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the rather cumbersome
Camera Blimp
housing-the bane of
cameramen and joy of
the soundman.

Sadly Keith knew
nothing of the
camera's history - I
gathered he had
bought it at an auction.
We negotiated a figure
slightly less than the
advertised price and I
took my trophy home
wondering where on
earth I could get the
bits and pieces to Cameraman Al Burne filming the Australian feature film “Silks and Saddles” in
restore this rare beast 1920 with the first 2709 to come to Australia. Image courtesy Mr. George
to its former working
glory. Very few 2709s had made it to Australia magazines, tripods-anything). Thus having
because of the price tag. From 1920 onwards cast my bread upon the waters I waited
we can trace only five or six 2709s being used impatiently for my friends to get back to me.
in the Australian Film Industry but each of In the meantime I did some research on the
these cameras played a vital role in our cinema beast. The Bell & Howell Company's
history making Feature Films, Newsreels and "standard" Camera Design No. 2709 was
Documentaries. created by their brilliant Principal, Mr. Albert
Howell, in Chicago USA. The year was 1912
Well, the next task was to advise my friends in and, unlike that other engineering masterpiece
the Film Industry that I had a 2709 and was of the year, the 2709 did not sink on its maiden
looking for anything associated with the voyage, in fact this "Titanic" of the cinema
camera (lenses, motors, viewfinders, industry would eclipse all its competitors for
many years to come. A
landmark camera, it
would be in
continuous production
for the next 48 years-
without alteration to
the basic 1912 design!
Improved accessories

Left: The 2709 film
compartment showing
the Unit-1 fixed pin
shuttle and the optical
sound recording assem-
bly to the right of the
sprocket

REEL DEALS June 2021 5