Newman Sinclair Autokine A Model 35mm camera: Damien Parer, Department of Information cameraman

Cine camera body manufactured from duralinium with a checkerboard finish. The top of the camera is equipped with buckled leather carrying strap and also bears a "FILM AUSTRALIA / CELEBRATING EIGHTY YEARS / 1911-1981" sticker (since removed); as well, CAM 035 is engraved on the top of the camera. The name "PARER" has been crudely scratched into the metal of the case.

The front of the camera is equipped with a rectangular viewfinder with a built in spirit level; underneath that is the makers name (JAMES A. SINCLAIR & CO LTD / 3 WHITEHALL / LONDON W1), a lens port, and at the bottom, a panel with a speed selector (enabling the user to choose between 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or 24 frames per second); a thread button; a punch button and a mechanical lever for activating the clockwork motor. There is a large Film Australia exhibition number (2) at the top, (since removed).

The proper right side is equipped with two removeable brass winding keys; these don't appear to work and attempts have been made to solder one of them onto the shafts - one has become separated but is present (see AWM2020.967.1.10). The surface is engraved with the serial number "305" and the maker's logo and name ("NEWMAN & SINCLAIR / HIGHGATE / LONDON"). The top rear of the camera bears the viewer for the viewfinder, with gradations of 2,3,4,6 yards and INF engraved into the nickle plated brass.

The proper left side bears the opening door for the film cartridge with a brass LOCK and RELEASE wheel (which keys into the film cartridge) and two brass levers that hold the door in place. There is also a brass side viewfinder collar which is missing its prism assembly although there is a brass blanking plate which fits over the viewfinder opening. Opening up the left hand part of the door reveals two drive cogs for the spring drive, and a film gate; the inside of the door is fitted with two lengths of spring steel which assist in holding the film cartridge in place when the door is closed. An empty film NS cartridge is located here (see AWM2020.967.1.4). Opening up the sprung left hand door reveals that the film gate is held in by flat levers and is removeable. The end of the lens is also situated here.

While undergoing conservation treatment in 2021, conservators discovered a small collection bag designed to collect the tiny discs on film pressed by the hole punch. This is located inside the camera behind the PUNCH button in the lower section.

The bottom of the camera case is equipped with a screw hole for attachment of a tripod.

An example of a Newman Sinclair Autokine Model A 35mm cine camera used by the cinematographers of the Department of Information (DOI), stored in a DOI case with spare magazines and lenses.

The Newman Sinclair was developed by a partnership between Arthur Samuel Newman and James A. Sinclair of London – both men were experts in their field. Newman was an engineer who had invented the leaf shutter in 1889 and was involved in the development of cinema, while Sinclair also specialised in shutters. A feature of the cameras the company produced was cases made of duralimium which produced a hard wearing and light (for the time) case. .

The Newman Sinclair 35mm Autokine was a cine camera that was renowned for its robustness and ease of handling and soon became a favourite amongst news reporters and documentary filmmakers and was still being used 40 years later.

This particular Newman Sinclair is an example of the first model, with two powerful spring motors driving the mechanism. The winding mechanism, situated on the proper right side of the camera, is activated by two sturdy winders. The careful design of the camera door on the proper left side meant the mechanism was protected against damp, dust and heat. This, combined with the easily loaded film magazines (holding 200 feet of film - enough for two minute’s worth of shooting), meant the film was shielded against accidental fogging. A feature of this camera is its ability to shoot at speeds ranging from 10 to 24 frames per second. A brass lens adaptor meant the camera could take a variety of lenses, usually made by Ross of London (and supplied with the camera). Each camera was hand built by a single engineer at the Newman Sinclair factory, meaning that while two cameras may appear identical, some parts will only fit one camera.

This camera carries the Newman Sinclair serial number 305 and is also identified with a DOI serial CAM 035; two of the film magazines for the camera carrying this number. The other carries CAM 045.

Among the cinematographers employed by the DOI was Damien Parer, who worked for that department from late 1939. Parer had prior experience with the Newman Sinclair cine camera, having been appointed director of photography for the 1938 film 'This Place Australia', shot in and around Katoomba and Bathurst. After production wrapped up, Parer was offered a job as cameraman and still photographer with the Cinema branch of the Department of Commerce in late 1939. Almost immediately after (and with the declaration of war coming only a few weeks later), the entire Cinema Branch was transferred to the Department of Information along with its cameramen and its equipment. In January 1940, Parer was issued with this Newman Sinclair (serial number 305), a Bell and Howell Eyemo and a Zeiss Contax, and boarded a transport heading for the Middle East.

Parer filmed with this Newman Sinclair on numerous occasions in the Middle East, Greece and Syria and possibly in 1942 in New Guinea, but when he resigned from the DOI in August 1943, he handed back his camera equipment when he joined the US based Paramount, where he was issued with a Bell and Howell Eyemo and a Kodak. He was killed filming the American marine invasion of Peleliu Island on 7 September 1944.

The camera is marked PARER on the upper front of the case; this was the camera issued to Damien Parer by the DOI. This is confirmed by a DOI file (143/8/23) which includes this case and camera (serial number 305) in the list of equipment brought back from the Middle East by Parer and Alan Anderson, dated 4 May 1943.