Bell & Howell 2709 35MM camera on tripod....

Description

Bell & Howell 2709 35MM camera on tripod. (ca. 1940) The most-used studio camera in the world just before World War I was the Pathé - until Bell & Howell introduced their 2709 motion picture cameras in 1911 and changed the industry standard and were used for early silent films. These cameras were prohibitively expensive and as a result, only movie studios and very few individuals (such as Charlie Chaplin) could afford the high price tag. There was justification for the high price though, as the Bell & Howell 2709 was considered the steadiest camera movement ever made to that date. Bell & Howell 2709 cameras press each frame of film onto two fixed pilot pins. These pins are fixed and don't reciprocate mechanically, so they are not prone to mechanical wear. One pin holds the film steady top to bottom and the other holds the film steady right to left. In this way the Bell and Howell 2709 facilitated perfectly registered images by placing one pin on the right side and one pin on the left side of each frame as it is exposed. The camera measures 57 x 30 in. and remains in production-used fair condition. Includes lenses, 400 ft. magazine, and hand crank. Mitchell gear head and wood tripod legs. Special shipping arrangements will apply.

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