Pete and Rich Abel (Photo: courtesy of Abel Cine Tech)
Time to celebrate a pioneer: if you do production in New York or LA (or as of last August–Chicago), you know that camera rental/sales house Abel Cine Tech long ago became one of the top go-to facilities for indie productions. They’ve become known for a personable, low-key style that goes easy on the hype while never putting off newbies with a know-it-all attitude.
The company’s regular efforts at educating the production community with classes and demos are acknowledged resources for anyone delving into the latest technology. Abel Cine Tech, now based at 609 Greenwich Street, is certainly “passionate about bringing new technology to the production community” as Pete Abel recently said.
That’s borne out, for example, with the decision of Aaton some years ago to hook up with Abel Cine as their U.S. distributor of cameras and other gear. Led by the brilliant, fiercely independent camera designer Jean Pierre Beauviala–who has designed cameras at the behest of BFF like J-L Godard–both camera maker and camera house seem simpatico to idea of keeping media creation small and personable. (For an entertaining, interactive timeline of the company developments from its “humble beginnings” on Staten Island, check out www.abelcine.com/20years/.)
That doesn’t mean Abel Cine doesn’t play well with the big boys: the company offers full sales and service for various Panasonic and Sony cameras, along with package support and services for RED and the high-speed Phantom. Be sure to check out Abel Cine’s tech blog regularly for info on new gear. Meanwhile, their downloads page helps keep track of camera firmware upgrades for Panasonic, RED, and Sony cameras.
Let’s wish them 20 more good ones.
