BOLEX H16 Non Reflex Cameras.


All the early non reflex cameras have round bases, a round base surrounding the tripod fixing screw in the bottom of the camera.

They, with the exception of the H16 M,  have a three lens turret and an offset focusing screen but not direct reflex viewing. It is necessary to turn the turret to bring the taking lens into position for focusing. A parallax cross slide, a rackover, is available to be used on a tripod to allow compensation for line up and focusing but the lens must be turned back for shooting. It was designed originally so that the camera could be aligned on the Bolex titler, an elaborate device for shooting titles and effects.
Viewing during shooting must be done using the side finder which clips on to the door. It has provision for parallax correction and adjustable masking  matching for different taking lens focal lengths.

The turret accepts ' C ' mount lenses.

For all non reflex cameras a prismatic viewfinder was made to fit in place of the film gate. This allowed alignment and focusing but had to be removed before loading the film.

Early non reflex round base cameras have a solid claw and ' heart shaped ' cam mechanism which allows filming in reverse.

This range of cameras has an I/T lever, ( Instantaneous and Time ) and single frame on the side release. They are fitted with a 8 picture turn shaft, no single picture turn shaft.

The footage counter resets to zero when the camera door is opened. Actually the counter resets back past zero to allow run up in an attempt to containing fogging that is inevitable when using daylight load spools. The frame counter has to be set by hand.

Electric motors were made for the range, these motors are only just adequate and need careful attention.


Functions and features.
* Spring driven ( clockwork ) hand wind.
* Daylight load, 100 and or 50 foot daylight spools.
* Semi-automatic threading.
* Early models have solid claw and heart shaped cam,
   later models have trailing claw.
* Shooting in reverse possible only on cameras with solid claw    and heart shaped cam. On cameras with trailing claws shutter is out of sync when filming in reverse, rewinding is possible but only if lens and or lens port is blanked off.
 * Early models have double run sprockets, eventually replaced by single run.
 * Normal running from release on front of camera.
 * Single picture and continuous running from release on side of camera. Provision made for instantaneous or time exposure on single frame.  Special cable release accessory available. Cable release must have parallel thread rather than the usual tapered thread as seen on still cameras.
 * Footage and frame counters, ( Very early models did not have a frame counter, it was necessary to add a special accessory. )
 * Early models had fixed shutter, variable shutter introduced on later models. Shutter normally stops closed except at the very end of the spring run. If it is important that the shutter stops closed make sure that while filming the spring does not run right down. Keep spring wound if possible.
 * Provision to disengage spring drive to allow use of external electric motor. Winding handle can be removed. With the spring drive disengaged the camera can be wound by hand, forward or reverse. Reverse winding handle available.
* Maximum run on one full winding, 18 feet. It is not possible to wind the camera while it is running.
Running speeds can be set: 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48 and 64
 * Audible indicator clicks as camera is running, this feature can be disengaged.
    
 * Three lens turret as standard. Models with single lens port available.
 * On non-reflex models provision made for rotating taking lens over ground glass which allows focusing but not alignment.
 * Prismatic alignment and focusing device available for fitting in place of pressure plate. Must be removed for filming.
 * Eyepiece extension available allowing viewing of ground glass from rear of camera.
 * External viewfinder which clips on to door. Viewfinder has parallax adjustment and set masking for a range of focal lengths.
 * All cameras have a carry strap.
 * Electric motors are available but not for high speed filming.
      Various ' make shift ' single frame electric drives available.