CinemaGear

Here at CinemaGear we are dedicated to preserving the equipment that first brought moving images to life and continues to inspire and delight us to this day. It is our goal to bring classic motion picture cameras back to life so their history and tecnhological innovations are not lost. Our mission is to save and restore motion picture film cameras dating from their earliest days to the most refined film cameras of the 21st century.

Technicolor DTB Filter

Technicolor Filter Update

Many thanks to Bruce Heller for the following explanation of how the DTB filters were used in the Technicolor dye transfer printing process: This blue filter is a sample of a rough ground Corning Glass DTB (Dark Theater Blue) filter. The example shown here has not been polished. These filters were used in the optical

Technicolor Filter Update Read More »

Technicolor Test Prism

Technicolor Prism and Filter

As I was going through Jim Danforth’s equipment (he saved some very amazing things), I came across a pair of Technicolor prisms and a mysterious blue disc. One prism is from a 3-strip Technicolor camera, and the other prism looks suspiciously like the ones from the early 2-strip Technicolor cameras. There was also what, at

Technicolor Prism and Filter Read More »

Vinten Model H 35mm motion picture camera

Vinten Model H Motor

As I zero in on the completion of repair work on the Vinten Model H camera, I started work this week on what seems to be a variable speed motor. I don’t have it fully working quite yet, but the motor has three very interesting features for its vintage. It engages with a clutch in

Vinten Model H Motor Read More »

Vinten Model H 35mm motion picture camera

Vinten Model H Lenses

As we approach the completion of work on the Vinten camera, I turned this week to servicing the lenses that came with it. All 3 of the lenses were in ok optical condition, but suffered from years of neglect. I began by removing the miles of tape wrapped around the lens controls and cleaning the

Vinten Model H Lenses Read More »

Vinten Model H 35mm motion picture camera

Vinten Model H Magazines

This week we tackled the project of cleaning and repairing of the Vinten 400’ magazines. One of the first things people notice when they see the Vinten camera is how similar the camera and the magazines look to the Bell and Howell 2709. Mechanically, the Vinten has very little similarity to the 2709; the movement,

Vinten Model H Magazines Read More »