BOLEX H16 SB, Instruction Manual

Page 1: ... o 73 eOL E C Instruction manual H Rt A S 14 2 SStf3r H 16 SB SBM ...

Page 2: ...Your motion picture camera is supplied with 1 filter holder on the camera 1 set of 3 filter holders 4 gelatin filters 1 rewind crank 1 rubber eyepiece 1 empty spool 1 cover for the bayonet mount ...

Page 3: ...x offers impeccable after sales service in practically every part of the world If service is required return your camera to the Bolex distributor in the country concerned He is authorized to carry out repairs adjustments and maintenance work By so doing you will benefit from the guarantee In any correspondence please remember to quote the serial number engraved on the base of your camera II 2SSy 3...

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Page 5: ... fully exposed 32 When the film is only partly exposed Camera operation Practical advice 16 Winding 16 Filming speeds 17 Releaseselector 18 Electric motor drive 19 Hand cranking 20 Variable shutter 21 Dissolves 23 Double exposures 33 Camera stability 34 Film composition 35 Panning shots 35 Lighting 36 Editing and titling films 36 Adding sound to films 37 Animation technique 38 Cartoons 39 Macro an...

Page 6: ...crank Threaded holes for various accessoriesand motors Film plane guide mark Variable shutter dial and control lever Coupling spindle for electric motor MST Exposure control knob for instantaneous I or time exposures T single frame filming Front release for normal running Filming speed selection knob Side release for normal running continuous film ing M and single frame exposures P Can be operated...

Page 7: ...sure pad locking pin 21 Pressure pad 22 Lower loop former 23 Film knife 24 Lower sprocket 25 Lower spool shaft for take up spool 26 Retaining arm 27 Spool ejector 28 Feet setting on footage counter 29 Lever for suppressing audible signal 30 Knob for opening loopformer 31 Saddle for 400 ft magazine 23 7 I 25 26 Only on H 16 SBM 5 ...

Page 8: ...cking lever 36 Shoe for attaching exposure meter 37 Brackets for multifocal viewfinder 38 Lid opening knob 39 1 4 and 3 8 threaded tripod sockets 40 Serial number 41 Cap for clapstick lamp housing of MST motor Camera H 16 SB is identical except for the parts required for attaching the 400 ft magazine indicated by an asterisk ...

Page 9: ...ite and colour films come in various sensitivities which are expressed in ASA or DIN degrees and indicated on the instructions leaflet accompanying each film The date before which the film should be exposed is normally stamped on the film pack 16 mm film is available in the unprocessed condition with a magnetic stripe for sound recording We would adViseyou against uSing thiS film ihe mag netic la ...

Page 10: ...crew Closing the viewfinder If the reflex viewfinder is not used during filming close it by moving the small lever a into a vertical position If it is left open there is a risk of sunlight or artificial light from behind the camera entering the viewfinder eyepiece and fogging the film Focusin Open the diaphragm wide then turn the distance setting ring until the picture is in sharp focus on the gro...

Page 11: ...wn locking lever and turn milled ring as far as it will go Remove the bayonet mount cover Insert the lens with the index mark on top Turn milled ring To remove the lens Turn milled ring until it is stopped by the locking system the lens cannot fall out Press locking lever and turn milled ring as far as it will go the lens will then pull out easily 9 ...

Page 12: ...s attached to the lens mount of the camera as described above After removing the lens attach the bayonet mount cover to protect the reflex prism from dust Field of view The field of view of a lens depends on its focal length Standard lenses 26 mm are suitable for most shots Wide angle lenses 10 mm are used for general views or when it is difficult to move back from the subject buildings interiors ...

Page 13: ...ilming distance The longer the focal length the wider the diaphragm opening or the shorter the filming distance the shallower the depth of field will be Focusing must therefore be especially accurate Conversely the shorter the focal length the smaller the diaphragm opening or the longer the filming distance the wider the depth of field will be and the greater the margin for focusing inaccuracy On ...

Page 14: ...ecially for your camera and allows for the fact that about 25 ofthe light IS detiected mto the vlewfinder by the retiex prism i he exposure meter fits on to a special shoe see page 6 The use of the exposure meter safeguards against exposure errors In the chart opposite the figures listed in the column under adapted exposure times take into account the light deflected by the reflex prism 12 Exposur...

