Bell & Howell 2709 B (1912)
Built from aluminum in 1912, this camera helped build Hollywood - one rugged frame at a time.
Overview
The Bell & Howell 2709 B was built in 1912 by Donald Bell and Albert Howell themselves. It is a 35mm motion picture camera from a time when filmmaking was still wrestling with reliability, portability, and consistency. Studios needed machines that wouldn't quit, and this one delivered. It is made of aluminum, which kept it light and still tough. It withstood weather in the tropics and heavy use in studios. Its reputation for durability was earned on location, under sun, dust, and humidity, where lesser mechanisms would have seized.
The exact scope of its production run is undocumented. The 2709 B still quickly became a foundational tool in early American cinema. It was built by the company's founders, so it wasn't mass-produced machinery turned out years later. It was a hand-assembled instrument from the people who defined the enterprise. Multiple accounts say its fame comes from its role as a workhorse, not from flash or innovation alone. The design accommodated 400-foot magazines, which allowed longer takes than many contemporaries. At least one known unit, serial number 797, was equipped with the "Unit I shuttle movement," which suggests internal refinements that may have improved film transport stability.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | Bell & Howell |
| Product Type | 35mm motion picture camera |
| Material | aluminum |
Key Features
Aluminum Construction for Lightweight Durability
This material choice likely contributed to its ability to withstand heavy use in studios and adverse weather in the tropics. Aluminum can be prone to corrosion or wear over time, especially in salt-heavy environments. Surviving units suggest precise machining and finishing minimized these risks. The weight savings would have mattered on location, where crews hauled equipment across rough terrain and every pound counted.
400-Foot Magazine Compatibility
The camera was designed to work with 400-foot film magazines. These allowed longer continuous filming than the standard 200-foot loads common on earlier equipment. Two magazine styles are documented: an earlier version with four-hole pulleys and a later one with three-hole pulleys. The shift suggests a change in loading mechanics or film transport efficiency, possibly aimed at reducing jamming or improving tension control. The magazines were integral to the camera's operation, engineered to the same standards as the body.
Unit I Shuttle Movement
At least one example, serial number 797, features the "Unit I shuttle movement," a designation that points to a specific film transport mechanism. The full technical details aren't in the available documentation. The term "shuttle movement" typically refers to the system that advances film intermittently between frames. A dedicated unitized design may have allowed easier servicing or more consistent registration, which matters for sharp, stable images. Whether this was standard across the 2709 B line or a later upgrade remains unclear.
Historical Context
Constructed in 1912 by Donald Bell and Albert Howell, the 2709 B predates the formal expansion of Hollywood's studio system but arrived just in time to help shape it. Serial number 132 is tied to the origins of Fox Studios. It is described as "FOX STUDIO'S FIRST CAMERA" and noted as the first camera William Fox purchased for his growing enterprise. That single unit captured some of the earliest footage under the Fox banner. Another notable example, serial number 1006, earned the nickname "HOOVER DAM CAMERA," implying use during the documentation of one of the 20th century's most ambitious engineering projects.
Collectibility & Value
The Bell & Howell 2709 B is a rare artifact today. Specific production numbers and original pricing are not documented, but the few known surviving units carry significant historical premiums. Serial number 132, linked to Fox Studios, is listed with a "Price on Request" designation, which indicates a private or institutional collection where valuation is discreet. Serial number 1006, the "HOOVER DAM CAMERA," is marked as "SOLD," confirming active interest and transactions in the collector market. Given the camera's fame and early provenance, demand outpaces availability. A researcher has posted a public plea: "if you find a Bell & Howell 2709(b) in your findings for sale or for rent let me know!" Restoration challenges are undocumented, but given its age and mechanical complexity, functional restoration would require specialized expertise.
Similar items on eBay
No exact Bell & Howell 2709 B listings are live right now — these searches show current Bell & Howell and similar vintage camera gear on eBay:
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.