Bolex Super 8 Movie Projector Built Like a Small Tank

[@shaneteacman]

Bolex upgraded this projector to use a modern halogen in the late 60's. After about 1971 all Bolex 18-5L Super's came equipped with a halogen bulb EFN 12V/75W. They also produced a halogen assembly that would fit into projectors like the one in this video. No mods were needed the whole assembly slid into the lamp housing. I have a 18-5L Super with the halogen that is super bright. Another key factor for more light is to use a Osram HLX EFN 75W that is about 10% brighter, and to set the voltage to 110. Also the lens has an effect on overall brightness and sharpness of your movies. My 18-5L Super came equipped with a prime lens the Bolex "hifi" F 1.3 20mm. The other great feature is the rear-sprung gate for perfect focus from frame to frame. These are really great little projectors when everything is up to date and serviced properly.

[@wheatonna]

I just got one on auction for $9 plus $13 to ship. What a bargain. Needs belts, as expected, but the bulb works! (New ones are dear.) I have six Super8 projectors, and unless I'm showing sound film, this one will become my favorite.

[@ViscountVile]

Regarding films fading to red, low fade stocks had largely taken over by 1983, so anything printed after then is likely to have perfect colour

[@walterhuft9196]

The frame control is the bottom knob on the front of the case.

[@RubenMartinez-xb5ko]

Que jollita de esa epoca es un relojito ese proyector 😊

[@ed10523]

I remember As A Kid in the 70s The New York Police Department had these Vehicles..and They Were Tanks..Glad to See New Content. Best Of Luck in your New Job..And Happy Holidays.

[@Nexfero]

I guessed pretty close on the weight lol. I wish more modern consumer stuff had chain drives and all metal construction.

[@Twinkydrip]

You, my friend, appear to be the only person in the world to have a power cable for this projector. They are as rare as hens' teeth.

[@ulyssious]

You can find modern remakes that work on eBay now. Just got one for a steal on this puppy and wasn't sure if she worked. Bought the cord and plugged her in and done the happy dance. Seems very functional and in great shape. Proce with projector, cord and shipping was a little over $60 bucks. A steal! I'm sure I could have dont better finding one thrifted but thats always hit and miss. Bulb and belts seem to work also. I was soo nervous plugging it in and was sure I was facing something not functioning but pleasantly surprised. Found projector on Mercari.

[@snevetube1]

The extra electrical port in the rear of the projector used a special cord that when connected to a lamp, the lamp would shut off when you placed switched the projector lamp into "on" position.

[@robtitheridge9708]

that is correct i have the 250 volt model the socket on the back is different PS changing the belts is a pain

[@frankowalker4662]

That is so smooth and quiet. All of mine make quite a lot of noise, each one very distinct. And yes, they have been oiled/greased & with new belts.

[@Ncyphen]

Hearing the sound of that project brings back so many memories from when I worked as a projectionist back in 2006. Only difference, besides being bigger, is that modern projectors use platters verses reels . . . that, and the aperture had to manually threaded.

[@PascalGienger]

And never forget to put the correct lens, anamorphic vs plain/matte. I remember those times...

[@McClaymore]

Cool projector. I still have Russian 8 mm projector in my own, it is not so tiny and neat, but cool too and watch my old home archive sometimes. I have very good memories of processing films through the night in my bathroom when I was a teenager. I had all accessories, but save only a projector.

[@Not-Only-Reaper-Tutorials]

11:56 it should be that the rear lever underneath the reel should be extended ...

[@fixman88]

I was guessing about 15 pounds or so, having some experience with little projectors similar to those. I had a small 8mm projector I got at the local Goodwill for next to nothing back in the mid 1990s; it was also silent but I don't recall the manufacturer (but it might have been Bell and Howell). As for film, believe it or not my local public library still had some 8mm silent movies that could be checked out! I got a Charlie Chaplain silent comedy film and for the one and only time actually watched Charlie Chaplain on silent film. I have heard of Bolex projectors before and that one is exquisite.

[@matthiasmartin1975]

Ha, that was fun hearing you try to pronounce Sainte-Croix. I have the Normal-8 version of this projector and it has even fewer plastic parts. Looks like the only parts on this thing that can fail are the mains plug (mine is missing a corner) and the foam lining the inner side of the hole for the AC receptacle - other than that: Yes, built like a tank.

[@dhpbear2]

11:26 - I believe that roller in the rear (where the film exits) folds down

[@ArthurJS123]

I have a Bolex 8mm camera. Their stuff is top notch. The Bolex 16mm camera’s are the stuff of legend- Andy Warhol shot his avant- guard films with one.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

I used one in college!

