problems calculating FoV with non-reflex Bolex H16M5

Daniel Jewesbury · May 3

Hello

Let us for the sake of argument imagine someone who owns the above camera, who is on an island where no supplies can reach him. He has to calculate his field of view using a 20mm lens focused at 0.5m, and using the different formulae and equations, calculates that this would give an angle of view of 28.88º and then eventually come down to an image width, at a focusing distance of 0.5m, of 25.75cm.

He's filming flat artwork... the question is, without any reflex viewer, can this calculation be trusted??

He has the side viewer, the earlier Octameter not the later version, which doesn't have a 20mm setting but can be set between 16mm and 25mm.. and when he puts a piece of black tape that is 25.75cm long in front of the camera at a distance of 0.5m, with the Octameter set correctly to a distance of about 1.65 feet (as accurately as that can be gauged), the black tape line can be made to fill the frame from edge to edge.

So.. put the film in and shoot? Is there any other element that this fool has forgotten to include in his calculations?

If you leave replies, I'll be sure to send them on to him.

Thanks!

(image of H16 without a lens attached, with a piece of black tape 25.75cm long, 0.5m from the film plane)

Dom Jaeger · May 4

These are the times when any other Bolex model would be quite useful!

But I think your calculations seem correct, so tell your far from foolish friend to give it a go and see!

Simon Wyss · May 4

Everything’s fine except the tripod. Movie cameras don’t belong on still photo camera tripods.

If it’s still possible to have a supply come in, a Bolex accessory CADIL will be very helpful. Just take care to not scratch the film rails by moving it around when seated. CADIL, not your friend.

Daniel Jewesbury · May 4

5 hours ago, Dom Jaeger said:

These are the times when any other Bolex model would be quite useful!

But I think your calculations seem correct, so tell your far from foolish friend to give it a go and see!

Great. I’ll let him know. Thanks!

Daniel Jewesbury · May 4

2 hours ago, Simon Wyss said:

Everything’s fine except the tripod. Movie cameras don’t belong on still photo camera tripods.

If it’s still possible to have a supply come in, a Bolex accessory CADIL will be very helpful. Just take care to not scratch the film rails by moving it around when seated. CADIL, not your friend.

Hmm. I see the point but this is an ENG camera really isn’t it. A lot of the tripods that were used for Bolexes and Beaulieus were very flimsy. And also he’s an artist.. not making a movie. The setup is one that allows one person to carry everything from place to place when there’s no crew or assistant.

Can’t speak for the idiot, but I understand the CADIL as something used to set up copy stands and so on. I don’t think they have these in the middle of the Mediterranean!

Brian Drysdale · May 4

The CADIL: http://bolexh16user.net/CriticalGateFocusser.htm

Flimsy isn't good for a 16mm film camera, the old friction head made by Paillard for the Bolex wasn't flimsy, although it still wasn't wonderful to work with, even if you could pan and tilt with it.

You don't need a full 100mm bowl head, but a 75mm bowl tripod for pro-consumer video camcorders is something to consider, they're easily carried by a single person.

Daniel Jewesbury · May 4

Just now, Brian Drysdale said:

The CADIL: http://bolexh16user.net/CriticalGateFocusser.htm

Flimsy isn't good for a 16mm film camera, the old friction head made by Paillard for the Bolex wasn't flimsy, although it still wasn't wonderful to work with, even if you could pan and tilt with it.

You don't need a full 100mm bowl head, but a 75mm bowl tripod for pro-consumer video camcorders is something to consider, they're easily carried by a single person.

Are they easily carried with the camera and lenses when climbing over rocks…? I understand that the setup being used is tailored to what’s required (and also bearing in mind everything else he has to carry, on his own, getting to and from the island!) Thanks for the tips though!

Simon Wyss · May 4

2 hours ago, Daniel Jewesbury said:

this is an ENG camera

I’m bewildered. Doesn’t that stand for Electronic News Gathering?

Brian Drysdale · May 4

1 hour ago, Daniel Jewesbury said:

Are they easily carried with the camera and lenses when climbing over rocks…? I understand that the setup being used is tailored to what’s required (and also bearing in mind everything else he has to carry, on his own, getting to and from the island!) Thanks for the tips though!

Yes, they usually come with a shoulder bag, but you can easily carry the tripod over your shoulder.

The Bolex and lenses is pretty light and easily fits in a small backpack.

Edited May 4 by Brian Drysdale