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Which Bolex? |
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| 1.Original pre-war H16 - no built in frame counter, earliest models have a one-piece winder and no built-in focussing. Example shown with uncoated Meyer lenses and the Trifocal viewfinder. Not the most useable H16, only recommended to the truly destitute or masochistic film student however this is historically important and a must for the collector. |  |
2. Post-war model, still with key wind but now has the built in frame counter and usually comes with the folding winding handle. Example shown with an early full set of deep mount Kern lenses. Still recommended for impecunious film students and general amateur use. Acceptably collectable with the original key and a few nice accessories. |  |
| 3. H16 Standard non-reflex camera post 1956, fitted with eye level focussing attachment, turret handle and later Kern lenses: f2.8 16mm and f2.8 75mm Yvars and an f1.4 25mm Switar. One of the most commonly found H16s, often in immaculate condition - both useable and collectable. In the U.K. don't pay more than £150 for a really good specimen like this. |  |
4. Round base reflex H16 from 1956, after 1959 they have the variable shutter mechanism. This one is fitted with f1.9 75mm, f1.4 25mm Rx and f1.8 16mm Rx Switars. The small viewfinder image (6x) takes a bit of getting used to and can be difficult in critical focussing. Worth 2-3x the equivalent non-reflex model with these lenses or a Vario-Switar 86. |  |
| 5. Original round base H16M (1959-ish), cheap and simple, a visual notebook camera. Used in the original type under-water housing. Not worth as much as a turret non-reflex of the period but collectable as an example of the single 'c' mount camera. Often found fitted with the early Som-Berthiot zoom with the viewfinder down the side of the film chamber, this combination can be awkward. |  |
6. H16 M5, the H16M gained a flat base and the 1:1 drive shaft in 1964, the H16 M5 shown here appeared in 1968 and may be used with 400' magazines and a modern external motor as the basis for a professional kit as long as it has a zoom with an external viewfinder, such as the Pan-Cinor 85 f2 17 to 85mm. Not very common but worth a lot more than the original H16M. |  |
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7. Flat base reflex H16 between 1964 and 1966, has the 10x
viewfinder of the last round base reflexes, the sector I-T switch and the
8:1 drive shaft so can only be used with the older type motors. Still worth
more than the round base reflex models. We are now in the realm of useable
rather than collectable cameras.
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| 8. Mistakenly termed the RX4 (from 1964 onwards) this is the first of the cameras with the 1:1 drive shaft but it does not have the 400' magazine mount of the RX5. Example shown with Vario-Switar 86EE and Rx fader. Very useable particularly for animation where the 400' magazine option is not required. |  |
| 9. RX5 (from 1966 through to the 1990s) early models have the 10x viewfinder, later ones have 13x and 14x TV frame viewfinders. The example shown has probably the best ever set of standard primes f1.6 10mm Switar Rx, f1.1 26mm and f1.9 Rx 75mm Macro-Switars, all in the late black finish. Late models of the RX5 are partly finished in black Hammerite paint. Very, very desirable. |  |
| 10. SBM camera (1970 on), (SB is 100' load only); expect to pay a premium for the sturdier bayonet mount when compared to the equivalent turret version. Very sought after to use. The bayonet mount zoom lenses have a higher value than the equivalent 'c' mount versions. These and subsequent cameras covered are the most suitable models for Super 16 conversion. |  |
| 11. EBM camera (1971 on) big, heavy, professional piece of equipment, best bought as a full kit with batteries, charger and a good zoom. If you can get the magazines and a crystal unit you're set up. Not recommended for holiday movies and if you collect these and put them on a shelf you should be ashamed of yourself. Current price for a kit anywhere from £1000-£2000 depending on condition. |  |
| 12. EL camera (post 1975) - there are three models and the price varies accordingly, the example shown is a MkII with Vario-Switar MC 12.5 to 100mm zoom with the 6.5mm Aspheron. All ELs are very useable and hence valuable, again as with the EBM try to buy as a complete outfit. Difficult to find any working EL outfit under £1500, later models can double this price, Super 16 versions can double this again! This may seem steep but buying is still better than renting; you can always sell the camera for the same or close to what you paid when you've finished the film. |  |
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