First post..and a Bolex 8mm question...

[Silfver8]

Hi,
just joined and got some questions that I'm hoping will 'help me started'.

I bought my first 8mm camera just two days ago - a Bolex D8La with three lenses - all in amazing condition.

I haven't had ANY experience with film cameras (but love film in still photography) and am really excited about trying out this - to me - new media.

Question 1: The Bolex D8La camera and lenses.
I've browsed and read up on the differences between regular and double 8mm, super-8 and 16mm and it all seems pretty clear to me. I am however curious to get experienced opinions on the camera and lenses I bought as to if this is a kit that is capable of producing good quality movies ('good quality' is ofcourse subjective but I'd love to hear your opinions).

Camera: Bolex Paillard D8La
Lenses:
1) Schneider-Kreuznach, Xenar 1:2.8/45
2) YVAR 1.9/13 AR
3) Schneider-Kreuznach, Cinegon 1,8/5,5

Condition: Mint

I paid: $70

Are the lenses considered 'good' and/or what other lenses could/should I look for?

The Cinegon says 1,8/5,5 - I assume this means 55mm? If so it seems awfully close to the Xenar at 45mm so it may make sense to swap one of these for a lens with a different focal length. If so, which one should I keep?

Question 2: Operation
I haven't put a film through this camera yet just learning the controls for now. I noticed that when shooting the camera after fully wound it - the film speed seems to change a lot (it speeds up..slows downj..speeds up again). It also seems to change when the camera is not perfectly level.
Is this normal and if not is there a home-remedy for it?

Looks like a really nice machine and I'm excited about shooting the first roll this weekend as long as the camera works well enough.

Some of my still shots is at http://pbase.com/rsilfverberg and my blog is at http://silfver.blogspot.com

[filmbuff]

Hi,
I bought my first 8mm camera just two days ago - a Bolex D8La with three lenses - all in amazing condition.

Are the lenses considered 'good' and/or what other lenses could/should I look for?

The Cinegon says 1,8/5,5 - I assume this means 55mm? If so it seems awfully close to the Xenar at 45mm so it may make sense to swap one of these for a lens with a different focal length. If so, which one should I keep?

I use a B8LA myself, it is an awesome camera if working properly. The lenses you have should be great. The 5,5 should be a 5.5mm wide angle lens

Question 2: Operation
I haven't put a film through this camera yet just learning the controls for now. I noticed that when shooting the camera after fully wound it - the film speed seems to change a lot (it speeds up..slows downj..speeds up again). It also seems to change when the camera is not perfectly level.
Is this normal and if not is there a home-remedy for it?

No, the camera should not change speeds it should be smooth and steady. Unless something is really wrong it probably just needs some oil to help loosen up the old grease. I've posted some instructions before on how the take the camera partially apart. I'll look around and post them here.

[filmbuff]

Here's the instructions on how to lubricate your Bolex.

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.movi ... lr=&rnum=1

[sciolist]

The series of regular 8mm amateur cameras were well made and are capable of producing very good images provided they're properly maintained. The irregular motor speed you describe is a sure indicator that the mechanism needs cleaning and lubrication. If you're unprepared to do this yourself, Steve Randall at http://www.bolexrepair.com can service the camera.

If you're interested in learning more about your camera and others in the series, the BOLEX 8 GUIDE, authored by G. R. Sharp and published in several editions through the 1960s, is a valuable reference. These books can be found secondhand from various suppliers. There were at least a dozen D-mount lenses offered by Bolex for your camera.

[Silfver8]

Thanks for the replies.
I will have a look for that book. Seems interesting.
Also thanks for the link to how to perform the camera lubrication.
I'll see if it's something I feel comfortable doing on my own or if it's better to have it sent off.

[steve hyde]

...welcome to the forum.

I've not used this particular camera. One thing I always recomend with old motion picture cameras, is to have it serviced before film testing it. I've had better luck when I've done this. Film tests get very expensive and it's just not worth burning money or burning up the motor in your camera. That said, be careful about running the camera without film in it as this can damage it..

I also know a guy here in Seattle with a nice set of Switar (d mount??) 8mm lenses that look quite nice. I bet he would sell them for a song...

Steve

[StoneBuilder]

These cameras are excellent machines but are now getting, like their owners, a bit past it. The motor should run steadily, with a full reel of film, just slowing down a tiny bit, perhaps, before the governer kicks in and stops it. Those instructions for oiling the gears doesn't tell how fiddly that spring loaded tension roller actually is and how likely it is to go pertwang as it's being taken to bits. It's easier to hold it in place with a tiny bit of tape when putting it back together and then to clean all traces of gum off the roller, with solvent, afterwards. It's probably best to practise this procedure on a duff one, in fact - there's plenty of those on ebaY. Good luck !