Bell and Howell Electric Eye 

The Bell and Howell Electric Eye (introduced in 1959) has the distinction of being one of the first cameras to feature automatic exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time.. It does this by a most ingenious mechanism. A Selenium (probably!) cell operates much like any classic light meterA device that measures the scene’s luminosity in order to determine the best exposure value. Light meters can be part of a camera or a separate instrument. There are both analogue and electronic light meters., but rather than driving a needle, it moves a finely balanced leaf of metal (the red stripes are visible inside the lens), which reduces the apertureThe aperture is basically a hole in the camera’s lens that lets light pass through it to the shutter and ultimately the film or censor. The aperture not only influences picture brightness but also regulates depth of focus. Most cameras are equipped with an iris aperture that can be freely adjusted or set according to pre-selected values.. Insufficient light is signaled by the red flag in the huge viewfinder. Selecting either fast or slow film simply places a filter over the sensor.

This particular model is the “wide”, which seems to be the most common. It works pretty well, being one of the more advanced 127 cameras. It includes a double exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. lock, and a “peg and screw” flash accessory.

Kent Nunamaker is our resident expert on this camera, and he passed in the following info:

On the top left of the viewfinder is a rocker switch. Pushing it forward brings up a red dot; this sets the meter for slower films like Kodachrome, Ektachrome, and Kodacolor which in those days would have been ASA 25 – 32. Pushing the switch back brings up a white dot which sets it for faster films like Super Anscochrome and Verichrome Pan, ASA 64 – 80.

Now, if you lift up the nameplate on the front of the camera, you'll find a manual override normally used for flash but can be used for manual exposures. However, I think if the light is bright (sunlight) the meter may still control the apertureThe aperture is basically a hole in the camera’s lens that lets light pass through it to the shutter and ultimately the film or censor. The aperture not only influences picture brightness but also regulates depth of focus. Most cameras are equipped with an iris aperture that can be freely adjusted or set according to pre-selected values.. When the symbol EIE lines up with the yellow arrows, the camera is fully automatic. When you slide the thingie to the left, 'til the red arrow lines up with the red 13, that should be f/8. Number 6= f/11. And number 3= f/16. The numbers in between should be half stops. We estimate that the shutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS. is between 1/50th and 1/100th.

If you'd like to use filters, I've found the same 31.5mm series V or series VI push on filter adapter that fits my Diana lens, if tweaked a little, will push into the ring around the lens. Lots of older camera stores still have series filters and adapters laying around in drawers, and will probably be very happy to sell them at almost any price. I hope this gives some ideas to anyone lucky enough to have one of these neat cameras.

Features

• Film Type: 127 Roll Film (twelve 4cm x 4cm exposures per roll)
• Lens: Unknown focal lengthThe optical distance in millimetres between a camera lens and the film (or sensor on a digital camera). It determines the height and width of the scene being captured, known as the field of view. (probably around ~60mm), apertureThe aperture is basically a hole in the camera’s lens that lets light pass through it to the shutter and ultimately the film or censor. The aperture not only influences picture brightness but also regulates depth of focus. Most cameras are equipped with an iris aperture that can be freely adjusted or set according to pre-selected values. range f/8 – f/45, 2 elements, coated
• Focus: Fixed Focus (~7 feet to Infinity)
• Type: Brilliant Viewfinder
• ShutterEither mechanical and/or electronic shutters are possible. Mechanical systems can use a leaf (or iris) shutter or curtain shutter. In digital cameras a third alternative is also possible: the electronic shutter. This works by activating and then deactivating the CCD so that no further light can be recorded, regardless of whether light is hitting the CCD. The shutter controls the exposure time, which can range from thousandths of a second to several minutes or more. Fast shutter speeds freeze action, slow speeds are more suited to stationary subjects. A tripod is recommended for slow exposure shots to avoid camera shake, or IBIS.: Single Speed Metal Blade
• Speeds: Approximately 1/50th sec
• ExposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. Meter: Selenium cell automatic exposureThe amount of light that reaches the film (or camera sensor). It determines how light or dark an image is. The exposure of an image is determined by the aperture, shutter speed, and film speed (ISO). During exposure, the sensors or chemicals on the film in analogue models, are subjected to the light outside the camera for a certain time. with manual override
• Battery: None
• Weight: 613 grams
• Manual: http://www.mikeeckman.com/media/BellHowellEE127Manual.pdf

Post References and Attribution

This post was created with information kindly contributed by onetwoseven.org.uk

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Used and new camera providers – RW Jemmett Photography Business Directory Film Processing and Supplies

The Bell and Howell Electric Eye 127 – Westfordcomp.com

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