I am currently in the process of getting ready to have my Bolex REX-5 16mm camera converted to Ultra 16mm. I am going to do it with Bernie at Super16 inc., but before that, I have been testing my Bolex out (without film) for operation with the Tobin TXM-26C crystal sync motor. I actually got the last one they had of these at Tobin Cinema Systems about 2 years ago. The TXM-26C is working OK at 24 fps when all hooked up, which included hooking it up via an adapter at the top with a modified cable to the MM torque motor for the 400ft. magazine.
I found out what everyone else has been saying about the Bolex being a loud camera...it surely is! I don't know if I will ever use it for a sync-sound film. But I ran the motor (without film) at all the different speeds and the SYNC-ALARM on the TXM-26C lit up for about 5 seconds while the camera revved up to 48 fps (the highest speed on it). I don't know if this will be a problem when shooting on set, AND with a full 400ft. load of film. I've read in other posts that if you want to shoot high-speed you need to shoot with a 100ft. daylight spool, without the 400ft. magazine attached. On all the other speeds of the motor (7.5, 12, 15, 24, & 30 fps.) the camera synced up within a fraction of a second (with hardly any SYNC-ALARM light).
I've also been looking into what I will do when I get my Ultra16 Bolex. Will Cinelicious be the only goto house in the USA for Ultra 16mm transfers to HD? Are there any other post houses that handle U16 film? Are there any other labs other than Alphacine that won't hurt the area in-between the perfs? How much money are we really talking about for a low-low-budget film (around 90 min. in length) if I transfer to HD and edit on a Power Mac G5 2.5 dual, then blow-up to film? (35mm or just project digital)
Any help/info would be greatly appreciated.