Canon 514XL-S Dismantling & Focus Issues

Bolex H-16 Reflex Repair
Bolex Repair Philippines
At "Bolex Repair Philippines" we service Standard 8mm P1, P2, P3 Reflex models including B8, B8L, B8LA, B8SI, C8, C8L, C8SL, D8LA, D8L, L8, H8, H16.

[@mmuzzwell3654]

Great video. I have a question. Can anyone tell me what the polarity is on the 9 volt socket. The manual doesn't state it. Is it normal (center +) or like early Sony (center - )? Thanks.

[@Tovohx]

Hello sir, thanks for your video. If you don't mind, here's my problem : when I switch from OFF to R, a motor sound starts but I can't shoot video and pulling the trigger does nothing. Do you think a wheel inside might be broken ? Thank you very much for your help

[@paulmorbid1476]

@@Tovohx Hi, Reads like it's the gear near the motor that's broken. Usually there's also a cracking noise with it. It's caused by the issue pointed out in my video. Solution: buy a different brand of camera. And not another Canon 514XL-S.

[@mbontotsetrong6411]

I have a 312xl-s and want to open the lens because of mold but have difficulty opening it, do I have to disassemble it from the inside or just open the front lens lock?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @mbontotsetrong6411, I haven't serviced the Canon 312XL-S because it's too similar to the 514XL-S. It's seems to me that the 312XL-S would be disassembled basically like the 514XL-S. Consider this before taking the lense apart. "If" that fungus on it's lense is too bad then it's very possible that fungus has penetrated the glass elements. "If" that would be the case then nothing can be done except to replace those glass elements. The fungus will spread to other glass elements, inside the wiring etc. And keep in mind that some of those Canon lenses weren't the best quality as pointed out in my video. Be careful as the lense housing could just crumble in your hands.

[@brandonfoster7840]

Hey Paul - I just purchased a 514xls and everything seems to be working. I have two questions though. Do you have any advice on cleaning and lubricating the gears? And, is there a way to check if the aperture is changing with the light meter? Light meter seems to be working fine but I want to be sure the exposure system is functional before put film through it. Thanks in advance!

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @brandonfaster7840, White lithium grease is what's best to use as it's safe with the chemical reaction to plastic. Petroleum lubricants will make the plastic gears soft to the point of becoming gooey and cracking. Use micro fiber clothes to clean the old lubricant from the gears. Then apply new white lithium grease. Concerning the exposure meter the camera needs to be sent to a technician to have it calibrated. It's really the best way due to the age of the camera. Van Eck in the Netherlands should be your go to source for new gears possibly. van-eck.net/en/ ~Paul~

[@anastasioshanna5942]

Hey! Super helpful video, thank you 🙏. I’m having issues with the main gear that turns the film, it’s dead and not rotating, any idea how I can go about it?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @anstasioshanna5942, 1St does the camera have power? If no check the battery compartment for rust and corrosion. 2, make sure the batteries in the camera are alkaline. If the camera has power then it's very possible the old lubricant inside is preventing that part to move. When something like this happens the camera (some) has an automatic safety mode to stop the camera from moving it's parts and breaking gears. It's best to send a camera to a technician for a new full CLA before filming with it. The old lubricant will gunk up and turn sticky preventing gear movement. Remember when in my video it was pointed out that this model has many gear issues due to the lubricant that was used back in the day that wasn't safe for plastic gears. That lubricant made the gears soft then they cracked. As also pointed out in my video due to this it's just a very unreliable camera. The lense elements are the other issue as shown. All of this is a common issue with certain Canon models. It's best to get another camera. Also stay clear of Canon 310XL and 514XL models. The lense element system has to be redesigned in them. Now, "if" you don't hear any cracking gear noise inside then hopefully it's ok. The camera can be opened up and the gears cleaned of all old lubricant with baking soda and vinegar (1/2&1/2). Use toothpicks and cotton swabs to remove the old lubricant. The new lubricant to apply that's safe for plastic gears is white lithium grease number 2. Make sure to read the brand you buy that it reads safe for plastic gears and parts. And do wear latex gloves as the grease needs to stay away from skin. Below is my video for a CLA of a Canon 310XL. I'm starting to clean those gears and showing the grease to use. Thank you for your kind words and for viewing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWWQk2VjgbKAl68si=Lwz5iCIAcM1xX3MA

