I'm looking at getting a Bell & Howell 16mm model 70 (I think the specific variety is either CA or OA - hard to read in the photos). I don't currently know the serviceability of this specific camera. If it needs repair, does anyone have a recommended vendor, and can you speak to the general cost of servicing such a beast?

a filmo 70 is a model which was made from the 1930s to the 1970s Early ones are only good for 16 frames a second. (silent speed) and require double perf film which is now hard to find.

They are well Built and if working well will last a long time, but of course repairs are problematic at this late date.

you might want to read up on this article: http://www.tfgtransfer.com/filmo.htm or this one (includes a link to a copy of the manual http://www.intervalometers.com/bh/

even this may be of interest... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filmo

I'll look into those resources. I ended up not bidding on the camera in question because it had too many unknowns about it. I'm probably much better off getting something more modern like a Bolex or Arri that is known to be complete and in good working order.

FlyingCamera, I do repair motion-picture film cameras. The Bell & Howell Filmo and Eyemo are a class to themselves, you have nitrided steels in them, abrasion resistant. As long as those cameras are oiled, and you can oil them without further ado, you can expose miles of film with one. Other makes cannot be compared to them, a Paillard-Bolex is a mere pile of aluminum before the Filmo, although it has its own refinements.

It is correct that the early Filmo and Eyemo cameras from the twenties run at 8/16 fps only or 16/32. Later models from the early thirties on have the high-speed governor and run 4 through 64 fps. In my eyes the 1931 models are the best, having still the compact three-port turret. When Bell & Howell Co. added the spider turret, magazine, and more stuff the original concept was torpedoed.

If you can’t find anybody who takes your camera for overhaul, I’ll be there. My experience stretches from Paillard-Bolex H, Ciné-Kodak Special, over Pathé WEBO M, Revere 101/103 to the Beaulieu Reflex 16 and others. I can also take care of an ARRIFLEX 16. Workshop with machines, autocollimator, and more