Donald Mckinnon

Bruce, Thank you for getting back to me. I would be very interested in looking at your Worral. Please get in touch with em and we could set a time. mckinnod@yahoo.com Donald MCkinnon

Hello, I am looking to buy an older gear head: Mitchell, Mini Worral, etc. Thank you for any information you might have for me, Donald Mckinnon

I bought a S16 LTR7 a few years back and believe that I could get anywhere from 3-4G. My pkg is different-I would keep my lenses, filters and matte box, and think I would sell the body, four mags, four batteries, and NP-1 adapter and charger for about that much. I've kept it clean and serviced at Serious Gear, most recently a month ago. You'll probably see it on ebay after I complete my honors thesis for my BFA. Good camera, a little noisy but blimpable-a good pkg to the right person. My two cents Donald Mckinnon

Tim, I am somewhat of a newbie but I've owned my own pkg for about a year and a half(older Aaton LTR with full set of Optar lens-8,9.5,12,16,25,50) and I have found that I use the 12,16, 25 and 50 the most. The 50 is a great for closeups and in my estimation neccesary for what I like. The 12 is about as wide as I want to go and the 8 and 9.5 are sometimes too wide and the distortion is not always acceptable. I usually rent a good zoom that will get me up to a 100mm. It's nice to have that longer lens when you need it but as far as I am concerned my lens set matches very well and I try to stay on my primes as much as possible. It is usually noticable when I use the zoom. Anyways, that is my two cents. Donald Mckinnon

Before finishing school a year ago i put everything I had (12G) into an Aaton LTR 7 w/ a full set of Optar Illumina lens-8,9.5,12,16,25,50-so that I could shoot my BFA senior project. I did this because the school cameras were fairly banged up and constantly caused unforeseen problems on set. I also used it to shoot other student films and continue to do so. I don't get high rental fees for it because I still have to compete against the school cameras-about 150-200 a day for the camera and myself - but it was a great purchase. I have worked on numerous films I otherwise would not have had the chance to and have been able to shoot a good portion of those. So far I've made back about half the money and gained a lot of experience. I would recommend it to anyone in a similar position. I could easily sell it on ebay and make my money back, or, as I plan to do, shoot another 4 films a semester over the next year and a half until I apply to grad school for further education. Donald Mckinnon Erie, CO.

sorry bud but I have to agree with the others, I couldn't find your trailer. Donald Mckinnon

Insurance is non-existent, and I did express my concerns with producer. He himself was very upfront and honest with me and let me know what to expect. I am very hesitant about accepting the job and have all but made up my mind to refuse it. I wanted to throw it out to this forum before I did so and see what others thought. I put everything I had into buying this pkg and would hate to see it ruined because of a bad decision, but like all others when they were new, I accept almost all the work that is offered to me. I appreciate your advice, Thank you, Donald Mckinnon

hello everyone, I have been given an opportunity to shoot b-roll for small independent feature at Burning Man in a couple of weeks and am looking for advice. I have been a photographer for a number of years and am moving toward cinematography as a career. I recently finished BFA at film school and am taking any work that comes my way. Except, perhaps, the current job that has been offered. Basically, I have been asked to pick up b-roll at Burning Man and am worried about the dust and sand amidst the virtual stampede of crowds. The job could be a good opportunity for me as it may lead to more work but it requires that I bring along my own equipment( super16mmAaton and set of primes). I am wondering how I could go about protecting the gear and minimize damage. I have a couple of plastic rain covers for the camera and could use them to house the camera in. I would bring along a single person tent and set it up as my safe zone when I need to get into the camera, ie. change mags or lens. But do you think this will be enough? Or do you have any suggestions? Or would I be better off pasing on this job? Like I said, I am fairly new and am trying make my way in the industry but I haven't found a lot of opportunity out this way, Denver CO. All advice is welcome and I am greatful for any replies. Also, if anyone knows of any cinematographers in Denver area that need an honest, loyal and hardworking assistant I would be more than happy and greatful for any opportunites. Thank you for reading the post, Sincerely, Donjald Mckinnon

hello everyone, I have been given an opportunity to shoot b-roll for small independent feature at Burning Man in a couple of weeks and am looking for advice. I have been a photographer for a number of years and am moving toward cinematography as a career. I recently finished BFA at film school and am taking any work that comes my way. Except, perhaps, the current job that has been offered. Basically, I have been asked to pick up b-roll at Burning Man and am worried about the dust and sand amidst the virtual stampede of crowds. The job could be a good opportunity for me as it may lead to more work but it requires that I bring along my own equipment( super16mmAaton and set of primes). I am wondering how I could go about protecting the gear and minimize damage. I have a couple of plastic rain covers for the camera and could use them to house the camera in. I would bring along a single person tent and set it up as my safe zone when I need to get into the camera, ie. change mags or lens. But do you think this will be enough? Or do you have any suggestions? Or would I be better off pasing on this job? Like I said, I am fairly new and am trying make my way in the industry but I haven't found a lot of opportunity out this way, Denver CO. All advice is welcome and I am greatful for any replies. Also, if anyone knows of any cinematographers in Denver area that need an honest, loyal and hardworking assistant I would be more than happy and greatful for any opportunites. Thank you for reading the post, Sincerely, Donjald Mckinnon

hello everyone, I am a newbie, I have learned a lot on this site but this is my first question. I have been offered a job to shoot some b-roll at running man next week The catch to the shoot is that I would need to use my own equipment (an Aaton LTR with full set of Optar primes). I am mostly concerned about the amount of dust in the desert amidst a virtual stampede of people. Basically, I am trying to figure out how I could maintain the camera, or better yet, if it is even possible to do so. I'm considering renting a good zoom so I wouldn't need to change lens as often and rely on insurance but this too gives me a bad feeling in my stomach. Also, I would keep the camera in a camera rain bag to safeguard it as best as possible. Maybe double layers. I would bring along a single person tent and use this as my makeshift "safety zone" whenever I needed to get into the camera, i.e. change mags, change lens. The money for this job would be low but it could be a great experience and lead to further connections, I hope. Like I said, I am new to the industry but am trying to shoot as much as possible in order to learn. I just can't decide whether this will be a lesson worth learning. Also, any cinematographers in Denver area who could use a loyal, honest and hardworking wannabee please let me know, I can be a great asset. Sincerely, Donald Mckinnon Erie CO

i own a set of optars and the 8mm is sharp. Mine is arri bayo mount but they also come in Pl mount.