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 »
Update: With special thanks to Jan Heugel at Arriflex in Munich, we have learned that our Arriflex 35 was originally sold to the Hungarian Ministry of Defense in November 1942. We are both interested and a little terrified to learn more of its history. The search continues!
Update: Arriflex 35 #1166 Read More »
In closely examining the shipping case for Mitchell NC #239, we were able to learn a bit more about where this camera likely worked at the time of its original purchase. While it is a bit difficult to read, we believe that the front of the case identifies this camera as belonging to the 18th
The First Motion Picture Unit Read More »
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
The D-Flex at Galatic Innovations Read More »
The Dykstra-Flex has left the building! Yesterday the restored Trojan head was brought back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to be reinstalled on the Dykstra-Flex crane. After much struggle, all went well and everything ran successfully.
The Dykstra-Flex Has Left the Building Read More »
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.
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!
Dykstra-Flex Restoration Continues Read More »
We have been involved in an ongoing restoration project for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to bring back to life the Dykstra-Flex motion control camera system. The Dykstra-Flex was the ground breaking camera system used to create the memorable special visual effects seen the in original Star Wars trilogy, along with many
Project: Restoring the Dykstra-Flex Read More »
