Bell & Howell One Nine - 8mm Camera Overview and Loading

Michael Raso gives an overview of the 1959 Bell & Howell One Nine 8mm movie camera.
This affordable vintage camera is available on eBay and fresh, new Double 8mm film is available at filmphotograph...

[@byvero5799]

I’m so glad I found you. I just got a Bell and Howell 8mm and I’m lost in the sauce

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Happy the video was helpful! - Mike

[@n4mwd]

My father had one of these which is now mine. One thing you forgot to mention was that the trigger to make it start filming will also work as a single frame exposure shutter. To take single frames to make animated movies, press up instead of down. This will make the camera take a single frame instead of a continuous series. What I would like to know is where the secret framing adjustment is located. I remember there being one, but I cannot find it now. The framing adjustment changes the position of the exposed frame in relation to the sprocket hole. The lens has threads so it can accept various color filters as well as a telephoto lens and lens caps.

[@shineKNEE]

Good info!

[@dalehammond1704]

WOW! I can't believe it. I got this exact camera in a large collection of 8mm films taken with it. I was wondering how to set it and you covered it! The camera has the original box and looks brand new. At first I couldn't get to run. I kept moving the lever and all of a sudden it ran. It probably hasn't been used since the early 70's. Whoever owned this camera sure traveled. There must be 5,000 foot of film in this box. Most appear to be 60's. Thanks again.

[@faultyinterface]

That's so cool! Have you been able to view any of it or convert it?

[@dalehammond1704]

@@faultyinterface I've watched only a couple hundred feet or so. I didn't do any digital scanning yet. Everyone thinks people digitize their family movies and then they sell or throw away the originals. I personally don't believe that. At least on purpose. Anyone who cherished their movies enough to get them digitized, would keep the original films (in my opinion). I think this film collect was discarded because no one in the family cared. I've seen this happen before with wealthy people. Anyway, the films are marked and cover Europe. Maybe I'll digitize them and post them online. The films I checked were top quality.

[@NewWorldFilm]

I found about five of these cameras, including variants, at a local "antique" store and every single one had been turned into lamps... And from what I could tell, they were in excellent condition before someone drilled holes and ran wiring through them. The first one faked me out. I was like "Sweet! Old movie camera!", but no, it was a lamp. Good thing they're cheap on eBay though. Still, it's sad.

[@faultyinterface]

That is sad to hear. I just got a broken one on Etsy for $12 and spent about 45 minutes getting it to run. Recording lever was just jammed from being in storage so long.

[@marrerang]

Nice video! I got this camera at a flea market. Unfortunately, the winding crank appears jammed and the motor doesn't move. Thanks for your video!

[@MichaelCarter]

My first camera was a 252 with a f2.8 or 2.4 lens a couple of years earlier.

[@ddvantandar-kw7kl]

Highly appreciated for sharing this video.

[@BeetleBuns]

just got one of these in really good shape while I was looking for old Polaroid stuff, figured it would be fun to mess with. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@lunch96box]

Great video brother, love your footage

[@DustInTheAir]

Thank you so much for sharing this video! I bought a B&H 252 movie camera but have no idea how to use it. This is a very helpful video.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi Charles, Be aware of the f-stop dial on the front lens. It will suggest wrong exposures because modern film's asa (iso) is different. This problem is addressed in this BH 220 video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_Kg6KXmcqpgNU

[@DethronerX]

That ending after footage presentation though : D

[@rock-steadi-cam5058]

Is the "dirty scratched film" a digital effect? Because honestly, I would hope that fresh film and correct processing would produce a MUCH cleaner image!

[@daveifornia]

I know in other videos you talk about ignoring the old light adjustments in favor of a light meter because of the change in film over the years. Do you suggest using a Light meter for this camera? Also is the film speed always at 40 with this camera or is there a way to adjust the speed somewhere on the camera?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

The One-Nine shoots 16 frames per second which gives you a set shutter speed of 1/30th sec. This is all fixed. The recommended film ISO (also known as ASA) is 40. So, with this camera, use the front f-stop dial using 40 iso film as your number.

[@still-plays-with-trains2550]

I have a bell and howell one nine that does not show the ISO numbers on the dial, but everything else looks the same. If I line up the iso the same way you did with the "40 ISO" setting and the correct aperture, should I expect to get the same result? Should I just try an app instead? Brand new into 8mm

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

With 40 ISO film, set the aperture to the smallest opening and shoot in daylight.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Magnifico! Doublechecking -- the 13mm lens is fixed focus, right? And the camera does not use the "C" lens mount, or a proprietary lens mount to change lenses?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Not D. Not C. Fixed & glued on lens. Can only change focal length by purchasing vintage Bell & Howell #5 adapters.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

@@FilmPhotographyProject -- Ah, OK. Hey -- that great, and frightening, shot of John "behind the camera" -- I'd love a 24x36 wall posted of that! Including the sound effect!!!

