Gareth Blackstock

Thanks for the feedback, I should have under exposed a stop, but I will enjoy altering the footage on fcp and virtualdub. I also have to test shoot some old Ektachrome to see if its fit for a project, got about 2000 feet sitting waiting... Stil, I am pretty happy with the images from my pentaflex.. Cheers, Gareth

Hello, I don't suppose you took any pictures of the work you did while working on your camera? It seems that while there are quite a few Russian kits around, due to the lack of instruction manuals or "how to" books, and that there are not many being used, most people are probably scared off getting Russian equipment. If it was not for Olex being able to service the cameras and offering know how on the sorts of things one cannot find in books, perhaps no one would shoot with Konvas or Kinor. For instance the varieties of Russian mounts probably scares off a few people, but then again, there is plenty of room for confusion with western mounts and lenses. I hope more people use them, even take pictures and describe in detail how to maintain and fix bits, after all, film makers were fixing cameras themselves long before service shops emerged. cheers, Gareth

G'day, After recently buggering up my camera's shutter timing and shooting some ghosting footage, I finally got around to correcting the issue and after shooting some Kodak 50D with it I am pretty impressed. The scanned footage has not been stabilsed or colourised, basically straight off the scanner with ProRes 444. The footage was hand processed, one can tell here and there, but still a great job I reckon. The lens is a 12.5mm Carl Zeiss, the shots are around 10 seconds. I had to use VirtualDub2 to even play the footage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xsfx0hifG0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJzIg7PBgIM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YV3Zc0-zgI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL2pvfpOgJE Aside from the weight of the camera, I am liking it more and more, great registration, no torn film, easy to load, and cheap to buy. I am looking forward to shooting a bigger project soon. Gareth

Hello all, I recently bought a CP-16R off a popular auction site for a steal, less then $250! I thought it would go for much more, sweet lens but no battery or charger , and as I am yet to collect and inspect the camera, no idea if it works, but for less than $250 a wee bit of TLC might solve any issues. I have do e a little research and it seems the camera certainly may have some foibles, but I love to tinker, and I have a mate who is a borderline genius who loves old electronics and solving problems, seems a match made in heaven. Seems every CP-16 should have an electronics guru in their support crew. Can't wait to collect camera and test it out. I also bought an Auricon pro 600 from the same seller a week later, full kit for less than $200! Can't wait to play with my new toys, just have to work out how to smuggle them into the house without my wife finding out.... The auricon pic is off the net, mine looks exactly the same

Hello, You bought the camera I was almost tempted to buy, but I figured I have enough camera projects on the boil. From what I understand, using lithium grease is the way to go, unless your service manual states specific lubricants. For instance I think arriflex use a specific arriflex lube. Take lots of photos, and wait for someone to jump on the chat who knows more... Gareth

Thanks for such an informative write up Aapo, some really good info for potential camera buyers. It is hard to get such info, Olex is another forum user with a breadth of knowledge on Russian cameras. The things that most potential users are wary of are just the things you have offered, lens availability, correct mounts, tips about motors, magazines and specific camera foibles. I suppose with the internet auctions the same old dictum's are very applicable, do your research or risk getting stung accidentally, and if a camera seems too cheap to pass up, there's probably a very good reason... which is the same for all camera's to differing degrees.

G'day, Well I had a look around on a popular auction site, and I must say I was not able to find any cameras within the price range you suggested, I did find some that were in very good condition and ready to shoot: Bolex EBM $1990USD Canon Scoopic $999 USD Krasnogorsk 3 $750 USD Arriflex 16BL $3250 USD Beaulieu R16 $2222 USD CP-16A $1900 USD Compared to these prices, a cheaper kit from Russia remains pretty attractive. I understand that from the point of view of someone who is earning money from shooting film, buying the best you can because when you're paid to shoot you don't want your camera breaking down is logical. If I could charge for filming for people I reckon I could buy one of the above kits and even afford to get it serviced. But I am an amateur, I still try to keep good equipment and shoot professionally, but I don't get paid. And considering the number of members of this forum, I would be very surprised if more than 15% or 20% could state they earned their living entirely from film work, maybe 10 years ago, definitely 15 years ago perhaps, but I am inclined to think that the future of film shooting will be done mostly by amateurs, not paid. And I think the majority of those film shooters will be happy to put extra effort into fixing or maintaining cameras or shoot according to equipment limitations, if it means getting to shoot film. A fairly simple equation, $500 on kit, $1000 on film = short film master piece. or $1500 on kit, and delay shooting film while saving for more money. Just my thought, probably wrong..... Gareth

