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Mitchell goes to war

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 11:19 pm
by Flashlarue
First off I know nothing about cameras but I happened across your site and thought maybe someone here could help me. I have two photographs of a Mitchell camera and I am not sure what camera it is. The only clues I have are both photos are signed Ben Parker '43 and hanging from the tripod is what I am guessing is a bag with the word FAXON stenciled on it. So I can date the photo to 1943, the man in the photo is Ben Parker, the men are wearing US Army Air Corps uniforms and the bag with FAXON. A search of the Internet for Ben Parker pulls up Uncle Ben, Spider-Man's uncle and a director Ben Parker. Now I doubt a director would be enlisted as a Sargeant so I don't think either one is this Ben Parker. Anyway I would be interested in finding out more about this camera or any other help I can get. Thank you for the cool site.

Re: Mitchell goes to war

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:03 am
by mediaed
Flashlarue,

Looks to be a Mitchell Standard. It has both the adjustable 4 way matte and iris controls on the front. Looks like a high speed motor from the tach. The tripod and head are also Mitchell. Parker could have become a director after the war based on his experience. Lots of people in the film industry served at all levels and in many capacities during the war. The major studios all had memorials to employees lost in action. Hope this helps. ED.

Re: Mitchell goes to war

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 1:03 pm
by marop
I would agree with Ed as it being a "Standard", although I rarely disagree with him! I could add that the US Military was the largest single purchaser of Mitchell cameras. They used the cameras for many different purposes, from filming tests (like the Atomic Bomb testing) to making training films. Mark