Bell & Howell Auto 35/Reflex (Canon EX EE)
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Bell & Howell Auto 35/Reflex (Canon EX EE)Entry/Object ID
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InterestingDescription
The Bell & Howell Auto 35/Reflex is a rebadged version of the Canon EX EE, produced during a period when the American company Bell & Howell was the primary distributor for Canon in the United States. This camera is a fascinating "missing link" in SLR history, designed to offer the simplicity of a point-and-shoot with the high-quality optics of a professional camera. The most unique technical aspect of this camera is its lens system. Unlike almost every other SLR, the rear optical elements and the aperture diaphragm are actually fixed inside the camera body. When you "change lenses," you are only unscrewing the front group of glass. This limited the system to only four focal lengths (35mm, 50mm, 95mm, and 125mm), but it made the camera much more affordable at the time. The "EE" stands for "Electric Eye," referring to the shutter-priority automatic exposure system. You select the shutter speed, and the camera sets the aperture—the chosen f-stop is visible via a needle in the viewfinder. It also features Canon's QL (Quick Load) system, which makes loading film incredibly easy by simply laying the leader across a red mark and closing the door. This unit is marked "DESIGN 237" on the back, a typical internal cataloging mark for Bell & Howell. It uses a discontinued 1.35V mercury battery for the meter, which modern photographers usually replace with a zinc-air cell. Because of its quirky lens design and rebadged branding, it is a favorite for collectors who enjoy the oddities of the late-60s camera market.Category
Camera, 35mm Film, SLR, Project Analog
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