Bell & Howell 16mm Projection Lens 3 Inch f/1.6 for Film Projector Lot of 2

Bell & Howell 16mm Projection Lens 3 Inch f/1.6 for Film Projector Lot of 2

This is a lot of two Bell & Howell 16mm projection lenses, each marked 3 inch and f/1.6. Both lenses are black anodized barrel-type projection optics with visible multi-coated front elements. The engraved markings on the barrels clearly read "16MM PROJECTION 3 INCH f/1.6 Bell & Howell."

Specifications & What's Included

• Brand: Bell & Howell
• Format: 16mm
• Type: Projection Lens
• Focal Length: 3 inch (approximately 76mm)
• Maximum Aperture: f/1.6
• Lens coating: Multi-coated (purple tint visible on front elements)
• Barrel finish: Black anodized metal
• Quantity: Lot of 2 lenses
• No cases, caps, or adapters included

Applications

Bell & Howell 16mm projection lenses are used with 16mm film projectors for screening 16mm motion picture film. The 3-inch focal length and fast f/1.6 aperture make these well-suited for standard to medium throw distances in classrooms, small auditoriums, and archive screening rooms. Bell & Howell was one of the dominant manufacturers of 16mm projection equipment throughout the mid-20th century, and their lenses were standard fixtures in schools, libraries, military installations, and government agencies from the 1940s through the 1980s when 16mm film was the primary format for institutional and educational film distribution. These lenses are still sought after today by archivists, collectors, and institutions maintaining legacy 16mm projection systems, as well as by filmmakers who use vintage projectors for creative or artistic work.