[@danforbes3573]

Bolex.Sounds like an expletive.

[@viveksoley]

Nice, beautiful machine, interesting commentary..

[@databits]

Thank you for the comment and for being a subscriber!

[@Bassmaster626]

Very interesting and well built machine. I've got a Swiss Paillard tube radio that has the same kind of chain driven gear construction on the tuning capacitor.

[@DanafoxyVixen]

That shape of bulb was very common on early super8 projectors but are hard to find now but do crop up from time to time on ebay, my only concern will be that that style of bulb was commonly a 8v 50w bulb, not the 12v version you had. there are also more modern Halogen versions and also conversion kits to use more common Halogen bulbs but that requires modifying the projector. Anything Bolex was top of the line and your ones a beauty!

[@picometer472]

What did the conversion kit look like?

[@husbondensrost]

I believe this projector has an interesting shutter that is normally a three blade shutter but when you put it in the half speed slow-motion mode the shutter changes to a six blade shutter.

[@Heimbasteln]

Could you also show the metric units whenever you show any measurements? I guessed 10kg, but I had to google your measurement first to find out how close i was, which breaks continuity in your videos. My PC weighs the same BTW, its also not much bigger in volume, so it also feels like there is an anvil inside. It kinda sucks that it is that heavy because it would have been perfect to take on vacation, but then you would have to carry an additional bag just for the PC just because it weighs that much, it would easily fit into my carry on, but that would then weigh over 15kg

[@TheDutyPaid]

I am on the look out for a 8mm projector.

[@markanderson350]

10 lbs. was my guess. Almost every thrift store find, had the bulb stolen. A fine machine.

[@obelixzh]

Hey, i love all your videos and I am a big fan of vintage technology myself. So funny for me as a Swiss to get a Swiss projector presented by an American :-) My grandfather used to have a Paillard-Bolex camera as well as a projector. He started with normal 8 (aka double 8) and then switched to super 8. The Paillard stuff was the best in class at that time but as well the most expensive. BTW: Paillard is a Swiss-French Surname and spelled „Payar“

[@databits]

Thank you for sharing your comments!

[@jamesslick4790]

GAF is pronounced "gee ay eff" as it's an abbreviation for General Aniline & Film, Long known for (and today only known for...) their roofing materials. They had obviously also been in photographic film and cameras. Gen Xers know it from the View Master as GAF was the manufacturer of these from the late 60s until the early 80s.

[@MnACreations]

Feel better soon!

[@jcgtv3692]

I have the same projector. I plugged it in and it sounded good but nothing was turning/moving. Is there something Im missing? I should turn on besides the obvious lever? I am in NYC, I had it set at 110v, should I have it set at 125v? What size fuse? It ran for 1 min and then stopped...I checked the fuse, 63, it was broken and corroded. Possible the fuse size and wrong voltage setting stopped it from running? Thanks

[@lapinbrun7102]

I have a similar issue with mine except for me, it was just that the studs(?) where you place the reels arent turning.

[@emilm2331]

Just bought this and the standard 8 in perfect conditions. Nice little machines. Stupid question though. Is Super 8 with audio completely impossible or does some kind of trick or adapter work?

[@wheatonna]

You need to find a Super8 projector made for sound. Modifying this one would be extremely involved, if possible at all.

[@shaun9107]

need some Film , it still works !

[@cjc363636]

Video is Paused right before the scales....I'm guessing 20lbs. Let's see......I'm almost 4 pounds over. Oh, well! I do like the heavy metal construction and gears and pulleys of analog gear. Thanks for sharing!

[@Ice_Karma]

I'm going to guess that the chain was used in some part of the machine where the potential inaccuracy of a belt wasn't acceptable...

[@anu_start]

You can always tell if someone loves an object whenever they refer to it as "her"

[@alankanen1052]

Perhaps the amount of rubber belts is to allow for quieter operation. Metal chains against metal wheels or gears would be quite noisy.

[@Mark_C1]

Hi, nice informative video thank you. Found myself here as I’ve just rescued one of these from going to a car breakers yard, was put in there by a friend who didn’t even know what it was. Haven’t powered it up yet as I’m waiting on a power cable from my father but no shorts present and even the bulb checks out with continuity 😁. If you don’t mind me asking, what did it sell for in the end please ?

[@buckaroo1949]

I bought a box of bulbs at auction and i have 3 of those bulbs brand new. just gotta find a buyer.

[@picometer472]

How much?

