Toronto Photography Meetup Group

So, my husband was recently cleaning out some old boxes and just happened to have an old Bell & Howell Auto35/Reflex QL lying around:



(^^A photo from online but his is in similar condition)

From what I can tell/have read, the 50 1.8 lens should screw CCW off the body (I tried both ways, just to be sure!), but I can't seem to get it off I'm not sure if I'm not trying hard enough, or perhaps it's just stuck etc.

Does anyone have a suggestion/idea/clue on how to take it off? Am I doing something wrong? Maybe there's a secret button I don't know about?!

Mostly I just want to clean it, make sure it's all working properly etc.


PS - here's an ebay link with more photos from all sides:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0648185299

It is a rebadged CanonEX-EE from 1969. I believe it was a one-off camera were you remove the front element to change focal lenghts, and only three optional elements/lenses were available: a 35mm, 90mm, and a 120mm.
To detach the element you turn the front group counterclockwise until it comes off and to attach it you do the reverse. Never saw any thing like it from any other camera company. It never caught on and the rest is history

This page has a picture of the EX-EE with some of it's lens elements which should help explain things:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14463685@N07/2989249499/

I had done a little research about it as well and found similar info but I still couldn't figure out how to take it off so I posted the msg

I tried to turn it both CCW and CW near the body (which I realize after some research and confirmed by you guys) it doesn't do b/c of the type of lens this camera supports) and then I tried turning it on the focus ring/distance/DOF ring and then finally I tried to turn the piece which actually holds the glass/lens (furthest away from the body) which moves in and out to focus.

None of those attempts have allowed me to remove the lens! Am I doing something wrong? Is there a trick to it? Is there a secret button/lens release I haven't found?? Is it just jammed tight?

Here's a manual for the EX EE that shows you how to do it:
http://www.photo-manuals.com/manual/can ... era/ee-ex/

Otherwise it may be seized or need the use of a wrap-around wrench.

Thanks Mike! That's exactly what I was looking for but I couldn't find it; your search skills are superior!

I'll have to check tomorrow b/c I'm at work now, but I'll let you know how it goes. I have a feeling it's seized up b/c I've tried it at different DOF lengths (all the way out, and in) with no luck but I'll follow their directions exactly and see what turns up.

If you still can't get it, bring it next time there's an Oly social and I'll bring my wrap-around wrench...it's gentle but forceful; I've used it on everything from stuck camera filters to valves on radiators that haven't been touched in 40 years.

I could be wrong but looking at the pic on this site, looks like the front part of the lens is where you detach it and the part that controls the diaphragm remains intact.

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/b ... n-82820960

Found this on someone's blog:

"The EX wasn't very successful due to the limited range of lenses available. But at least since all you had to buy was the front component that saved the cost of duplicating the auto diaphragm mechanism and meter coupling in the accessory lenses. "

Auto 35 manual: http://www.cameramanuals.org/pdf_files/ ... reflex.pdf