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Member Login35mm Bell and Howell 2709
The 35mm Bell and Howell 2709 (1912)
Illustrated is No 991 made in 1931.
This outstanding camera took Hollywood by storm, with hundreds being used in silent feature film and newsreel production by the 1920’s. Its unique features included the first use of an all metal body, with a four lens turret and rack over system, giving precise through the lens viewing and focusing. It had 400 ft twin compartment magazines and later 1000ft magazines. But most revolutionary of all was the Unit One Pilot Pin shuttle movement considered by many experts to be the finest motion picture movement ever made. This fixed pin movement was used by Walt Disney in camera No. 50 to shoot the Technicolor feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Walt bought it second hand from Mutual Studios where it had filmed dozens of Chaplin comedies. Then the story goes that No. 50 finally came to Australia and was used in Sydney for many years. Can anyone confirm this? It would be great to trace this historic camera.
The first 2709 to come to Australia was owned by Tas Higgins. That was in 1920. It was used to film the Man from Kangaroo and many other Australian features in the 1920’s and 30’s.
My 2709 No.991 was made in 1931 and was one of only four to have a factory installed variable density (Western Electric) optical sound recording system for newsreel work.
The half dozen ‘Bells’ that came to Australia played a very significant role in our feature film, newsreel and documentary history and No.991 is the star of my collection.
Arthur Howell’s 1912 design was so good that the basic camera body remained in factory production unaltered until 1957. A range of updated attachments and accessories kept this versatile camera in the frontline until the end of the century. It was ideal for use as an animation camera and in optical printers.
from Australian Cinematographer - Issue 18