California Cameraworks, here we go!

As all things should, California Cameraworks was born out of a lively chat over beer and nachos. And,… as beer and nachos pair well with guacamole which goes nicely with tequila, add some taquitos and eventually tacos and burritos, the conversation gravitated towards our favorite topic, CAMERAS. Cause in our town, that is often where things center and also how some of the best California ideas are born.

What Hector Ortega and I conversed, was not about “How do we do this?” We already had in place an Aerospace class machine shop with decades of related experience, complete with a host of 5-axis CNC machines, Lathes, Hi spec testing equipment, as well as some of the best trained technicians and operators in CA. This machine shop, started in 1992, by Hector’s father Joe Ortega has been the base of operations for such prominent cinema products companies such as SL Cine and Element Technica as well as manufacturing operations for Helios Eng. With all of this in place, “how” was not even a question.

Working together at Element Technica in the early days of 2007-2008, during what could be considered ground zero of the independent creator era, the cine equipment market was ripe for change. With the RED One camera newly on the market and personal camera ownership broadening, Hector and I and the rest of the element team entered a barren landscape as far as accessorizing to improve the functionality of these exciting new tools. In the short time since then there has been an explosion of exciting new digital cameras, as well as choices in companies offering accessory products.

What has been lacking though, is a clear leader in this sector, with an experienced vision that can anticipate needs and put forth designs quickly with clear intentions and back them up with supply and support worthy of professional users consideration. Hector Ortega and I look to create a brand of Cinema products that truly represent quality and provides a level of customer support/involvement that illustrates our sensitivity to the needs of users and the companies that support them at every level of imaging.

Those who create pictures are of a special breed. No matter the focus, to capture a slice in time, preserve a moment, lock in memory, create a story, or archive a monumental occasion, all are to be treated with care and deep consideration. California Cameraworks exists to support that effort and to provide tools and a support environment that wholly measure up to your expectations.

The future looks to be exciting, we hope you will join us as we build products that will capture it.

Michael