Bolex Super16/Ultra16 full frame experimental camera

Roberto Pirodda · July 8, 2009

New life to an old pull-down claw movement system non reflex camera body, that i converted to reflex (utilizing spare parts from a dead camera.)Serial number 33453. The cheapest way to afford Super16 and Ultra16 world!The gate has been widened to impress full frame. Then in postproduction it is possible to crop the frame to 16/Super16 or Ultra16 as desired.The film is hold perfectly flat in front of the gate from two rollers (see picture). The viewfinder has not be widened so display only the 16mm 4:3 aspect ratio. The lens plate is centered for 16/U16. The periscope prism inside camera has been replaced from two first surface mirrors: the images in the viewfinder are sharper. Despite this camera looks to be in poor shape, everything runs perfectly. Single frame (" I "and "T") is OK, spring motor runs steady for the first 20 seconds (total 25 seconds). The registration (frame by frame stability) is rocksteady untill 32fps, then becomes to be a little unsteady up to 64fps. To me it is more than acceptable, but it is for your knowledge. The shutter angle has been improved from originally 170 ° to about 220° gaining about one f-stop luminosity. So the shutter speed from 1/64 sec. becomes aproximately 1/46 sec at 24fps.The camera must only transport the film as steady as possible , put on this camera a good lens and you will be far over 2K resolution! Yes, by a recent research at Arri, every single S16 frame match 2K resolution, but when film runs, we have an averaging of multiple frames that improves the resolution. That is why motion picture technology is unsurpassed by video electronic, with its fixed pixel pattern (not to mention color rendition !) .

If you have problems to find labs that telecine U16 write me, i have all telecine gates :8mm-S8/Max8-9,5-16/S16/U16 and 35mm(4 perfs), frame by frame scan, resolution up to 2560 horizontal pixels. For standard def. i utilize a 3ccd 850 tv lines sensor, for HD a 2/3" 3ccd progressive scan 2560X2048 scientific camera.

+

Kodachrome 25 film outdated 2003 but still good (stored in the freezer)

READ CAREFULLY: being this camera a myself made customization, i will give you a TOTAL refund ( except for shipping cost) IF you will demonstrate that something goes wrong. For this reason i have included a roll of film that you will send back to me with the camera . This will allow me to verify the problem (if any).

The package is about 5Kg.

Shipping cost : Italy is 18 Euro Paccocelere 3.

International there are two options: for fast shipping about 2-4 days delivery and tracking is 45 Euro for the Europe up to 60 Euro for the rest of the world, otherwise international standard shipping is 35 Euro but no tracking. Insurance (optional) is 5,68Euro.

The camera comes with 1 lens cap.

The price requested is 399 Euro ( the price for Super 16 modification only in my lab is 400 Euro !)

Payment via paypal (preferred) or money order

Don't esitate to ask for further informations!

http://immagini.p2pforum.it/out.php/i421999_U16Area.jpg

http://immagini.p2pforum.it/out.php/i422000_IMG0111.JPG

Chris Millar · July 8, 2009

The shutter angle has been improved from originally 170 ° to about 220° gaining about one f-stop luminosity.

Um, no .. not one stop - 0.37 stops

That being said this seems like a pretty sweet camera, can the lens be centered for super 16 ?

How did you adjust the shutter angle ? grind down the shutter ? but then how to account for the pull down ? Do the non-reflex models have a shorter pull down than the RX types ?

Roberto Pirodda · July 8, 2009

Um, no .. not one stop - 0.37 stops

That being said this seems like a pretty sweet camera, can the lens be centered for super 16 ?

How did you adjust the shutter angle ? grind down the shutter ? but then how to account for the pull down ? Do the non-reflex models have a shorter pull down than the RX types ?

Hi Chris, thanks for update.Centering for S16 is a complex job on turret cameras, moreover the upper and lower lenses will be out of centering, unless you rebuild a new lens plate. If the vignetting is your thought, take in considerationt that i tested the Berthiot 20mm Cinor and it cover full frame (from side to side) w/o vignetting. For wider angle i utilize a Peleng 8mm lens. The shutter has been cut untill maximum permitted by pull-down movement, and it (the pull down) seems equivalent to a recent system ( i did the same customization on a EBM )

Chris Millar · July 8, 2009

The shutter has been cut untill maximum permitted by pull-down movement, and it (the pull down) seems equivalent to a recent system ( i did the same customization on a EBM )

Phew, you're cutting it close ! I have an EL that I've butchered into super16, I looked at a shutter mod when I was in there but thought better of it - it has the same 170deg shutter - interesting to know its ok ...

flavio filho · April 29, 2011

New life to an old pull-down claw movement system non reflex camera body, that i converted to reflex (utilizing spare parts from a dead camera.)Serial number 33453. The cheapest way to afford Super16 and Ultra16 world!The gate has been widened to impress full frame. Then in postproduction it is possible to crop the frame to 16/Super16 or Ultra16 as desired.The film is hold perfectly flat in front of the gate from two rollers (see picture). The viewfinder has not be widened so display only the 16mm 4:3 aspect ratio. The lens plate is centered for 16/U16. The periscope prism inside camera has been replaced from two first surface mirrors: the images in the viewfinder are sharper. Despite this camera looks to be in poor shape, everything runs perfectly. Single frame (" I "and "T") is OK, spring motor runs steady for the first 20 seconds (total 25 seconds). The registration (frame by frame stability) is rocksteady untill 32fps, then becomes to be a little unsteady up to 64fps. To me it is more than acceptable, but it is for your knowledge. The shutter angle has been improved from originally 170 ° to about 220° gaining about one f-stop luminosity. So the shutter speed from 1/64 sec. becomes aproximately 1/46 sec at 24fps.The camera must only transport the film as steady as possible , put on this camera a good lens and you will be far over 2K resolution! Yes, by a recent research at Arri, every single S16 frame match 2K resolution, but when film runs, we have an averaging of multiple frames that improves the resolution. That is why motion picture technology is unsurpassed by video electronic, with its fixed pixel pattern (not to mention color rendition !) .

If you have problems to find labs that telecine U16 write me, i have all telecine gates :8mm-S8/Max8-9,5-16/S16/U16 and 35mm(4 perfs), frame by frame scan, resolution up to 2560 horizontal pixels. For standard def. i utilize a 3ccd 850 tv lines sensor, for HD a 2/3" 3ccd progressive scan 2560X2048 scientific camera.

+

Kodachrome 25 film outdated 2003 but still good (stored in the freezer)

READ CAREFULLY: being this camera a myself made customization, i will give you a TOTAL refund ( except for shipping cost) IF you will demonstrate that something goes wrong. For this reason i have included a roll of film that you will send back to me with the camera . This will allow me to verify the problem (if any).

The package is about 5Kg.

Shipping cost : Italy is 18 Euro Paccocelere 3.

International there are two options: for fast shipping about 2-4 days delivery and tracking is 45 Euro for the Europe up to 60 Euro for the rest of the world, otherwise international standard shipping is 35 Euro but no tracking. Insurance (optional) is 5,68Euro.

The camera comes with 1 lens cap.

The price requested is 399 Euro ( the price for Super 16 modification only in my lab is 400 Euro !)

Payment via paypal (preferred) or money order

Don't esitate to ask for further informations!

http://immagini.p2pforum.it/out.php/i421999_U16Area.jpg

http://immagini.p2pforum.it/out.php/i422000_IMG0111.JPG