The Kubrick Files Ep. 3 - Kubrick's Cameras

MORE HERE: Lenses at the Kubrick Exhibit in San Francisco - bit.ly/2wt5wPX
"From the start I loved cameras… There is something almost sensuous about a beautiful piece of equipment." -Stanley Kubrick
In photos of Kubrick on set and in his daily life, you’ll quite often find him holding a camera. He got is start as a photographer, but after he transitioned into filmmaking, he would still shoot photos. Kubrick was a bit of a gear-head and had strong feelings about what he thought was the best equipment...
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This video essay was written, edited, and narrated by Tyler Knudsen.
sbsk Gallery: imgur.com/a/UUTLi
Sources:
The Stanley Kubrick Archives Book
Camera Cameos: Nikon F on Full Metal Jacket: bit.ly/2sGAOTf
NakedFilmmaking.com: bit.ly/2sZPNdM
The Kubrick Exhibit Book
“Camera Quiz Kid” by Mildred Stagg
Films Referenced:
Lolita (1962 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
A Clockwork Orange (1971 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Barry Lyndon (1975 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
The Shining (1980 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Full Metal Jacket (1987 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999 dir. Stanley Kubrick)
North by Northwest (1959 dir. Alfred Hitchcock)
Music:
Sunday (album) by Drake Stafford

[@NickOwens]

4:16 I love this photo, because Jack Nicholson thought Stanley was taking a photo of him, when he was really taking a photo of himself & his daughter.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

...and the movie camera bring used. (What a gearhead.)

[@zoltankaparthy9095]

First "I'm not sure about" looks like a Nikon S-2. The second, "I believe it is a Leica" is also a Nikon S2, copies of the old German Contax IIa and III. Your cinematographic research and videos are world class and you deserve an Oscar for them. You help me understand and enjoy films more than I would have otherwise. so thanks. Tip on the Leica of the period, the vertical ends are rounded in the style of German Bauhaus school from the 30's. Contax was more squared off. The current M series Leicas still have those rounded edges on the ends.

[@andymanson]

This is correct. Those are the S3 Nikon rangefinders. Stanley shot a lot of stills on Nikon and he used Nikon (Nikkor) glass extensively on his films.

[@howardmaryon-davis666]

The “Nikon F” camera, is a Nikkormat, and the camera Stanley is holding immediately after that, is a Contax rangefinder.

[@jakespivey3716]

I agree with you about the rangefinder camera, probably a Contax but, it might also be a Nikon rangefinder camera

[@Chuckq1]

@Alex Sickshow Yes Nikon S2

[@dirkklein-beswick4263]

@@Chuckq1 Yes, it is definitely a Nikon S!

[@AntPDC]

Exactly.

[@chrisbennett5796]

The first unidentified 35mm sir was a Nikkormat, as was the black one you identified as a Nikon F later.

[@brendan7048]

Fantastic. my two favorite things, Kubrick & Camera talk. Great work!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@gregderozier3846]

He used Nikon S and S2 rangefinder cameras in the 50's and early 60's, when he started using Pentax cameras with Nikon and Contax 39mm screw lens.

[@ozzyguy6792]

Great video...I grew up on a visual diet of Kubrick. Never met him, but I did have long and interesting conversations with Arthur Clarke at his home in Sri Lanka in 1978...

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! He seems like he would have been such a fascinating person to talk to!

[@RodolfoFelici]

The cameras you asked for are a Nikkormat FTn (the same kind of camera used also in Full Metal Jacket by Jocker, obviously similar to the F because it was the "prosumer" version of the F) and a Contax II rangefinder (it was the Leica antagonist, inspired by the Bauhaus design).

[@RodolfoFelici]

Or, possibly, a Nikon S2 like someone wrote (derived by the Contax, almost a Contax clone).

[@gliderpilot8882]

Excellent job making this video about Kubrick and photography.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

I don't even care about Kubrick's still cameras, yet here I am watching your video and finding it fascinating. You could make a video about the kind of toilet paper he used and somehow make it enjoyable!

[@penduloustesticularis1202]

How this channel is not at least over 1 million subs beats me.

[@Angels-3xist]

It's very interesting that he often shot in a style that was supposed to be similar the human eye. That's a big part of the immersion. You feel like you are a human spectator. When the feeling is different it's usually done to punctuate the feeling of a particular moment. He never takes you out of the role of spectator too much or without a good reason.

