Sony M3 cam and CCU M3

[Dave A]

I have managed to assemble a complete 1985 or so Sony M3 3-tube camera kit with the early DC battery pack being the only local power...not the later M3A. Just an update for now and photos from today. Better capture photos later.

I have the camera, CCU-M3, PS with DIN connector, mount plate, Fuji lens, zoom/focus kit, VTR cable, CCU cable, both viewfinders, and a new tripod with two panhandles, The camera with lens and big viewfinder weighs in at 16lbs. A first test shows the camera working fine with the PS only on the short VTR cable. A slight problem with the IR filter being a bit cloudy but useable..the ongoing curse of these 80's cameras. First look shows a slight reg needed at the top. W/B balance works fine. Auto center works fine but seems limited to the center only. And it needs a lot of light. The tubes seem fine.

If you have the CCU-M3 needed for the RGB, the cable is the trick to it working. The short 2 meter cable is a VTR only cable carrying composite video, audio, power and signaling to/from the VTR plus return video on it's pinouts. It will work with the CCU. The longer 10 meter (or more) is the CCU version cable giving up the audios, replacing them with RGB and headset audio on different pins. The composite remains. The CCU cable pinout does not show the RGB as shielded. Not sure what is happening in the CCU.

It also got the RGB going. For RGB, I hope to use a RGB>HDMI converter to a Clearclick HD capture brick in via HDMI. I have a Sony DVD player that takes composite video in for a color monitor. Some quick pics below of first light. If you have donor IR filter, it would be a help.