Question about a Super 8

Emma Bird · February 5, 2016

I just bought a Bell & Howell Filmosonic Director Series super 8 camera and have been having some issues with it. I've never owned one of these cameras before and am a bit new to using film cameras in general, so I apologize if the resolution was glaringly obvious. I put batteries in and it ran well; the lights turned on when I tested it, but for whatever reason I can't see anything through the viewfinder. It's just black. Could something be blocking it from the inside or is it broken?

Peter Hodgins · February 6, 2016

This is not your camera, but check page two item #25 the 'viewfinder shutter' your camera might have a switch such as this ...

http://www.apecity.com/manuals/pdf/bell_and_howell_2146_xl.pdf

Emma Bird · February 6, 2016

Thanks for the help, but unfortunately my camera doesn't have such a switch... I haven't really been able to find much info on this particular model.

Carl Looper · February 6, 2016

Some Filmsonic manuals here:

https://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/manuals/filmosonic-series-instruction-manual-p20112.html

But what's this knob do:

Emma Bird · February 6, 2016

That's the camera that I have. That knob just adjusts the lens on the viewfinder- Just to sort of adjust the clarity of the picture.

Carl Looper · February 6, 2016

That's the camera that I have. That knob just adjusts the lens on the viewfinder- Just to sort of adjust the clarity of the picture.

Ah ok.

I don't have this camera. Just took the photo from an ebay posting. I wouldn't have a clue what's wrong with the camera. Not many Super8 cameras allow you to open and close the viewfinder. So it's probably something broken inside - either a missing lens element, or something in the way.

C