I had a look over Olex's Russian camera page, interesting reading about the work he does to improve and update/repair some of the camera's weak points. https://sites.google.com/site/olexserviceskinor/home The cameras I think will remain attractive to a few people as they offer a cheap way into 16mm and many old Russian lenses are becoming quite sought after. A few people out there do not mind putting a bit of effort into making their camera work well. I suppose not many cameras were able to replicate the B&H Filmo "bomb proof" reliability and durability....

G'day, what about Kinor, there seems to be many positive remarks about Kinor, Konvas info is quite hard to find. What experiences have you come across? Are there any inherent faults that you know of for future buyers to be wary of? cheers, Gareht

Here is a great example of quality 16mm gear going cheap, if postage was not such a killer to Oz, I would buy it myself! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16mm-Soviet-movie-camera-SP-16-magazine-Konvas-Kinor-Arriflex-Eyemo-AKS-AKC-CP/192738101731?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KMZ-Kinor-16-SP-Soviet-Russian-1961-Professional-16mm-Cine-camera/183615491213?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Movie-camera-Konvas-KSR-2M-with-Crystal-Synchro-motor-17EP-16APK-Mattebox-5-Mags/323397686825?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 For those that want to try 35mm! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/KONVAS-1KCP-movie-film-camera-w-25M-8M-motor-28mm-50mm-135mm-lens-woody-box-grip/312149938239?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649 There are some seriously nice kits coming up very cheap, and although most have unique lens mounts, lenses for these cameras are very cheap considering the alternatives. All it takes for the adventurous film maker is a daring heart, a touch of confidence, and thanks to Google translate, an English user manual!

[quote name="Tyler Purcell" post="505885" timestamp="1546545503" The Bolex has a very similar auto loading mechanism. You slide a lever, the auto loop positioners go into place, you push the film into the first sprocket and it auto threads. It's a very fast camera to load, unlike the K3... uggg. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pYPiKeoh0BA I reckon the K3 is sweet to load, you want a complex and convoluted film path? Try the Pentaflex.... Punishing, thank god for its magazines

Hello Luigi, PM sent.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pentacon-Pentaflex-AK16-Filmkamera-Carl-Zeiss-Biotar-cinema-movie-GERMANY-16mm-/323584478652

G'day, I have posted the camera for sale on the following pages, I can offer preferential treatment for forum members, will be on postage destination not price sorry, I like the camera so much I might even keep it. Cheers, Gareth https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/283302785596?ul_noapp=true https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ararat/other-cameras/canon-1218-super8-camera/1203912698?utm_source=transactional&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=manage_ad

Anyhow I bought the lens, AUD$210, pretty good for an excellent condition, just have to put my Canon 1218 super8 up for sale to pay for it, I cannot wait to see the results..

Gday, Simon I think you might have mistaken me for someone who might understand what you just said.... Is there a "dummy's version"

Hello, Well, I already owned and used a K3 and I was quite happy with the results and enjoyed using the camera, however, I did want to pick up a powered 16mm kit, winding up every 30 odd seconds was going to annoy. I saw a Pentaflex kit come available locally for $180 if I remember correctly, and after a bit of research I thought it would be a bargain at that price. There were a few extra factors, the benefit of buying a non-rare obscure kit, it will be cheaper, but parts and lenses potentially harder to find, but should be cheaper when they do appear. Also, repair work is harder to find with obscure gear, but as it is East German, one can repair it with a hammer and crescent wrench! Also, the standard lenses are high quality and mostly affordable, and as an old industry told me years ago, "it's not the box that counts so much, it the lens in front and the person looking through the view finder" And I find the camera to be quite well built. Also, I like to tinker, and as I can rarely afford to bugger things up, a well built solid camera fits the bill. One has to bear in mind that the Australian market is quite small, we do not get the choices of Europe and North America, and while it is true postage rates are mostly affordable, as I should for interest and not money, several thousand on a kit is hard to justify when I have a young child, mortgage, and wooden house... All in all, I think the Pentaflex is under valued as a 16mm camera, and because of that I had a hard time finding any information about it, so thats why I translated all the manuals I could find and added what I did to the camera to my website, so future film makers who are curious about getting one, either for budget, access, or even curiosity, can easily find the right info and not be bogged down by negative anecdotes. As an aside, the magazine film path is quite convoluted, but I developed an easy cheat, not I can load magazines faster than my K3... Sorry for the long answer, short version? It was cheap. :-)

