Mystery Camera - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Durrfred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 12:50:47 pm
content: Has anybody ever heard something about the brand Sofretec let alone the Sofretec CF250IR camera? Found two offers on ebay but couldnt find any information about the brand or the device.https://www.ebay.com/itm/SOFRETEC-Thermocam-CF250IR-CF-250-IR-Thermal-Camera-w-Power-Supply/252667272220?hash=item3ad4249c1c%3Ag%3A3tMAAOSwB09YRAem&LH_ItemCondition=4https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Camera-thermique-CF-250-IR-SOFRETEC-Thermocam-CF250IR-/333459611448

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 01:13:32 pm
content: Yes I know the Thermocam model you detailed.It is a Long Wave Infrared (LWIR) Pyroelectric Vidicon tube (Thomson CSF Pyricon) based camera that is effectively a modified vintage broadcast camera. The Thermocam dates back to the late 1980’s/early 1990’s, and anyone buying one would likely need to provide some TLC to get it working well again. Obtaining original lenses would be both challenging and expensive.You can see the Pevicon tube and associated spiral chopper wheel in the attached picture.It is a museum piece and worth nothing like the asking prices in those auctions.Fraser

author: Durrfred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 01:29:20 pm
content: Thanks a lot for the quick reply!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 01:39:26 pm
content: My pleasure.I only know about the Thermocam as one caught my eye some time ago. It was the broadcast camera casing that attracted me to it and I wanted to know what technology resides inside. I thought it was a nice cooled thermal camera but seeing the classic pyroelectric Vidicon with its side target contact and the spiral chopper wheel immediately identified it as a Pevicon (EEV) or Pyricon (Thomson CSF) based camera. It is no surprise that this French camera contains the a French Pyricon tube. These cameras do produce a thermal image but it is nowhere near as good as that produced by later sensor technologies like the BST and Microbolomter arrays. The a Tube will have aged as well and the Vidicon based technology is prone to target burn-in if abused. Nice museum pieces as I said.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 01:47:28 pm
content: The technology within the Thermocam is very similar to that of the British made EEV ARGUS 1 that uses the EEV Pevicon tube. I attach a picture of that cameras image output. The output image was created by forum member Ultrapurple using his Argus 1.

author: Bill W
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 04:56:53 pm
content: At least the French eBay one has a nice chunk of germanium with it, after a couple of weeks the seller might take a realistic offer.At a guess it is a 25mm f/0.7 with independent focus and iris on Wreathall mount.Someone could have fun tearing down the box and then fit a BST into it ?Bill

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2020, 08:32:26 pm
content: I discussed the price with the French seller and just bought the camera for a mutually acceptable priceIt is a fine example for my collection.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2020, 10:06:19 am
content: Durrfred has bought a nice PM695 camera, just in case anyone reading my above post thinks I pinched a camera he was interested in.

author: Durrfred
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 13, 2020, 05:45:49 pm
content: Did you already recieve the camera. In which condition is it in?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2020, 06:16:08 pm
content: No, it is still in transit from France to the UK.I have a lot going on at the moment getting ready for a very large disposal run on eBay ......100 free listings and no selling fees this weekendso I might not get to look at the camera for a while.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2020, 03:22:42 pm
content: The Thermocam has arrivedIt made it out of France the day that all Mondial Relay courier services ceased operationThe camera is really interesting to me. It is based on a Broadcast camera casing design. It is in the JVC Broadcast camera colour scheme and has a JVC EVF, but I am thinking it was custom produced for Sofretec. It contains all Sofretec PCB’s and is not must a modified Vidicon(Saticon) broadcast camera. Build quality is very nice indeed. All cable looms are laced and very nicely laid out. PCB’s look good quality and well designed. This is a camera that has been designed with pride and professionalism.The EVF has a CRT that rattles so that will need to be replaced. Thankfully I have already sourced an exact replacement. The Pyroelectric Vidicon front window looks to be somewhat degraded and has been scuffed by the metal chopper wheel. I may fit a nice new EEV Pevicon in place of the Thomson Pyricon tube. The lens is a large 25mm F0.8 unit and it has some age related marking of the AR coating. It looks like it will still work OK though. The rest of the camera is like new.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2020, 03:45:32 pm
content: The rather sad looking Pyricon tube.This fine condition French camera deserves a lovely new British Pevicon tubeI am actively pursuing such a tube at the moment

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2020, 03:52:34 pm
content: French Thomson Pyricon and British EEV Pevicon tube datasheets. My thanks to bill W for the EEV datasheets.Fraser