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 Konica A4 |
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Lens: |
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35 mm f/3.5 |
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| Exposure Control: | EV 5 to EV 17 | |||
| Maximum shutter speed: | 1/500th sec | |||
| Battery: | DL123A | |||
| Dimensions (inches, WxHxD): | 4.6 x 2.5 x 1.4 | |||
| Weight (without batteries): | 193 gm / 6.8 oz |
Another top performer, the Konica A4 was used until its payload section was worn out. Unlike conventional payload sections, this camera, with its box style shape, needed something different. With traditional payload sections the camera looks out the side of the rocket. This large opening needed for the camera lens is not very aerodynamic. Why couldn't the "payload" be in the shoulder of the nose cone?
This camera was small enough to fit into the 2.63" body tube and just begged to be in a more aerodynamic rocket. By extending the "shoulder" of the nose cone to about 12" I could place the camera, electronics, and batteries in the shoulder and keep them out of sight until separation. Although this design is different, I still called the rocket that carried the Konica A4 the Eye in the Sky. The Konica A4 also flew one last time in the base of the payload section for my Level 2 certification flight on board the Nike 2000.
This design also asked for something special in the way of electronics. The on-off switch on the camera also retracted the lens and closed the lens cover. I wanted to utilize this feature after the roll of film was taken but before the camera hit the ground to protect the lens. If I used a timer to turn off the camera there was the chance of error in turning off the camera too soon or too late and the limitation that I couldn't change the time in between pictures.
I decided to use a counter that would count the number of pictures taken and fire a SCR after the roll was complete (36 shots). The SCR controlled a relay that (1) turned off the camera, (2) turned off the timing circuit to save power, and (3) turned on the piezo buzzer to help find the rocket. It was a great challenge to design this circuit and put it in the space allowed.
This camera made dozens of flights and took fantastic pictures. The only drawback was the thin plywood that was used for the design eventually weakened and could no longer fly. The camera and payload section have retired and some parts were salvaged for other designs.
