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.
Comments and faves
Hovork, wherefore and why., Hyaground, akimus, Mikey In The Morning, and 159 other people added this photo to their favorites.
marlinsgirl93 (57 months ago | reply)
Where did you find this one.
John Kratz (57 months ago | reply)
eBay of course!
Hovork, wherefore and why. (57 months ago | reply)
never seen anything like this,awesome so beautiful.
peckhamryecrow (57 months ago | reply)
Truly desirable - hope it inspired its users into making beautiful films.
*ELNA (57 months ago | reply)
woha!
Anti-$ocial butterfly [deleted] (57 months ago | reply)
a beauty!
Capt Kodak (57 months ago | reply)
Wow!
mister sullivan (57 months ago | reply)
wow - that's lovely
Sarah's Vinspired Photography (57 months ago | reply)
this is beautiful. ever-jealous of your great finds!!!
daiseedeb (57 months ago | reply)
This is incredibly unique and beautiful. What a treasure you have here! Congrats on explore!
dd
R.O.Y.G.B.I.V. (57 months ago | reply)
how big is this camera ?
John Kratz (57 months ago | reply)
I haven't actually measured it, but I'd say it's about 9 inches tall.
AntonFagerberg (57 months ago | reply)
That is so beautiful! It's like from another world compared to how we design things today.
bolex_collector (57 months ago | reply)
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) :-)
John Kratz (57 months ago | reply)
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. :-)
diser55 (57 months ago | reply)
Piece of art!
J.Marshall (57 months ago | reply)
That's a beautiful thing.
javame (57 months ago | reply)
Most interesting!
--
Seen in the interestingness archives. (?)
virtualtamara (57 months ago | reply)
gorgeous!
ricksoloway (57 months ago | reply)
whoa! super cool.
Dawn Anthony (56 months ago | reply)
I just drooled on my keyboard. It is gorgeous.
krashingmotions (56 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Photos of Photogs!, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Vêê (55 months ago | reply)
marvalous!
Testament Rose (55 months ago | reply)
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!?
John Kratz (55 months ago | reply)
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...
msokal (55 months ago | reply)
Lucky man!.Seen to be a jewel.
RaúlM. (54 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous camera :)
hauska tavata! (54 months ago | reply)
Wow-that's so beautiful and ornate!
Chet4 (53 months ago | reply)
Waw ! Very cool camera !
This kind of cameras were also called sardin cameras.
Andrea Buzzichelli (aka Joseph Pane) (53 months ago | reply)
omg! thats art pure art! u must be lucky to own that!
petitvacherin (52 months ago | reply)
I just found this camera in my mom's basement, very difficult to find info on it...
John Kratz (52 months ago | reply)
What are you trying to find out?
coccia55 (liveryman) (52 months ago | reply)
Mamma mia! Incredibly beautiful!
Haiku Garry (51 months ago | reply)
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.
lizkennedy (49 months ago | reply)
How absolutely beautiful! It's quite a collection you have, I am gree with envy!
bullseyephoto (48 months ago | reply)
lucky bastard.
bob the ed (47 months ago | reply)
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?
John Kratz (47 months ago | reply)
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.
reptileteacher (47 months ago | reply)
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.
Andromeda International Records (46 months ago | reply)
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
John Kratz (46 months ago | reply)
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.
Andromeda International Records (46 months ago | reply)
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.
Mind/Body/Spirit (45 months ago | reply)
This is so lovely! wow
Eddi van W. (44 months ago | reply)
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!
bottledog (43 months ago | reply)
Just beautiful!
obi1kenobi1 (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 16mm, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
BlondeShot Creative (41 months ago | reply)
gorgeous collectible!
furstyferret81 (40 months ago | reply)
Amazing!
Estela027 (40 months ago | reply)
This is art for art! Amazing!
SaraReno (39 months ago | reply)
Wow, this is absolutely stunning!
cinemalogic (35 months ago | reply)
I have just inherited a filmo 75, property of my greatGrandfather It's in a practically perfect condition, It even came with a 1947 cardinals world champions panflet that he left inside. This camera documented WW2 bombings in england and it doesn't even have a little dent. Where can I find film for it, and do they still develop this type of film?
John Kratz (35 months ago | reply)
B&H sells 16mm film, and there are probably other places you could get it. There are several places that process it too. Just Google 16mm movie film processing and see which place suits you.
Dustin McAmera (11 months ago | reply)
I added this to
camera-wiki.org/wiki/Bell_%26_Howell
Thanks!
Clay Dye (9 months ago | reply)
Stunning little camera. Great capture in more then one way. Congrats.
DoGia (6 months ago | reply)
I have a similar one, but your one is so attractive