I don't jade the photography crowd by encouraging prop makers to destroy vintage cameras...

View attachment 1620759
View attachment 1620757

View attachment 1620758

-Will

 

[VinMan]

The model with the three spinning lenses is the Bell and Howell 410

I have one at home

 

[the.rebel.agent]

Exactly, like this one, which I own since Matthew Savage post.

 

[the.rebel.agent]

The prop is actually different from the one used in TLJ, at least the viewfinder is. This is the one from the films, in andor its wide and curved, the screen shots for the episode arn’t up yet.

Also they made those lenses spin, which was cool, not sure if that was a physical effect or cg?

View attachment 1620981

This is the one from T

I could not make the lenses rotate by hand. Didn't want to force them. Just in case. Have to read the manual

 

[woodywaverider]

I could not make the lenses rotate by hand. Didn't want to force them. Just in case. Have to read the manual

Looks very similar to the sportster V model, the lenses look identical, on the back of the front panel is a flat spring that holds 2 ball bearings behind the large dial around the lens, if you were to remove that it will spin freely, without clicking in to place.

On the TLJ thread are videos of how to take the camera apart, I’ll find it and add a link

 

[the.rebel.agent]

Looks very similar to the sportster V model, the lenses look identical, on the back of the front panel is a flat spring that holds 2 ball bearings behind the large dial around the lens, if you were to remove that it will spin freely, without clicking in to place.

On the TLJ thread are videos of how to take the camera apart, I’ll find it and add a link

Good to know. I don't know If I am willing to take it apart. Unless I get a another one.

 

[woodywaverider]

Good to know. I don't know If I am willing to take it apart. Unless I get an another one.

Here:

Post in thread 'Resistance Crait Macrobinoculars / Neuro-Saav ND.621 Rangefinder (TLJ VD)'
Resistance Crait Macrobinoculars / Neuro-Saav ND.621 Rangefinder (TLJ VD)

And

Post in thread 'Resistance Crait Macrobinoculars / Neuro-Saav ND.621 Rangefinder (TLJ VD)'
Resistance Crait Macrobinoculars / Neuro-Saav ND.621 Rangefinder (TLJ VD)
https://www.therpf.com/forums/threa...nd-621-rangefinder-tlj-vd.285186/post-4590970

Also screen shot of the updated viewfinder. Looks like it has the same trapezium shaped piece on the side of the camera as the sportster, looks like they used more nimrod holster strapping on the viewfinder too

 

[the.rebel.agent]

Def this viewfinder looks even better than TLJ one. About 410 vs sportster V, I am not an expert, but IF the sportster brings the trapezoidal part, I will go with that one. IF the trapezoidal part is 100% the greeblie we are looking for.

UPDATE:
this sportster V is like the 410, brings the trapezoidal part, but not the 3 lenses. There are another variation?

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UPDATE 2: sportster "IV" is the one

 

[woodywaverider]

I’m not sure which I prefer, they are both so different.

I do really like it, planning on borrowing the design to do on a different set of binoculars.

the way it fits the contour of the back camera I don’t think it’s an off the shelf item, it must have been custom made.

It’s a shame there isn’t a better shot of it.

 

[MBMStudios]

Unfortunately, I think the Spinning lenses from the show might have been CG. I took apart my camera to inspect the inside and see if I could set up some sort of motor system to get it to spin like that. It's not as straightforward as I thought it would be and made need a bit of modifying to the lense turrent system and some sort of gear set up to get it to work cleanly. I can't see them doing it for a prop that probably only showed up in that scene. I think they just ended up going the CG route. I could be wrong though. There's a chance It would be a straightforward setup, and I am over complicating it.

 

[mabbog]

My go at the Macrobinoculars as seen so far in Andor. From the most recent episode I discovered that it does not have the riveted plate on the bottom. Built around a Bell & Howell Sportster IV with my own set of 3D printed parts.

 

[woodywaverider]

That come out great, solid work.

 

[joberg]

F.A.B.