Vintage Bell & Howell 624EE Autoset Cine Camera 1958 — Double 8, Auto Exposure, Original Case

A historically significant and characterful Double 8 cine camera — the Bell & Howell 624EE Autoset, produced in 1958 by Gaumont British. The 624EE was one of the earliest cine cameras to feature automatic exposure control, making it a genuine milestone in the democratisation of amateur filmmaking. A hand-wound mechanical motor, good optics, and a complete original leather case make this a very appealing package.

Condition

• Overall: Good condition.
• Motor: Mechanical hand-wound — working.
• Optics: Good for age.
• Viewfinder: Good.
• Cosmetic: Some minor age-related marks — nothing major.
• Case: Original leather case included — good condition with a couple of wear patches consistent with age.

Provenance

• Maker: Bell & Howell, produced by Gaumont British — Bell & Howell was one of the most respected names in American professional and amateur film equipment, founded in Chicago in 1907. Their cameras were used in Hollywood and by serious amateurs worldwide. The 624EE was produced under licence by Gaumont British, the storied British film company, for the UK market.
• Model: 624EE Autoset — the ‘EE’ designation stands for Electric Eye, referring to the automatic exposure (selenium cell) system that set this camera apart from its contemporaries. One of the earliest cine cameras to offer automatic exposure control.
• Film: Double 8 (Standard 8) — still available from specialist suppliers.
• Era: 1958 — the late 1950s boom in amateur filmmaking.
• Appeal: A camera with genuine historical significance — the automatic exposure system was a landmark feature for its time. The Bell & Howell name and the Gaumont British connection give this real collector appeal, and the complete original case makes it a particularly presentable example.