Bell & Howell Electric Eye 127 (1958)
A basic box camera with automatic exposure, released during the early wave of consumer-friendly electronic photography.
Overview
The Bell & Howell Electric Eye 127 came out in 1958 and was built for simple snapshots. It has automatic exposure, which was a real convenience for amateur photographers then. The model name and release year match across multiple sources.
Design
The camera has automatic exposure control, plus one manual setting hidden beneath the metal "Bell & Howell Electric Eye 127" plate on the bottom front of the unit. That keeps the user controls to a minimum.
Context
When the Electric Eye 127 was introduced, automatic exposure was considered an innovative and appealing feature for consumer cameras. It made photography easier for the general public.
Market
A used, untested example was listed for sale at $5. The original price of $599 appears in a 1970 advertisement listing multiple cameras. It is unclear if that figure is the Electric Eye 127's original 1958 retail value or a later asking price.
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