With a correct battery installed, the camera operates in shutter priority mode (user sets the shutter speed, camera selects an appropriate aperture.) The reason you have to pull out the front button when using a flash is because there is no way for the camera to know what aperture to select on its own, so the user sets the aperture manually according to the power of the flash and the distance to the subject. As a leaf shutter camera, an electronic flash will sync at all shutter speeds.
Yes, it's a half frame model. But unlike almost every other half frame (except for the Yashica Samurai and maybe very few others), it shoots in landscape orientation rather than portrait, due to the normal way the camera is held.
This is a crazy coincidence. I have bought 3 of these in the past week, randomly finding them in multiple antique stores after never seeing one in person. I’m a camera collector and until I saw this weird “Bell and Howell Dial 35” last week, I had never heard of it. Then I stumbled on two more! And now my favorite channel on UA-cam is doing a video on one….
I've got one of these (technically a B&H 35-2) and it's pretty sweet. One other cool detail - if you pull out the little knob on the front, you can basically shoot it in full manual mode. Turning that knob once it's popped out sets the aperture. From the sound of it, his really needs some lubrication on the winder. My first roll was fine, but I had trouble on my second with the winder slipping - it seemed to only "store" one or two shots. Some naphtha and a tiny drop of nyoil into the gears after removing the winding knob did wonders. Although the shape and layout are weird, after using it for a few rolls I found I really liked it. It fits very naturally in the hand. I think it's one of the better half frame cameras - it has auto and manual modes, a decently high max ISO (the 35-2 goes up to 1000), and, bonus, it has an awesome case if you can find one.
Great info! I just picked one up that was listed as untested. I finally got the battery figured out & the meter is now working but the shutter doesn’t fire without film in it. Does it need to be loaded for the shutter to fire?
Here in Denmark, Christmas has very little to do with Christianity. We call Xmas jul (old Norse for feast) and it's linked to the gods like Thor and Odin. You'll pretty much only find a dead man nailed to a cross in the churches. Rarely in private homes. Maybe the Japanese has their own cultural twist attached to this Western tradition. Probably. This camera is very interesting. And very different. Probably the only camera, that's sounds like a bird. Great review. Merry Christmas.
I bought one new in Japan when I was in the Navy it was a half frame so you twice as many shots than a standard 35 it actually took good pictures I still have some slides from this camera
Thank you for reviewing that wonderful camera. I only think that you forgot to mention that it is an half frame camera - perhaps you've said it without me having noticed it - and that it is possible to shoot in manual mode by pulling out the flash wheel to select the aperture. I use it this way without the battery.
I love the way you describe your cameras… So much detail a great guide for anybody interested in learning about japan vintage cameras. As a request I’d like to see you do a review on the contax g2. I recently picked up a G one and I absolutely love it… However the G2 body is just out of my range right now… I need to purge my collection to be able to pick up a G2 body. I’d like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season stay safe and have a happy and healthy new year
Japan Vintage Camera I ordered a yashica camera recently got a email it was shipped and sent a tracking but keep getting an error on my tracking code. sent you an email about it
I just picked up one of these, but the model with the black Bell & Howell plate above the lens. Looking at this battery compartment, it doesn't seem to have the depth of the one you have - I can't do your trick with the two LR44 batteries since there isn't space. Any other ideas for a battery hack?
With a correct battery installed, the camera operates in shutter priority mode (user sets the shutter speed, camera selects an appropriate aperture.) The reason you have to pull out the front button when using a flash is because there is no way for the camera to know what aperture to select on its own, so the user sets the aperture manually according to the power of the flash and the distance to the subject. As a leaf shutter camera, an electronic flash will sync at all shutter speeds.
Yes, it's a half frame model. But unlike almost every other half frame (except for the Yashica Samurai and maybe very few others), it shoots in landscape orientation rather than portrait, due to the normal way the camera is held.
This is a crazy coincidence. I have bought 3 of these in the past week, randomly finding them in multiple antique stores after never seeing one in person.
I’m a camera collector and until I saw this weird “Bell and Howell Dial 35” last week, I had never heard of it. Then I stumbled on two more! And now my favorite channel on UA-cam is doing a video on one….
I wish I could find one here in Philippines :
I've got one of these (technically a B&H 35-2) and it's pretty sweet. One other cool detail - if you pull out the little knob on the front, you can basically shoot it in full manual mode. Turning that knob once it's popped out sets the aperture.
From the sound of it, his really needs some lubrication on the winder. My first roll was fine, but I had trouble on my second with the winder slipping - it seemed to only "store" one or two shots. Some naphtha and a tiny drop of nyoil into the gears after removing the winding knob did wonders.
Although the shape and layout are weird, after using it for a few rolls I found I really liked it. It fits very naturally in the hand. I think it's one of the better half frame cameras - it has auto and manual modes, a decently high max ISO (the 35-2 goes up to 1000), and, bonus, it has an awesome case if you can find one.
Great info! I just picked one up that was listed as untested. I finally got the battery figured out & the meter is now working but the shutter doesn’t fire without film in it. Does it need to be loaded for the shutter to fire?
@@heartsonfyre I'm not 100% sure, but I recall that I did load it before final testing.
Here in Denmark, Christmas has very little to do with Christianity. We call Xmas jul (old Norse for feast) and it's linked to the gods like Thor and Odin.
You'll pretty much only find a dead man nailed to a cross in the churches. Rarely in private homes.
Maybe the Japanese has their own cultural twist attached to this Western tradition. Probably.
This camera is very interesting. And very different. Probably the only camera, that's sounds like a bird. Great review.
Merry Christmas.
The tripod socket is right there at the center of the winding mechanism just below the lanyard ring.
I bought one new in Japan when I was in the Navy it was a half frame so you twice as many shots than a standard 35
it actually took good pictures I still have some slides from this camera
Thank you for reviewing that wonderful camera. I only think that you forgot to mention that it is an half frame camera - perhaps you've said it without me having noticed it - and that it is possible to shoot in manual mode by pulling out the flash wheel to select the aperture. I use it this way without the battery.
This camera looks awesome!!!
I love the way you describe your cameras… So much detail a great guide for anybody interested in learning about japan vintage cameras. As a request I’d like to see you do a review on the contax g2. I recently picked up a G one and I absolutely love it… However the G2 body is just out of my range right now… I need to purge my collection to be able to pick up a G2 body. I’d like to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season stay safe and have a happy and healthy new year
This was your best, most hilarious video yet! I think I'll stick with my Robot though. Not such a shameful sound 🤭
How do you find battery for this camera ?
such a great review!
I totally thought it was a super 8 camera when I first saw it!
Japan Vintage Camera I ordered a yashica camera recently got a email it was shipped and sent a tracking but keep getting an error on my tracking code. sent you an email about it
I just picked up one of these, but the model with the black Bell & Howell plate above the lens. Looking at this battery compartment, it doesn't seem to have the depth of the one you have - I can't do your trick with the two LR44 batteries since there isn't space. Any other ideas for a battery hack?
Supposedly they take a 625 battery which is somewhat available
Hello! do u need batteres to be able to rewind it?
No, the mechanical winder in the camera will rewind the film.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 ooooh thats quite impressive
show us a photo
Too bad you never did show any photos taken with it. It could be the greatest thing since sliced bread, or totally junk, and still work.