Testing the Camera from Rear Window (1954)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 26 сен 2024
- Video in which I recreate and test the camera and lens set-up used by James Stewart's character in the 1954 film Rear Window.
The setup is an Exakta VX 35mm SLR with a Kilfitt Fern-Kilar 1:5.6/400 lens. The Exakta adapter I used with this lens has the code name 'Kizex'.
The film cutter was good for photojournalists. After shooting a few frames, they could cut and develop instead of having to use up the full roll.
As a nikon f user I would absolutely love to have one of those film cutters installed on my camera
I could have used one when I worked as a photographer.
Or just to check the film development? For clipping E-6 films in the 1980 and 90s
You could also use to swap film types, say from B&W to colour without having to waste too much film. My first SLRs were an Exacta and an Exa IIB, back in the 1960's.
I came down to the comments to say the same thing. Back in the 80's I used several Exaktas, and shot several different film stocks. I loaded my own cassettes from large rolls (50 or 100 feet), and shot much Tri-X and Pan-X. If I had not finished a roll of B&W (which I developed myself), and wanted to switch to a different ASA, or to color, I would cut the film at that point, to save the rest for later. If I switched to color, though, I would never cut that... as I didn't develop it myself. Never liked Ektachrome, I shot almost all Kodachrome 25 and 64.
By the way, I still have several Exaktas, including the one described in this video. My longest lens is the Kilfit 300mm though, so I can't say I have or used the "Rear Window" setup. That Kilfit is a beauty. With Exakta to Micro 4/3 adapters, I can and often do use my large collection of EX lenses on my Olympus Pen-F... one of the reasons I like M4/3 so much!
Particularly impressed with your pyjamas for the full homage
God, I never noticed!
For the fullest homage, a Tissot wrist watch is needed 😁
I thought it was just a weirdly loose-fitting shirt 😄
@@morrised2006 Surely a plaster cast would be impressive. Hard to find a murderous neighbour, though.
Rock the PJs.
I don't need another camera... I don't need another camera...
Well, don't get five of them at any rate :D
Oh yes you do 😂
The ideal number of cameras is one more than you've got now.
I don't need another lens...
@@thomascochrane4922 known as n+1, the ideal number
Honestly, I would have expected 34 minutes to be way too long, but by about 25 minutes in, I wished there was an hour left. Beautiful video.
I, on the other hand, lasted one minute and 17 seconds. Veddy prop-ah, what?
@@andyzehner3347skill issue
This video is a masterpiece of nerdy perfectionism. Well done, sir!
After five cameras, four lenses and two adaptors, I was really wondering if this was going to end up with, "...unfortunately I had to fracture my leg a second time because the first fracture was in slightly the wrong place, but my luck turned when I found a really good Raymond Burr impersonator on the first try."
btw, you can have the front lenses polished and re-coated at at small optics workshop in Görlitz/Germany (Optik Labor Dr. Prenzel).
Interesting, I'll look into it - thank-you!
It's about 100EUR per glass element for cleaning, polishing and recoating. I had work done on a Meyer Domiron 2/50mm (Exakta mount) a few years ago - they did deliver excellent work, applying a deep blue-violet coating. Kilfitt's coatings were nice to look at with its brownish-yellow-colouring, but always very fragile, even more so in the inner surfaces. @@baylissprojects
Very interesting, thanks for the contact information! I have always thought that is there such service by anyone...
@@nerdmeister2 For this project of course, one would want a 1954 period-accurate coating. Wonder if that's feasible?
ofc. Dr. Prenzel offers single (MgF2) and multi layer coating @@thork6974
You might try watching the Apollo 11 (2019) Documentary at minutes 17:43 and 17:55. There are several Exakta’s with the super telephoto lenses. It’s possible one may have been the 400mm f5.6 as well as Heinz Kilfitt Munchen 600mm f/5.6 Fern-Kilar C Lens. Nice work young man. It’s nice to see your passion for the history of photographic equipment and the many cameras and lenses used in films. I have collected my share of cameras I’ve seen in film. Best of luck.
Great comment, hope the author sees it. Must be a few NASA docs where you might see the telephoto. I wonder if they crop up in The Right Stuff. Two versions of that now.
