Since I'm finally wrapping up my Greedo Killer build, I decided it's time to start the thread for my next build ...
I've been quietly collecting parts for this build for the last six months or so, and I almost have everything I need! I just need a transition box. I have my heart set on a metal one, so I'll either wait until there is another run, or try my hand at folding one myself. I've read all of the macrobinocular build threads on here, but still any pointers for this would be most welcome! I have Trooper's resin mystery wedge, but I also ultimately want a metal wedge, with my real Eumig knob on top.
Here are the parts I've acquired thus far:
Kalimar Six Sixty with original Kaligar f2.8 80mm lens:
Being the most difficult (and expensive) piece to acquire, I waited until I found a decent deal on one of these (on eBay, earlier this year) and pounced on it. In great vintage shape:
Kalimar Viewer:
It's in great shape, with just a small ding on the top plate. From staring at my "De-Specialized" screen-grabs, it looks like the top flap was painted black, though I don't see anybody doing this with their replicas. Am I looking at this incorrectly, or are people just hesitant to paint it due to the rarity/price of the Kalimar, or due to uncertainty if it's painted or not? EDIT: I painted it.
Seagull 4A:
Having seen Scottjua's recent discovery that the screen-used macros most likely used a different Seagull knob than the commonly accepted one, I began combing the internet for this different knob. Months of searching yielded plenty of cameras with the variant knob but they all had a black plastic housing, while the screen-grabs show what appears to be a silver knob. Eventually, I convinced myself that the prop makers just painted one of these black knobs silver, and purchased one with that intent:
EDIT: There are behind the scenes photos that clearly show the knurled, bandless version of the Seagull knob mounted on the macros, though I'm still not convinced that the banded version wasn't used throughout at least part of the film.
Almost immediately after that purchase, I saw an Aluminum Knob Variant pop up for sale in Germany. This one is absolutely pristine!
Eumig Servomatic:
These are fairly common and cheap on eBay. It was just a matter of waiting for a good deal on one in good, worn shape:
Bell & Howell Two Twenty:
These are even more common/cheap. After examining screen-grabs, it seems that they used a very obscure variant of the 220 that had a grey knob center piece, instead of the commonly available red knob variety. I've been searching and have only found one grey knob, but couldn't acquire it.
Second real Kaligar f2.8 80mm & Dark Energy Creations' Machined Aluminum Lens Plate:
I was lucky enough to find the 2nd Kaligar lens on its own, without having to purchase a second Kaligar. Dave's lens plate is on par with the quality I've come to expect from him. It's perfectly threaded for the vintage lenses, and fits the profile of the Eumig beautifully. He has included a plastic spacer, which I'l get to later.
Greeblie Kit by Trooper:
The mystery box is great. I plan to do a bit of touchup and maybe some painting. The belt clip is great as well, I'll have to find some rivets for it. Any recommendations? I'm thinking about using WannaWanga's saber rivets, as I used them on my ANH Graflex build. I plan on eventually making my own mystery wedge, using my real Eumig knob. I'll most likely use these resin lens knobs. They are nice, detailed casts. Neither of my lenses came with them, unfortunately. EDIT: The actual parts used to create the "mystery box" were later revealed on the next page in this thread.
This will likely be a slow build, but I'm looking forward to getting started. Hoping to do an EL sheet in the lens hood eventually as well. So much great reference here on the RPF, thanks to all that have documented their builds! Now ... to paint the lenses or not?
I've been quietly collecting parts for this build for the last six months or so, and I almost have everything I need! I just need a transition box. I have my heart set on a metal one, so I'll either wait until there is another run, or try my hand at folding one myself. I've read all of the macrobinocular build threads on here, but still any pointers for this would be most welcome! I have Trooper's resin mystery wedge, but I also ultimately want a metal wedge, with my real Eumig knob on top.
Here are the parts I've acquired thus far:
Kalimar Six Sixty with original Kaligar f2.8 80mm lens:
Being the most difficult (and expensive) piece to acquire, I waited until I found a decent deal on one of these (on eBay, earlier this year) and pounced on it. In great vintage shape:
Kalimar Viewer:
It's in great shape, with just a small ding on the top plate. From staring at my "De-Specialized" screen-grabs, it looks like the top flap was painted black, though I don't see anybody doing this with their replicas. Am I looking at this incorrectly, or are people just hesitant to paint it due to the rarity/price of the Kalimar, or due to uncertainty if it's painted or not? EDIT: I painted it.
Seagull 4A:
Having seen Scottjua's recent discovery that the screen-used macros most likely used a different Seagull knob than the commonly accepted one, I began combing the internet for this different knob. Months of searching yielded plenty of cameras with the variant knob but they all had a black plastic housing, while the screen-grabs show what appears to be a silver knob. Eventually, I convinced myself that the prop makers just painted one of these black knobs silver, and purchased one with that intent:
EDIT: There are behind the scenes photos that clearly show the knurled, bandless version of the Seagull knob mounted on the macros, though I'm still not convinced that the banded version wasn't used throughout at least part of the film.
Almost immediately after that purchase, I saw an Aluminum Knob Variant pop up for sale in Germany. This one is absolutely pristine!
Eumig Servomatic:
These are fairly common and cheap on eBay. It was just a matter of waiting for a good deal on one in good, worn shape:
Bell & Howell Two Twenty:
These are even more common/cheap. After examining screen-grabs, it seems that they used a very obscure variant of the 220 that had a grey knob center piece, instead of the commonly available red knob variety. I've been searching and have only found one grey knob, but couldn't acquire it.
Second real Kaligar f2.8 80mm & Dark Energy Creations' Machined Aluminum Lens Plate:
I was lucky enough to find the 2nd Kaligar lens on its own, without having to purchase a second Kaligar. Dave's lens plate is on par with the quality I've come to expect from him. It's perfectly threaded for the vintage lenses, and fits the profile of the Eumig beautifully. He has included a plastic spacer, which I'l get to later.
Greeblie Kit by Trooper:
The mystery box is great. I plan to do a bit of touchup and maybe some painting. The belt clip is great as well, I'll have to find some rivets for it. Any recommendations? I'm thinking about using WannaWanga's saber rivets, as I used them on my ANH Graflex build. I plan on eventually making my own mystery wedge, using my real Eumig knob. I'll most likely use these resin lens knobs. They are nice, detailed casts. Neither of my lenses came with them, unfortunately. EDIT: The actual parts used to create the "mystery box" were later revealed on the next page in this thread.
This will likely be a slow build, but I'm looking forward to getting started. Hoping to do an EL sheet in the lens hood eventually as well. So much great reference here on the RPF, thanks to all that have documented their builds! Now ... to paint the lenses or not?
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