Matthew Buick Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 16mm seems to be the only option for what I want, what does anyone know about the Bolex H16 EL ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon-Hebert Barto Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Its electric. There are plenty of sites on the internet about BOLEX. Too many, probably! Here is a link to get you started: http://www.bolex.ch/NEW/?p=2 Hope this helps. Hey, wait a minute! What happened to super8, Mr. Buick? Done turned your back against the small gauge, huh? I see how it is.... :) -Jonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted August 11, 2006 Author Share Posted August 11, 2006 I haven't turned my back on Super 8, I just lurve 16mm, any idea how mch the Bolex H16 EL costs ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon-Hebert Barto Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 There is one on ebay right now for $6000 U.S. dollars. No magazine, however. Pretty nice camera! This particular joe says he never used it and has no knowledge of film equiptment, so I wouldn't bother with this guy. Keep looking on the net. -Jonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan Weis Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 (edited) You know Matthew, maybe by checking on Ebay or google might get your question answered a bit faster, dont you think? Edited August 11, 2006 by ozzball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sweetman Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Well I'd like to once again say how much I like the Arri 16bl. Like I've said before the more I use it, the more I like it. Of course the Bolex is smaller, cheaper, etc., but the 16bl is really a very good camera. It's just heavy enough so you can go handheld while keeping the image relatively smooth. plus it's nearly bulletproof because the Germans built it. It's light enough to use with a beefy Bogen fluid-head tripod, and you can pick up a plate adapter at nearly any camera store. It's a few more bucks than the bolex, sure, but I think it's worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member David Mullen ASC Posted August 11, 2006 Premium Member Share Posted August 11, 2006 The main problem I've noticed with reflexed Bolexes (Bolexi?) is the dim postage stamp viewfinder image. But I haven't tried out all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted August 11, 2006 Author Share Posted August 11, 2006 (Bolexi?) HA HA HA HA HA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon-Hebert Barto Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 The main problem I've noticed with reflexed Bolexes (Bolexi?) is the dim postage stamp viewfinder image. But I haven't tried out all of them. This is one the main problems for me. There are some mods to be made but I've never used 'em. Link below for enlarged and brightened bolex viewfinders. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had this done. http://www.jkcamera.com/Super16.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shutter bug Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 problem solved,and for only a few hundred bucks. http://super16inc.com/page3.html no more dark viewfinder problems, or at least reduced problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted August 12, 2006 Author Share Posted August 12, 2006 You know Matthew, maybe by checking on Ebay or google might get your questionanswered a bit faster, dont you think? I've tried, I've tried all of this before, but I can never get a straight answer, someone might be charging $4500, someone else $2500, and I saw a Bolex H16 EL body on eBay for $550. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Tim Carroll Posted August 12, 2006 Premium Member Share Posted August 12, 2006 problem solved,and for only a few hundred bucks. Not really. The problem with the Bolex viewfinder is that in the best case scenario, you are still getting only a small percentage of the light entering the camera lens being transmitter to the viewfinder. Because of the beam splitter. With Arriflex cameras, and most of the other 16mm offerings, the light bounces off a mirror shutter, so all the light entering the lens is transmitted to the viewfinder, making focusing and framing a whole lot easier. -Tim I've tried, I've tried all of this before, but I can never get a straight answer, someone might be charging $4500, someone else $2500, and I saw a Bolex H16 EL body on eBay for $550. Matthew, Find a few Bolex EL cameras on eBay, shouldn't be hard, then bookmark the auctions. At the end of the week, when the auctions are over, go to your bookmarks and see what they sold for. That will tell you the going market rate for Bolex EL cameras. -Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Wells Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 problem solved,and for only a few hundred bucks. http://super16inc.com/page3.html no more dark viewfinder problems, or at least reduced problems. Have you had this done yourself ? What do you think ? I appreciate Bernie's half for free offer but, uh - you sort of have to commit or.... :) -Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Buick Posted August 12, 2006 Author Share Posted August 12, 2006 Thank you, Tim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Anthony Vale Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 The main problem I've noticed with reflexed Bolexes (Bolexi?) is the dim postage stamp viewfinder image. But I haven't tried out all of them. Index-->indices Matrix-->matrices Thus: Bolex-->Bolices & yes, they are dim 1/80 second effective shutter speed. ---LV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shutter bug Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Have you had this done yourself ? What do you think ? I appreciate Bernie's half for free offer but, uh - you sort of have to commit or.... :) -Sam ok, i havent done it myself but spoke to a couple of people that have, thats how i found out about it. they said it was really great. what do i think? i think its really great. i understand the principle to a degree and spoke to a friend who repairs cameras and he said its a 'sound idea'.in his language that means good. i dont know what you mean about comitting to it..is say every camera out there would benefit, even modern ones because the second you close that iris down you lose light. and if this things gets more light to your eye then you are benefitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shutter bug Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 Not really. The problem with the Bolex viewfinder is that in the best case scenario, you are still getting only a small percentage of the light entering the camera lens being transmitter to the viewfinder. Because of the beam splitter. With Arriflex cameras, and most of the other 16mm offerings, the light bounces off a mirror shutter, so all the light entering the lens is transmitted to the viewfinder, making focusing and framing a whole lot easier. im aware of the different forms of reflex viewing but i have to say its not as bad as people claim. ive used a super16 ebm and i have to say the viewfinder image was big and bright.the arriflex guys were amazed. i was amazed. id be more than happy to use it again. with laserbrighten i think it would really give it that snap. as for the prism, its not a tiny percentage. 