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Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

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How a Camera Lens is Made

Just like Arri's hand built cameras, lenses rely on significant manpower working in tandem with machines to deliver a crystal clear image. A quality lens is no small feat to manufacture and here's a video showing how lenses are made to prove it. If you don't appreciate the precision optics of lenses already, this video should convince you otherwise.

by Evan Luzi | Cameras | April 2, 2011 | Comments: 8

Making a lens is a highly detailed process. It isn’t a simple factory assembly line — it combines the precision of a machine with the care of the human hand. And that doesn’t even include designing the lens.

Overall, the manufacturing process takes 6 weeks for the lenses featured in the video! For cinema lenses, especially large zooms, I’m sure the timeline is significantly longer.

No wonder everything stops when one smacks the ground.

A video like this provides great insight into why lenses are so expensive and highly valued. The image of those women cleaning the glass over and over with gloves on is enough to make you shudder at the thought of using a t-shirt to accomplish the same thing.

Post thumbnail image courtesy of Adam Wilt

Related posts:

  1. Past and Future Lens Technology News
  2. Abusing the RED One Camera’s Varispeed Option
  3. On Set: Making a RED One Shoulder Mount
  4. Canon 7D vs. Barbie Video Girl Footage Test

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

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Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Read Next

Past and Future Lens Technology News

Past and Future Lens Technology News

I've got the goods from the guys at Engadget who lead me to two interesting stories that both involve lenses. One story whisks us into the past as Timur Civan over at the cinema5D forum has mounted a lens from 1908 on his DSLR. The other story brings us far into the future where depth-of-field may be infinite and focus be chosen in post-production (no that's not a joke).

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Deciphering the Film Slate Mural

Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 3): Twelve Examples of a Completed Slate

I find looking at other slates to be extremely helpful. When I was first starting out as a 2nd AC, it was useful to see how others applied the principles I had learned about slating. So let's take a look at twelve completed clapperboards.

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  • What to Do After Your Focus Goes Soft

Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

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Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

Sign up now to get your free copy and exclusive tips from The Black and Blue.

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