Page 15: ...nd can be set to two positions Filter holder pushed incompletely lever in slot c the gelatin filter is in the filming position Filter holder half way lever turned back into slot d the gelatin filter is not in use To remove filter holder push knob b downward and pull lever c horizontally When the filter is not used pull the lever and turn it to position d Note the camera to 13 ...

Page 16: ...e 96 Neutral Density ND 0 60 filter can be used with both black and white and colour films and in no way affects colour reproduction As the ASA sensitivity IS reduced tour times the diaphragm can be opened two stops This filter is used 1 When the lighting conditions and the film sensitivity require an aperture lower than the smallest stop on the lens 2 When it is desired to reduce the depth of fie...

Page 17: ...eplace the lever making sure that this is correctly angled in relation to the filter mount notch a Focusingadjustment Placing a filter behind the lens slightly alters the lens focusing However the necessary correction is automatically made when the reflex view finder is used Important Because of its distance from the film plane the filter mount cannot be used as a mask holder for trick effects suc...

Page 18: ...rewinding the motor after each take regardless of how much power is still in reserve Filming speeds The camera has seven filming speeds 12 16 18 24 32 48 and 64 frames per second To select the desired speed turn the control knob b until the corresponding figure is opposite the red dot When the film is projected at normal speed 18 or 24 f p s a lower filming speed will produce an accel erated motio...

Page 19: ...lming Push the side releaseto P Instantaneous turn the knob until the guide mark is in position I Time exposures guide mark in position T for use in poor lighting conditions such as indoors When makin time exposures open fhe variable shutter full or one of its blades may mas part 0 t e p cture You can also use the electnc motor and the Bolex Variotimer single frame control unit which ensure absolu...

Page 20: ...side release to M The camera will continue running as long as the motor is wound To stop the camera move the side release back to STOP Disengaging the spring motor The spring motor can be disengaged as described on the following page ...

Page 21: ...erate in reverse as well as forward motion by means of a smail auxiliary crank the spool can thus be fully rewound and a partly exposed film removed from the camera This is particularly useful for eCla e ects suc as la dissolves double ex o see ec 2 3 __ 4 1 2 4 3 19 ...

Page 22: ...and when it is sto e IS enab es you to re uce exposure time without changing the filming speed In dazzling light such as snow and water scenes the variable shutter can be used to reduce exposure thereby often eliminating the need for a neutral density filter closed position marked 1 the diaphragm should be opened one stop in the D shutter ...

Page 23: ...t is a good idea to introduce the openina scene with a fade in using the variable shutter as follows I J Close the variable shutter without locking the control lever InStart the camera with the left hand while simulta neously opening the shutter with the right using the I lever To ensure a smooth movement press the middle finger against the edge of the turret and holding the small black lever knob...

Page 24: ...brightness scarcely vanes To produce a lap dissolve 1 Close the sequence with a fade out without interrupting filming and without regard to the frame counter Lock the shutter in the closed position Set the t o dials of the frame counter to zero Disengage the motor and rewind the film in reverse until the frame counter indicates the figures corresponding to the duration of the fade out An example i...

Page 25: ...ariable shutter by locking the lever in 3 Set the frame counter to zero 4 Film the first scene Duration of fade in seconds I Filming speed 18 f p s I 24 f p s 1 973 964 2 964 952 2 955 940 3 946 928 5 Note the reading of the frame counter 6 Fully close the variable shutter and lock the lever in that position 7 Disengage the motor and wind the film back until the frame counter again reads zero 8 En...

Page 26: ... frame counter reading 6 Freethe variable shutter lever 7 Continue the sequence with a semi fade in of about 1 seconds and end it with the lever locked in the open position Note the frame counter read ing 8 Fully close the variable shutter and lock the lever in that position 9 Disengage the motor and wind the film back until the frame counter reads zero 1O Engagethe motor and free the variable shu...

Page 27: ...able to reduce exposure time without changing filming speed as this diminishes the blur caused by a moving subject Increased picture sharpness is especially useful for projection on wide screens To safeguard against the risk of jerkiness due to the shutter being partially closed the filming speed should be increased for instance to 24 f p s or over when filming with the shutter half closed ...

