Tuesday, June 9, 2020

John Candelario's Movie Camera

Aside from photography projects, Greg will be auctioning a camera that was once owned and used by renowned photographer and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, John S. Candelario.
John S. Candelario's personal Cine Kodak Special II (CKS II) 16mm motion picture camera will be going to auction. John Candelario (1916-1993) was an internationally acclaimed still photographer and cinematographer. 

He was part of the elite circle of photographers that ushered in the modern age of fine art and landscape photography and silver gelatin print making. He was know for his exquisite imagery of the people and places in New Mexico. He collaborated and became friends with Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Alfred Stieglitz, among others. 

Most notably, he was a close friend to artist, Georgia O'Keeffe and spent considerable time with her at her home and studio in Abiquiu, New Mexico, photographing and filming her. 

Photograph of Georgia O'Keeffe at Ghost Ranch taken by John Candelario. Reportedly, the skull was a gift to Ms. O'Keeffe from Mr. Candelario. It came from his curio shop in Santa Fe. (Click on any image to enlarge).

Mr. Candelario was the recipient of the Emmy-award for his documentary "Indian Artists of the Southwest". He also won other prestigious awards for this film and other documentaries he filmed and produced. 


John Candelario's camera, No. 9280.
As legend has it, Mr. Candelario carried his cameras in the side cases of his motorcycle named 'Tarzan' and would often visit Ms. O'Keeffe at Ghost Ranch. His photographs have appeared in many national publications including Life Magazine. 

His work continues to be on permanent display at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, New Mexico Museum of Art, and New York City's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), among others.
This camera, bearing the serial number 9280, was ordered by Mr. Candelario from Kodak in the late 1940s. The CKS II was touted as one of the more advanced movie cameras of that era. It's a fully mechanical camera that weighs in at a hefty 10 pounds. It was designed for the industrial/commercial filmmaker in mind. 

Mr. Candelario ordered this camera with two factory installed options. The first option was an automatic fading control. This feature gives the camera operator the ability to “fade-in" and "fade-out" of scenes. 

The second option is a factory personalization of Mr. Candelario’s new camera prior to being shipped to him from Kodak. A factory engraved name plate with Mr. Candelario’s name can be found just below the lens turret. Kodak was the only camera manufacturer to offer this unique personalization service (click on pic below to enlarge).



Undoubtedly, this very camera was used for Candelario’s Emmy-award winning documentary and filming Ms. O'Keeffe at Ghost Ranch.

Mr. Candelario also made many educational films that were distributed for use in school classrooms across the U.S.A.
This is a fully working camera, i.e., all filming speeds, single frame, automatic fading control, film counter and lens rings work beautifully. This camera, clad in its original camera leather would make a great addition to your cine camera collection or simply enjoy using it, creating your own magic with modern film emulsions. 

You can even outfit this camera with a 200' magazine and choose from a variety of lenses that can be found on various websites. The camera, in it's original condition, is encased in a lighted glass presentation case, ready for your display.

The collector's market for personal cameras of prominent photographers and filmmakers, has always been active. In 2014, Orson Wells personal Bell & Howell 240, 16mm movie camera, sold for $37,500! Mr. Candelario's camera No. 9280, will be much more affordable for the cine camera collector, on any level.
If you are interested in acquiring this camera with special provenance or have any questions, please email Greg Zaryk directly for further details. This camera is located in the Downtown Cleveland, Ohio area for viewing. By appointment only. 

Email Greg Zaryk at: zarykfamily@twc.com for more details.

Click on the following link in yellow for an excellent story on John Candelario. 
The Early Modern Photography of John Candelariowww.tfaoi.com › ...


1 comment:

  1. I know this is a couple years ago, but if you or anyone else has any of John S Candelario's photography or equipment...I would love to try and get something....I was a very good friend of John's and as a boy in the late 70's and early 80's I was John's helper... I started when I was 14 and use to go with him to places he was going to shoot and carry his stuff for him, including the camera your selling...I even dressed up like Mr.Peanut and gave out samples for a favor to a friend of his...We both lived at the Echo Ridge condominium apartments and I'll never forget his gold Lincoln Continental... I worked with him from the age 13 - 18 ..... John was a very good friend of mine...He kept to himself and was still doing what he loved the last time I saw him. But I never got one of his photographs and I would truly love to own one...BUT!!!!... I'm not a little boy anymore and I'm disabled and don't have a lot of money, but I would gladly make payments on anything of his available...p.s I would really like to have one of his hat's he wore....Thank you so very much and God bless!

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