Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

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Feel free to discuss any topic related to the Mitchell Camera. Both 35 mm and 16 mm models are welcomed here. Also consider posting topics of other major motion picture cameras that you feel are important to the development of the Mitchell Camera. Feel free to upload a photo from the option on each new post.
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mitchellbnc

Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by mitchellbnc » Wed Jul 09, 2014 4:33 pm

The Debbie Reynolds auction was a once in a life time event to collect the most rare of the rare in Mitchell equipment history. (among many other things she collected). This VistaVision camera was a beauty. The text and photo below are from the Debbie Reynolds "Profiles In History" auction catalog. Click the photo to enlarge.

VistaVision Motion Picture Camera #29 used in Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief, Disney’s Mary Poppins and Lucas’ Star Wars. (ca. 1950s) Historic VistaVision Camera #29 on dolly. The camera was originally purchased from Mitchell camera by Paramount Pictures. It was used on numerous projects including several Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis films including Artists and Models. It continued to be used by Paramount for Alfred Hitchcock’s To Catch A Thief, Fred Astaire’s Funny Face as well as Lil Abner, and Spartacus before it was rented and then sold to Walt Disney Studios as a special effects camera. The camera was then used by Peter Ellenshaw to photograph background plates for Mary Poppins, Pete’s Dragon, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and the original Tron. George Lucas borrowed the camera from Disney to photograph special effects on his Star Wars series of films.

The camera returned to Paramount Pictures in the late 1980’s where it was used by Roy H. Wagner ASC, Director of Photography on numerous occasions as a special effects camera principally on the skydiving film Drop Zone. This VistaVision #29 camera shot the very last film shot in VistaVision: Debbie Reynolds’ My Six Loves (1963). Camera features Baltar 100mm lens by Bausch and Lomb, Rare Mitchell off-set geared head with riser. Fully functional camera movement, matte box and Mitchell viewfinder. Consisting of 8 pieces. Outer metal casing is 27 x 25 x 15.75. Includes lens cover and (6) carrying cases ranging in size from 12.75 x 8.75 x 7.25 in. to 27.25 x 16.5 x 25.5 in. Accompanied by a stomp-up “sputnik” dolly. Special shipping arrangements will apply. Comes with a letter of provenance from Roy H. Wagner, ASC. $60,000 - $80,000
Attachments
mitchell-vistavision.jpg

mitchellbnc
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 10:03 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by mitchellbnc » Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:44 pm

Another shot of Debbie's fabulous VistaVision camera from the Profile in History auction catalog.
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vistavision_3.jpg
Mitchell VistaVision #29 from the Debbie Reynolds auction

mitchellbnc
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 10:03 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by mitchellbnc » Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:18 pm

For more information on the Mitchell VistaVision camera, please check out the Widescreen Museum web page at:
http://www.widescreenmuseum.com/widescreen/wingvv2.htm

A great FRONT and BACK comparison photo of the "elephant ear" camera from their web site.

Note: Mitchell VistaVision #29 sold on 5/17/2014 for $130,000. Final bid confirmed at the Profile in History web site, price realized details page.

Theodore Wilhelm
MitchellCamera.com administrator
Attachments
vistavision_front_back.jpg
Mitchell VistaVision Front and Back Comparison

mitchellbnc
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed May 15, 2013 10:03 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by mitchellbnc » Thu Jul 24, 2014 5:48 pm

OK so this isn't VistaVision #29 but still great hero shots from the icollector web site. I just can't get enough of this fantastically designed but odd looking machine!
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vistavision from icollector 3.jpg
vistavision from icollector 2.jpg
vistavision from icollector 1.jpg

yoyo29_monica

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by yoyo29_monica » Fri Aug 15, 2014 12:22 pm

IMHO, this is the best thread at this site! This beauty resides in New York at the Museum of the Moving Image. Go see it when you are in the Big Apple!

Monica of Tarzana
Attachments
vistavision at Museum of the Moving Image.JPG

marop
Posts: 125
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2014 2:45 pm

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by marop » Fri May 22, 2015 8:56 pm

The VistaVision that is at the museum of moving image has a lot of history. It first went to Egypt with DeMille to film the Ten Commandments, and toward the end of its life was used by ILM. The other VV pictured on the short metal base, or hi-hat, is also significant, but I can't remember the number, I am thinking no. 3? If that is correct it also went to Egypt! Lots of great great history here!

Mark

Stein8perf
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:59 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by Stein8perf » Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:27 pm

I was offered this very camera by Martin Hill around 1995 for 18k. I didn't purchase it at the time because I was looking for a smaller-lighter 8 perf camera and settled on a Stein that had 3 reg pins. I have detailed photos of this camera that I took when it was at Martin's place. I can post them if anyone here wants to see them

Mark

admin
Site Admin
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 7:13 pm

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by admin » Wed Jun 15, 2016 11:53 am

Hello Mark. What a small world regarding this being the same camera. We would love to see detailed pictures! Please post as many as you can or alternately, I could devote an entire "Photo Tour" page on our web site with a credit to you. In that scenario, I would love to see 50 or so photos and I could send you a link where you could upload them all at once. This is one of my most favorite Mitchells.

Regards,
Theodore
Site admin

Stein8perf
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:59 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by Stein8perf » Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:43 pm

Sorry about the delay posting these. I had completely forgotten about doing this. Better late than never I guess.
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img388.jpg

Stein8perf
Posts: 12
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:59 am

Re: Mitchell Vistavision Camera #29

Post by Stein8perf » Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:44 pm

Back of #29
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img387.jpg

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