Bell & Howell Filmo № 75

The beautiful Filmo 75 is a 16mm movie camera, produced in Chicago beginning in 1928. It was intended for amateur use, but the quality of its construction makes it easy to see why Bell & Howell cameras were the tools of choice for Hollywood studios in the early days of motion pictures.

Although rather heavy by today's standards, the 75 was quite compact for its time, and was marketed as a ladies' camera. Its ornate leather covering was available in Walnut Brown, Ebony Black, and Silver Birch (seen here).

Truly a work of art.

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Comments

marlinsgirl93 says:

Where did you find this one.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

eBay of course!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Hovork says:

never seen anything like this,awesome so beautiful.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

peckhamryecrow says:

Truly desirable - hope it inspired its users into making beautiful films.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

*ELNA says:

woha!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Anti-$ocial butterfly [deleted] says:

a beauty!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Capt Kodak says:

Wow!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

buttonmoOon says:

wow - that's lovely
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Sarah's Vinspired Photography says:

this is beautiful. ever-jealous of your great finds!!!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

daiseedeb* says:

This is incredibly unique and beautiful. What a treasure you have here! Congrats on explore!
dd
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. says:

how big is this camera ?
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

I haven't actually measured it, but I'd say it's about 9 inches tall.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

apakatt says:

That is so beautiful! It's like from another world compared to how we design things today.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

bolex_collector says:

This is a hard camera to find, even on eBay. It's nice to see one in such nice condition as yours. (I'm partial to the silver birch and walnut brown models, myself) :-)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

I'm also partial to the silver & brown models -- the detail in the leather didn't stand out as much on the black one.
(an example of the Walnut Brown can be seen here).

Mine came in the original case, and most likely spent the majority of its time there, which would account for its nice condition.
It also came with a few nice accessories. I'll probably upload a shot or two eventually. :-)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

diser55 says:

Piece of art!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

J.Marshall says:

That's a beautiful thing.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

javame says:

Most interesting!
--
Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

virtualtamara (catching up) says:

gorgeous!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

ricksoloway says:

whoa! super cool.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Dawn Laciak says:

I just drooled on my keyboard. It is gorgeous.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

krashingmotions says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Photos of Photogs!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

Vêê says:

marvalous!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Testament Rose says:

DAM!, how come they don't make things like this anymore? in my house we have the original wall heater/steamer thing. it looks like this somewhat, with vines and what not. people really use to take pride in their work back in the days. now a days everything is plastic and dull, what happened!?
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

I know, it's kind of a shame they don't make things like this anymore. On the other hand, things like this wouldn't be so special if they did...
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

msokal says:

Lucky man!.Seen to be a jewel.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

RaúlM. says:

Gorgeous camera :)
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

hauska tavata! says:

Wow-that's so beautiful and ornate!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Chet4 says:

Waw ! Very cool camera !
This kind of cameras were also called sardin cameras.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Jiddu Krishnamurti says:

omg! thats art pure art! u must be lucky to own that!
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

petitvacherin says:

I just found this camera in my mom's basement, very difficult to find info on it...
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

What are you trying to find out?
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

coccia55 (teaman) says:

Mamma mia! Incredibly beautiful!
Posted 10 months ago. ( permalink )

Haiku Garry says:

this is amazing looking....i have bitten by movie bug recently and cameras like this make me want to add some more to my collection....if only it wasn't so expensive i'd like to run some film thru one of these oldies.
Posted 9 months ago. ( permalink )

lizkennedy says:

How absolutely beautiful! It's quite a collection you have, I am gree with envy!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

bullseyephoto says:

lucky bastard.
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

bob the ed says:

hi John, I've just been given a filmo 75, identical to yours. It's a stunning bit of kit, but it won't wind or run. Is there any kind of locking mechanism on it? Where is the shutter button?
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

Hi bob/ed,
I don't have a manual for mine, so I don't know whether there's a locking mechanism of some sort. The operating lever is located directly below the nameplate. You might be able to find a manual for it online.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

reptileteacher says:

Wow I just Found one in my basement Even has the box and manuel if yours is locked the tiny silver button beside the word Model on the front may be "Locked" slide it to the left away from the word "model" and it should be able to fire. To fire push on the little silver tab unde r the word Chicago on he name plate.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

Andromeda International Records says:

Okay, I have just seen one in a thrift store today, exact same model and style as this one; interesting in that it has the much worn camera carrier box, with the green interior, where you have to place the camea with the lens down. It has the person's name engraved in gold on top of the box, no manual but, as everyone states, how beautiful to look at. I could not find where the button was to get it to start, although the ring was able to take my counter-clockwise cranks. I would only like to get it if it works; again, someone may have already said this, where is the button to make it start? Btw---it is selling for $80 but I am sure I can make them sell it to me for half price; please advisel thanks!---Mark Matlock/Andromeda International Records
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

John Kratz says:

Well, assuming it works, certainly buy it, especially if you can talk them down, but even if you can't.

Push the tab directly beneath the nameplate to see if it runs.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Andromeda International Records says:

This is the tab you have to push up on, right; I do not think it worked, it was frozen; that being said, what is the relative worth? Could it be fixed? Does anyone have one that works and can talk about the results? As beautiful as it is, I am shying away from cameras that don't work as I want to get some use out of them. Still, that beauty of the style haunts me. So exquisite to look at, to hold.
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

Mind/Body/Spirit says:

This is so lovely! wow
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Eddi 07(OFF) says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Creative Commons- Free Pictures, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

wonderful!
Posted 2 months ago. ( permalink )

bottledog says:

Just beautiful!
Posted 4 weeks ago. ( permalink )

obi1kenobi1 says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 16mm, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 19 hours ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Nikon D50.
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Taken on September 13, 2008
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Bell & Howell Filmo № 75

Comments

marlinsgirl93 says:

John Kratz says:

Hovork says:

peckhamryecrow says:

*ELNA says:

Anti-$ocial butterfly [deleted] says:

Capt Kodak says:

buttonmoOon says:

Sarah's Vinspired Photography says:

daiseedeb* says:

R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. says:

John Kratz says:

apakatt says:

bolex_collector says:

John Kratz says:

diser55 says:

J.Marshall says:

javame says:

virtualtamara (catching up) says:

ricksoloway says:

Dawn Laciak says:

krashingmotions says:

Vêê says:

Testament Rose says:

John Kratz says:

msokal says:

RaúlM. says:

hauska tavata! says:

Chet4 says:

Jiddu Krishnamurti says:

petitvacherin says:

John Kratz says:

coccia55 (teaman) says:

Haiku Garry says:

lizkennedy says:

bullseyephoto says:

bob the ed says:

John Kratz says:

reptileteacher says:

Andromeda International Records says:

John Kratz says:

Andromeda International Records says:

Mind/Body/Spirit says:

Eddi 07(OFF) says:

bottledog says:

obi1kenobi1 says:

Would you like to comment?

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