My shop, like most other shops that have a lot of projects happening at the same time, runs into the problem where you get to a certain point in a project, and you just don’t have the last couple of things you need to finish that project. That’s sort of what happened this week.
A young filmmaker called because he had seen my post from a few years back where I had converted a Mitchell 16 Pro to take single-perf film and he wondered if I had another camera in stock. As it happened, I have a Mitchell 16 Pro that is missing its turret and that I had already converted for single-perf. Finding a replacement turret would be close to impossible, so I setup to make one. I have machined the basic disc and fit it to the camera, indicated the exact center of the camera’s aperture, and transferred those dimensions to the replacement part. Now I am waiting on a tap and die set for making C mount threads before I can proceed on this project.
In the meantime, I noticed that none of the ARRI 16 S cameras I have on hand have a magazine port cover anymore, so I thought I would see if I can design and 3D print a replacement. This is another project I have started for my own use, but would be happy to make available if anyone is interested, once the design is complete.
As you saw recently, I took a Mitchell Geared Head into inventory, and it is in need of a better case. I have a case of the right size, but it is missing all of the dividers and supports to properly house the geared head. So that is something else I have begun this week.
And lastly, a friend purchased a Fries 15-perf camera that had previously suffered an unfortunate film jam and crash that damaged the pull-down claw. The process of evaluating whether this part can be salvaged, or whether a new pull-down claw will need to be made has begun. I am not sure yet, I am still evaluating.
