One of the things we never really did after we moved was organize and catalog our small library of camera manuals, advertising, research materials, and other assorted historical documentation. We have been busy the last few days going through the collection, organizing and categorizing what we have, and trying to make a catalog. Just thought […]
Organization Chaos – Library Edition Read More »
During the steady and scratch test on this Fries VistaVision camera, the operator noticed an unusual noise. The camera was brought to me so I could take a look. What I discovered was that the camera had been in storage for a while, and the lubrication in the shutter and spinning mirror assemblies had dried
Maintenance on the Fries VistaVision Camera Read More »
At long last, the final repairs on the ARRI 35 BL 2 are complete! As anyone who has taken the motor cover off any of the 35 BL cameras knows, the gasket that goes between the motor housing and the camera body always disintegrates when it is taken apart. To replace it, I made a
Arri BL2 Mags – Final Details Complete on the ARRI 35 BL 2 Read More »
Recently I shared this amazing Mitchell NC camera with the most unusual follow focus system I have seen in a long time. The camera came here with the idea that I would find it a new home. To begin assessing its condition, I tried to turn the camera over by hand. This was not possible
Mitchell NC #184 Finds A New Home Read More »
It has been a few weeks since my last update on the ARRI 35 BL 2. Since then, the Mitchell FC Fox Grandeur and VistaVision Butterfly cameras have both gone on to wonderful new homes. I was busy getting them both ready for the last little while, plus working on other projects, but now I’m
ARRI 35 BL 2 – The Great Ground Glass Adventure Read More »
We wanted to take a moment to bid a fond farewell to the Fox Grandeur camera, Mitchell FC #8, which has found a perfect new home at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum in Winerset, Iowa. There are a few camera projects that I have loved working on and hate to see leave, but it’s more
A Fond Farewell to Mitchell FC #8 Read More »
A few weeks ago, an old friend of mine, Bob Bailey, reconnected with me and asked if I could help him re-home a Mitchell NC camera that he has been holding on to. Bob shot plates and 2nd unit for several movies with this camera, which he acquired from my professor and mentor Peter Gibbons.
Mitchell NC 184: A Treasure Unearthed Read More »
To honor the 249th birthday of our country, we hearken back to a time when we fought the rise of fascism rather than welcomed it in. One of the ways in which the United States pursued this fight during World War II was with the Army Air Forces First Motion Picture Unit, also known as
The First Motion Picture Unit and Mitchell NC #239 Read More »
In 1950, French lens maker Angenieux introduced the revolutionary 35mm R1 Retrofocus lens. The retrofocus optical design made it possible to use lenses wider than 40mm on reflex film cameras. This new design made the flange focal distance similar between wide angle lenses and telephoto lenses, ushering in a new era of interchangeable lenses of
Angenieux Retrofocus Type R1 35mm Lens Read More »
Over the years, I have acquired a bunch of Bell & Howell Eyemo cameras, but I have not had the time to go through them and make sure everything was working. Most of the Eyemos wind-up and run, but I don’t know how well they run. At some point, I hope to go through and
The Bell & Howell Eyemo Read More »