[@anastasioshanna5942]

Thanks so much for your quick reply! I actually have the camera opened up at the moment, with your instructions 🙌. I’m just trying to see if I can salvage it and shoot this one film cartridge I have laying around. I’m a photographer and this is my first go at super 8 since I kind of inherited this camera. Electronically it looks clean and all indications are working, it also makes a rolling noise when I fully press the trigger. But no gear anywhere seems to be moving inside. All gears seem to be locked solid. Taking it to a technician will probably be my next step but if I can avoid the extra cost with this experiment I would very much appreciate it! Is there any quick fix I can try, or do I have to keep taking it apart to get to each gear and try to clean it? 😅

[@paulmorbid1476]

Keep cleaning it. Then the only thing that can be done is contact Van Eck Services in the Netherlands for parts. They usually make new parts for Super8 cameras and other small electronics. Because is you're hearing a grinding noise then the gears have gotten soft by that old non-plastic safe grease and are broken. You'll also need the two lense element housings in my video. Here's the link for Van Eck. You're very welcome. van-eck.net/en/

[@yakovendelman7659]

Is there any way to remove or replace the focusing screen?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @ yakovendelman, As in my video what you see is what you get with servicing the Canon 514XL-S. Unfortunately it's just a terrible model as pointed out for the reasons in the video. Most likely this model was declined to be serviced when issues occured that were too deep to repair. Back over 30 years ago my shop would explain that this model would take so much time in labor that the cost wasn't worth it. Fisher VCR's were the same. Awful machines. The Canon 514XL is ok. However I'm not a fan of the Canon cheaply made lense housing system. Today it's worse because the cameras are 50, 60,70 years old. Nizo is good. But the dials are wearing out due to age. Bolex Super8 are some of the worst. Find yourself a Bauer, Gaff, Minolta and a Beaulieu just to name a handful. Send the camera to a technician for a CLA aka Cleaned Lubed and Adjustment before filming with it it. I prefer Single-8. A Super8 camera can be far more difficult and time consuming to service. This is due to the pleather coverings that have to be removed. And some things were meant to be put together and not taken apart very much. This...is how companies made money in selling customers another camera. The Canon 514 XL-S is widely known to many as a camera to avoid. ~Paul~

[@timoslock7993]

Great video Paul ! I have a question Paul. If I tilt the camera ´horizontally´ with the battery check meter up then the camera works (front light is on and mechanism in film compartment works). If I tilt it again as you would normally hold it to film then everything stops working. Also if I tilt it with the film cassette side up it doesn't work at all. Do you have any idea what the problem could be? Thanks for getting back to me man. Cheers

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @timoslock7993, Paul's next video is and will be late. We have an out break of Whooping cough and some flu in the are. Paul's in bed very sick. He'll be back with another video and answer questions as soon as he feels better.

[@timoslock7993]

@@paulmorbid1476 Hello, hopefully he will recover quickly. Get well soon Paul!

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @timslock7993, 1.Reads to me that the "EE Lock" is set or defective. To test the "EE Lock" aim the camera at a subject that's bright or dark then adjust the "EE Lock". It's kind of a pain to use really. 2. This is actually the 1St thing to do is make sure there's new batteries in the camera. Forgive me for taking so long in my reply. I'm still not 100% back in health and just getting around to answering questions. The government has started lock-downs in certain areas here and it's getting bad. Hope the information helps. ~Paul~

[@timoslock7993]

@@paulmorbid1476 That's no problem at all! It's good to read that you're feeling better. Activating the EE lock doesn't have much effect. I don't notice any difference. I still have to tip the device on its side to revive it. It's powered by new Duracell batteries. I also hear a rattling noise when I shake the device back and forth. This is never good news. Or maybe it is? I'm afraid I'm going to have to unscrew the device? The instructions in your video will be very helpful. Thanks for your feedback and get well soon man!