25 percent is diverted through the prism for the viewfinder. you really dont lose that much light. if you wanna get really crazy get a pathe 16mm...talk about interesting, it uses a pellicle. i was thinking of getting one for fun and seeing if it could be super16'd since i know it can easily take a sync motor. and buick..dont worry about the EL. they are expensive. unless you are desperate for single frame dont bother. you can always get a clockwork bolex that does singleframe and then pick up a new electric motor to spin the thing.itll be cheaper than getting an EL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Mulder Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I own an EL... the dim view finder has never been too much of an issue expect when doing time lapse and the lens already has ND on it - more of issue is that the viewfinder is in a set position. For shots like 'dogs eye view, looking up' you really have contort and drag yourself along the ground... or pull off the viewfinder and look directly into the periscope prism like you can with the wind-ups... thing is tho you have to have a special long and thin screwdriver to get through the 400' mag loading mount and also be careful with the LED wiring... annoying, but on the other hand not restricted to just the Bolex EL. As for the eBay prices, you really need to look at what is added with the packages, many items although they look like standard peices are quite costly to buy as single items, they will often be listed as one line in the description and then hidden in the pics... A good example are the bayonet to c-mount adaptors, selling for ~$70 each on eBay, also there are the filter holders, batteries, chargers, 400' gear etc... The cheap EL's have tended to be sold as 'untested' and sell for good prices in any case as they are a goldmine for spare parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Wells Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 I guess it's subjective; I have a Rex4 with a 13X finder, I consider it "dim" compared to my Arri etc It's not a deal breaker, otherwise I wouldn't own the camera.... (..what I meant by commit is, if Bernie O'D does half of it and you wanted to opt out... !) I ask because I like the Bolex gg in other respects, easier to judge focus - with a wide angle lens - than many other cameras... -Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rizos Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 I guess it's subjective; I have a Rex4 with a 13X finder, -Sam This must be a conversion as the Rex 4 never had the 13X. There is considerable difference between the 13X and 10X finders, which the early Rex 5 and EBM had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Wells Posted August 13, 2006 Share Posted August 13, 2006 This must be a conversion as the Rex 4 never had the 13X. There is considerable difference between the 13X and 10X finders, which the early Rex 5 and EBM had. It is, it has the EL finder. I indulged cause I've paid my dues B) -Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Phillipps Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Index-->indices Matrix-->matrices Thus: Bolex-->Bolices & yes, they are dim 1/80 second effective shutter speed. ---LV I'd go with an Aaton, they're so cheap these days, even from dealers. Seen them from 2000-4000 GBPounds on www.bblist.co.uk for Super 16 camera with mags and batteries. Wonderful cameras, different planet to Bolexes, it's a crying shame how they've been so de-valued. Especially as I've got one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Hughes Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 (edited) Rhinocerous - rhinocerii Hippopotamus - hippopatami Radius - radii Hawaius - Hawaii Bolex - Bolii or is it Bollux? I have an Auricon conversion, and can make out the faint letters of the conversion shop: "Sollen", or "Yollen", or something with 2 'els' in it. Does anyone have any information on this camera? Auricus - Auricii? Sounds like a Star Trek alien species. Edited August 14, 2006 by Robert Hughes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Engstrom Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 I'd go with an Aaton, they're so cheap these days, even from dealers. Seen them from 2000-4000 GBPounds on www.bblist.co.uk for Super 16 camera with mags and batteries. Wonderful cameras, different planet to Bolexes, it's a crying shame how they've been so de-valued. Especially as I've got one! Agree. I just bought one and I´m really impressed with it. When I´m comparing it to Arri SR and SR2 it´s much quiter and the mags are even faster to load. The running noise is comparable to that of the rentals SR3 Advanced that I have worked with and handheld it can´t be beaten. I found mine for $3300 and thats less than half of what I´d have to pay for a SR2 s16. If you got the money I can highly recommend getting a Aaton LTR54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Hamrick Posted August 16, 2006 Share Posted August 16, 2006 Never used an EL,but I did own an EBM.Is the EL capable of single frame operation?I liked the EBM but I had problems with the 400 foot mag take up motors.The rubber tits (it's what my repair tech called them I swear) that engage the take up spindle melted on me once during a sports shoot.The take up motor had to be completely rebuilt.This, I think is a design flaw as I've met many other Bolex users who have had that problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now