This week we come to you with a quandary. We acquired a couple of these motors made by the Mitchell Camera Company in a lot purchase, not knowing anything about them. They are not like any of the many, many Mitchell motors I have worked with before. They are labeled as model TA and were […]
One of the many vintage lenses that are currently in the process of being restored is this remarkable Goerz Hypar 3in f 3.5 lens in Bell & Howell 2709 mount. The lens was found to be in clean used condition, with no fungus, cleaning marks, or scratches on the elements. A general cleaning, lubrication, and
Goerz Hypar 3in f 3.5 lens in Bell & Howell 2709 mount Read More »
This Mitchell NCR began its life as a Mitchell NC when it was sold to Associated Filmakers Inc. on May 28, 1946. Mitchell introduced their NC model in 1932 as an improvement on the earlier Standard model. Later on in its life, NC 345 was converted for reflex viewfinding and rebranded as an NCR. The
Mitchell NCR sn. 345 Read More »
The all metal Bell & Howell model 2709 35mm motion picture camera was introduced in 1912 and was manufactured through the 1950s. This camera, serial # 586, was originally sold to Seminole Films, Inc. of Eustis, FL on April 2, 1923. Seminole Films was incorporated in Eustis by Dr. Edgar J. Banks in November of
Bell & Howell 2709 #586 Read More »
Among our latest batch of Mitchell cameras is this interesting Mitchell Standard High Speed that comes out of the Aberdeen Proving Ground. APG dates back to 1917 when it was established by President Wilson to test and develop munitions for the U.S. involvement in World War I. It remains one of the oldest continuously operating
Mitchell GC #1032 Type A Chronograph Read More »
Update: With special thanks to Jan Heugel at Arriflex in Munich, we have learned that our Arriflex 35 was originally sold to the Hungarian Ministry of Defense in November 1942. We are both interested and a little terrified to learn more of its history. The search continues!
Update: Arriflex 35 #1166 Read More »
Introduced in 1937, the Arriflex 35 was a unique 35mm handheld motion picture camera that featured a revolutionary mirrored shutter and a parallax-free, erect image viewfinder. The Arri 35 is World War II vintage camera that was used originally by the German military during the war. Some early examples of this camera were captured by
Original Arriflex 35 Read More »
This past Thursday, we had the privilege of hosting a gathering of members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences History and Technology subcommittee. We spent a lovely few hours touring our new facility and talking about what Cinema Engineering Co. and CinemaGear.com are all about. Our meeting and tour was full of
We’ve been busy this week working on the showroom and pulled this DeVry Standard “Lunchbox” Camera serial no. 765, out of storage to go on display. This model was introduced in 1926 and sold originally for $150.00. We acquired this particular camera from internationally recognized cinematographer and historian Roy Wagner. He provided us with a
DeVry Standard “Lunchbox” Camera Read More »
In closely examining the shipping case for Mitchell NC #239, we were able to learn a bit more about where this camera likely worked at the time of its original purchase. While it is a bit difficult to read, we believe that the front of the case identifies this camera as belonging to the 18th
The First Motion Picture Unit Read More »
