BOLEX

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BOLEX
Juan Carlos Rosero
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AUTO CINE A16mm Camera1928
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AUTOCINE A

• The Auto Cine A was the first camera produced by
  Jacques Bogopolsky under the Bolex name. He had
  previously patented the Bol Cinegraph in 1924 a
  combination 35mm motion picture camera and
  projector that could film, as well as project
  both still and moving images.
• 16mm film had become an increasingly popular
  gauge among amateurs since its introduction by
  Kodak in 1923. In 1928, Bogopolsky introduced the
  Bolex Auto Cine which accepted 50ft daylight
  loading spools of 16mm film.

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AUTOCINE A

• OVERALL DIMENSIONS Approximately 6in x 6in x 2
  2/5in (15cm x 15cm x 6cm)
• WEIGHT Approximately 3.5 lbs (1.5 kg)
• OUTER CASE Polished aluminum alloy, covered with
  black crinkle paint.
• FILM CAPACITY 50 ft (15m) daylight loading
  spools of 16mm film.
• THREADING Manual threading
• MOTOR Constant speed, key wound spring motor.
  Winding key could be removed or simply folded
  back against its side when not in use.
• LENS Fitted with a 25mm Anastigmat f/3.5, but
  without an interchangeable mount.

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AUTOCINE A

• VIEWFINDER Built-in optical preview finder.
• PRECISE SPEED Exposures are made at 16 frames
  per second.
• RELEASE BUTTON Finger tip release allows for
  continuous exposures.
• SHUTTER Speed of each exposure is 1/40th second.
  
• FOOTAGE COUNTER built-in indicates the amount
  of film run through the camera.
• MANUAL CRANKING could be accomplished on later
  versions of this model, as well as backwinding.
  Two sockets on the side of the counter allowed
  for hand cranking at different rates one turn
  progessing 8 frames or two turns progressing 1
  frame.

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AUTO CINE B16mm Camera1929
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AUTOCINE B

• The second variation of Bogopolsky's Auto Cine
  camera featured an enlarged housing to accept
  spools of 100 ft length. The basic design was
  later incorporated into the Paillard Bolex H
  model camera.
• The Auto Cine B was supplied in three variants
  the only distinguishing feature being the lens
  with which it was fitted.
• Hermagis Anastigmat f3.5 25mm fixed focus
• Kern Anastigmat f2.5 25mm focus mount
• Meyer Kino Plasmat f1.5 25mm focus mount

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H-1616mm Camera1935
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H-16

• By 1930, Jacques Bogopolsky had sold the Bolex
  patents to Paillard of Yverdon Switzerland a
  manufacturer of Hermes typewriters and other
  products. Paillard-Bolex was formed as the cine
  division of Paillard.
• The Bolex H-16 was introduced in 1935. The design
  appears to have been loosely based on the Bolex
  Autocine B. However, it was a radically different
  camera. Among the most notable improvements was
  the addition of a three lens turret and variable
  speed dial.

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H-16

• THREADING Automatic threading and loop forming
  throughout the entire mechanism.
• MOTOR Constant speed, spring motor mechanism
  governor controlled. Large winding handle folds
  downward and attaches to camera when not in use.
  Spring cannot be over-wound. 81 external drive
  shaft permits the attachment of an electric
  motor.
• TURRET Rotating turret accommodates three
  interchangeable C mount lenses. The top position
  allows for critical focusing through a
  groundglass screen on later versions of this
  model.

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H-16

• VIEWFINDER accessory Tri Focal viewfinder gives
  an exact viewing field for lenses of 3 focal
  lengths. Later versions of this model had a
  built-in critical focus viewer with optional
  cupped eyepiece.
• VARIABLE SPEED 8, 16, 24, 32 and 64 frames per
  second with the ability to change speeds while
  the camera is running.
• RELEASE BUTTON provides for the making of
  continuous exposures by a finger-tip release on
  the front of the camera. A side release allows
  for locked, hands-free running or single frame
  exposures.

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H-16

• SHUTTER 190 degree disc shutter, operates at
  118/1000 of an inch from emulsion side of film
  with an exposure rate of 1/30 second at 16 fps.
• FOOTAGE COUNTER adds and subtracts accurately in
  forward or reverse motion and automatically
  returns to zero when film is reloaded into the
  camera.
• AUDIBLE FOOTAGE INDICATOR A distinct click
  announces the passing of each 10 inches of film
  through the gate. This mechanism may be
  disengaged, if desired, by simply moving a lever.

