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The Bolex Auto Cine A16mm Camera, introduced in 1928, was the first camera produced by Jacques Bogopolsky under the Bolex name. It featured a 25mm Anastigmat lens and a 50ft film capacity.
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BOLEX Juan Carlos Rosero
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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. 8:1 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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%).
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.
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.
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. 8:1 and 1:1 external drive shaft permits the attachment of an electric motor.
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.
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.
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.
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.