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Author
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Topic: Another DYI Bolex Lens to Elmo Projector!
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Shane C. Collins
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 107
From: Williamsport, PA, USA
Registered: Oct 2016
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posted December 02, 2018 03:05 PM
Since my DYI lens upgrade worked on the Sanyko Dualux 2000H I did one more projector. This time it involved upgrading the Elmo F1.3 18mm lens on my Elmo Dual 8 Model 360. Another Bolex 1.3 lens was used. A "hifi" Bolex from a later 60's 18-5L projector. As I did in the Sanyko upgrade, vinyl adhesive tape was used to allow the Bolex lens to fit snug in the lens barrel of the 360. The vinyl tape was applied in layers until the lens fit tight enough to maintain a proper focus. The only slight disadvantage, much like the Sanyko, the focus knob can not be used. A turn of the lens itself gives perfect focus. I must also add the Bolex lens used in the Elmo is a prime lens. The word "wow" is an understatement. Having a prime lens on a Super 8 projector is amazing in all aspects! The prime lens allows even more light to pass through. The model 360 uses a 150 watt lamp further adding to the brightness. For anyone interested in the specs for the Elmo 360 here's a PDF link. The model 360 & 380 are featured along with a few cameras from the era. These projectors have a lot in common with the Elmo GP series. https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/rl/00083/00083.pdf
[ December 02, 2018, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: Shane C. Collins ]
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Projectors: Bolex 18-5L Super, Bolex 18-5 regular 8mm, Elmo FP8-C
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Shane C. Collins
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 107
From: Williamsport, PA, USA
Registered: Oct 2016
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posted December 07, 2018 08:31 PM
Thanks Kev! Glad to hear it's sparked some interest! I was beginning to think no one thought it was a cool mod ha! When I first tried it I didn't think it would work. once I got the correct thickness using the vinyl adhesive tape I then realized it was going to work. It took some trial and error getting the correct height, and positioning the lens in such a way it lined up perfectly with the film gate. Once I had that all worked out the lens focused, and projected a perfect image. I'm sold on the quality of those early Bolex lenses and being able to use this with the Elmo 360 was a big plus! Originally I had used a Bolex lens in an Elmo FP8-C. The lens barrel on that machine was the same diameter as the Bolex lens so no mods were needed. With the Elmo 360 the lens barrel is much larger, and uses a different kind of focusing etc. With this mod I have to use my fingers to focus the lens, but I feel this is a better way to focus the image, because you can dial it in much easier than the sloppy focus knob. Bolex used this kind of focusing on all their early 18-5 projectors. If you follow my guide you should have no problems doing what I did on my Sankyo 2000H. Remember in order to make this work the lens must be a smooth barrel design. For the Sanyko I used a first generation Bolex 1.3 hifi. On the Elmo 360 I used a Bolex 1.3 hifi from a later 18-5 Super. That lens is slightly larger but fits the Elmo 360 as that has a larger barrel.
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Projectors: Bolex 18-5L Super, Bolex 18-5 regular 8mm, Elmo FP8-C
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