Gday, Thanks for the feedback Simon, some interesting info there, I do after all have around 1000ft of b&w to use at a later date. I did not know about the effects on colour a 3element lens would have, thanks for telling me that, methinks I should perhaps learn a wee bit more about lenses... Now I am leaning towards getting one... Dom, you are right, a prime would be the better bet, but for the pentaflex and it's unique mount and scarcity of adaptors, lenses available to me are limited, not an overly bad thing considering the standard lenses for the pentaflex are Carl Zeiss. I did some research before buying the camera and accepted the lack of lens choice as acceptable. I have a 12.5mm and 25mm prime, the 50mm seems to go for over $1300, the 80mm goes for around $500 if you can find one. Half of me wants to grab lenses that suit as they come along in case I never see one again, and the other half thinks to just focus on getting the best from what I have. Regarding the pentovar I attempted to fix, one of the diaphragm blades got bent slightly, so I solved the problem that started with a stiff diaphragm before jamming entirely, and discovered a knackered lenses deep inside. Good thing is I have a spare emaculate front element. Maybe I'll buy the triotar and have the pentovar as a back up... Great food for thought guys, Cheers

Hello, I currently have been using a Pentovar Variofocal on my Pentaflex AK16 and am pretty happy with the results so far, however, I have the opportunity to purchase a very nice condition Triotar 135mm. I have done a little research on the net and most everyone states that the Triotar is a great lens. What I was hoping from the other members are suggestions, should I get the Triotar? Will the images be appreciably better than the Pentovar I have been using? If the difference is negligible I would rather use the money to shoot and develop some film instead. Bearing in mind my last Pentovar got a bent blade and the repair was really annoying, hence the reason I went out and bought another. Will the Triotar outlast the Pentovar? How often will I get the chance to buy a Triotar with a Pentaflex mount? I posted this on manual focus, but then it occurred to be that they are predominantly still camera. I am conflicted..... cheers, Gareth

Hello, I received an email the other day from reversal cine n.z and he sent me the following link:https://www.monstervalley.co.nz/super8 I think its great! And they are also running a film festival.

покупатели старого фильма часто получают то, что они заслуживают ... Gareth

Gday, I tried to use online translators but they kept assuming the Cyrillic alphabet was Zulu!! So thanks so much Kyryll, very handy work, and makes interesting reading too. Can't wait to shoot some, should be very moody looking footage... It expired in the late 80's so a wee bit of adjustment might be needed... Cheers, gareth

Hello, I recently received via ebay some rolls of 16mm Svema Och45 B&W. Inside one of the boxes I found a pamphlet, I was hoping there might be a member here who might be able to tell me what the "gist" is. page 01 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90387324@N05/45145049775/in/dateposted-public/ page 02 https://www.flickr.com/photos/90387324@N05/45145049975/in/dateposted-public/ you never know, might be interesting... Cheers, Gareth

This might be considered an update, couldn't find a date Https://www.whconstruction.co.nz/case/archives-nz-film-processing-laboratory-alterations-fitout/ Or try these guys: https://reversalcine.com/

Gday, Try the links on this page. http://www.mishkin.yolasite.com/australian-16mm.php The businesses servicing super8 and 16mm are continually expanding, and neglab re opened in Sydney for 16mm and 35mm production work. There are also labs in south east Asia and India that process a lot of film too. They are just an email away. Sadly new Zealand has no labs left.