A lovely project. I was born in 1964, when the Exacta brand had had its best years. My father owned a Praktica, I think it was the L, that he let me use on occasion. I switched to Olympus in my 20's, owned a couple of OM-1's and an OM-4 (it could spot meter), then to Leica R cameras, and eventually to Nikon when digital photography took off. I'm still a professional photographer today. Last week I documented a funeral. I took 11.000 shots shared between my Nikon Z9 and a Z6ii. 305 and a half rolls of film, in old numbers.
What a fantastic search. Decades came back because of your project. My left thumb on the sprocket wheel while feeding film into so many cameras. The scent of Kodak and years spent in darkrooms. The sounds. A lot comes back. Yesterday, I noticed that I still haven't gotten rid of some of the old muscle memory in my right thumb. It still searches for the film transport lever once in a while.
I think I saw Rear Window 3 times altogether, Hitchcock obviously being one of the most influential directors of all time. He paved a way to an almost palpable wall between good and bad, to a deeper psyche of man, knowing that he could capture almost infinite audiences if he used cinema to the beat.
You can see even James Steward himself is impressed by his beautiful, hefty, impressive Exacta with the 400/5.6. Just don't rest the focus ring on your knee James, or you'll be rotating the whole combo away from your eye. It's hard to do stuff really close to perfect. But you did it. Loved it.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing
Mad respect for you! Such an old veteran photographer that seen such huge advancements in photography first hand and embraced them!
Good points; BUT: *Stewart;...James Stewart;...--->>>NOT: "Steward"; his name, was: ->NEVER: "James Steward"!!!.
Excellent, painstakingly researched, beautifully narrated and very interesting review (subscribed). Look forward to more of the same. Thanks for posting.
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!
What a beautiful piece of kit. Amazing job.
Words cannot fully capture how much I enjoyed and appreciated your video! I devoured every last detail you shared; it honestly felt like a short documentary. Thanks so much!
I didn't even know i was interested in cameras, but i can always appreciate knowledge and enthusiasm.
Thanks for this interesting trip down memory lane. I am 78, retired, and bought my first camera in 1958. It was rubbish, as was my next. But in secondary school I read about SLRs, and discovered Exakta. It was a revelation, and I sought one 2nd hand. I found an Exakta Varex (1950) with only the very elegant waist level finder, and it was a year or two before I could afford a pentaprism finder. But my photo composition improved enormously. I even made my own small extension tube for some modest macrophotography, but for some time could not afford accessory lenses. A feature of early models, as in Rear Window, was the 2-pin flash sockets on either side, not superseded by coaxial till the IIa model. You did not comment on these. One side was for slower shutter speeds with both shutter blinds open; the other was for focal plane bulbs using higher shutter speeds as the shutter's slit traversed the 35mm frame. You are right, these were beautiful precision machines. I loved mine so much I bought a second camera new (a Varex IIb) when at university, winning a couple of prizes. It is sad Exakta did not survive. Mine were so reliable. My later cameras have mostly been Canon, beginning with the legendary OM-10. Keep up your meticulous approach!
Very interesting, thanks for sharing
Wow, that's right, the camera flash was actually a self-defense weapon during the final "battle in the dark room."
@@numbersix8919 Yep. I never used the Focal Plane bulbs, too expensive. But with their more prolonged and even flash duration I bet they packed a wallop. Hitchcock depicted the effect on the murderer's vision by flooding the screen in bright red, fading to darkness.
"How did you know I have autism?"
😂
I don't get it. If you're talking about how he tried really hard to get every single thing on his camera exactly like the Rear Window camera, that's pretty normal when trying to recreate a movie/film prop IRL. If you're talking about his quiet voice, I'd prefer it if *everyone* on RUclips spoke like that instead of the traditional "HEY WATS UP GUIZE??? MAKE SURE TO SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON AND SLAM THE BELL!!!!!#$%@#$%" approach.
He is so considerate to lower his voice so his nan can sleep in the back bedroom
Nice working class chap
You have produced a very important piece of photography history. Excellent content and eloquently narrated. Your diction and pace of presentation puts others undertaking similar projects to shame. I will subscribe and recommend your work to fellow photographers. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you very much! I appreciate it!
