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Camera

Mitchell

Mitchell BNCR

The Mitchell BNCR is a blimped, studio 35mm motion picture camera introduced in 1967 as a reflex-viewing upgrade to the original Mitchell BNC (1934). The "R" designates the addition of a spinning mirror reflex viewfinder, allowing operators to see through the lens while filming. Its double-claw, register-pin movement provided exceptional image steadiness, and the aluminum blimp housing made it near-silent on sound stages. The BNCR dominated Hollywood studio production through the 1970s.

Artists who use this(3)

Vittorio Storaro

Connection note

Storaro: "We shot the film with Mitchell reflex cameras, which were modified by Technovision" to accept anamorphic lenses
Interview ↗
Michelangelo Antonioni
Michelangelo Antonioni

Connection note

DP Luciano Tovoli used Mitchell BNCR on The Passenger (1975); Wescam gyro-stabilized camera for the famous 7-minute tracking shot through window bars
Website ↗
Gordon Willis

Connection note

Used on The Godfather (1972) and Part II (1974). Willis used Mitchell reflex cameras for all work up through 1972
Website ↗

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Last updated March 20, 2026