8mm Forum: Bell & Howell 252 Two Fifty Two Camera Issues

This is topic Bell & Howell 252 Two Fifty Two Camera Issues in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Jason Griffith (Member # 746) on April 18, 2007, 09:54 AM:

I was recently handed a Bell & Howell 252 8mm crank style camera from the 40's and it seems to not function so well. I was wondering two things:

1. Is there film available for this camera? It is a reel to reel style setup not a cartridge.

2. Is there a place where I can find instructions on this cameras use so that I can figure out how the crank handle should work? It appears to be stuck in one position as though it is at the end of its throw or a detent may be preventing it from turning.

Thanks,

Jason Griffith

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on April 18, 2007, 10:58 AM:

Yes, you can get film for this camera from PHOTOWORLD Telephone 01492 871818 and they are based at LLandudno UK. The film you are after is Chrome 100D and they also offer a discount if you buy a pack of 5 films.
Happy filming.

Posted by Jason Griffith (Member # 746) on April 18, 2007, 11:58 AM:

Excellent. Now I just need an instruction manual so I can see if the camera works.

Jason

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on April 18, 2007, 12:17 PM:

Hello Jason

Old Timer Cameras here in the UK have the service manual for the Bell & Howeel 252, you can find it here; http://www.oldtimercameras.com/stock/Model.asp?Model=20066&ModelPage=true but they don't seem to have the instruction manual.

EDIT; have just found a photo of your camera;

The crank on the side needs to be folded out to wind the spring which runs the mechanism, once wound you should be able to trigger the shutter mechanism and film transport motor by pushing down the trigger which I think on your camera is located on the front corner just to the left of the lens.

Mike [Smile]

Posted by Jason Griffith (Member # 746) on April 18, 2007, 12:45 PM:

Ok that makes a lot of sense. The winding crank seems to be overwound...or perhaps the shutter trigger is not activating correctly.

Jason

Posted by Mike Peckham (Member # 16) on April 18, 2007, 12:52 PM:

Jason

There might be a lock on the trigger to stop it being accidently set off, but as I'm not familiar with your camera I can't tell you where it would be.

Mike

Posted by Jason Griffith (Member # 746) on April 18, 2007, 01:09 PM:

I believe that this particular trigger has a detent based lock by pushing the trigger in the opposite direction, otherwise there is no feature on the exterior of the camera that could function as a lock. I would guess that it is overwound at this point, as I removed the plate that contains the lens and the aperature control and the trigger embellishment (little bent sheet metal part that functions as the external trigger is making good contact with the actual trigger that is tied into the main assembly. The only thing I can do at this point is attempt to remove the assembly and see if there is a way to unwind the spring or release a secondary detent that may accomplish that.

Jason

Posted by Jason Griffith (Member # 746) on April 18, 2007, 04:14 PM:

Got her running! Just had to back off the tension by turning the crank clockwise while backing the detent off of the star gear. After backing it off about 4 revolutions of the crank it came to life with a light press of the trigger!

Now I need to find some film in the USA so I'm not paying shipping from the UK (not to mention that brutal exchange rate!). Any ideas?

Jason

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