[@studio73productions77]

The cameras around the 4 min mark look to me like a Nikon S3. Big viewfinder, and that angled front plate. I shot a roll through a Nikon S once, the thing is a tank. Edit: also seeing as the Nikon F featured heavily in this video, I shoot with one a lot. Makes sense that it stopped a bullet too, it's even more of a tank than the old rangefinders. Especially with the photomic meter it is a real beast of a camera

[@TheBerkeleyGang]

Looks like a Contax to me, but since Nikon copied Contax, tough to say.

[@studio73productions77]

ah right, good point berkeley

[@CinemaTyler]

The feature of the camera that sticks out to me the most is the triangle on top. The Contax looks more like a trapezoid. Much like my Canon AE-1. It's kind of hard to tell because his hand is blocking it, but it looks like this Nikon F on the left: bit.ly/2tXHTy6

[@studio73productions77]

Yes thats most likely an F at 4:00, at 4:04 is probably a contax II (or maybe a Nikon S, as BerkeleyGang said Nikon copied the early contax rangefinders) 4:12 looks a lot like a Nikon S3 to me

[@thomasmacisaac1503]

Studio 73 Productions The SLR at 4:00 resembles a Nikkormat FT3.

[@jffsmth330]

Very informative and well put together. Wasn't aware he tested lighting like that. Thanks so much for posting.

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

The camera on 3:59 is quite definitely a Nikkormat (probably FT or FTn). You can judge it by the two knobs on the side - these are flash sync connectors.

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

And the one following on 4:05 is Contax rangefinder.

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

And so is the one on 4:14

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

The polaroid SX70 in the shining looks more like Polaroid Land Camera 1000

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

Correction, the 4.05 and 4:14 is probably the Nikon S3 (maybe S2?) as mentioned below judging by the position of secondary window for the viewfinder. I was too quick to judge it :(

[@bennmurhaaya8518]

Yeah, probably S2, because S3 has lever on the front next to the lens mount

[@Pardix]

In these times, many people prefer (and absurdly fight) for one brand in photography, BUT the Kubrick lesson is, test everything. Every brand and every model of cameras, most as possible. Because a camera is JUST a tool for your point of view. Stanley was a MASTER.

[@sdjohnsononyoutube]

I found the part about the modifications Kubrick made to his lenses to work in low lighting fascinating.

[@dimitreze]

great video as always

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@andypaul1752]

"No brilliant lens can save a crappy plot"... so wonderfully phrased!

[@KeigoMoriyama]

Yes all the cameras that you didn't know and thought were Leica are Nikon instead as the others commented below. Really nice camera. It extremely expensive even here in Japan

[@teej008]

The Pentax K1000 was the camera I cut my teeth on before my photography degree. I didn’t know Kubrick owned one, glad to be in his company.

[@shotgunmario]

You deserve more Subs. Fantastic work as always.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@InnokentiyIvanov-i6g]

Year ago I watched Space odyssey for the first time and immediately fall in love with this movie since then I watched almost every movie Kubruck made all i try to say its thank you so much for your amazing work keep up love it;)

[@InnokentiyIvanov-i6g]

Sorry for such purely explanation my English not the best.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! There's something so unique about Kubrick's work. It's amazing to consider that nearly every one of his films is a masterpiece.

[@ratonmagico]

What a great series. Very informative and well done. Thank you.

[@u-nis]

holy shit i have been waiting for this, thank you.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for watching!

[@Omnihil777]

Fun fact from my Minox-camera collecting cousin: The Minox company was bought in 1948 by a cigar and tobacco comapny named "Rinn & Cloos" in Heuchelheim, Germany. Sold 1986 after insolvency to a korean investor. I know that because I gave my cousin a Rinn & Cloos ashtray (wonderful piece, crystal glas and ceramics) for christmas last year.

[@davidrobertnewman]

As many others have noted, the rangefinder camera at 4:05 is a Nikon S2. BTW the Nikon F series, first introduced in 1959, is basically a Nikon S body with an SLR prism on top.

[@Cugelclever]

Excellent and interesting as always. Thanks CT.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@Purp1eP3nguinZ]

Great video, but it frustrates me that everyone always assumes that every unidentified rangefinder camera is a Leica. Others in the comments have established that 3:59 is a Nikkormat FTn, but I want to confirm that both 4:05 and 4:11 are a Nikon S2, first with the 5cm f1.4 and then with the 3.5cm f1.8. Even though Kubrick used a Leica iiic early on, in keeping with the style at the time he seemed very much a Nikon fan. In fact the S2 can also be seen in Lolita, held by Claire Quilty.

[@Aggiesig12]

BRO!!!! This video is awesome! Excellent work!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@anthonyp9316]

Definitely Nikon S2's in a couple of those photos. I have one and know it pretty well! Great video man.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@quincybattieste]

You've done it again! Much love!

