Bell and Howell Filmo 70DR

Name: Bell & Howell Filmo 70DR
Brand: Bell & Howell

A durable, spring-wound 16mm camera used by combat photographers in the 1930s and beyond.

Overview

The Bell and Howell Filmo 70DR is a 16mm camera made by Bell and Howell. It has a reputation for durability and was described as a well-made clockwork camera. It has a lens turret and a finder turret, and you have to align the two during use to get accurate framing. It saw use in war zones, and it is documented in service with combat photographers during the Spanish Civil War and later conflicts.

Design

The Filmo 70DR is a mechanical 16mm camera with a turret for the lens and a turret for the viewfinder. Align the finder turret with the lens turret to keep the composition right. It was built for reliability and long life, which fits Bell and Howell's reputation for durable filmmaking equipment.

Context

Robert Capa used the camera during the Spanish Civil War, and so did Australian photojournalist Neil Davis. Combat photographers took it into high-risk field work as a frontline cinematography tool in the mid-20th century.

Market

A well-made clockwork 16mm camera like the Bell and Howell Filmo 70DR, paired with three prime lenses or a zoom, is estimated to cost around $500 in the current collector market.