Need help identifying my Bolex H16!

[Zach Mckinley]

I just picked up a H16 Reflex. It has features that seem like they could fit a REX or REX-2 but i'm unsure. It was listed as a Super 16 model but the person who sold it didn't seem to understand what Super 16 actually entailed. 

Camera Images

Thanks! 

[Simon Wyss]

A REX-2 from between 1959 and 1963

[Zach Mckinley]

Thank you!

[Zach Mckinley]

53 minutes ago, Simon Wyss said:

A REX-2 from between 1959 and 1963

This was my hunch but the older viewfinder threw me off a bit. My guess was this was a cheaper model of the REX - 2 line?

[Dom Jaeger]

No that’s a H16 REX 1, with a 6x viewfinder. First model to have a variable shutter and automatic opening of the loop formers when the lid is fitted.

REX 2 models have the 10x viewfinder.

The serial number on the round base should give you an idea of the year of manufacture.

The easiest way to check if it really has been converted to S16 is to remove the pressure plate and look at the gate. (Or if the seller doesn’t know how to remove the pressure plate just look at the shape of the gate opening through the front.)

[Zach Mckinley]

36 minutes ago, Dom Jaeger said:

No that’s a H16 REX 1, with a 6x viewfinder. First model to have a variable shutter and automatic opening of the loop formers when the lid is fitted.

REX 2 models have the 10x viewfinder.

The serial number on the round base should give you an idea of the year of manufacture.

The easiest way to check if it really has been converted to S16 is to remove the pressure plate and look at the gate. (Or if the seller doesn’t know how to remove the pressure plate just look at the shape of the gate opening through the front.)

Gotcha it seems like the film gate might have been converted but its hard to say!

My base had a cover on it so I didn't notice the serial but you are correct! It looks like its a REX-1 from 1962! 

IMG_3445.jp2

[Dom Jaeger]

Looks like standard 16. 

 

[Simon Wyss]

We count differently. The first reflex model is abbreviated REX-1 or RX-1. The second with variable shutter REX-2. Michael Tisdale had listed a REX and a REX-1. That was unfortunate.

[Dom Jaeger]

17 hours ago, Simon Wyss said:

We count differently. The first reflex model is abbreviated REX-1 or RX-1. The second with variable shutter REX-2. Michael Tisdale had listed a REX and a REX-1. That was unfortunate.

I guess the problem is there are basically 6 variations of reflex turret models. 

Tisdale calls the first reflex model H16 Reflex, then the next model (with variable shutter) is a REX 1. 

If you call the first variable shutter model (with 6x viewfinder) a REX 2, and the first flat base model (with 10x viewfinder)  is a REX 3,  what do you call the intermediate model with a round base but 10x viewfinder? 

[Simon Wyss]

Most cameras have a flat base. Maybe we can speak of the big base or the rectangular opposite to the early round or small base.

I don’t differentiate by the finder enlargement. The important differences are simple shutter, variable shutter, big base, 1-1 external motor shaft, magazine facility. Just like Paillard did.