This week was more or less a rinse and repeat of last week to make the baseplate for the second ShowScan CP65 camera. In between an emergency repair on a friend’s 2-perf ARRI 2C and some in depth advice on repairing a Bell & Howell 2709, I machined this new baseplate in preparation for servicing […]
Showscan Camera Baseplates, Part 2 Read More »
In the past, I have shown you the CP65 ShowScan cameras that I am helping to rebuild and make production ready. My friend Arnold Peterson is just about finished with redesigning the electronics, so my job is to get the cameras ready mechanically for him to test. After several meetings discussing what the look and
New Baseplates for the CP65 ShowScan Cameras Read More »
As we celebrate the nation’s birthday, I thought it would be fun to take a look at one of America’s great camera manufacturers, the Mitchell Camera Corporation. Presented here is a slideshow showing the history of the Mitchell Camera Corporation, one of America’s premiere motion picture camera manufacturers. Beginning with the Mitchell Standard in 1921,
A Brief History of the Mitchell Camera Corporation Read More »
A fellow collector and camera aficionado, John Kwinn, kindly sent me this immaculate Cine-Kodak Special II 16mm camera (ca. 1948) with its original case, a 200’ magazine, and an amazing collection of original lenses and accessories. John asked if I could find a filmmaker or collector who would adopt this camera package and take as
Cine Kodak Special with Original Cine Kodak Tripod Read More »
The culmination of all the efforts that myself, Gene Kozicki, Joe di Gennaro, Peter Anderson, Les Bernstien, Andre Bustonaby, Joe and Miles Lewis, and many of the museum crew, was a live demonstration of the Dykstraflex in the Spielberg Family Gallery on the 47th anniversary of the release of the first “Star Wars” film. On
Demonstrating the Dykstraflex: May 25, 2024 Read More »
I have a soft spot in my heart for the Showscan system as I was lucky enough to be part of the team in John Russel’s shop that built the first few cameras that were used to test the system. The three cameras that we built were based on Mitchell FC cameras. We also built
Showscan #001 and #102 Back for a Visit Read More »
As part of my involvement with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences History and Technology Subcommittee, we have been hard at work getting the Dykstraflex cleaned up and ready to be exhibited at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. This was a long and tedious process, involving a fair amount of logistics, cleaning,
Preparing for May the 4th: The Dykstraflex at the Academy Museum Read More »
This week has been crazy busy with many projects, including work on the Super Baltar lenses I showed you last week. Along with my fellow members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences History and Technology Subcommittee, we have been preparing the Dykstraflex for its appearance at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
A Guided Tour of the CinemaGear Showroom Read More »
I played a lot of catch-up this week, getting several cameras finalized and ready to be listed on our website. Work is now complete on the VistaVision Butterfly camera, as well as the ARRI BL2, and the ARRI BL 4S is currently on the workbench undergoing a final inspection. All 3 cameras are now available
Camera Housekeeping Read More »
After countless interruptions, numerous wrinkle paint failures, much choking on magnesium dust, and stripping and re-foaming all of the original cases, the VistaVision Butterfly camera and all of its accessories is finally ready to find a new home! This updated Mitchell VistaVision “light-weight hand-held” production camera features a Nikon lens mount; a crystal motor with
VistaVision Butterfly Read More »
