Over the last few weeks, I have had a few people ask me about optical printers, scanners, Bell & Howell cameras, and Acme cameras. Sadly the revolutionary technology behind these machines is slowly being forgotten. At the heart of these machines is the film transport called the Unit “I” Shuttle. The unique design of this […]
The Remarkable Unit “I” Shuttle Movement Read More »
Things were moving along as expected with the VistaVision Butterfly camera. I got all of the 400’ magazines cleaned, serviced, and painted. Got the camera cleaned of corrosion and spot painted inside and out so it looks pretty again. Made a new power cable, serviced the movement, and ran everything. All looked great until I
Small Setback on the VistaVision Butterfly Camera Read More »
Bringing this interesting Vinten Model H camera back to life during the pandemic made the isolation of that time more bearable. (You can read more about the restoration process on our blog:https://bit.ly/3T4AITD) The unique and innovative design of the Vinten camera made it a world class addition to the 35mm motion picture camera canon. Unlike
Vinten Model H 35mm Camera Read More »
This rare set of Bausch & Lomb Super Baltar lenses was rescued from a storage unit and painstakingly cleaned and restored so they are once again able to capture that classic Hollywood look on film or digital media. Included in the set are a 20mm f2, 25mm f2, 35mm f2, 50mm f2, 75mm f2, and
A Fantastic Set of Super Baltar Lenses Read More »
Taken directly from the widescreen wars of the 1950’s and 60’s, is this amazing, production used, three panel Cinerama Slate that comes straight from the set of the western epic drama “How the West Was Won” (1962). “How the West Was Won”, produced by MGM, was directed by John Ford, Henry Hathaway, and George Marshall
Screen Used Slate from”How the West Was Won” Read More »
It was a rare privilege to explore and repair this 20th Century-Fox Cine Simplex 35mm production camera. The engineering of this camera is extraordinary and it is disappointing that it never became as ubiquitous as the Mitchell BNC. The level of thought that went into all aspects of the design and function of this camera
An Extraordinary Camera In Need of a New Home Read More »
A number of years ago, I acquired this Mitchell VistaVision Butterfly camera with the intention of using it to shoot plates for visual effects sequences. When it arrived, all but one of the magazines were frozen closed and every bit of equipment had case foam adhered to it. I was able to use the one
Introducing the VistaVision Butterfly Camera Read More »
I am delighted to share with you all today this fascinating, ca. 1921 Wilart Camera restored by my good friend Michael Madden. Our quick research indicates that this camera was manufactured by the Wilart Instrument Co., Inc. of New Rochelle, New York as their all-metal professional cinema camera. Contemporary advertising from “Motion Picture News” in
A Restored Treasure: The Extraordinary Wilart Camera Read More »
Those of you who have been following me for a while now know how much I love and admire Mitchell cameras. A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to have Mitchell Standard no. 27 left in my care for some basic maintenance and tlc. This very early Mitchell camera was bought by MGM some
Restoring Mitchell Standard no. 27 Read More »
There is always a risk in selling something right after it comes into inventory, and the Mitchell 205 was a painful reminder of this. We put the camera on display right as it came in because it’s so pretty, and coincidentally a client came to visit a few days later and fell in love with
A Fond Farewell to the Mitchell 205 Read More »
