Steven Budden

Check ebay. There are often large lots of unused ones. Steven

The black blob is a physical blob on the side of the prism which swings out in front of the gate... not in the viewfinder. It seems to be holding the elements together but I can't tell if all have this or only after the prism has been taken apart and put back together? I understand what you're saying about the diopter. If it is not in focus on the ground glass then the zoom will be out of focus through its whole range... and it if is in focus then the zoom should be in focus in its whole range? I guess it's just difficult to judge focus at the shorter focal lengths. I'll shoot some tests for sure. No ideas on the footage counter sticking? Also, side topic: what sort of oil should I use to safely lube this thing and what should I look out for so as not to run into any problems? Thanks! Steven

I found a 12.5 - 114 MC. Thanks. Steven

One more thing... the guy I bought it from said the camera was serviced 2 years ago and then went into storage almost right after. He said everything checked out then. Also, does 2 years in storage warrant another servicing or is it probably alright to shoot with? Seems fine except for the footage counter. Steven

Keep in mind if you look at reflexes, try and get one with a serial number of 200,000. Otherwise you'll have the 6 x viewfinder, and though I've never tried that, I have a 10x and it is already really dark and hard to see through at times. I use a viewfinder anyway for some shots (which is what you would use on a non reflex). Also, whatever you get, try and save as much money as you can for some decent lenses. They're more important than the camera in some senses in terms of image quality. Steven

Or maybe the reflex prism is messed up or something? There is a blob of something on the side of it... something black. I don't recall if my other camera had that. Anyway I had no problem with my other bolex but this one is being stubborn. Steven

Alright, maybe I'm just not seeing that it is in focus as wide angles. Yeah, the switar MC zoom. When I set the focus on the ground glass with no lens, all seems fine. But then I can't focus when I put the lens on and zoom out to shorter focal lengths (12.5). At least, it doesn't look clear but I guess it would have to be judging by the distance? I guess I may be having difficulty focusing on the ground glass with no refernce other than specks. Steven

A REX 4 with a few lenses and a case/ some film, etc went for only $405 the other day. Steven

I'm having some irritation with focusing a Bolex SB. When I focus on the ground glass, it appears sharp, but then when I use the lens it won't focus at the shorter focal lengths. Then I can change the diopter to focus on the shorter focal lengths (not the ground glass) and it seems to work fine. And then when I go to look at the ground glass it seems sharp enough. Is this a safe way to set the diopter? Maybe I just can't judge the ground glass focus accurately, because there's nothing to really use as a reference? If it is in focus through the lens does that guarantee it will be in focus on film (if the film plane is positioned correctly)? Thanks! Steven

Non reflex means you can't look through the lens while filming. Maybe ok for some applications but you might hold out for a reflex if you'll need to see what you're filming as you're filming. For animation and such it might be easier to use, or shots with minimal camera/ subject movement. Also, the lenses on this one aren't that great. Even if you get a non reflex you might try to get one with switars. Steven

Actually, now the counter went from 23 to 10. Maybe it's only mildly stuck. Steven

Sex and Lucia showed all over the US, at least LA, San Francisco, Phoenix Arizona, etc. Steven

Just got a Bolex SB and it seems to work fine except for the footage counter doesn't reset or move. Is there a simple way to get this thing moving again? Would oiling the camera have any effect on this? Thanks! Steven

I love grain in a film, as long as it is not distracting. It directs attention to the film medium itself. Anyway, I was actually surprised at the quality of super 16 in this film. It made me excited to shoot some myself. Steven PS. I may've seen it on a smaller screen than others.

There was a post on this a while ago. It had instructions for loading the mags. Steven

Thanks! Maybe I'll pick up one of those someday (rexofader). Steven

Did you look at the 16mm Camera Book? I think it gives the pros and cons of most of those lenses. Anyway, the Angenieux are generally regarded as softer than their counterparts. Which may be alright but perhaps not if you're blowing up to 35mm. What kind of camera? Steven

Igmar Bergman's most recent film, SARABAND (2003). It was made for television but I saw it last night in the theatre. It has that television look but you know, it's Bergman. He didn't like the tranfer to film so he refused to allow it to be shown, but it is now finally out in limited release. Steven

There was also another post on this topic about a week ago. Steven

He did my conversion of a bolex. It took a long time but came out good. Steven

That helps. I'd prefer a pro negative cutter but it seems costly paying per cut. I see so if the reversal is the original the dust won't show as badly, so my workspace, though clean, may not need to be hyper clean? Thanks! Steven

Yes, the rexofader. Steven

Hola. We were speaking about this a little in the 16mm post a while back. I'd like to hand process some black and white film, not to save cash but for the subtle fluctuations in the tonalities (black and white to start). I've found an Arkay G-3 and a Lomo spiral tank available. I was thinking that the Lomo was just better but the person who has it says that it gives such uniform results one might as well use a lab. Is the G-3 less uniform? I hear it's more of a pain. I'd really like to start messing up film soon so I can begin to make discoveries, but I keep procrastinating out of timidity. Any help appreciated. Thanks! Steven

Yeah that 70mm film fest at the castro has some interesting choices. Road Warrior, Edward Scissorhands, Space Odyssey... Ghost Busters? Steven

Also, is it advisable to refrigerate raw stock, processed stock, and prints? Steven