This was actually my first 35mm film camera. It was the one I learned on ❤ But I never had the full Jimmy Stewart setup! This is amazing! Subscribed for sure 👍🏾
Appreciate the extensive fact finding and explanations of the differences between years, especially impressed with the kilfit glass plate proofs. Never saw anything like that before
The world would be so bland without people like this.
Well done, Mr. Bayliss. You followed your passion and created a wonderful video that many people are enjoying.
older cameras were so beautiful
Beautiful camera.
Attention to detail - beautiful
From Romania I say to you Hat down! You made something that feels so much more! Not only the work but the passion is so present. I will follow you with much respect. Thank you!
Si eu din Heidelberg/Cluj-Napoca ! Servus de la un fotoamator
One of my favorite movies, and Gorgeous Grace Kelly!!
What a fun project! It gets to the heart of why many of us like shooting with vintage equipment. For me, its using old MF lenses on a digital camera. Just slow down and take time to frame and focus. Somewhat of a lost art in today's world of super automatic, do it all cameras. Thanks for the great video!
Yours has been probably the ultimate in sheer tenacity ! The determination to get the exact combination of camera, adapter and lens was so incredible. A truly informative and perfectly researched video that needs to be preserved in a photographic historical archive. Thank Heavens that you are such a perfectionist. Well done for a wonderful video
I know this story. This is why I now own 11 versions of the same GPS receiver from the late '90s.
I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality and thoroughness of this video. Excellent work! Subscribed
Amazing.. i can imagine the smell of those cameras
Coming across a lens used by NASA must be one of the craziest things ever
Vintage telephoto lenses are fun to play with. I have a Isco-Goettingen 400 4.5, one of my favourites so far.
The shutter on the Exakta VX sounds like an old school Minecraft chest lol
Successfully well researched video that equally divides the interesting subject content.
That's what I call dedication! 👍
Have to admire your dedication to the Exakta brand
This camera is actually my main 35mm slr, solid camera definitely feels different than a lot of other slrs I have tried like the om10 and my srt 101
I have the Kine Exacta Round Window from 1936 as well as the cute little Exa 500. I do love the style and simplicity.
That's a wonderful collection you've built and a fabulous insight into both Ihagee and Rear Window. Terrific movie indeed.
Ah I've wanted a round window Kine Exacta for a long time, much better looking than the square window version - they sell for a lot though!
Great and detailed video, it's clear that you've put a lot of work into the research of the camera and lenses !
Wow that's dedication to purpose. Amazed by the attention to detail in replicating the kit. Was expecting to have that gear put to use for similar pictures as the ones in the movie, slightly disappointed at that
A totally engaging video, and has got me interested in Exakta cameras. The production on this video is excellent, nobody jumping around, or over loud brash distracting music. Many thanks and you have a new subscriber.
Regards Rob.
Really cool exercise. Definitely interested in seeing more of these!
I recall that there was a store in NYC in the 50's, 60's and 70's that exclusively sold Exakta's and Exakta accessories called "Seymour's Exakta."
Your persistence and determination to get it right was wonderful to watch. It will alter and add to my enjoyment of watching Rear Window. Thinking about films with cameras playing a central role I suppose the other obvious one is Blow Up. Thank you for posting this, the result of years of work.
you are one hell of a collector and that lens is very good for its age.
This is the most calming video I think I have ever watched
Beautiful to see, also to see that in all those times gear didn’t change much to get into the final quality of the image… once read that every decent 120 camera from the 1950’s and every slr 35mm from the 1960’s give a result that is good for nice photographs (aside the exotic zoom lenses)
I got to use an Exacta in the 1960s. I remember that odd film cutter. Never knew how it would be useful until I watched your video. The camera was pretty primitive by the time I used it compared to Nikons & Pentaxs but it was built like a tank. I also didn’t realize it was Jimmy Stewart’s camera in Rear Window- probably my favorite Hitchcock movie. Thanks for making the connection and explaining tbe historical importance of Exacta- a story largely forgotten.
Wonderful forensic search to match the camera and lens of the film. I was half expecting you to use 1954 film stock 😁 Love you dedication, an enjoyable 35 min sharing your journey.
A very comprehensive and detailed video! Buying 5 camera's just to find 'the one' shows your dedication on this project. Subbed 👍.
