About three years ago, I bought the contents of a storage unit, mostly to acquire a Stein two strip color camera and some vintage lenses. Included in this purchase were what I thought were three 1920’s vintage pan tilt heads. None of them had wooden legs on them at the time of purchase. Among those […]
Motion Picture Apparatus Co. Precision Ball Bearing Tripod Top 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 »
As we continue to find treasures that have been buried in our inventory for decades, we came across these two very interesting and unusual Zeiss Tessar lenses. The Zeiss Tessar was designed by Paul Randolph in 1902 for the Carl Zeiss company. The Tessar was innovative in its design that included four elements in three
Zeiss Tessar Lenses in Parvo mount Read More »
Originally introduced in 1946, the Mitchell 16 professional motion picture camera incorporated the features and design that had made Mitchell’s 35mm cameras so successful. The Mitchell 16 was advertised as a more compact package, well suited to 16mm cinematography. Alongside the camera, Mitchell introduced a full complement of accessories, including a sidefinder, tripod, and friction
Mitchell 16mm Friction Head 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 »
Over the years, I have collected numerous Unit I shuttle camera and projector movements. I used these movements to build animation cameras, optical printers, and rotoscope stands. The first camera I remember using that featured a Unit I shuttle was a Bell & Howell 2709. Developed by Albert S. Howell and patented in 1912, the
Unit “I” Shuttle Movements Read More »
Accessory Kit for a Mitchell Standard 35mm motion picture camera. These accessory kits were the best friend of cameraman, as they contained nearly everything you would need to shoot a movie! This very gently used example is is in remarkably clean condition with very few signs of use. A fantastic collectible!
Mitchell 35mm camera accessory kit 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 week we come to you with a quandary. We acquired a couple of these motors made by the Mitchell Camera Company in a lot purchase, not knowing anything about them. They are not like any of the many, many Mitchell motors I have worked with before. They are labeled as model TA and were
