Bolex SBM

[scooterbutt]

Is $2000 a good price for a bolex 13x SBM? Also what kind of lenses work with the bayonet mount?

[Guest Ian Marks]

$2K seems a tad high to me for just a body, unless the camera is absolutely perfect and fully warranteed. Is this camera being offered by a dealer or a private party?

 

In my experience, prices from private sellers are almost always lower than those from dealers. Dealers have to cover their overhead, have often gone through the camera to make sure that it is clean and fully operational, are much more likely to offer a guarantee, and are generally prepared to wait a while before selling a camera. Buying from a dealer is going to be less chancy.

 

Private sellers are usually selling for some compelling reason and don't want to wait forever to make a sale. Some will offer a guarantee, some won't. With Bolexes, many sellers don't really understand what they're selling and so prices are sometimes out of kilter with reality. Sometimes the occasional great deal slips through on Ebay - I bought a pair of Rex-4's for a pittance.

 

You might want to check out prices with a couple of dealers: I see that Duall is listing an SBM package with zoom lens, grip, and case for $2,200: http://www.duallcamera.com/store/index.shtml

 

Cameras Pro is selling an SBM for $1895: http://www.cameraspro.com/bolexh16.html

 

Check out JK camera, too:

http://www.jkcamera.com/bolex_h16_rex.htm

 

As for lenses, anything with a C-Mount will physically mount via a Bolex adapter, but you'll want to use RX-designated Switars to ensure perfect focus with your SBM's beamsplitter. Otherwise, you're restricted to lenses in the Bolex bayonet mount, which aren't all that plentiful. The Switar zooms are good but not cheap. The Canons and Cookes and Zeisses won't mount unless you have Les Bosher fabricate a custom adapter (again, not cheap) and adjust the backfocus of your lens. The SBM is a beautiful camera, but you should also consider whether it really suits your needs. For $2k, you can get a CP16R or Arri BL outfit and shoot sync sound with 400' loads.

[Alain LeTourneau]

Is $2000 a good price for a bolex 13x SBM? Also what kind of lenses work with the bayonet mount?

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$2000 for an SBM w/ x13 finder (body only) is about what you will pay through a dealer. I spent about 4 months looking for an SBM...DuAll, Andrew Alden, Shelton Comm, etc...before I ended up buying a DEMO model direct from Bolex.

 

Brand new, never used, display camera - $2500 plus shipping.

 

As for lenses...Vario-Switars will run you about $400-2000 depending on which model you get.

 

I recommend getting a B > C adapter and shooting with Switar primes.

 

 

Alain