This video was the tipping point in which I finally got into film photography, and ended up buying a kine Exakta, which is what I used to shoot my first full roll of film! Thank you for the inspiration, and such a fantastic video!
Wonderful and admirably thorough film! Also nice bed hair to go with the pyjamas!
I used to shoot a lot of film up until 10 years ago but life and the price of decent film scanners got in the way. Waching your attention to detail and clear passion has gotten me motivated to start again, it's also triggered my G.A.S! Rear Window is a fantastic film, I know what I am watching tomorrow.
I loved the photos that this setup produced.
My god, the sound of that shutter... Absolutely gorgeous!
This was absolutely amazing and the pictures were so good
Superior work Never knew those cameras even existed...
Wow! I cannot tell you how happy I am to have stumbled across this video! A terrific homage to a great film and a great piece of camera craftsmanship (and history).
Very well done!
Wonderful presentation indeed.If these cameras could talk what tales they would tell😊
I'm not a photoguy, but man... this video has a ton of interesting technical and historical infos. I really appreciate this kind of content! Thanx!
Hello, thank you for the endeavor. Interesting choice of camera for Mr. Jefferies.
FYI, the finish on the lenses is known as 'crackle'. It was a common finish on many 'tech' items of the 50s and 60s - electronic test equipment, radio gear, all that sort of stuff.
Great video!
Your attention to detail and determination is staggering. An absolutely amazing and absorbing video. Thank you.
Fascinating, absorbing. I've often wondered about the photo gear in the film (which is a favourite). Your video production is top shelf.
Excellent stuff.
Now I have to resist Exakta cameras and lenses.
Thanks for that.
This was a fantastic video. You have a very calm and soothing way of speaking, and your pacing and attention to detail is something not normally found on RUclips. Thank you so much, you got yourself a subscriber
Whoa! A kilfitt! Nice to see others using them in modern times. I use em for bird photos
I can understand you. The relieving “ahhhh” when you have found everything and put it together.
Superb video - it was lovely to see the Exakta in all its glory, so often they are overlooked. I must get one of mine out and have a go again - I used them in the 1960s and up to changing to Olympus in 1983, but I've still got six (or more), ranging from the roll-film VP Exaktas up to a couple of VX1000 bought new when production ended. I loved them being left-handed, too.
Thank-you! Ah I'm a big fan of the Exakta VP, very good cameras
Wonderful camera and lens…. That’s truly perfectionism
Maybe take some pictures out of an apartment window of apartments across the way? Very interesting, I'm subscribed to see more of your ambitious projects, thanks.
This was great. I think I need one of those movie posters for my studio now.
Brilliant! Marvelous to watch your chase for the "correct" Rear Window camera/lens combo. Interesting and fun. Thanks.
Nice F, featured in Apocalypse Now.....dangling of the neck of Mr. Hopper and around my neck in the 80th, when I met Dennis on an exhibition of his photography in Kerpen Germany. Still use it (build one year before I was born) up till today. It dropped from my neck on a school trip in the 80th band on the floor of a German train cariage. All my fellow pupils thought it was done for. I laughed, picked it off the floor, cooked the shutter, and took a picture saying, "This camera shot the Vietnam War. You think it's not gonna take a little tumble?" It never saw service in its life.
Complete madness, but great stuff!
Your attention to detail is so perfect.
I think I'm gonna buy one of those Cameras.
The attention to detail is amazing and really appreciate your passion for for film photography.
Thank you for this well made, informative and entertaining video. Your music choices were very nice. I am also a big fan of Exakta cameras, which are slow to use, but well worth it, I think. And they are beautiful pieces of machinery. I think Exakta fell into the trap of having developed a beautiful, innovative product -- a beautifully designed and made first SLR -- but were then loathe to move beyond it while their competitors were not hindered by their own histories. And of course, the war didn't help. Even before superseded by the Japanese SLR's from Pentax and Nikon, I feel the Edixa, a west German camera, introduced in the 50's, was pretty much the embodiment of the modern SLR and was, in that way, somewhat easier to use than the Exackta.
Wonderful video! I've always wondered about this camera. Thank you...
With nothing more than a layman's interest in cameras or film, I was informed, educated and entertained. Thankyou. A rare thing to find such documentaries today.
