WW2 Cine Cameras

The main types of Cine Cameras used by the AFPU in the Second World War. The images also give an idea of the combat equipment of the AFPU cameramen, including Royal Armoured Corps helmets and 'Tanker pattern' open holsters to hold a .38 revolver. The men continued to wear their pre-existing cap badges but with the sleeve patch of the AFPU.

(Johnny Rudkin with Vinten Model K 'Normandy' 35mm Cine Camera, 1945)

(For Stills Cameras see HERE.)

All images courtesy of the IWM.

Newman Sinclair 35mm Cine Camera

War Office Public Relations Department cIne camera team of Harry Rignold and Gerry Massy-Collier with the BEF, 1939. Their bulky, tripod-mounted, Newman Sinclair cine camera (used by the Crown Film Unit throughout the war) was very different from the later cine cameras used by the AFPU.

(photo by Geoffrey Keating).

De Vry 'Lunchbox' 35mm Cine Camera

This was the most widely-used cine camera in the AFPU throughout the war. It was rugged, all metal construction, and could be driven by a hand crank or a spring. It took 100ft spools of film, allowing only 1 minute of filming at 24 frames per second.

Shown with Sgt Harry Oakes, AFPU, 1945

Bell & Howell 'Eyemo' 35mm Cine Camera

This was a very compact 35mm cine camera, first manufactured in 1925 but has remained popular into the post-war period. It has a three lens rotating turret and can be driven by either a clockwork spring wind or can be hand cranked. The camera takes 100ft spools of film which runs for just 1 minute at 24 frames per second.

Photo by Captain Derek Knight, AFPU, Caen, June 1944.

Vinten Model K 'Normandy' 35mm Cine Camera

This 35mm camera was specifically designed for combat use in WW2. It takes 200ft of daylight loading spools of film and has a rotating three lens turret. It could be driven by clockwork, battery or mains electrical motors.

Shown with Sgt WilliamLawrie, 1945.