DIY: Super 16mm Bell & Howell conversion

Video diary of Daniel Peters expanding gate on Bell & Howell 16mm DA Movie Camera using simple hand tools.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Super
• 16mm
• Bell
• Howell.
• to
• super
• conversion
• Daniel
• Peters
• do
• it
• yourself

[BOBMAN1980]

Thanks for the demo!! I've been wanting to see how someone actually does something like this, particularly since I own a Filmo, myself, and want to have this kind of modification done to it. Actually, what it's called--the modification--is "Ultra-16", and people have been recently experimenting with it. The film gate is expanded by .7mm on either side, and it's preferable to S-16 because (particularly mods) because it can be done with any camera, it seems, and with an aspect ratio of 1.89x1.

[silentango]

Bobman, I guess a "Ultra 16" mod would work on a Bell & Howell. One nice thing about the Ultra conversion, the lens would remain in the center of the frame. I didn't recenter the lens on my s-16 (modified) cameras, but so far I haven't suffered any vignetting. Is it hard to find companies that can transfer "Ultra 16" to video?

Thanks,

Daniel

[juleswinns]

how can I get my hands on a 16mm camera in my area

[silentango]

Jules, E-bay is where I buy most of my cameras, you can also rent cameras in big cities like LA and New York, but a one day rental is usually more than buying an older 16mm camera on ebay

[BOBMAN1980]

@silentango Cinelicious, in Los Angeles.

[BorgEntertainment]

If I'm not mistaken, beginning at ~9:29, there is a Krasnogorsk 2/3 sitting on the shelf (over your left shoulder) in the background. Have you modified that camera to Super 16?

[mercerunion]

thanks, very helpful. you mentioned modifying the sprocket to go from 2r to single perf, do you have any advice on that? ie, what to remove and what to keep... i'm worried about either scratching the film or not leaving enough to support the edge.

[combatphil]

Hey, thanks for this. I was thinking about doing this to one of mine for awile now. Seems like a pain in the ass but it might be worth it. Thank you again!