Bell & Howell camera repair

[reluctantfilmmaker]

Does anyone know of someone who still fixes and maintains Bell & Howell cameras? I have a Director's Series ('62 model) that was dropped by a well meaning nephew and now the zoom lens wont budge, and it is stuck in telephoto. The motor still runs and film still advances, but you can't zoom out. Also the light seals needed work too, and since this camera has some sentimental value, I thought I would see if anyone knows anyone before just buying a new one on ebay...any suggestions?

[marc]

Why go through the trouble of trying to get it repaired? I am sure that they are common enough on e bay that you can get one for cheaper than it would cost to get it repaired.

[BAC]

Why go through the trouble of trying to get it repaired? I am sure that they are common enough on e bay that you can get one for cheaper than it would cost to get it repaired.

Unless it's the same model as the Zapruder camera, model 414PD.

http://www.copweb.be/Zapruder%20Camera.htm

[marc]

Why go through the trouble of trying to get it repaired? I am sure that they are common enough on e bay that you can get one for cheaper than it would cost to get it repaired.

Unless it's the same model as the Zapruder camera, model 414PD.

http://www.copweb.be/Zapruder%20Camera.htm

Is it that rare?

[BAC]

Why go through the trouble of trying to get it repaired? I am sure that they are common enough on e bay that you can get one for cheaper than it would cost to get it repaired.

Unless it's the same model as the Zapruder camera, model 414PD.

http://www.copweb.be/Zapruder%20Camera.htm

Is it that rare?

I don't know how rare it is but it is collectible. There are also a lot of different versions of the Director Series so it's kind of hard to find the exact same model.

[David M. Leugers]

I have that exact same camera. Had it for years just because of its historical significance. Quite a camera in its own right (the sharp images of the Zapruder film attests to this). Sadly my camera's spring motor quit working - it doesn't wind up the spring when the handle is turned. Best bet is to find another working example. These are pretty complicated cameras for a R-8mm camera with the mechanical power zoom and auto exposure lens.

[reluctantfilmmaker]

thanks for the replies everyone, but it has nothing to do with Zapruder film etc...a recently deceased close family friend gave it to me many years ago, and I just wanted to use it since he cherished it so much, almost as a way to honor him. That's why I wanted to use it to film, I could easily buy a new-old one on ebay, but wanted to know if there are any skilled craftsmen/women out there that can do something with it...and since film still runs through it and advances I thought it might be a simple fix in the lens somewhere...thanks again for the comments, keep em coming.

[cameratech]

I thought it might be a simple fix in the lens somewhere...

It could be a simple fix, depends what's jamming the zoom. Can you see any obvious damage? If the lens has been bent or the barrel severely pushed out of round it's probably a goner, but maybe it's only an outer ring with a little ding that's binding and stopping it from turning. Maybe the zoom stick (if it has one) got bent and deformed the ring where it screws in?

[reluctantfilmmaker]

thanks, there's nothing physical...I'm a pretty good troubleshooter, I have a feeling that if I took it apart, there might be some hope, but that makes me nervous since they are so mechanical and I always have a hard time figuring out what screws go where...any other ideas anyone?