Bolex

A Bolex H16 REX-5 spring-wound clockwork 16 mm camera

Bolex is a Swiss company (Bolex International S.A. of Yverdon) that manufactures motion picture cameras and lenses, the most notable products of which are in the 16 mm and Super 16 mm formats. The Bolex company was initially founded by Jacques Bogopolsky (a.k.a. Jacques Bolsey or Bolsky) in 1927. Bolex is derived from his name. He had previously designed cameras for Alpa. Bolex cameras were particularly important for early television news, nature films, documentaries and the avant garde, and are still favoured by many animators today. Whilst some later models are electrically powered, the majority of those manufactured since the 1930s use a spring-wound clockwork. The 16 mm spring-wound Bolex is a popular introductory camera in film schools.

Today, the Bolex factory in Switzerland continues to produce new 16mm and Super 16 film cameras and also can convert Bolex H16 reflex models to super 16mm.

History

The Bolex company was initially founded by Jacques Bogopolsky (a.k.a. Jacques Bolsey or Bolsky) in 1927 under the name of Bol. Bolex is derived from his name. He had previously designed cameras for Alpa. In 1930 Jacques sold the company to the Paillard Company who retained his services until the mid 1930s. The 1935 H-16 camera is a development of the Auto Cine B model. 9.5mm and 8mm versions followed. The H-16 was highly successful and Paillard Bolex introduced the L-8 for the market for a smaller 8mm camera. With the post-war boom in home movie making, Paillard Bolex continued to develop its 8mm and 16mm ranges with the H-16 increasingly adopted by professional film makers. The company also made a successful range of high end movie projectors for all the film making gauges.

In 1965 Kodak introduced the Super 8mm format. Paillard Bolex were slow to introduce a Super 8 camera although they quickly modified the 18-5 Auto 8mm projector for Super 8 as the 18-5 Super. At about this time the 16 Pro Camera was introduced as a technically advanced professional camera more suited to television use than the H-16.

In 1970 Paillard sold the Bolex division to Eumig of Vienna. In 1971 Eumig rationalised the Super 8 range and Super 8 equipment production in Switzerland was discontinued. The Bolex product brand was retained while being manufactured in Eumig or Chinon factories. The H-16 cameras continued to be made in Switzerland.

In 1981 Eumig went into liquidation and Bolex was bought by a management team who set up Bolex International in 1982. Today, the Bolex factory in Switzerland continues to produce new 16mm and Super 16 film cameras and also can convert Bolex H16 reflex models to super 16mm.

Bolex Cameras and Projectors, Selected List

Swiss made with the year of introduction except for the Italian Silma made SM8

• Auto Cine A (1928)
• Auto Cine B (1929)
• H-16 (1935)
• H-9 (1935)
• H-16 (1935)
• Model G Projectors (1936)
• H-8 (1938)
• L-8 (1942)
• M8 and M8R Projectors (1949)
• B-8 (1953)
• C-8 (1954)
• H-16 Rx (1956)
• D-8L (1959)
• S221 Projector (1960)
• P1 (1961)
• 18-5 Projector (1961)
• K1 (1963)
• H-16 Rx-5 (1966)
• 150 Super (1967)
• SM8 Projector (made by Silma) (1967)
• S321 Projector (1968)
• 16 Pro (1968)
• 7.5 Macrozoom (1969)
• H-16 SBM (1970)
• H-16 EBM (1971)
• H-16 EL (1975)

The Bolex H-16

The Bolex H-16 is a well-known camera among film students at Ithaca College. It is more commonly know as simply "the Bolex." At this college, the camera is only used by those individuals who have passed "The Bolex Test." This test consists of questions on the topic of how to use the different settings on the control side of the Bolex, as well as an understanding in how to load film into the camera.

The Technical Aspects of The Bolex

For passing “The Bolex Test” or for general use of the Bolex camera, a better understanding of the controls is necessary.

For those individuals who take the visual learning approach when educating themselves, a good way to learn about the Bolex besides looking through one in person, would be looking at diagrams. A helpful site that depicts the Bolex inside and out is Controls on the Bolex. This site will go over the important controls of the Bolex, such as how to run the camera, where the footage counter is located and other important elements involved when using this piece of filming equipment.

Along with learning the different controls of the camera, as well as the proper way to load film, one must also understand the standard mechanics of the Bolex. When filming with a Bolex it is important to keep an eye on what the frame rate reads. For a standard motion picture film runs at 24 frames per second (fps), meaning the discs that makes up the camera shutter rotates 24 times per second. When filming at speeds faster that 24 fps a slow motion effect will be projected and when filming at speeds slower than 24 fps a fast-animated effect will be projected. An important point is to never run an empty Bolex at speeds higher than 24 fps, because this could damage the camera's motor.

An internal spring drive motor powers the Boelx. In order for this motor to run, one must turn the winding crank counter-clockwise. After winding the spring fully, the Bolex will shoot for 28 seconds.

While cleaning or loading the camera, the lid must be taken off, this is done by turning the "lid lock" handle counter-clockwise and lifting the lid off of the Bolex. When placing the lid down be sure to have the lid knob-side down in order to prevent from damaging the latches that hold the lid on the camera body.

Just like with a photography camera, the Bolex has a viewfinder , which allows the filmmaker to view what he or she is filming. The Bolex has what's called a "reflex viewfinder." This specific viewfinder is made up of a reflex prism that deflects into the viewfinder about 25% of the light going through the lens.

To fully understand how to use a Bolex one must also understand the different lenses that come with this camera. The Bolex usually has three lenses. The bottom one is 10mm wide angle, the middle lens is 25mm and considered the normal lens and the top lens is a 75mm telephoto. The filmmaker decides on which lens to use depending on the look of the shot they are creating.

See also

• List of photographic equipment makers

References

• Bolex History: Cameras, Projectors etc. by Andrew Alden. Published by A2 Time Based Graphics (April 1998) ISBN 0953307506

External links

• Bolex company website
• Documentary on the inventor of the Bolex
• Bolex Operating Manuals
• Bolex Manuals and Catalogs
• A history of Bolex cameras with serial numbers & years of manufacture
• Bolex Collector 8mm and 16mm Bolex cameras and projectors
• Virtuelles Schmalfilm-Apparate-Museum - sappam