[@CinemaTyler]

Glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@PabloContrerasFotoviajante]

your research is admirable! Congratulations!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@chrisofnottingham]

I don't know if you mentioned it in other videos but it is worth saying that directors of Hollywood scale movies would not normally own movie cameras and lenses.

[@CinemaTyler]

Great point. It's really cool that he did because it was really amazing to be able to see them in person!

[@F1lmtwit]

Not sure if anyone has already posted this, but the rangefinder 35mm camera that you indicated might be a Leica at around the 4 minute mark is really a Nikon s2 Rangefinder.

[@Frisenette]

It's worth remembering that the 0.7 lens was quite a challenge to focus. The depth of field was very thin, so the actors had to control their actions carefully. That is why lenses like that are not more common. Also worth remembering is that the piece of celluloid being focused on is a 35 mm cinema frame. Not a 36x24 mm standard Barnack frame. Which means that you can get away with a physically smaller lens for the same f-number.

[@CinemaTyler]

I've been reading about this recently. Very confusing stuff for a photo hobbyist like myself, but I'll be touching on that a bit in my Barry Lyndon video.

[@kenancagri]

superb video

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@mrstandfast2212]

Fascinating, thank you for this resumé

[@AspectRatioPolice]

At 4:04, it is not a Leica, nor Contax II, nor Nikon S3. It is a Leidolf Wetzlar Lordonar

[@widdomonki238]

wow i had the exact same cameras- the speedgraphic and the 620. incredible results.

[@charliethom7427]

Hey man, that iiic at 3:37 is actually a iii because you can see the top deck is a separate part instead of die-cast into one unit, the camera at 4:00 is a Nikomat, the one at 4:05 is a Contax iia, the one at 4:10 looks more like a Nikon S2 and the camera at 4:17 looks more like an F2 than an F. Great video though! That story about the Rolleiflex was so interesting.

[@StansburyStudiosInc]

The camera at 4:11 is a Nikon S, Nikon's answer to the Leica RF (rangefinder) camera. It's different from the S2, S3 or S4 camera at 4:00 in that its main OVF (optical viewfinder) window is smaller than those of the later models.

[@thetravisgreene]

Love your in-depth profiles.

[@noutram1000]

...and my other half says I have too many cameras! Kubrick seems to have a new one every year.

[@DigtalTurtle]

This was really useful! Thank you for such good videos!!

[@CinemaTyler]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@ickeyshufflin1288]

very well done - love your content!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@rhywive]

awesome video, thank you

[@Ajidam]

I hope you read this comment. I want you to know that I hold you in the highest regard. Please do more like this.

[@TheGyroBarqusShow]

4:06 it's a contax rangefinder but which model? I don't know but i think it's a IIa Other Legendary camera.

[@EricStromquist]

Very cool video, thanks! The camera you asked about looks like it might be a Contax G2

[@michael.laptev]

thank you very much for this video! I really enjoyed it

[@CinemaTyler]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@jameswilson7989]

The "Leicas" are actually Nikon S rangefinders. The look mostly like S2's.

[@NullStaticVoid]

Apparently there was some controversy about the cameras he used on Barry Lyndon. I guess they were real Swiss masterpieces of engineering. And Kubrick bought up several of them and had them milled out to fit the still lenses. Which involved changing the film feed path and a few other things to allow for clearance behind the lens, that left them non-stock. Sure he savaged some nice old cameras. But come on. Barry Lyndon!

[@CinemaTyler]

I've been reading about this recently. Considering what he did with them, I'd say it was worth it. ;)

[@daveerios]

Thank you for sharing this very cool cinematic history. I can still smell the acetic acid in the darkroom!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for watching!

[@domokum]

The camera on 9:30 can be a Kiev 3 or 4, a post war Contax II russian copy. The subminiature Minox Kubrik is holding in 9:30 seems is meterless Minox like the model II/III (more likely) or IIIa (less likely). The following models like the B, C and LX have an integrated lightmeter witch makes then longer.

[@MeesTW]

1:57 Once Upon A Time in America

[@CinemaTyler]

Good eye! I took those photos as soon as I moved to New York. Such a cool location and looks pretty much the same as it did in the movie!

[@MeesTW]

You took that? That's some great composition, man! Nice shot!

[@MeesTW]

Nik Yazikov ?

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! Yeah, the one on the left is from my Yashica Mat 124g and the one on the right is from my Canon AE-1.

