My Bolex EBM Test

Robin Leveille · November 12, 2011

I bought a Bolex EBM a couple months ago without a lens or battery. I got a battery and switch made by Du-All Camera, a Bolex bayonet to canon FD mount by JK camera and I bought a Bayonet to c-mount adapter on ebay. For glass I got a canon FD 24mm 2.8 and a switar 10mm 1.6 preset. Finally went ahead and put some kodak 50D through it last week and sent the film off to technicolor.

enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/31978176

Robin Leveille

Jeremy Rumas · November 13, 2011

Looks great Robin. Beautiful footage. I love the light, love the whole feel of the piece. Everyone seems really natural in this too, it feels very real. Doesn't feel forced. Nice test!

Todd Pinder · November 13, 2011

50d rules. Plus it looks like it handled any exposure errors you might of had as well. I got a screaming deal on a factory (Swiss) Super 16 converted EBM package with lens for less that $700. Love the framing mask they put in the viewfinder at the factory. Even came in original boxes. Now if I can just find a similar EL mkIII!

Nicholas Kovats · November 13, 2011

Great 50D footage, Robin!

That clinches it. I am going to endeavor getting 50D reperfed to Regular 8mm for my ULtraPan8 Bolex cam, i.e. http://vimeo.com/27905787.

Did you shoot at 48 or 64 FPS? Do you happen to know if 2 perf 50D is available from Kodak?

Robin Leveille · November 13, 2011

Thanks guys. I'm really happy the camera works.

I had to push the blacks a little in post. I used the iphone app called pocket lightmeter to figure out my exposure.. bad idea. it's really not accurate. I'll do another test with a Sekonic next week.

Nicholas that film is lovely! I don't think they sell double perf 50D anymore. I could only find single perforated. I shot at 24ps and the slowmotion a 50fps. the EBM doesnt offer 48 or 60 unfortunately. maybe Fuji still has double. not sure though.

-Robin.

Nicholas Kovats · November 13, 2011

Thanks, Robin.

I also ha.ve that metering app and I am curious about its accuracy. I utilized it a few times regarding some undeveloped UltraPan8 footage. I will have to pester Kodak about the 2 perf 50D stock

Oliver Christoph Kochs · November 23, 2011

(...) I had to push the blacks a little in post. I used the iphone app called pocket lightmeter to figure out my exposure.. bad idea. it's really not accurate. I'll do another test with a Sekonic next week. (...)

Did you compensate for the beamsplitter light-loss? If your footage is all about one stop too dark that would be the reason.

Robin Leveille · November 27, 2011

Did you compensate for the beamsplitter light-loss? If your footage is all about one stop too dark that would be the reason.

I did for the Canon but the switar preset is already designed with the prism in mind. I think it was a bad use of the stupid app. I tested a sekonic next to the iphone app and its all wrong.

Dom Jaeger · November 27, 2011

I did for the Canon but the switar preset is already designed with the prism in mind. I think it was a bad use of the stupid app. I tested a sekonic next to the iphone app and its all wrong.

Hi Robin,

just thought you should know, the Switar (and any other lens marked RX) is designed to compensate for the optical aberrations introduced by the prism, but not the light loss. The iris markings relate to the lens alone. You should calculate your exposure the same for every lens.

Robin Leveille · January 17, 2012

Hi Robin,

just thought you should know, the Switar (and any other lens marked RX) is designed to compensate for the optical aberrations introduced by the prism, but not the light loss. The iris markings relate to the lens alone. You should calculate your exposure the same for every lens.

You're absolutely right and with that I did another test that came out perfect. THANKS!!