Bell & Howell 70 movie camera

Cameramen in Italy using Bell & Howell movie cameras

Staff Sgt Norman Hatch with a Bell & Howell movie camera on Tarawa, Nov 1943 . Photo courtesy of the Combat Cameraman's Association

Unknown cameraman, perhaps in Normandy, using a Bell & Howell movie camera. Photo by kind permission of 'At the Front Militaria', USA

The frame rate (right) and 'film used indicator' on the Bell & Howell 70DLM

Inside the Bell & Howell 70 DLM

Opening the Bell & Howell 70 is by linked levers on the viewfinder side of the camera

Exposure meters

Like other cameras of thir era, Bell & Howell Filmo cameras didn`t have through the lens metering, so a light meter is also needed.

Norman Hatch told me that the USMC Cameramen were issued Western light meters, although they also used civilian GE ones, pictured below.

Both types can be sourced on Ebay for about £20.

'Movie' Combat Cameramen were generally issued two types of camera: The 35mm Imal or the 16mm Bell & Howell FILMO. This seems to have been the more widely used movie camera, probably due to its smaller size.

Norman Hatch, USMC ret'd told me:

".....originally we carried a Bell & Howell EYEMO 35mm camera, but prior to leaving San Diego I had to go to Hollywood on a course, so I persuaded the Corps to let me buy all the 16mm Bell & Howell cameras that we could get, together with all the film; both colour and B&W."

About the Bell & Howell 70 Camera

Bell & Howell celebrated the 80th anniversary of the 70-series 16mm movie camera in 2003; and today, forty years after they ceased production they are still sought after by amateur movie-makers and students.

The Bell & Howell Company was established in the United States in 1907 by two former theatre projectionists; Donald Bell and Albert Howell, who established their headquarters and factory in Chicago.

The first Bell & Howell movie camera produced was a 35mm version first sold in 1912. This camera soon become the most popular camera of its kind in the early days of movie making.

In 1923, Bell & Howell introduced their first Filmo, the model 70A, a single lens camera marketed to the home movie maker.

So as to make changing lenses quicker, Bell & Howell improved the design on the model 70C to include a 3-lens turret. Earlier models could be retrofitted with this, using a kit.

Bell & Howell 70 DLM showing the 3-lens turret (with shutter open)

The turret used standard 1" threaded "C mount" fittings for the lenses. If only one lens was used, then the other mounts were blanked off.

The Bell & Howell 70 camera held 100 feet of film that it used at 90 feet a minute; meaning that a fully-loaded camera could only film little over a minute's footage before needing reloading.

Frame Rates

When the 70D was introduced in 1930, most Bell & Howell cameras were equipped with seven filming speeds; 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48 and 64 frames per second. 16fps was considered normal speed, with anything above this being used for slow motion work. When the camera was used at 8fps it gave an increase in exposure for poor light conditions, as long as the shot didn`t involve movement.

Rugged build

The Bell & Howell 70 was one of the most rugged and dependable 16mm motion picture cameras ever built.

It weighs around six lbs without lenses, making it almost as heavy as the M1 Carbine that I carry when portraying the Combat Cameraman.

Holding the camera you can feel that it is one solid mass of metal. The camera almost feels Russian in it`s simplistic agricultrual design, but this was the beauty of the camera; it just ran and ran. It was for this reason that the USMC used them in the Pacific, far away from elaborate repair facilities.

Norman Hatch told me; “The Photographic Section had a camera repair man. It was his job to service and maintain the cameras, to make sure they were working ok, and that no sand had gotten in that would scratch the film."

Today a Filmo that has been locked away for years can be taken out of storage and, after a few drops of oil, put right back into service. In fact, at one time Bell & Howell sold their Filmo's with a lifetime warranty against failure!

Clockwork Motor

All models had spring driven motors that had to be wound up using a crank or large key attached to the side. Combat Cameramen were taught to hold the winding key steady with their right hand and, using the inertia from the camera's weight, rotate the body back and forth in rapid succession to accomplish the winding in just a few seconds. turn the camera the opposite way to the crank to speed up the process.

A fully wound up camera would allow for 35 to 40 seconds at 24fps. The Bell & Howell manual suggests not filming less than 4 second cuts, as quicker than this made watching the film unpleasant.

It was important that Combat Cameramen kept their cameras wound at all times, and wound up again between shots.

Sourcing a Bell & Howell 70 series camera

Sourcing a 16mm Bell & Howell movie camera is relatively easy, thanks to Ebay.

However; prices vary wildly and they are rare in the UK, so will almost certainly have to come from the USA. Being a very heavy camera this means hefty shipping prices.

It is best to decide if you are going to actually use the camera, or just have it as a prop. This will help you set your budget.

Working Bell & Howell 70 cameras, with good lenses can cost up to £1000, but more 'battered' versions suitable for reenacting can be found at more affordable prices.

Lenses can be quite expensive too, so if possible buy both the camera and lenses together.

It is possible, in the USA, to buy 16mm film and have this processed and put onto DVD or video.

Prices start at around $15 per foot of film......so you can take your Combat Cameraman look a step further if you want.....