The Bolex H16 Reflex: Mechanical Perfection

I love mechanical things, both for their objective coolness and their implications for a green future. A future with nice things that we take care of, less waste, and dignified manufacture.
Among my top 5 mechanical favorites is the Bolex H16 16mm camera.
My friend (and filmmaking colleague) Mauro and I and our baby daughters and our pregnant wives went to Avalon, NJ and Mauro shot me explaining how the Bolex works. I included some Bolex footage of my daughter Louisa on the beach.
Here are a few mindblowing things about the Bolex.
- Better than HD resolution (arguably better than 4k)
- The thing is 50 years old and still works perfectly
- It's FULLY MECHANICAL, NO BATTERY, NO POWER, just a spring that you wind up and it goes
We don't make things like this anymore.
A Bolex isn't for most people. Developing and scanning movie film is… costly. BUT it's perfect for these home movies and it's my most common wedding gift. I shoot 100 feet, add music, and voilà, A very special document of the day (also helps when you don't know anyone).
Now, the quality of film is beyond the scope of this conversation, but it's undeniably (and literally) organic. The colors, the dynamic range, the grain... The stuff that comes out of the Bolex just always feels great and has this "forever" quality to it.
The Bolex is as cool as it gets, but while film is super practical for 92% of photography (yes, more than digital), it's IMpractical for 96% of cinematography.
But the reason it's so fascinating is... if we can make something that does THIS with zero power, what else can we make?

[@butson89]

"Film and light are both best friends and worst enemies." 🤣

[@tekoppentekoppen761]

Great quote.

[@artjonshahaj7291]

Dont run it over 24fps with no film loaded in it. Awsome machine

[@zphillips]

Thanks for teaching me this... I was not aware.

[@s.w.2779]

The mechanism of the model H camera was developed in 1930-31. It contains elements of machinery first made in 1895. So much for a history lesson. I’m a movie equipment technician. If you need assistance, contact me anytime.

[@jiforeman]

That’s fascinating!

[@Retrogamer71]

Long live the Bolex!

[@simonepiva6969]

Gran bel video ed ottima spiegazione!! 👍👍👍 Greetings from Italy

[@swisslakestudio7466]

super tutorial. Thanks

[@RotarySMP]

That was cool. Nice beach you have there in NJ!

[@digunderwater5395]

nice video Zach!

[@truefilm6991]

Great video! That is a very nice camera and gorgeous footage. Looking forward to your upcoming footage. Subscribed!

[@TimeCodeMechanics]

Shot on Bolex in film school.

[@The11thPower]

Great video, I may pick up one for productions, still figuring our total costs for developing etc

[@tarunindoriya902]

Have you figured it out ? I want to know the cost...

[@jocknarn3225]

Swiss movement mate

[@VOSTVSANLUIS]

tengo una bolex reflex h16 nueva jamas se grabo esta sin uso mi productora de tv lleva su nombre ...muy bueno tu video

[@Hector_Malot]

Are you selling it?

[@the_keystone_kid]

beautiful bolex! hit me up if you ever decide to sell

[@orangebetsy]

Great presentation of this beauty. When your footage went to 16:9 AR had you framed the shots of the cute baby then cropped in until you had 16:9?

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

That’s a late looking REX 5 what year would it been produced?

[@chrisw5742]

WANT

[@STGFilmmakers]

Were those test shots of the baby cropped in?

[@zphillips]

Nope, that's the full frame. I haven't converted this to super16, which I understand is something that people do.