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

Awesome Great work!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@artemorbid]

I always wonder what kind of lenses he used- thanks so much for the information- its really helpful

[@CinemaTyler]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@compositionok1613]

Camera at 3:59 looks to be some kind of Nikkormat, the one at 4:04 could be a Nikon SP rangefinder, but I might be wrong

[@bkingsantos]

I think the camera at 4:04 is a nikon rangefinder, s series.

[@RememberNineEleven]

@4.20 regarding the Minox sub-minature camera. The format is 8 x 11mm on a film strip about 9.3mm wide. Fascinating research into his craft.

[@CinemaTyler]

Glad you liked the video! Thanks for the correction!

[@ValiRossi]

Some would say the Hasselblads featured quite prominently in Kubrick's work. :)

[@JamesVibe]

Dude! This was freaking amazing! Well done. Hats off

[@andrewsmithphoto]

As a camera collector/photographer I lost some respect for Kubrick when he said a Rolieflex was old junk, and more again when he told Modine to buy as Manolta. On the other hand, I respect his preference for Nikon. (The unknown camera shown at 4:06 is definitely a Nikon S2, same as the following shot) He used a very expensive and very fast 35mm f1.8 a great lens and very ahead of its time from a technical standpoint.

[@SaintMartins]

Truly a pioneer. Kubrick was doing "bathroom selfies" long before any teenage or 20 something girl ! @ 4:16

[@ziploc6354]

The cameras that you believe are by Leica at 4:00 are actually Zeiss Contax rangefinders. Magnificent beasts.

[@Mityman64]

Awesome video. Super informative and clearly well researched. I believe the camera you mentioned you thought might be a Leica is a Nikon S3 rangefinder. Or at least one of the Nikon rangefinders. Thanks for making such a cool and unique video

[@CinemaTyler]

Thank you!

[@domonkostamasnemeth642]

4:17 that's a Contax

[@ricarleite]

Got in right on time...!

[@kateyphillips3411]

wow cool cameras

[@danyzh19]

4:01 This is a Nikon Nikkormat 4:05 This is a Nikon S 4:13 Maybe the same like 4:05 its difficult to say witch model S,S2 or S3

[@harryhurst550]

S2 - does not have the self timer on the front.

[@tmstone835]

As others have noticed the Nikon F that you mentioned is actually a Nikkormat FTn. You can easily identify it because of the dual flash synch connections (one for electronic flash, another for bulb flash) on the end. The Nikon F had its single flash connection on a 45⁰ bevel facing towards the front side of the camera. Also, the name isn't readable but you can tell it's much longer than just the word, "Nikon", which is on the F model. I'm not as positive on the rangefinder camera but I agree that it is probably a Nikon S2.

[@ropersix]

At 4:00, I think that's a Nikkormat.

[@kentonclarkson1449]

I have 2 Pentax K1000 and they are beasts. A supreme example of mechanical and optical brilliance, just like 2001

[@Superbustr]

@CinemaTyler The first camera you are unsure about at 4:00 is most likely a Nikkormat FT or Nikomat FT. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Nikon_Nikomat_FT_01.JPG/1200px-Nikon_Nikomat_FT_01.JPG

[@StansburyStudiosInc]

+1 on the Nikkormat (also Nikomat, depending on where it was being sold) at around 4:00 in. The camera at 4:04 is the Nikon version of the Leica RF camera, the Nikon S2, 3 or 4 (not the S or the SP). Canon also made a version of this kind of camera, back in the day.

[@MeBeTheDB]

WAY COOL-! I also went to the STANLEY KUBRICK EXHIBIT in San Francisco a year ago this month ... and it was, wondrous. Thanks for the oh-so-cool look at Mr. Kubrick's cameras and lenses. SIDE NOTE: If you happen to ever do an update on this video -- Garrett Brown (Steadicam Inventor) once told me that the ultra-wide lenses used in 'THE SHINING' in the MAZES were either a 9mm or 14mm. Thanks again. You made my geek-tech day-!! D.A.

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks for the info!

[@MeBeTheDB]

Did you happen to snag one of the 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' papers from the pile ..? D,A,

[@VIRGONOMICS]

Thinking of what Tarkovsky must have used .This is fascinating. Thank You

[@barrycohen311]

Excellent content!

[@jmckee9511]

Leica is a IIIa not a IIIc. You can tell by the seam separating the top plate from the finder housing; starting with the IIIc the two were unified to keep out dust. It May have been a IIIb but they are rarer, being produced in fewer numbers during WWII.

