8mm camera quick questionn?

Question

I've purchased recently a Bell & Howell Zoomatic and my question is

I've found the film (Kodachrome 40) here: http://www.myoldcamera.com/Regular8mm.html

but is that all I need for this camera? Do I need something else for it?

Answer 1

first you need to confirm that it uses regular 8mm film and not super8. not many 8mm cameras had a zoom lens, that is most certainly a super8. old 8mm cameras worked with a spring wind motor with manual settings and was silent. if it is regular 8, then remember the film has to be loaded in total darkness. At the end you then flip it over, reload and run through a second time before sending off to the lab. Super8 is a cartrige system and easier to handle.

next anything with the term "matic" in the name probably needs batteries. automatic cameras have a built in light meter to control exposure.  and super8 has a magnetic stripe on the film for audio. look for a battery compartment to run the motor and electronics. there may even be a second compartment for a button cell to run the light meter.