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @timoslock7993, True if there's a loose part inside that's bad news. Hope it can be repaired. ~Paul~

[@adventureuav]

Any idea how to take the handle off?

[@paulmorbid1476]

I've been asked this question before. And my suggestion is it's a process that's not even worth it. Even sending that Canon 514XL-S to a technician for a new full CLA they would most likely as pointed out in my video that it's not worth it. These cameras are sold cheap because they are usually nothing but gear issues. Best to buy a different camera. This might not be the answer you want to read or like. But this model just isn't a quality camera.

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @adventureuav, Here's the link to my video on that. How To Remove The Handle On A Canon 514XL-S kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6jce5pvhteDpJIsi=L6CenX-IPPPEyk_m

[@AfterGlowCameras]

Hey Paul! I have this exact camera. I have new batteries in, with no response from the battery check. Or anything else for that matter! Do you have a suggestion what the fix might be?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @colingreenll461, Keep in mind that the Canon 514XLS takes Alkiline batteries as pointed out in my video. (Or I think I added that tip in there. Otherwise, it could be rust or corrosion on components, on or inside some wires or solder joints that need to be cleaned and resoldered. Other than that component failure. Besides this model being unreliable it's gotten old. ~Paul~

[@redtoaster4859]

Hi and thank you for making this video. I have this same camera and am experiencing an issue where it makes a humming noise when switched on (even when the trigger isn’t pressed). I suspect some mechanical bit might be jammed inside. Would this also just be a matter of opening it up and cleaning up the gears/misc mechanical bits as you did in this video?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @edtoaster4859, No. As I pointed out in the video one of the top issues is the old petroleum lubrication that was used on Canon 514XLS that softened the plastic gears and destroyed them. It's a common issue and nothing that can be done. Get another camera because the Canon 514XLS just isn't reliable. ~Paul~

[@CertainExposures]

Hey Paul, I have a Bolex H16 Leader 1953 with a viewfinder attached to the side. I can't remove the viewfinder from the side because of a bar sticking out in the rear slot. I'll link to a Reddit post with an example image in a comment under this. Do you know if I'm missing a part that would "depress" that bar?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi @CertainExposures, You're welcome to email me via [e-mail]. Attache some good clear images. ~Paul~

[@paulmorbid1476]

I've got a video concerning the cleaning and overhaul of these viewfinders. "If" you take it apart be careful of the glass elements inside and that viewfinder is usually filled with dirt, rust, fungus and bugs. The issue with those viewfinders is that some parts of it's inside we're made out of diecast metal and it can tend to crumble upon disassemble due to age. I will point out that if that viewfinder hasn't been cleaned then it needs it. And the only way to do that is to take it apart. Best to view my video 1st. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpq5qJeEqNSXga8

[@paulmorbid1476]

If, you don't want to take the viewfinder apart then part if it just beyond the diopter can be turned that allows an opening .

[@paulmorbid1476]

You're welcome to email me via [e-mail] and I can attach a photo of the notch in that area.

[@CertainExposures]

@@paulmorbid1476 Thanks, Paul! I just saw these alerts. I will watch your videos and give it a try this weekend. I'll email you once I get a grip on it.

[@nicotempesta3541]

Hi, did you finally repaired the soft gear inside? If yes, how did you printed it?

[@paulmorbid1476]

Hi, the gears operate in this Canon 514 XL-S in my video. Only the plastic casing around the lense elements are the issue. These models have many issues making them really untrustworthy cameras. As pricey as Super8 film is it's best to get a better camera. Van Eck (in the Netherlands) would probably be the source to print new gears for just about any camera.

[@yakovendelman7659]

​@@paulmorbid1476 What Super 8 camera model would you recommend? Everywhere I hear the 514XL is best due to availability of spare parts and information about fixing them online. Perhaps there's a better alternative out there?