[@buckaroo1949]

@@picometer472 $60. Philips. 13730 C/04. 75 W. 12V. New in box. i can ship.

[@5roundsrapid263]

14:36 “Listen all of y’all, it’s sabotage!”

[@FerintoshFarmsPhotography]

You are fortunate to have me as a sub, I am pretty amazing; i'm fortunate to have you to tell me about awesome stuff I can't find in our thirftstores in Canada too :)

[@matthewbachofen2532]

You plug a lamp into 2nd outlet in back, it turns off when projector turns on.

[@RetroGamerVX]

That's a cute little very heavy projector :) Must review my Russian one :)

[@slimnsom97]

We have this exact projector and so.many.reels, but can't seem to find the cord. Do you know of any online shops that would sell such replacement parts?

[@ulyssious]

Ebay, just bought one www.ebay.com/itm/New-Modified-Power-Cord-for-Bolex-Paillard-18-5-and-18-5L-Projectors/322150821066?pageci=65918e6f-f29d-40f2-84ab-943ac90e307f

[@ulyssious]

Do you have any spare reels for a decent price that are not home videos? My Mother recently passed away and we have some old home videos to watch. I found a steal on a projector but I dont want to put our home videos in first being we only have a few and I dont want to mess them up. I am looking for a take in reel and something to play first to make sure operation is good to go.

[@amaurypaulodesouza3137]

Hello, I am Amaury from Brazil. I have one of this projector and I need to by a lamp. The lamp of the projector is the type like a "satellite antena". It is different from the one you have. It is an OSRAM 64615 XENOPHOT 12 V 75 W (HALOGEN DISPLAY/OPTIC LAMP). Can you tell me where to buy one?

[@databits]

Ebay is always my favorite place to begin looking.

[@allissondiego1989]

I love this channel

[@databits]

Thank you for your support Allisson!

[@jamesleethebond]

i wonder where the audio of the film would go ?

[@santinokratos]

correction, it now 28k subs. WOW!

[@frankwyatt8372]

What is the product number for a replacement bulb? I need to purchase one....THANK YOU

[@buckaroo1949]

Philips. 13730C/04. 75 watt. 12 volts. i have one for sale.

[@rick420buzz]

As far as I know, GAF (the company that made your new film reel) is not pronounced as 'gaff', just say the letters. When I was a kid, GAF was the View-Master company.

[@fixman88]

I remember back when ViewMaster viewers had GAF printed on them.

[@Narayan_1996]

I said 16, but being that they were in kilos hahahaha I hit anyway? hahahahaha

[@c.w.vanderende6243]

Can you convert to digital

[@masterandservant8021]

it is good to see when somebody make such a show like yours for hobby, not like that guy across the pond who lately has become an anoying person.

[@Haruki_Aikawa]

The three different voltages are pretty much speed control

[@databits]

Not within close distances like these, you wouldn't notice any speed change.

[@matthiasmartin1975]

I tried on my 18-5 (Normal 8) and no, no measurable change of speed, it stayed on 17.86 Hz. I switched between 220v and 240v and the frequency measured on the shutter wheel did not budge. I figured it is phase locked to the mains frequency, which makes my plan of adding PLL control to mine a bit more difficult.

[@picometer472]

@@matthiasmartin1975 The frequency of the line does not change

[@oldotoko8085]

You need more subs!

[@databits]

Please share and subscribe! Thanks!

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

Bolex is still a classic brand! www.bolex.ch/NEW/index.php

[@jonnda]

croix is probably pronounced like "kwa" "krwa".

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Don't ever use the still mode otherwise you will wind up with burnt film as that film is highly flammable.

[@ASilentS]

16mm and 8mm film stock was never produced with nitrocellulose film base. These cellulose acetate film bases are NOT "highly flammable". They will melt though.

[@MarkShannonroad_videos]

All 16mm, 8mm, and Super 8 are all safety film. Always has been.

[@robertgaines-tulsa]

That makes me wonder how slide projectors work without torching the slides.

[@Twinkydrip]

my film melted when the motor stopped dead and the lamp was still on.....nice little hole in a piece of family cine history.

[@freesaxon6835]

Only 1 1/2 llbs out !

[@renamedia9120]

Any one need this i have a fresh piece rarely used

[@robertgaines-tulsa]

It has a metal case, and it's not grounded. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

[@Nexfero]

sixteen pounds and 4 ounces is my guess on the weight

[@Miidaguy1]

Really ? The flu. Get the hell in bed. Stop worrying about you youtube channel. You have to work next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That should take precedent