[@randallstewart175]

For the unidentified cameras shown at 3:58 - 4:05, I think the SLR is a Nikkormat, clearly not a Nikon F or my first guess of a Topcon. The following rangefinder is one of the Nikon rangefinders stylized after the Contax IIa, possible an S2, as it appears to lack the self-timer lever which appears on the S3. Better ideas? Does anyone really care?

[@markking7418]

The Arri 2C can hold 400 ft loads provided one use the 400t magazine. The magazine mounted on the camera is indeed a 200ft magazine, but Kubrick had and used 400ft mags too. In fact at 6:38 in your video we see the Arri 2C with a 400ft magazine attached.

[@RedStarRogue]

I believe I heard some years ago that a German camera rental house was actually renting out (for a special undisclosed price) that Nasa 0.7 lens and had adapted it for use with an Arri Alexa. Don't quote me though.

[@CinemaTyler]

I remember that. I wonder if any notable projects ended up using it.

[@eliut6855]

Nice, I think you forgot to mention what a challenge it was in Barry Lyndon to deal with the ultra narrow depth of field. The fastest lens I had a chance to use was a f1.2 and it was very difficult to get it right, I cant imagine a f0.7!

[@hakanarl9461]

Thanks for this lovly video.. The rangfinder cameras you called might be a Leica is a Contax rangfinder..FYI

[@JeffWernerIthacaNY]

The "I'm not sure if this is a leica" cameras shown are not Leicas, they're Nikon rangefinders with the Nikon S mount - they look like the S2 or S3. The viewfinder in these was a beautiful 1:1 magnification, an accomplishment never matched in any Leica (if viewfinder size is your priority), and some of them had titanium shutters. The focus throw on Nikon S-mount camera lenses, though, was very long and fussy compared to the short quick focusing you could do on a Leica.

[@JeffWernerIthacaNY]

Lol, I can see I'm a few years late with this observation. I will have to improve at using the internet.

[@andrewsmithphoto]

Agreed, the cameras shown are Nikon S2s I have a few and they are great cameras.

[@rosemanbridge1000]

Great video mate 👍

[@Shifty1940]

Another great one

[@richpaul6853]

At 4:02 into the video, Kubrick is holding what appears to be a 35mm Nikon rangefinder camera.

[@photographe06]

Fantastic!

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks!

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

I have the Nikon F my Uncle Dave carried in Vietnam and use it occasionally to this day.

[@vividvulpe9842]

Nikon Rangefinder! Looks like he got himself into the Nikon S line of Rangefinder cameras. I have a Nikon SP and i ADORE IT.

[@marcosvaldesfernandez3879]

The two Rangefinder cameras are Nikon Rangefinder cameras. Lots like to be a Nikon S2 or simply an S model

[@nagsdeadfilms7024]

I started learning still photography on my Dad's Minolta SRT-201. I shoot Canon now. But have an adapter to still allow me to use the old MD mount for my manual Minolta Lenses.

[@NorbertoMelech]

A good 6x6 camera and cheap is a agfa isolette. wonderful lense.

[@berniekay50]

Kubrick! The 1st one to come up with the idea of mirror selfies

[@michelvan97]

Exellent video oh by the way Kubrick pay this lenses from own money, not from production budget of Movie studio ! ensuring he could keep them for his future movie projects

[@CinemaTyler]

It was really a smart move on his part and I love that it allows us to see his lens collection at the exhibition!

[@kevintoes]

4:09 Thats a contax rangefinder

[@CinemaTyler]

Thanks! I'm getting a split between Contax Rangefinder and a Nikon S. Hard to tell-- they look very similar!

[@seen222]

Definitely a Nikon S!

[@F1lmtwit]

It's an S2

[@shawnashley4938]

Same.

[@pixelpanache]

It's definitely a Nikon S2. I thought it was a Contax too, at first, but the rangefinder window is in the wrong place for a Contax. Nikon copied the Contax body for its rangefinder cameras, although the shutter mechanism is copied from the Leica. You can even interchange the lenses between the Contax and Nikon rangefinders, although they won't focus properly.

[@phucdatbich1990]

From what I can work out talking to crews who worked with Kubrick, I think he descended into obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) with photography in later years. For example, on 'Eyes Wide Shut' he would get the focus pullers to shoot lens tests after a long days shooting and do camera steady tests (film weaving through the gate). Pointless as significant problems would show up in the daily rushes.

[@CinemaTyler]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[@imperfectproductions668]

Min 04:14 ,around his neck is a contax II released in 1936

[@jimshulman9221]

The question of Nikon vs Contax rangefinder definitely goes to Nikon. Plus, Quilty was holding a Nikon SP in "Lolita".