I wanted to share another item from John Hora’s fantastic collection of movie gear. This Mitchell Mark III is one of three cameras that I know about that were completed by Mitchell before they closed their doors. Design on this camera began sometime in the late 1960’s. Their intention with this model was to build […]
We have just received this wonderful, but in need of much love, Mitchell spinning mirror reflex BNCR, serial #136. So far, we are unable to decipher who the original owner was, but we know that it was first purchased in 1954. Unfortunately, this camera was stored poorly and suffers from petrified grease, minor corrosion and
Mitchell BNCR sn. 136 Read More »
A number of people have asked to see the Panavision SPSR Super R200 camera running. After a quick trip to Arnold Peterson’s shop for some electronic repairs, the camera is once again in good working order. I managed to squeeze in time to make this very crude video showing the camera running. We tested the
A Short Video of the Panavision SPSP Super R 200 Camera Running Read More »
A couple of months back, we shared that we were building a new and improved version of the CinemaGear.com website. The final touches are being put on the site now and it should be ready for launch next week. Among the many wonderful treasures you will be able to find on our new site is
Our New Website is Almost Here! Read More »
This week I was servicing a Unit “I” Shuttle movement from a Bell & Howell 2709. It occurred to that most people have never seen the inner workings that make this wonderful camera so steady. I thought I would break down the parts that make up the drive and the Unit “I” Shuttle. The engineering
Servicing a Bell & Howell Unit “I” Shuttle Movement Read More »
As I go through inventory, bringing things back to life one by one, I rediscovered this amazing Arriflex II C that is part of the Denny Clairmont legacy. This camera is out of Denny’s first foray into cinema equipment rentals, and shows Denny’s dedication to improving everything he made available to his clients. As I
Arriflex 35 2C from Clairmont Camera Read More »
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 »
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 »
Resurrected from the depths of storage, the mechanical repairs and restorations of the Vinten Model H camera have finally been completed. The camera, lenses, and motor have all been cleaned and brought back to working condition. Much muck and mire were discarded in this process, and many new parts had to be manufactured, but as
Restoration is Complete on the Vinten Model H Camera! Read More »
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 »
