Operating Bolex Double-8 D8L Camera

Description of the parts of a Bolex Double-8 D8L Camera and how to load and operate it successfully.

[@rolandthomasset1713]

I would like to add this camera is actually a DL 8-A and that’s a definite Plus ! Bolex did not add the A except on a tag which came with it. Added feature is the rewinding crank for lap dissolves which work very nicely.

[@NYCDP]

Thanks for this. A quick note may be helpful. You will find that reversing the mounting positions of the normal 12.5mm and tele 36mm lenses relative to the wide 5.5mm lens reduces the chances of seeing other lenses when shooting on the wide lens. Additionally, on my D8L (not a D8LA like yours) there is a dot on the preferred mount for the 5.5mm. You may want to check that as well as the precise Swiss engineers probably found an extra fraction of a millimeter to help with this as well. Thanks again and keep shooting.

[@derryk1]

I have one of these in pristine condition along with a very good condition Bolex 160 however they both sit beautifully on my display shelf looking wonderful while I use my DSLR cameras to actually capture all of my professional video. However it is nice nostalgia if one is able to use these wonderful antiques from time to time for old time sake.

[@MyPianoArchives]

der Ryk1 Why give up on shooting film to “professionally” shoot on a DSLR. Maybe the market isn’t as big for film now, but everyone and their mother uses DSLRs professionally. People shouldn’t use these once in a blue moon, they should actually try and create projects/ masterpieces with them. Why is it that people can put so much effort into a digitally made production, but it’s too much of a hassle to do it on film? That’s laziness and a lack of passion. It’s annoying when people have those kind of cameras and have no intentions of using them. They were created to be used, not looked at.

[@Twenty9point97]

Excellent video thank you! I just recently bought a D8L and am very excited to shoot.

[@csb65536]

Great video! It has inspired me to do a similar one for the P1.

[@troysvisualarts]

Thanks for the demo, I initially thought the film gets loaded into the camera in complete darkness due to the reel not being housed in a cartridge like a Super 8, thank goodness it can be done in subdued light or it would probably be a nightmare to load then flip over lol

[@anvildave2]

Film is loaded onto reels known as daylight reels the first 3 or 4 layers act as light proofing as does the matt black paint on the reels. So loading can be done in subdued light.

[@mazdaram226]

Fascinating video, great tutorials

[@ArkyMalarkey]

Excellent, no-nonsense, dummy proof video.

[@NasserAlhameli]

Thank you for the clear vid ❤

[@petepictures]

Well done, very informative

[@arturozzi]

Great video!!! Many thanks

[@alisharoney998]

Thank you for this detailed explanation, the only one I can find on youtube! I was recently gifted one and it's in wonderful condition - Only thing being I have no lens caps (lenses still seem perfect). Do I have to have them in order to load properly? What would happen if I didn't? Thanks again!

[@mzhang654]

where can I find this film stock?

[@andrewhood1102]

great video. thanks

[@williamlau5075]

Thanks for the excellent video! only one on youtube! Does a full wind up cover 25ft of film? or is there a chance it can cut out half way through?

[@Vahmrick60]

That camera has a viewfinder light meter, though its rare that you'll find one that still works.

[@bobbybray]

Hi. I have one of these. Lock doesn't lock the shutter release button and the release button although it worked previously, has now become just loose to use in with no registering to make the shutter run when the camera is would. Any idea why it might have gone like this. Anything I can do to make it engage again and roll the shutter?

[@vladimiralvarez1162]

Do you have any idea how to clean ? Or lubricate ? Cause mine doesn’t run..it winded but it sounds like it wants to go ..

[@jimshulman9221]

The camera has a ratcheted wind, so you can twist the key back and forth as you wind the camera. It's much easier than winding, taking you hand off the key, reseating your hand and winding again.

[@vladimiralvarez1162]

So the other lenses aren’t to be use?

[@s.w.2779]

At 2:40 you show that that camera is not in order. The claw hood assembly which also holds upper and lower film guides and the aperture-plate lever is not correctly mounted. Also, threading can be done much easier by first inserting the film end into the take-up spool slot, giving it two turns, all in both hands, and then dropping the whole into the film race while forming the film loops with both forefingers. Close gate, check release, and close door.

[@kaimcbride1553]

Yes, yikes. We discovered that this camera had that central screw loose and that things were off. Since the shooting of this video it has been corrected. Good catch.

[@s.w.2779]

Fine, all the best! Long live film

[@dutch2865]

I believe Simon is correct. Major fail soon if that middle screw with the shiny washer isn't snug.

[@wattehel]

Is there a reason you set the fps to a non-standard 20 fps instead of the standard 18 or 24 fps?

[@kaimcbride1553]

We were hoping that it would transfer to video easier by projecting and recording. Hasn't made a huge difference.

[@luvahadowsdolls]

I have a question: I have two lenses for this camera and while the f-stop ring works, the focus distance rings for both won't budge. Maybe I'm not turning it correctly but they fail to move in either direction. Could there be a reason for this?

[@kaimcbride1553]

The should move easily and with little effort if you turn the right ring. Sounds like they could be jammed.

[@dutch2865]

some 8mm bolex lenses have non-critical focus and aren't made to be focused. they focus from so many feet to infinity depending on the f stop.

[@luzcameraatitude]

Wich Type of battery does the Bolex K1? My cameras battery no longer works. I have the battery but can't find a precise description on it. It says 3v and nothing more. Thank you.

[@pinapalinka]

how can i convert the th to fps? 7:18

[@anvildave2]

After closing the camera following loading which you did incorrectly. you run the camera untill you reach the zero NOT the 1 foot indicator. You start filming at Zero feet and when you have reached 1 foot you have filmed one foot. When loading, the loops must be clear of the top and bottom of the gate mounts. yours where at least one frame too tight top and bottom. Film will get scratched if you load like this.Read the manual that is available for the camera. its the same for all bolex cameras. 8mm 16mm and 35mm.It pisses me off that a college dept is teaching students incorrect information.

[@csb65536]

Yes, I caught that one as well.

[@Candice800310520]

I have a question- how to focus in this case?

[@ColumbiaPhotoDept]

Focus is on the lens for most of the lenses and you have to do it by measuring the distance. Some of the wide angle lenses just use depth of field for focus, so that when you close down the aperture almost everything is in focus.

[@aguaamarina]

One question, I shoud load the film in a dark room right?

[@kaimcbride1553]

No, you can load in subdued light

[@ColumbiaPhotoDept]

You can load in subdued light, just make sure that you don't unravel the film on the daylight spool. Needs to stay nice and tight. In this manner only a little bit of the film is exposed to light at the beginning, which is why you have to advance the film until the film counter is at the first dot, or Feet 1.

[@csb65536]

I use a changing bag and do it by feel. But it takes practice to be able to do that

[@DavidRobertLewis]

Does this camera take normal super 8 film?

[@mcplutt]

nope

[@patricksudbury]

Is it a loud camera?

[@kaimcbride1553]

Loud is relative, but you wouldn't want to be recording sound right next to it. Some purr louder than others.