Sir Alvin Ekarma

I think you should just get a kit from JK Camera and I suggest an SBM or Rex5 over an EBM as the EBM motor will be limiting in the long run. I have an S16 EBM that I plan on being tricked through AZ Spectrum w/ forward/reverse and multiple crystal speeds, but if I was going to do it over again I would have gotten the aforementioned SBM or Rex5 and purchased an NCS Revolution motor that will let you do timelapse, singleframe and a zilion crystal speeds http://www.intervalometers.com/rev/bolex/index.stm Re: Ebay prices. I'd say anything between $700 and $1000. There's an SBM set on Ebay at the moment w/ whole gaggle of stuff and the starting bid is slightly under 1k and it also includes a motor accessory if jus shooting at 24fps is all you want. I'd snap it up right now if I were you.

Go to JK Camera. Jaako is a good, knowledgeable and honest guy. The price is very reasonable and his work is top-notch. http://www.jkcamera.com/Super16.htm Procam and Du-all are also good places but you need to contact them directly for a quote. http://bolex-usa.com/ http://www.duallcamera.com/

Thanks!

Is there a way to determine how much power your camera draws? Or is there a technical reference you can go to? (I have a bolex EBM btw).

Thanks for the info everybody! Sir Al

I've seen over-the-shoulder battery packs on Ebay that are listed as being 12V/12Amp for very cheep and I've seen camera places that sell 12V/5amp at around 30-40% more. Is the 12v/12amp battery belt a better deal or will I wreck things up if I use it? I've been told that the amp rate just determines how long it'll hold a charge. What sez you all?

A Canon Scoopic M/MS is probably a better bet for a starter camera, even given it's limitation of having a permanent lens. It's easier to load than even a Bolex, it's motorized w/ multiple speeds, has behind the lens filters and a sharp fast 6-1 zoom lens Macro lens capability. Also, 400ft magazine adaptors usually turn up on Ebay for around $250-$300 every 3-4 months and 9.5mm wide angle lens attachments turn up every 9 months. I shot a whole feature on one and it has got to be the most idiot-proof camera on the planet. Scoopics turn up on Ebay at least once a month and it's posible to get one for $200 to $500 plus the sellers are usually in the USA. Often the batteries are duds, but you can get a scoopic to XLR cable for around $70 and I've seen instructions on how to make your own battery pack that you can load w/ either standard AA batteries or NiMH batteries. (Btw you should avoid the early Scoopic models-- the ones w/o M or MS; I've heard bad things.) I've never worked w/ a K3 but I have a friend who does and he says it's okay; he's not crazy about the Meteor lens though and not having filters behind the lens can be a real pain.. I'd be interested to use one as a danger camera and it's nice that it can be easily upgraded to S16 for $375 (if you include having the viewfinder adjusted). At the moment, I have an S16 EBM and man, the learning curve was steeeeeep.

Will do.

I was aware of the Tobin motor but yeah, not what I'm looking for. I'm R&Ding stuff for a movie and I want to be able to play with speeds for the fight scenes. I don't want to lose my EBM after all the work I've put into it and I was considering getting a motorized S16 K-3 and a miliframe controller and working around its limitations. Fortunately, I did get a quote from AZ and the price is very reasonable and equal to and possibly much, much cheaper than the K3 option.

Are there other folks who do what he does with an EBM? I've poked around and he was the first I found who offered this service.

I have an S16 Bolex EBM and found that AZ Spectrum can trick out the electronics so it can multiple crystal speeds and forward/reverse the film. Has anyone had any experience dealing with them? Are they reputable? I've seen their name crop up on the boards doing a search and wanted to know if they're on the up and up before I drop some serious change on this.

I've been eyeing the revolution motor from NCS, the folks most popularly known for the K3. Has anyone w/ a Bolex or any other camera used the motor? It sounds like a good deal. http://www.intervalometers.com/rev/bolex/index.stm