Bell & Howell 16mm Projection Lens 2 Inch f/1.6 Movie Projector Made in USA

Bell & Howell 16mm Projection Lens 2 Inch f/1.6 Movie Projector Made in USA

This is an original Bell & Howell 16mm movie projector lens with a 2-inch (50mm) focal length and a fast f/1.6 maximum aperture. Made in the USA, it features a machined aluminum barrel with a threaded mount designed to fit Bell & Howell 16mm movie projectors. The lens is engraved "16MM PROJECTION 2inch f/1.6 BELL & HOWELL MADE IN U.S.A." on the base ring.

Specifications & What's Included

• Brand: Bell & Howell
• Type: 16mm Movie Projector Lens
• Focal Length: 2 inch (50mm)
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.6
• Film Format: 16mm
• Barrel: Machined aluminum, silver/chrome finish with fine threading
• Mount: Threaded barrel (standard 16mm projector mount)
• Country of Manufacture: United States
• Engraving: "16MM PROJECTION 2inch f/1.6 BELL & HOWELL MADE IN U.S.A."
• Includes: Lens only — no projector, case, or accessories

Applications

Bell & Howell was one of the leading American manufacturers of 16mm film projectors from the 1920s through the 1970s and 1980s, producing a wide range of models for schools, businesses, government agencies, and home use. The 16mm film format was the dominant medium for educational, documentary, and industrial films during that era, and projection lenses like this one were standard components swapped or replaced as projectors wore through them. A 2-inch f/1.6 lens is a common focal length and aperture pairing for 16mm projection, providing a practical throw distance for classroom and small-auditorium use while the fast f/1.6 aperture passes more light from the projector lamp to the screen. Today these lenses are sought by collectors and restorers maintaining vintage Bell & Howell projectors, film archivists running original 16mm prints, and enthusiasts preserving home movie or institutional film collections.