Bolex 16mm Camera

Demonstration of Bolex 16mm Motion Picture Camera. Demonstration by Adam Olson.
Follow me at www.filmrocks.com/blog
Equipment provided by MCTC Cinema.

[@filmrocks]

The Bolex is pretty simple and there are a lot of them out there. Best of luck!

[@drombit]

Great demo. My students have found it useful.

[@eddieJFwoolley]

I am your 80th subscriber yay well done for reaching the big 80

[@1931lugosi]

Great job Adam. I have been using a Bolex for about 5 years(previous 20 years Super 8) and have gotten superior results. Newcomers should note that if the camera is working properly any sub-standard film quality is not the fault of the camera. Get a good exposure meter and learn the lost art of focusing. Your video really covers the basic functions of the controls as well as loading and should benefit anyone just starting with their new Ebay or elsewhere purchase. And yes, film does rock.

[@crosstowntrains]

Hey Adam, thank you for this demo. Being new to film, I was struggling a little with the concept of adjusting the exposure on every shot to compensate for the prisms light loss .... changing the ISO/ASA setting seems way easier than having to calculate the right f-stop every time. Thanks.

[@MichaelHodge]

Thank you. This has been very helpful. Timing is everything.:) It was only last night, I wondered about the function and operating procedures of my 16mm Bolex. Thanks again.

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

Definitely a newer Rex 5 since it has the red dot on the viewfinder and it’s more black in color instead of chrome. I guess this one is from the 70s or later.

[@Salesman]

What kind of 16mm camera would you recommend to a new user to film? I've used camcorders before but I've always just been fascinated with older technology, especially with movie cameras. Great video by the way. Was very cool to see some nice in depth info on this particular model of 16mm.

[@CECTV1]

Fantastic! needed this for research! Which year was this model made?

[@filmrocks]

You could use a Sekonic meter or any digital meter. Don't forget to compensate for the light lost by the Bolex prism. 2/3rd of a stop.

[@filmrocks]

Yes, we have a couple of cameras that you have to do that with. Good luck!

[@RedStarRogue]

Wish I had a Rex-5 or later model. I currently have an H-16 Deluxe from 1952.

[@JohnJones-my9fm]

What do you mean by subdued light exactly? I was under the impression that you needed to load your film in complete darkness.

[@filmrocks]

Complete darkness is what the package says. The metal spool blocks direct light from the side, but it can still get in through the film. If you load in a room with very low light you can still see what you are doing to make sure you loaded correctly and only the first couple of feet are fogged. Good luck!

[@filmrocks]

Alen, It is possible, it could be done in the transfer as well.

[@CousinHubertRetrogaming]

on the last screen with the prism compensation, this is only a rule for Reflex models right? i own a Bolex H16M

[@filmrocks]

I believe that is correct. If you can find a manual for that camera it should specify if it has the prism.

[@CousinHubertRetrogaming]

thank you.

[@filmrocks]

Thanks Lugosi!

[@mtvisionary]

the bolex reflex h16

[@MichaelHodge]

I have some plus x reversal and Tri x film that's been stored away in the refrigerator for years. Do you think it would still work if put in the camera? Thank you.

[@alvagood2693]

Trying to locate information about the Bolex 3D camera released in the 50's.

[@RexMunger]

Should I use a Sekonic light meter or is there a modern digital version that is calibrated for the Bolex? (this may be a silly question)

[@RexMunger]

The loop setters on my Bolex will not stay closed (just bought it and failed to try them). Can I simply hold them down while loading my film?

[@ajankytoucan]

Do I have to use the original lenses for this camera? Or can I use other c-mount lenses too, or is there a problem with those because of the prism and focus?

[@filmrocks]

There are some variations of Bolex out there - reflex and non-reflex that may have a slightly different C-mount. For the most part you can use all kinds of C-mount lenses on the reflex Bolex. We have. :)

[@ajankytoucan]

@@filmrocks Ok, thank's

[@GuyBodart]

Adjust the 2 screws from the automatic loader. No big deal.

[@filmrocks]

It should work fine, depending on the age it may be slower.

[@michaelbledstein7515]

Does this camera capture sound and what year was it released?

[@filmrocks]

Typically film cameras do not record sound. The Bolex was made from the 30s - 90s I believe.

[@michaelbledstein7515]

@@filmrocks you mean bolex film cameras don't record sound at all?

[@filmrocks]

Correct. The film stock doesn’t have a sound recording capability and the camera does not run at crystal speed.

[@michaelbledstein7515]

@@filmrocks Instwresting. The reason why I asked is because Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott and Spike Lee among others have used holes cameras in movies and their not tradionally known cameras.

[@altermann1ify]

Can someone please help me? My bolex viewfinder is so dark, even with quite a bit of light. Anything I can do to make it brighter? (Aperture was open all the way). Also, I have a 25mm to 100mm zoom lens and things are super close in the viewfinder than they should be, even when zoomed out all the way. I have to stand all way across the room just to get a medium shot. I figure that once the film is processed and transferred that I'll see a lot more on tv than I did in viewfinder. I dunno

[@fernandopro1540]

What about recording sound ?

[@filmrocks]

The motor is pretty loud and is not meant to run at a precise speed so sound can drift. You would use an external recorder and microphone to record sound or create it in post.

[@TheKkkk45]

What exact lenses do you have on this Bolex?

[@filmrocks]

Joshua Lee I’m not sure which model they were but the focal lengths are 16 25 & 75

[@TheKkkk45]

Appreciate the quick reply on such an old video. Do you by chance know the most common lenses for the Bolex? I'm looking to purchase some by don't want to buy the wrong ones.

[@filmrocks]

Joshua Lee the bolex brand, kern switar. The two black lenses. 16 is slightly wide. If you come across a 10mm it is a nice wide angle. 50 or 75 is a nice telephoto but used less frequently. Enjoy!

[@filmrocks]

not without a crystal sync motor.

[@Stainedglassphoto]

I have a H 16 Rex for sale. 4 lens.

[@LegitFilmsUS]

give it to me