Page 28: ...o avoid exposing the edges of the film to light the camera should be loaded in a dimly lit place well away from sunshine Before loading the camera 1 Set the side release 1 to STOP 2 Set the disengaging lever 2 to MOT 3 Move the selection knob 3 until the number corres ponding to the desired filming speed faces the red dot 4 Wind the camera page 16 ...

Page 29: ...lm on the upper spool shaft film should run in the direc tion indicated by the engraved arrow I in the film gate the dark shiny side of the film the backing should face towards the 1 back of the camera and the light matt side sensitized towards the lens 3 Using the film knife cut off the end of the film diagonally between two perforations as shown in the illustration Rememberto remove the piece wh...

Page 30: ...ool Rotate until about three turns of film have been taken up and place the spool on the lower spool shaft 9 Turn the take up spool by hand clockwise to take up any slack film Final check Press the release and run the camera for several seconds to ensure that the film is advancing normally and the loops at either end of the film gate are forming correctly Replace the lid and lock it by turning the...

Page 31: ... counter is sufficiently accurate for ordinary filming For special effects that require absolute preCISion the frame counter should be used Frame counter By indicating the exact number of frames exposed this counter is invaluable for scientific studies as well as various effects such as lap dissolves and double exposures It is also very useful for single frame filming animation technique see page ...

Page 32: ...positions of the dials but only of their readings You can easily check if the figures shown on the frame counter refer to the first or second cycle by looking at the footage counter 1000 frames of 16 mm film correspond to 25 ft To set the frame counter to zero use knob a which controls the upper dial and knob b which controls the lower totalizer dial Audible signal ...

Page 33: ...s to reveal the aperture Then push the side release to P to open the shutter If any film remains it will be seen as an ivory coloured rectangle in the aperture Only one frame will be lost by making this check Do not open the camera in bright light or the sensitive film may be fogged Spool ejector_ This device simplifies spool changing A slight pressure on the ejector lever frees both spools which ...

Page 34: ...j 4 Open the camera lid and unload the camera in a dim light 5 Do not forget to open the variable shutter before beginning the new film 32 To replace a partly exposed film in the camera 6 Load the camera as described on page 26 7 Close the variable shutter 8 Press the release until the footage counter reaches the figure already noted 9 Before beginning to film it is advisable to press the release ...

Page 35: ...re several rules we suggest you follow when shooting your first films The camera should be held absolutely steady for the slightest jerk is amplified on the screen and results in unsteady pictures Rest the camera against the forehead or cheek stand with the legs wide apart and where possible lean against a firm support such as a wall or tree trunk 33 ...

Page 36: ...nces long shots medium shots and close ups JJ l m l1l5j ft n this case use a zigzag approach rather than advancing In a straight line or the esulting impression will be that the subject is leaping towards the camera 34 Film composition If the camera stogs while you are filmin change your position before continuing with the same scene so that the interru tion will e less obvious Get in habit of rew...

Page 37: ...d subjects are easierto shoot with black and white film The best times for filming are shown in the instructions leaflet accompanying each film Fairly bright but not overhead light is required for colour films while morning and evening are the best times for shooting with black and white film Indoor filming Interiors can be filmed even in daylight with a fast lens When the light is insufficient ar...

Page 38: ...in a logical and artistic order The interest of your film will be enhanced by adding a main title and sub titles where appropriate It is also a good idea to show where the action took place For this you can make use of maps road signs 36 or design your own titles Adding sound to films A commentary of musical accom paniment will add to the inter est and enjoyment of viewing your films 16 mm films c...

Page 39: ...ulate the number of frames required for the available projection time For instance if you want a movement to last 10 seconds on the screen when projected at 18 f p s you will need to shoot 180 frames Single frame filming is also used for titling for animating a route on a map for effects such as the growth of a plant the spontaneous blooming of flowers and comic effects such as people moving at an...

Page 40: ... a fractional part of the movement These drawings are made on sheets of acetate then placed in order on the animation table and filmed frame by frame Each frame must be sharply drawn If you are making a colour film hatch the backs of the acetate sheets to make the drawings stand out The position of the drawings must be carefully matched by means of punched holes to ensure good continuity 38 ...

