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Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2019 8:58 pm
by DavidMcLau@MSN.com
Many of you know that Mitchell gave licenses for another company, Newall Engineering in Great Britain, in the 1950's, to make clones of the Mitchell NC. But, there was another Mitchell NC clone made by Seiki Co. Tokyo Japan. At least that is what I think I have.

Please correct me if I am wrong. Attached are some photos of my Seiki. This camera shown below was used on the Gumby stop motion animation TV series, last produced in the late 1980's. There were a lot of Mitchell's on set for the production. It was a mix of both Standards and NC's. When looking at the movements, I couldn't tell the difference between my Seiki and the real thing. Can anyone give me more info on the Seiki? Perhaps an old brochure? Or, how many were made? And what years?

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 7:57 am
by admin
Hello David and thank you for sharing your Seiki story and great photos. I am thrilled to see history of yet another Mitchell clone. Who knows how many variants are out in the wild. But we are adding this one to the list. The oddest one is the Russian clove which is somewhere here in the forum. I'm looking forward to seeing if any members/viewers can add to this clone search. Sometimes it takes a while to get a response so keep checking back.

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 8:14 am
by mediaed
From my information source, this appears to be a pre Ww2 camera. There were several Mitchell copies, One is Seiki Kogaku (精機製作所), and the other one is Doi Kosaku-jo (土井工作所). The Doi was a rip-off like the post war Russian cameras.

Seiki Kogaku ones had produced pre-war era the most, were the famous for the optical printer and animation camera and was very popular; even exported to the US for animation studios. Apparently the NC clone was a licensed design but by 1952, the NC patent had expored in many countries.

Seiki Mitchell was initially the copy of the NC, but Seiki had learned and taken the idea of Silent Bell (B&H), quiet pull-down claw system, it's not same as NC model, and they had the problem with the stainless steel material film gate that had to revise to the different design. Unfortunately, not many Seiki Mitchell exist in Japan, most of were destroyed or taken by the Allied force.

For your information, Seiki Optical Kogaku established in 1933, and their still camera became Canon brand in 1937.

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 12:45 pm
by admin
Nice work Ed and thank you!

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2019 1:45 pm
by mediaed
Credit goes to good friend Chosei Fuhahara who tracked this down. ED.

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 10:59 am
by DavidMcLau@MSN.com
Thanks Ed ...... Is there a way I could find a link to Chosei Fuhahara's research on the Seiki Kogaku pre-war camera? Perhaps you could pass my email on?

Re: Mitchell copy - made by Seiki Co, Tokyo Japan

Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 12:28 pm
by mediaed
David,

Chosei is a DP in Japan. This is just something he knew. No research involved. I will pass on your request but these are pretty private persons in this space. He may be interested in seeing your pix.

ED.