Bolex Camera guide

Revised 1/14/2010
We have several models of Bolex cameras. Each model has different capabilities. All of our Bolex cameras have "names." Cameras with similar features have similar names. The theory is that it is easier to remember 13 names than it is to remember 13 six digit numbers. If a particular camera gives you joy or pain, remembering the name will help you request it or avoid it.  All of our Bolexes have similar features, but the controls vary slightly, the lenses they accept vary, and some have the ability to accept a motor while others do not. Some will allow single-frame stop-motion animation and some are self-threading. Although the Bolex is a very well built and dependable camera, care must be taken when using a Bolex as they are expensive and difficult to replace.

NEVER subject cameras or other sensitive equipment to impacts (even if the equipment is in a padded case.

NEVER subject any equipment to extreme heat or cold.

ALWAYS allow cameras and other equipment to acclimate to the environment you are shooting in by letting it rest in the case with the case tabs opened but the lid closed for at least an hour. This will help you avoid condensation, which can cause expensive damage.

NEVER touch the prism.

NEVER use excessive force or over tighten anything on the camera.

You are 100% financially responsible for repair and/or replacement in the event of damage or loss of the Bolex as well as any other equipment checked out from RTF Checkout.

Reflex Viewfinder

The optical system of the Bolex H-16 reflex cameras utilizes a beam splitter permitting through the lens viewing at all times free from flicker. The reflex viewfinder enables accurate focusing and framing, and allows you to estimate the depth of field. The reflex prism deflects 20 - 25% of the light passing through the lens into the viewfinder system. Only 75 – 80% of the light reaches the film plane. The actual quality of the light reaching the film is reduced by about 1/2 to 1/3 of an f-stop. To compensate for the light reduction, Bolex has determined that the effective shutter speed for the H-16 camera is 1/80 of a second rather than the standard 1/65 of a second.

Another compensation for the light loss is the RX lens designed by Bolex with Kern/Switar..The RX lens is calibrated to pass 1/2 to 1/3 more light than the aperture markings on the barrel
indicates. When using RX lenses with the H-16 camera, the effective shutter speed is back to 1/65 of a second.
When using non-RX lenses of 50 mm or less, satisfactory results can be obtained when stopped down to f/8 or smaller.

Lenses

Six of our Bolex cameras, the SBMs, take Bayonnet mount lenses. The remaining cameras take CMount lenses. Refer to the chart Bolex Cameras and Their Attributes” on the RTF website to determine which lenses you can use on each Bolex camera. IF YOU ARE USING AN SBM BOLEX and you want to use CMount lenses, YOU MUST RESERVE A BAYONNET TO