[@MIKIZAZPIKI]

With one Bell&Howell similar to this (if not the same model) was filmed the famous JFK film in Dallas

[@manyarimusicandpoetry]

Would appreciate a tutorial on the 172 by Bell and Howard if you have it!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi. The BH 172 is similar and operates just like the Kodak Medallion - video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3yagGVmbaqpr8k Takes Kodak Magazine 8 film - filmphotographystore.com/collections/movie-film/products/double-8-film-magazine-8-bundle-film-develop-scan-color-negative-40-iso

[@timkeogh9581]

Hello Michael, I have this camera which was purchased by my dad back in the late 50's, along with the leather case. Would you please share what info you have on it's current resale value? Thank you for your time!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi Tim, I have no info on resale value. - Mike

[@mloy01]

Do you know what the original cost of the Bell & Howell 8mm movie camera.

[@smokeydapot]

Thank you so much for the upload! I've come into the same camera from a collection my mother had. Although my "F stops" don't list the film speeds...? Earlier model maybe?

[@smokeydapot]

Mine also has some metal clip on top that it appears your model doesn't have.

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Feel free to email me pics of the camera front (and top clips) - [e-mail]

[@1JPMendes]

Same with the metal clip on top and the no ISO list...

[@1JPMendes]

I guess best to use a light meter (phone app). Set to 40 ISO, then set to whatever f stop is closest to 1/30 sec?

[@1JPMendes]

And 10mm lense

[@CarricoProductions]

Hi! I have recently received one of these as a gift, but my lever on it does not work when pressed. Do you have any idea what is causing this or how to fix it? Thanks! Happy holidays!

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi. The camera must be wound up (as described in the video) in order for the motor to run.

[@vladanastyle]

maybe such a dumb question, but i am a beginner! so would like to know wouldn’t the film be exposed while changing from side1 to side2, as you you need to get it out anyway?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Your 25 foot roll of film is on what's called a "daylight spool". When loading (and flipped) in dim light, there is minimum flashing. - Mike

[@jasonlovi8745]

This film can be exposed in dim light? What about red safety lights?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Red safe lights are for photographic paper or Orthochromatic film. Red safe lights will expose and fog (standard) panchromatic or color film.

[@jasonlovi8745]

@@FilmPhotographyProject I figured that was the case.

[@evelynlorenaofficial]

Is this only double 8 film or can it shoot super 8mm too?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Shoots Double 8 (a.k.a. Regular 8) only.

[@bobmurphy9380]

Great info, I have the same camera. I can only get hold of 100ft reels of film, will this camera take 100ft?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Hi Bob, This camera takes (only) 25ft rolls of Double 8 film. Plenty available - filmphotographystore.com/collections/movie-film/double-8

[@bobmurphy9380]

@@FilmPhotographyProject Thank you, I just ordered a reel of film.

[@madelynnicollee]

how do i go about converting the film onto a laptop or iphone_

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Film (once developed) would need to be scanned.

[@jkhfilm_new]

How do ypu know if you are in focus?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

Generally, you need to be at least 5 feet from your subject.

[@jasonlovi8745]

I had so much trouble loading.

[@MaggiePictures]

Do you still sell fresh rolls of 8 mm film?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

filmphotographystore.com/collections/movie-film/regular-8

[@MaggiePictures]

@@FilmPhotographyProject I have a question. I have a bell and howell 323 sunometer camera. Can you get the right exposure by reading the sunometer or do you have to use a light meter app? And you sell fresh 8mm film?

[@FilmPhotographyProject]

The "SUN DIAL" will steer you wrong as modern 8mm film has different iso sensitivity. This video will help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_Kg6KXmcqpgNUsi=8yo4vIbPsCz2A61C&t=30 Also, our Iso 40 film comes with a "CHEAT SHEET" - bright sun f16 / shade f8 / indoors with a light panel or movie lights f1.9 (or f2.3). - Mike

[@MaggiePictures]

@@FilmPhotographyProject thank you so much

[@MaggiePictures]

By the way, I have a question. on my 8 mm camera, you don't manually set on the sundial. There is a sunometer on the top of the camera that reads the ISO, but is that bad too?

[@ChrisTDownTheRabbitHole]

I love old cameras but this one is just a piece o crap...