Bolex EL - differences between early (Mk1) and later (Mk3) series?

[Andy Davidhazy]

I'm trying to better understand all the differences between the early and late versions of the Bolex EL. I've scoured the internet for this info, but can't find much. I have a manual for the first version, but I own a late version with a couple visible differences that I can see. Such as the Mk3 series having a power connection to the better WM take-up motor, and there's a button on the front face of the Mk3 to the left of the bayonet mount which the Mk1 doesn't have. And I'm not quite sure it does.

 

What other functional or performance-related differences are there? Any practical reason why someone would want one over the other?

 

Thanks for the help!

[Jean-Louis Seguin]

There's a lot of little differences between the various generations of H16EL.

 

Here are some of them:

 

The ASA range on the Mark I is 10 to 630. On the Mark III it is 25 to 1600.

The button on the side of the bayonet is to lock and release the newer style drop-in gelatine filter holders.

Previous types were an awkward screw-in type.

Mark III has an easily accessible fuse holder. On the Mark I, you have to remove the four screws holding the tripod base plate to access the fuse (like on the EBM).

A battery check feature was introduced on the Mark III.

 

Not to mention a series of internal upgrades.

 

Cheers,

Jean-Louis