Bolex H-16 Standard

Works beautifully. One nice thing about this camera is that it can be set to run at 8 frames per second.

• Comes with detachable “Octameter” rangefinder that can be set to 16,25, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, plus 2 empty daylight spools.
• Comes with separate back winding handle that fits this camera.
• Comes with a 2^nd, extra, partially complete, eye-level rear focusing attachment.
• Comes with Danish-made pistol grip that fits this Bolex 16mm camera.

Serial No.: 81794

According to the Bolex Collector website, serial numbers 70000 to 85000 were made in 1952. We think this camera was made in 1952. Could be Series VI.

H-16 STANDARD

16mm Camera

1952

OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 8 1/2" x 6" x 3"

WEIGHT: Approximately 5.6 lbs

OUTER CASE: Highly polished duraluminium body, covered in genuine Morocco leather. Metal parts are chrome-plated.

FILM CAPACITY: 100ft (30m) and 50ft (15m) daylight loading spools of 16mm film.

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 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 magnified groundglass screen.

VIEWFINDER: Eye-level focuser allows for critical focusing through a groundglass screen. Tri Focal viewfinder gives an exact viewing field for lenses of 3 focal lengths.

VARIABLE SPEED: 8, 16, 24, 32 and 64 frames per second

Eye Level FocusRELEASE 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.

SHUTTER: 190 degree aperture shutter

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.

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

Notes and Comments

The H-16 "Standard" was sold with an eye level focuser and trifocal viewfinder (inscribed with a serial number identical to the camera body).

Eye level viewers for Bolex H cameras were available as early as 1940, but do not seem to have been manufactured by Paillard until after WWII. Stevens engineering and the American Bolex Company produced an "Auxilliary Focus Tube" with special mounting brackets, which magnified the image seen through the critical focus screen, and allowed viewing to be done behind the camera, at eye level.

Paillard produced an early version of this accessory by 1948, and began including it with all H model cameras. By 1949, the eye level focus was redesigned with the ability to adjust for the user's eyesight.