After much struggle, hammering, prying, wiggling, pushing, and pulling, I was finally able to completely disassemble this much abused unit. It is shown here in its current state, all the pieces cleaned for rust, petrified grease, and stripped of the old, crumbling paint. I still need to make a couple more parts before everything gets […]
An Update on the Mitchell FC Friction Head Read More »
A pan/tilt head for our John Wayne Grandeur camera! My friend Michael Geiger came across this partial original Mitchell FC friction head and was nice enough to sell it to me. It arrived missing the top plate, tie-down screw, castle nut, handle attachment plate, and the telescopic handle. But, it has an original Mitchell FC
Mitchell FC Friction Head Restoration Read More »
In the days of yore, back when I was shooting movies with Mitchell and Bell & Howell cameras, we often struggled with getting leather belts spliced together so they ran quietly and smoothly. Several of the assistant cameramen I worked with had a bag full of pieces that they would use to splice belts together.
Leather Camera Belt Splicing Block Read More »
We had so many interesting comments on last week’s trip down memory lane, I thought I would show another interesting solution to a problem we ran into while shooting space ships. Budget always being a problem, I had to devise a way to get close enough to the miniatures to give the illusion of the
Mitchell Underslung Magazine Adapter Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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