Perhaps we aught to have a national service to provide such?
I always thought this camera looked really cool. It's awesome to know that somewhere out there someone replicated its setup.
Brilliant. BRAVO! 👊🏼
I love your deadpan delivery of your announcement each of the five cameras.
As a collector of old telephoto lenses, sometimes I'll just pop one on and take it for a spin, finding interesting compositions like I would any other lens. Also, those Kilfitts are GORGEOUS.
the quality of the images is far better than what I expected.
Why is that? Good quality classic glass may lack modern features and coatings, but it was capable of good images then and will be now as well. I’ve adapted old classics onto digital bodies for years and had great results. I just don’t shoot film anymore because I would wind up having to swap bodies or rewind film to change iso and it would take me months to go through a roll.
What a fascinating journey to find the camera in the film. Really enjoyed it. Thanks!
i was looking for a video on this camera setup soooo long, thanks very much bro, great video
The last part of the video reminded me about another rather suitable Camera related movie, Antonioni's "Blow Up" set in London too.
Superb film. You are very gifted; meticulous yet crystal clear explanation, great editing, sound effects, mellifluous voice. You have turned obsession into entertainment!!!
Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!
So many cameras bought, so many lenses, an exhaustive video to make, but a thrill to watch. Thank you! I encourage you to make more videos like this, but also suggest taking a well-deserved break. You've created a masterpiece, enjoy everyone's appreciation! When you're fully charged, come back with another one. Cheers! P.S. I watched the movie 10 years ago (and enjoyed it), so glad someone showed us the camera!
Back in the '90s most professional photographers covered the main badge on their cameras with black masking tape or electrical tape - the alleged reason was to deter theft, since obviously a thief would only steal a Nikon, and clearly not steal an unbranded camera from the weirdo in what looks like a fishing vest with three identical cameras around their neck. So, I wonder if the covered Exacta badge was a choice made by the art department, in recognition of this.
I really appreciate your attention to detail. I would never have gone that far, at all. I acquired my first Leica because of my teen obsession with Cartier-Bresson, but it never dawned on me to try and match the exact model he used for a specific image.
Blow-Up (1966) next?
Regarding lens quality, I have found that the engineering behind 1930s Leitz/Zeiss, and subsequently the 1960s Zeiss (Hasselblad/Pentacon) and Nikkor is usually at least as good as relatively contemporary glass. Uncoated Leitz glass doesn't work too well on digital, for some reason it yields low contrast, when it can then define hair that is much finer than the grain of colour film, perfectly. I think that the main "improvement" in modern lens tech is mostly to do with the coatings to improve "reliability" and low-dispersion elements to reduce weight (these elements were often radioactive in the past). What I mean is that if I am using my older gear, I have to rely on a mental catalogue of what scenarios may yield what specific quality, which is where the magic of each lens lies. Modern equipment is designed around not having a mental library, it is designed around having every single person who picks up an overpriced camera being able to produce the same sharpness of image. No idea why sharpness is the current measure, but it has been for a while.
This video was mesmerizing….I remember the movie well. I have watched it several times.
Chapeau,, what a gem of a video. Even more, I'm from Munich, and I never heard about Kilfit before. Thank you very much.
Wow, what an epic and impressive quest! Bravo!!! Certainly my top five favourite films.
Wow... I came of age when Nikon had already secured domination of the pro market before Canon took over. These Exacta camera's were amazingly advanced for their day, I'd say. Very nice video. Thanks for doing this.
...great video thank you for this entertaining 30 minutes :-) I learned film photgraphy as a child and a had a small dark room in the basement. As i didnt had any money, I was looking around to find cheap photo gear and so I grew up with cameras and lenses from the 60ies or 70ies. Still I feel very ar home with that vintage stuff. Btw I think Hitch had choosen that camera as it was exotic in the US.
film to the eyes is like vinyl to the ears😎
Thank you for sharing this excellent documentation which left me speechless.
Back in the day those cameras were made, they weren't as tack sharp as we've come to expect. Many of the great photos just weren't sharp at all. Some of Henry Cartier Bressan's photos aren't even in focus. Nobody cared. It was what it was and it was excellent. Great video.