Bell & Howell 2709 (1912)
A precision 35mm motion picture camera that set new standards for reliability and image registration in early Hollywood.
Overview
The Bell & Howell Standard Cinemachinery Type 2709 was a groundbreaking 35mm motion picture camera developed by Bell & Howell Co. and completed in 1911–1912. It marked a radical shift from handcrafted wooden cameras to precision metal construction, quickly gaining adoption among prominent Hollywood studios. Known for its accuracy, reliability, and efficient operation, the 2709 became a cornerstone of early film production. The design emphasized durability and serviceability, with a fully machined aluminum alloy body and a mechanism that could be removed for cleaning and lubrication. Its ability to produce perfectly registered images made it exceptional for its time.
Specifications
| Size | 7 x 14¼ x 15 in. including lenses. |
| Weight | 27 pounds, including magazines and lenses. Without them it was only 16 pounds. |
| Film magazine | Double chamber metal magazines with screw-on compartment lids installed on top of the camera body. |
| Lens mount | Four-lens turret mounted on the camera front. |
| Shutter | Variable angle with a maximum opening of 170 degrees. |
| Shutter control | One of the blades could be opened or closed by moving a lever. |
| Automatic dissolve | Built into the camera, operating from 0 to 170 degrees over a length of 64 frames (equivalent to four feet). |
| Intermittent mechanism | Based on a two-cam high precision system. |
| Drive | Could operate forward or reverse via hand crank. An electric motor was added in 1919. |
| Film transport | 32-tooth sprocket wheel for supplying raw stock and taking exposed film. |
| Footage counter | A Veeder counter was attached to the rear or directly on the crankshaft. |
| Viewing system | Viewing and framing required sliding the camera sideward and rotating the turret 180 degrees so the taking lens would be placed before a focusing magnifying glass. Complimentary viewing while operating was through a spyglass type side viewer, later replaced by a projected image viewfinder. |
Design
The camera body was made of aluminum alloy, carefully machined after casting and finished in black enamel. The design replaced wood with metal and incorporated ball bearings in most moving parts, discarding traditional handcrafted methods. The entire mechanism could be drawn out for cleaning and lubrication. A new focusing method enabled precision framing through the taking lens, contributing to perfectly registered images.
Context
Bell & Howell began with a projector called Kinochrome, then produced its first camera in 1909—a wooden, leather-covered model with limited sales. In 1910, the company built a film perforator that established an industry standard. The 2709, completed in 1911–1912, revolutionized motion picture equipment and was soon adopted by major Hollywood producers. Over time, it became known as Design 2709, with letters and numbers like B1, B2, C1, etc., indicating later modifications.
Market
The original price of the Bell & Howell 2709 was about $1,000 at introduction. Approximately one thousand units were manufactured from its debut until the early 1930s.
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