Page 41: ...e This is achieved by increasing the distance between the film plane and the lens seat with extension tubes placed between the camera and the lens Bolex produce a set of four extension tubes which increase the lens seat film plane distance from 5 mm to 75 mm For maximum definition the lens focusing must be adjusted with extreme accuracy Here again the reflex viewing system will ensure perfect fram...

Page 42: ...aphragm opening for the filming speed film sensitivity and shutter aperture Over exposure too wide a diaphragm opening for the filming speed film sensitivity and shutter aperture Inaccurate distance setting Camera unsteadiness or panning too rapidly Using filters designed for black and white film when shooting in colour Too long a delay between exposure and development Films poorly stored before o...

Page 43: ...g filter An object such as a finger or a long telephoto lens in front of the taking lens Dust or particles of emulsion in the film gate Camera badly loaded Direct light entering through the reflex viewfinder Careless loading or unloading of the camera so that sensitive film was accidently exposed to light The filter mount left out of its slot Pressure pad incorrectly locked Carefully following the...

Page 44: ... and thoroughly dry the part after cleaning d Replace the pressure pad Reflex prism The reflex prism in front of the aperture can be reached by rernovinq the lens As it is mounted on hinges it can be swung out for cleaning the back and the ground glass Use a soft dry brush or special paper for cleaning these parts The prism can be cleaned even when the camera is loaded preferably in the shade Impo...

Page 45: ... camera longer than the time necessary to expose it The camera and all accessories should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly Leather and the carrying casesshould be treated with special product available from leather merchants To prevent hot moist air from condensing and aiding the formation of bacterial growths do not place your equipment in its cases between takes but leave it freely exposed to...

Page 46: ...nce with light weight and compact size Pan Cinor 120 Hunting Zoom f 3 3 12 120 mm A compact and light weight 10 1 zoom lens Angenieux10x12 C f 2 212 120 mm An outstanding lens for its focal length ratio 10 1 i The focal length can be changed smoothly from 12 to 120 mm by a crank handle Among the fixed focal length lenses the Macro Yvar f 3 3 150 mm the Macro Switar f 1 1 26 mm and the Switar f 1 6...

Page 47: ...der Automatically and smoothly opens and closes the variable shutter thus permitting professional quality fades and lap dissolves Electric motor See page 18 Cable releases Recommended for normal or single frame filming when absolute steadiness is required Two lengths available 21 and 40 Bolex lightmeter It is always advisable to use an exposure meter particularly when filming in colour The Bolex l...

Page 48: ... in binoculars etc Hand grip Gives a good firm grip on the camera thereby increasing camera stability Quickly mounted on the camera by its fixing device Electric H grip Similarly designed can be used for releasing the different electric motors Auxiliary multifocal viewfinder with bracket Its field can be instantly adjusted for focal lengths of 10 16 25 35 50 63 75 100 and 150 mm It is easily and q...

Page 49: ... Bolex swivel joint complements the tripod by enabling rapid camera levelling a great advantage when filming on uneven ground Underwater housing Enablesthe diver to film down to a depth of 300 ft Absolutely watertight highly stable and very simple to handle under water The camera is quickly removed and fitted into the housing without tools Carrying cases Several models available in good quality le...

Page 50: ...tection and permits recording of sound on films with magnetic stripe Frequency range Magnetic sound 50 to 10 000 cycles sec 3 decibels Optical sound 50 to 7 000 cycles sec 3 decibels Amplifier Frequency range 30 to 16 000 cycles sec 3 decibels Power output 15 W Loudspeaker Built into the projector lid power output 6 W Auxiliary available as accessory power output 20 W Hi Fi lens 3 focal lengths av...

Page 51: ...otion 16 Sound recording 36 Depth of field 11 Lens cap 42 Speeds 16 Lenses 44 Spool ejector 31 Diaphragm 12 Lid 27 Stability 33 Disengaging motor 19 Lighting 35 Distances 11 Double exposures 23 Lightmeter 12 Loading 26 Table of exposure times 12 Locking knob 27 Telephoto lenses 10 Loop formers 27 Titling 36 Editing films 36 Travelling effects 34 Exposure table 12 Trick effects 37 Extension tubes 4...

Page 52: ...ix Switzerland E30LE C Bolex International S A reservesthe right to midify with out prior notification the design and features of the equip ment described in this manual ME 116 11 Anglais Printed in Switzerland Tradition of high quality ...