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Camerus Giganticus Maximus!

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Eyes Of A Generation.com

Camerus Giganticus Maximus!

Except for cameras shooting through a telescope, this is the biggest rig I have ever seen! Attached to the front of this RCA TK41 is a giant Fujinon 200 MM zoom lens.

Although it being photographed on the set of “Concentration”, I would find it hard to believe that it was actually used on the show. More than likely, as was/is fairly common, this was a demonstrator sent to NBC to play with for a few weeks, and this was the studio test for the brass inside 30 Rock. To really put it to the test, it would have to go to the field units for a good workout at a sporting event.

With only the regular 4 lens turret, the TK41 was 5 feet long. With the usual Rank-Taylor-Hobson 10X zoom, it was over 6 feet. This beast must be at least 8 feet. Thanks to my friend and mentor, Chuck Pharis for sending this. Enjoy, marvel and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

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19 responses to “Camerus Giganticus Maximus!”

  1. Russ Abernathy

    I’m not sure you can say operated and those tin can lunch boxes they used for closed circuit in the same sentence. As far as chasing me the important part of that story is you didn’t catch me. Lol

  2. Jace Anderson

    No the first camera you operated was a Sarkes-Taezan. B&W with a three lens turret. You didn’t like the 5″ lens as I remember as I was chasing you out if the studio with a mime stand in my right hand. Ah memories.

  3. Russ Abernathy

    First camera I ever operated. Many used 3 B &W camera cables at first The large “HC” cable came later. My first remote saw two of us techs carrying the viewfinder up 97 rows in the end zone of Husker Stadium in Lincoln Nebraska. What a beast

  4. Paul S Erstein

    I am so old that I operated and maintained a TK42 at my first job at WENY TV in Elmira NY!

  5. Iain Eggleton

    Lens similar to the push rod range finder Angenieux Varitol 3

  6. Michael Biel

    Did this have a counterweight? It must have changed the usual center of gravity.

  7. Gene Christianson

    I’d be super interested in any other Concentration pics from 30 Rock.

  8. Kurt Toy

    Always liked that NBC snake logo.

  9. Jerry McClellan

    Looks more like a 120mm howitzer canon to shoot down the competition than a tricked-out demo zoom. Bet folks had a “field-day” with it.

  10. Steve Dichter

    Damn! Better not make any quick on air pans. You could kill somebody standing next to the camera. A tilt down could lift the operator right off his feet.

  11. Gustavo A. Tapia

    Eran casi del tamaño de “Un Vocho”

  12. Gene Allen

    Yeah, rather crude mount. hard to align and keep aligned I suspect 🙂

  13. Jim Tolson

    Love the chain mount (with turnbuckles).

  14. Tim Stepich

    Another set of mirrors with this lens?! Holy f-stop Batman!

  15. Marc Wielage

    You needed three guys to dolly the camera up to speed and two people just to slow it down at the end.

  16. Bruce Ferrell

    Oh good lord, Jodie Peeler is having the vapors

  17. Kevin Ruppert

    Is that one of those push rod zooms?

  18. Ron Juckett

    Would they have used this for golf?

  19. Russell Ross

    I worked on Concentration occasionally and don’t remember seeing this when I did the show. Interesting rig…….

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