This week we began bringing Mitchell BNC 224 back to life. This camera got put on the shelf when we moved and is now being brought out of hiding. When we acquired it, the camera had not been well maintained and was missing many parts. Years of neglect took their toll on this camera, so the sprocket assembly and shutter drive would not turn at all. To restore it, we began by totally disassembling everything, cleaning it of petrified grease and oil, rebuilding the shutter dissolve mechanism, and restoring the sprocket drive and clutch system. All of the serial numbers match between the movement, camera casting, and all marked internal parts. The camera was converted to a BNCR by Cinema Products, and all of the reflex parts are marked to match as well. It was originally purchased by Universal Studios in 1957. At some point in its life, it belonged to Howard A. Anderson Co., a major visual effects house in Hollywood. There is a lot more work to be done and we will share the progress as the camera comes back together.
