Uncommon, Rare, and Collector's Delights.

The Sears version of the Nicca 5L, offered as the Tower model 45 with f2 Nikkor and as the Tower 46 with an f1.4 Nikkor. I plan to load this one with film as soon as the weather warms up a bit.
 
I had the Tower 45 with the F2 Nikkor and I can't really say why I sold it??? Got into the Leotax's more, but these cameras are great with the 1/1000 sec top shutter speed and easier loading with the back door. One of those "Why" moments?
 
Mitchell Variable Diffusion Filter and Holder

Not related to still photography, but cinematography. Although there is nothing stopping you from sticking it in front of a still camera....

This device solved the problem encountered when making large camera moves and a fixed strength diffusion filter.

As an example, let's say you are shooting a scene that starts in a wide shot and you dolly in on your talent sitting at a table.

At the head of the shot your choice of diffusion strength may have been correct, but is too strong by the time you have pushed in on the talent for a closeup. Or the reverse may occur, and the level of diffusion is not strong enough at the end of the camera move.

This device contains two gradated glass diffusion filters that travel on a track. The diffusion on the filter ramps from clear to full strength. You can vary the strength of the diffusion effect by sliding the glass back and forth.

These were made in the late 1920's or early 30's. By the end of the 1930's the 'romantic look' of halos around highlights and actors was going out of style and they were shelved. By the early 1950's cinema lenses had also grown in size and many would exceed the diameter of the filter opening. As a result they were retired or tossed.

I saw the remnants of one of these in a junk box in the mid 1990's and didn't really understand its significance. Then as I progressed in my career and I read 'Painting with Light' by John Alton it dawned on me what I had found (and failed to hold on to). I spent the next 15 years keeping an eye out for one, but they turned out to be as rare as hens teeth and pretty much nobody had ever heard of one.

A few years ago one surfaced out of the blue and I immediately jumped on it.

This is unit serial #3 and in pristine condition. It almost looks brand new and probably sat in its box unused for about 70-80 years.

I have heard of another collector who has one, but other then that I have never seen or heard of one. I can't imagine that production numbers were very high, it's a pretty specialized piece of gear and was tied to a very specific time period in cinematography.

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Harry Lime said:
Mitchell Variable Diffusion Filter and Holder...
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^^^ That is a cool device! Thanks for the background write-up. ^^^

Love those old beautifully machined contraptions; finished in wrinkled-enamel with stamped metal ID placard.

Just checked the 'Bay for Mitchell Camera Corp. equipment. Items listed go for bug bucks! Even the camera oils.
 
raydm6 said:
^^^ That is a cool device! Thanks for the background write-up. ^^^

Love those old beautifully machined contraptions; finished in wrinkled-enamel with stamped metal ID placard.

Just checked the 'Bay for Mitchell Camera Corp. equipment. Items listed go for bug bucks! Even the camera oils.
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Yeah, the vintage cinema gear is getting expensive. Especially anything made prior to WW2.

I got my start in Hollywood in the early 90's and there was tons of stuff floating around from the early days. Some of it may have even dated from the late teens and early 20's, but the bulk was from the 30's and 50's. Interestingly a lot of production of camera gear stopped during WW2, due to rationing. All of Mitchell's production went to the government for the war effort, so all those movies made from '41-45 were shot on cameras that the studios had bought in the 20's and 30's. Back in the 90's you could pick this stuff up for pennies.

In my case I purchased a 1936 Mitchell NC-R and they tossed in an 'old set of junk lenses' for free, so I would have something to shoot with. Nowadays those 'junk lenses' are hardly considered junk anymore, because they take the digital curse off the modern cameras....

Here's my 1936 Mitchell NC-R that I purchased in the 90's. It solid metal and tips the scale at around 80-90 lbs with the motor and a 1000 ft magazine. Once you throw in the head and tripod you're looking at about 110-120 lbs.

I really wish I had grabbed more of that gear back then.... There was some pretty spectacular stuff floating around in those days.


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I don’t own one either, but have read a bit on them. Seems the late production ones were “problematic”.
 
Harry Lime said:
Yeah, the vintage cinema gear is getting expensive. Especially anything made prior to WW2.

I got my start in Hollywood in the early 90's and there was tons of stuff floating around from the early days. Some of it may have even dated from the late teens and early 20's, but the bulk was from the 30's and 50's. Interestingly a lot of production of camera gear stopped during WW2, due to rationing. All of Mitchell's production went to the government for the war effort, so all those movies made from '41-45 were shot on cameras that the studios had bought in the 20's and 30's. Back in the 90's you could pick this stuff up for pennies.

In my case I purchased a 1936 Mitchell NC-R and they tossed in an 'old set of junk lenses' for free, so I would have something to shoot with. Nowadays those 'junk lenses' are hardly considered junk anymore, because they take the digital curse off the modern cameras....

Here's my 1936 Mitchell NC-R that I purchased in the 90's. It solid metal and tips the scale at around 80-90 lbs with the motor and a 1000 ft magazine. Once you throw in the head and tripod you're looking at about 110-120 lbs.

I really wish I had grabbed more of that gear back then.... There was some pretty spectacular stuff floating around in those days.


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Thanks for sharing !

Was shooting with a 1936 NC "rack over" in the 90's 🙂

Cheers
JM
 
The Mitchell is fantastic, I'd like one for my collection as well, that or a period Wall camera.
Still need a few parts for my military Bell&Howell Eyemo as well. Very costly these days.

Eyemo400mag2.jpg
 
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