Old Timers: TV cameras shown in "Dog Day Afternoon"

[Ken Tanaka]

Actually, I do remember ABC reporters on the floor of one of the political conventions (1976?) wearing those goofy backpack rigs with tall antennas poking out their headsets.

How far we have come...at least in technology...not politically <g>.

[Rob Belics]

You may have seen them as blue but originally they were white. Yes, they are the same ones used at the conventions but no, they aren't on that website.

BTW, my old stations, KSD-TV and KSD Radio, were shown on one of those links. I wasn't there when those photos were taken (!) but there is a picture of a cartoon show I was on as a boy scout! That guy still does the occasional commercial here. Ol' Texas Bruce and "The Wrangler's Club"! (Yes, that was the 50s).

IIRC, those cameras were the first for ENG. Ikegami came out with theirs afterwards, I believe, and those bulky ones disappeared due to their weight.

I'm surprised that thelabguy site didn't show that since he likes ivc recorders so much, but I'm still guessing they were originally made by ivc.

[Charles Papert]

Lads, I do believe this is the item, although I wish the picture of the poor guy wearing it was seen from the back so we could get a better look at the backpack. John Locke, what do you think?

True enough Rob, they are not blue--I wonder if they were painted for the movie (white=bad)

[John Locke]

Charles,

The top two Norelcos aren't it, but the bottom photo of the Phillips PCP-90 is the closest yet. It's very angular though, and those in "Dog Day Afternoon" had that smooth 60s Jetson-rounded edges. Overall, more "plasticy" in appearance. But that's definitely the closest so far.

[Rick Bravo]

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, I believe you may have your answer.

I have no idea why they would have ever called this monster a "mini-cam"!

http://www.hesca.org/history/

also:

http://www.pharis-video.com/p3578.htm

Scroll down for various pictures.

Great movie!

RB

P.S. I'm not that old, the answer was only a couple of mouse clicks away!

[John Locke]

Rick,

That's the same one mentioned in my last post. ;) It's close...but no cigar.

[Rick Bravo]

I don't know John.

If you zoom in (on the DVD) to the cameras you will clearly see the Norelco logo above the WNEW-TV lablel on both the camera and the backpack.

If you did a video comparison between the movie and the pictures in the pharis-video website as well as in the DeepFreeze website, you will see many features that are consistent with each other. Except for the lens configurations, the profile of the cameras are exactly alike.

Also, the waist belt harnesses are also consistent from the movie to the picture on the pharis-video website.

Remember that these cameras are being used as props in the movie so, the actual cameras may have been gussied up a bit for the big screen, if not, as Jeff suggested, they may have been made specifically as props. This would explain two things... A: Why the cameras are in pristine condition, if they are in-fact, actual news field cameras, and, B: The seemingly, smooth, one lens look of the cameras in the movie as opposed to the interchangeable look of the pictures.

If the cameras were specially built for the movie, I'd doubt that they would have put a real manufacturers name on the item. We use to go to great lengths to "greek out" brand names on items that were conspicuous in the picture.

I know pretty much nothing about old video cameras, but if you'd like to discuss the old Mitchell BNC, R35, or PanaVision PSR, now we're talking my cup of tea! (OK, maybe I am dating myself a little bit!) :(

RB

[Ken Tanaka]

John,
Check your email. I just sent you a shot of the Dog Day Afternoon cameras (directly from the film footage).

[John Locke]

Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner! Here's a shot of the cameras Ken sent.

[Rick Bravo]

Exactly!

[Charles Papert]

Yeah but--yeah but--that's a still from the film, right? So...wasn't the question, what kind of cameras are these?? Have we decided they are prop versions of cameras of the day (which I agree that is what they look like)?

[John Locke]

Charles,

Yeah...I'm waiting for someone to chime in and give some details. You think they're props?

[Rob Lohman]

They look more like flamethrowers or something. I wouldn't
want to stand opposite of those! <g> Heh.

[Charles Papert]

I fired the question and still that Ken provided to Chuck Pharis who manages that vintage camera site and appears to be an authority on these things. Here's his response:

Hi, I have to say they look like a Norelco PCP-70, but the
lens is different. I have never seen a camera like that
before. If they were in a movie, there is a 99% chance,
they are a prop, and empty inside. em!I have three PCP 70s,
and they weigh a TON! See how the operators are holding
them!! NO WAY!!!! They look to me to be made out of wood. I
see no doors on the sides, so I am sure they are props.
See ya,
Chuck

[Ken Tanaka]

Haw! Good props! I sent John several other stills from the film showing the camera even more clearly. I suspect that Chuck is right. The actors in the shots are swinging the cameras around like they're PD150's; there's very little feeling of mass to the handhelds or weight in those packs.

Still, on closer shots, they're darn convincing props. But I guess that's Hollywood!

Thanks for following-up on that Charles. It's very interesting and a stark reality check to see just how far video has come in 30 years.