8MM FORUM WORLDWIDE
https://8mmforumworldwide.com/

Bell and Howell 414D ASA issue (AKA: The Zapruder Camera)
https://8mmforumworldwide.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1730		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  RyanJNicholson [ Tue Sep 16, 2014 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Bell and Howell 414D ASA issue (AKA: The Zapruder Camera)
Hello again all,

My apologies for this second post, but I also have another question, this time regarding the prize of my camera collection, a 1961 B&H 414 Director Series Camera, being the same model to the one used by Abraham Zapruder to capture the Kennedy Assassination back in '63.

I got this shipped over from America as its a camera I have always wanted and it is a very stunning looking thing, but when I have been reading up more into its specifications I believe I have hit a bit of an issue of getting it to work with most fast films stocks which are currently available today.

My question is this..

I have noticed that my Bell and Howell 414 standard 8 camera doesn't have an ASA setting of 200. It goes from (10, 16, 25 and 40). Then if I turn it more it goes to an M mode I assume this means manual? The settings here are (1.8, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16 and finally 22 and nothing more on the switch. Am I not able to use the faster films stocks which are available today? A lot seem to be 100,125 these days and these slower films of 10,16, 25, etc really aren't available anywhere anymore.

It would be a shame if I am unable to use it fully, because its been so well looked after. It even has the box and is complete with manuals and the warranty card.

I know this camera 100% works as I have just recently shot some very slow 10 ASA Kodak 7363 B&W film on it and its worked okay for a first attempt. This film is okay, but not the best. Firstly, its blue sensitive, 10ASA and so very dark, and finally it was really intended for text credits and transitions on a scanner, not to shoot scenery in a camera. I also shot it on a very cloudy and thundery day so not the brightest of conditions. This Kodak 7363 film has also been specially adapted I believe cut from 35mm stock down to the standard 8 format.

For anyone interested this is a video of the film I shot in my Hometown of York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqx4_HOUQnU&list=

PS For anyone interested this is a photo of it on my shelf next to my 1984 JVC GR-C1 BTTF Camcorder
ImageBell and Howell 414D by Ryan J. Nicholson, on Flickr

Help is greatly appreciated,

Thanks again, Ryan
Author:  Bill Phelps [ Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bell and Howell 414D ASA issue (AKA: The Zapruder Camera
Hello Ryan!

You would have to use the manual setting and set the lens f-stop yourself to the filming conditions. Using the other settings is for the electric eye to function automatically. As long as you can set the exposure manually you should be able to use any film ASA. I actually have a few of these cameras at home and I will take a look at one later and get back to you....I'm not home right now.

Hope that helps!

Bill :smile:
Author:  RyanJNicholson [ Tue Sep 16, 2014 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bell and Howell 414D ASA issue (AKA: The Zapruder Camera
Bill Phelps wrote:
Hello Ryan!

You would have to use the manual setting and set the lens f-stop yourself to the filming conditions. Using the other settings is for the electric eye to function automatically. As long as you can set the exposure manually you should be able to use any film ASA. I actually have a few of these cameras at home and I will take a look at one later and get back to you....I'm not home right now.

Hope that helps!

Bill :smile:



thank you so much, you have made my day, I was feeling a bit gutted if the only thing i'd have been able to shoot with it was the slow and dark 7363 film.

Yeah I assumed manual mode was to adjust the Aperture, which got me thinking, well, maybe it could be possible to use any type of film, but I wasn't sure.

I really want to use the black and white Kodak Tri-X standard 8 film which is rated at 200 ASA, to capture a WWII reenactment in the next couple of months. I think this film actually starts off life as standard 16mm film, that the company I buy from in the UK then adapts to work as double 8.

I guess the main question is now, what would ideal Aperture settings be with Tri-X film ha, ha.

Cloudy/Rainny/Overcast day
Bright Sunny day

think i'm gonna be best to purchase a light meter

I guess I don't have to worry about anything else weatherise. It usually just ends up raining most of the time in the UK anyway.


thanks again,

Ryan
Author:  Bill Phelps [ Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bell and Howell 414D ASA issue (AKA: The Zapruder Camera
Yes, a lightmeter would be a good purchase in order to use the manual settings. The 1.8-22 settings represent how much light is going through the lens. The smaller the number the more open the lens is but also the smaller depth of field (or focus)...bigger the number the lens is closed down and you get the larger depth of field (focus) but with the lens closed down you need a lot of light.

Just be sure you take the time to focus the lens and set the correct f-stop for the lens before each shot to get sharp pictures and good exposure. This is where the automatic/electric eye allows you to keep shooting and adjusts the lens for you but this can appear more like "home movies" and setting up each shot individually can give your film a more professional look. Good luck on the shoot!

Bill :smile:
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/