A trip down memory lane . . . The movie industry always calls for unique solutions to unique problems. Many of us without the budget to build a Dykstraflex needed a device that would allow our cameras to be focused by computer control and hold the camera at nodal point. To solve this problem, I […]
Mitchell Follow Focus L-base Read More »
I have seen and used a number of Mitchell chronograph cameras over the years without really knowing much about them. A few months back I shared an interesting camera I had recently acquired that featured a shutter mounted on the main shaft of the camera movement. Not knowing exactly what this was used for, Erin
Mitchell Type A and Type B Chronograph Cameras Read More »
Believe it or not, there are still things to be unpacked a year after being settled into our new facility. I have been going through box after box of rare and unusual lenses over the last few weeks, cleaning and repairing them as I go. To my amazement, I came across this Astro-Gesellschaft Berlin 150mm
Astro Berlin Lens for Mitchell FC camera Read More »
Last week we shared with you a snippet of the sales card for Bell & Howell 2709 #58, a camera that we are currently researching. In further examining the sales cards from the same time period, we see the line item “Doz. Mag Spools” several times. The “D” at the beginning of “Doz.” strongly resembles
Continuing Our Research on Bell & Howell 2709 sn. 58 Read More »
The next Bell & Howell camera on our restoration schedule is this early model 2709, serial #58. In beginning our research into the camera’s history, we started with the sales card which shows us the purchaser and sales date. The handwriting on this particular card is a bit difficult to decipher, but we think that
Bell and Howell 2709 sn. 58 Read More »
This Mitchell NCR began its life as a Mitchell NC when it was sold to Associated Filmakers Inc. on May 28, 1946. Mitchell introduced their NC model in 1932 as an improvement on the earlier Standard model. Later on in its life, NC 345 was converted for reflex viewfinding and rebranded as an NCR. The
Mitchell NCR sn. 345 Read More »
The all metal Bell & Howell model 2709 35mm motion picture camera was introduced in 1912 and was manufactured through the 1950s. This camera, serial # 586, was originally sold to Seminole Films, Inc. of Eustis, FL on April 2, 1923. Seminole Films was incorporated in Eustis by Dr. Edgar J. Banks in November of
Bell & Howell 2709 #586 Read More »
Among our latest batch of Mitchell cameras is this interesting Mitchell Standard High Speed that comes out of the Aberdeen Proving Ground. APG dates back to 1917 when it was established by President Wilson to test and develop munitions for the U.S. involvement in World War I. It remains one of the oldest continuously operating
Mitchell GC #1032 Type A Chronograph Read More »
Update: With special thanks to Jan Heugel at Arriflex in Munich, we have learned that our Arriflex 35 was originally sold to the Hungarian Ministry of Defense in November 1942. We are both interested and a little terrified to learn more of its history. The search continues!
Update: Arriflex 35 #1166 Read More »
Introduced in 1937, the Arriflex 35 was a unique 35mm handheld motion picture camera that featured a revolutionary mirrored shutter and a parallax-free, erect image viewfinder. The Arri 35 is World War II vintage camera that was used originally by the German military during the war. Some early examples of this camera were captured by
Original Arriflex 35 Read More »