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H-16

• FRAME COUNTER An accessory frame counter could
  be attached to the motor crank shaft. Two
  separate counters registered increments of single
  frames and 50 frames as the film progressed.
• SINGLE FRAME Time lapse and animation is
  possible by using the side release button or an
  accessory cable release and adapter I-T lever
  allows for timed or instantaneous single
  exposures.
• MANUAL REWIND Clutch disengages spring motor and
  permits forward movement and backwind without
  running down the spring allows for dissolves and
  superimposition.
• TRIPOD SOCKET 3/8" thread

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H-9

• 9.5mm Camera 1935
• The 9.5mm gauge, introduced by Pathe' in 1922,
  never caught on as an amateur format. Perhaps
  because of this, the H-9 appears to have never
  been sold by either the American Bolex company or
  Paillard Products of New York.
• The H9 is otherwise similar in construction to
  the H-16.

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H-88mm Camera1938
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H-8

• The Bolex H-8 was introduced shortly after the
  H-16 and shared similar features.
• Bolex cameras in the H8 non-reflex series H-8,
  H-8 Leader, H-8 Standard, H-8 Deluxe, H-8 T and
  H-8 S.
• Bolex cameras in the H16 non-reflex series H-16,
  H-16 Leader, H-16 Standard, H-16 Deluxe, H-16
  Supreme, H-16 T and H-16 S.

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H-16 REFLEX16mm Camera1956
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H-16 Reflex

• The Bolex reflex used a semi-reflecting prism
  located behind the lens and in front of the
  shutter. The advantage was flicker-free viewing
  during filming. However, it produced a slight
  loss of light diverted by the reflecting prism
  (approximately 25).

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H-16 Reflex

• Bolex Cameras in the H16 Reflex Series H16
  Reflex, H16 REX, H16 REX-2, H16 REX-3, H16 REX-4
  and H16 REX-5.
• Identifying features The first model of H16
  Reflex is often mistaken for the later H16 REX.
  An original first model H16 Reflex can be
  identified as such by looking at the viewfinder
  the control knob for eyesight adjustment on this
  model is located on the side of the finder. The
  most distinguishing feature, compared to later
  reflex models, is that it does not have a
  variable shutter control lever.

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H-16 REX-516mm Camera1967
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H-16 REX-5

• OVERALL DIMENSIONS 9" x 6" x 3"
• WEIGHT 6 lbs. 12 oz. Approximately 8 1/2 lbs
  with magazine.
• OUTER CASE Highly polished duraluminium body,
  covered in genuine Morocco leather. Metal parts
  are chrome-plated.
• FILM CAPACITY 100ft (30m) daylight loading
  spools of 16mm film. Saddle accepts 400ft (120m)
  magazine.

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H-16 REX-5

• THREADING Automatic threading and loop forming.
  The end of the film is simply placed in a channel
  leading to the feed sprocket. The release is
  pressed and the film is then automatically
  threaded throughout the entire mechanism.
• MOTOR Constant speed, spring motor mechanism
  governor controlled. Large winding handle folds
  downward and attaches to camera when not in use.
  Spring cannot be over-wound. 81 and 11 external
  drive shaft permits the attachment of an electric
  motor.

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H-16 REX-5

• TURRET Rotating turret with folding lever
  Accommodates three interchangeable RX type C
  mount lenses Built-in turret lock lever.
• VIEWFINDER 10x magnification Reflex viewing
  with semi-reflecting prism system Groundglass
  focusing Adjustable to eyesight. The camera
  comes equipped with an Octometer viewfinder.
• FILTER SLOT Built-in slot holds a gelatin filter
  behind the taking lens and in front of the
  shutter.

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H-16 REX-5

• VARIABLE SPEED 12, 16, 18, 24, 32, 48 and 64
  frames per second
• RELEASE BUTTON provides for the making of
  continuous exposures by a finger-tip release on
  the front of the camera. A side release allows
  for locked, hands-free running or single frame
  exposures.
• VARIABLE SHUTTER 133 degree variable shutter
  Operated manually to decrease exposure time, or
  with accessory Rexofader to accomplish fade-ins
  and fade-outs.

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H-16 REX-5

• FOOTAGE COUNTER adds and subtracts accurately in
  forward or reverse motion and automatically
  returns to zero when film is reloaded into the
  camera.
• AUDIBLE FOOTAGE INDICATOR A distinct click
  announces the passing of each 10 inches of film
  through the gate. This mechanism may be
  disengaged, if desired, by simply moving a lever.
  
• FRAME COUNTER Twin dial counts frames
  individually and in total Adds frames in forward
  motion and subtracts when film is wound
  backwards. Dial may be reset manually at any
  time.

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H-16 REX-5

• SINGLE FRAME Time lapse and animation is
  possible by using the side release button or an
  accessory cable release and adapter I-T lever
  allows for timed or instantaneous single
  exposures.
• MANUAL REWIND Clutch disengages spring motor and
  permits forward movement and backwind without
  running down the spring allows for dissolves and
  superimposition.
• FLAT BASE Contains three tripod sockets Two
  3/8" thread and one 1/4" thread. Front of the
  base is removable for easy mounting of the Bolex
  Matte Box.