Dykstra-Flex

The Dykstraflex camera in the Vista Vision shooting position with Nikon lens mounted

Dykstraflex Camera, Revisited

This past week I had the privilege of doing preventative maintenance on the Dykstraflex camera for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I serve on the Academy’s Technology and History Subcommittee, and following the restoration of the Dykstraflex camera crane, subcommittee members were concerned that the camera may have developed problems after having …

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Dykstraflex camera

Dykstraflex: Preparing to Service the Camera that Shot the original Star Wars Trilogy

It’s a little late for Star Wars Day, but we wanted to share this latest project in anticipation of the premiere of “Obi-Wan Kenobi” tomorrow. Previously, in 2019, I completed a major restoration of the Dykstraflex camera crane for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The restored Dykstraflex was prominently displayed at the …

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The D-Flex at Galatic Innovations

The Dykstra-Flex made its first public reappearance at the Academy Science and Technology Council’s Galactic Innovations event last night after decades in storage. I am thrilled to have been instrumental in bringing this amazing piece of equipment back to life. My thanks to Joe Di Gennaro, Gene Kozicki, Joe Lewis, and Miles Lewis for their …

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It Moves!

It moves once more! The Dykstra-Flex pan, tilt, and roll device, referred to as the Trojan helmet, has been restored to working condition. We are preparing to reattach it to the main camera mover later this week and will have a complete, working Dykstra-Flex in a few day if all goes well.

Dykstra-Flex Restoration Continues

Restoration work continues on the Dykstra-Flex. Drive components for the pan and tilt axes on the Trojan helmet pan tilt head have been restored and we are currently recreating the missing parts for the roll axis. Getting close to bringing all of the pieces of this project back together!