8mm Forum: Bolex P3 Zoom Reflex

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Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on August 08, 2019, 05:57 AM:

I just picked up a P3 off eBay and would like to get it serviced. Was wondering if anyone had experience with these. The power zoom only works in forward, not reverse, and the light meter seems to only function sometimes. I can live without both but would like it to at least be cleaned and lubricated, It sounds a bit sluggish when operating. Can anyone recommend a Bolex repair service they have used?

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 08, 2019, 11:41 AM:

Chris
Bolex in Switzerland are still in business, and can repair and service their cameras (and projectors).
Note that they are not cheap, but your lovely camera deserves some professional attention.
https://www.bolex.ch/NEW/index.php

Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on August 09, 2019, 12:55 PM:

Thanks for the reply!

I did reach out to Bolex but they don't service the P3 anymore, said they haven't in almost 50 years. They recommended contacting a couple places in the US but one has already said they don't service the P series, then referred me to super16inc.com which may or may not take it. So far I have 1 place saying it isn't worth fixing (bolexusa.com) and one saying yes it can be serviced (bolexrepair.com) I will keep searching but at least I have one yes so far, but even that depends on a $45 evaluation.

Posted by Phil Clarke (Member # 4299) on August 12, 2019, 09:23 AM:

I also have a P3 camera. It's a fine choice for Standard 8 filming and was near the top of the Bolex "pocket camera" range in its day (1962-3). It's super fun to use and will often get a response from folk just because it looks so snazzy.

I sent my P3 all the way to bolexrepair.com for a repair. Not cheap, for sure, but they did a splendid job. I'm not aware of any other repair shops.

Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on August 12, 2019, 09:37 AM:

Thanks for the feedback Phil!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 12, 2019, 10:22 AM:

Chris
Have you tried Chambless of Ellijay,GA.?
http://www.chamblesscineequip.com/Default.htm

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on August 12, 2019, 12:09 PM:

Also you can contact optech in Massachusetts! I'm sure they can fix it!

Posted by Luigi Castellitto (Member # 3759) on August 12, 2019, 01:13 PM:

One of the best standard 8 choices. Elegant, easy to use, phenomenal Bolex mechanics.
Even mine would need, even if cosemtically brand new, to be repaired to the electronic zoom (broken contacts, before it worked), and to the lightmeter, but even so it's very much ahead of more "basic" cameras. A great quality lens and very very bright viewfinder!
Maybe the H8 had a viewfinder so clear!
I think Bolexrepair or Chambless can do a good job.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on August 12, 2019, 02:25 PM:

Here is the link to Optech:-
http://www.optechlightbulbs.com/

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on August 12, 2019, 02:48 PM:

Either way there is someone out there to fix it! Good Luck!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 12, 2019, 03:09 PM:

This is a beautiful camera, built to the legendary quality of the metal Bolex equipment. I have the basic C8 which is the entry level model in the series, but it is fitted with the Pan- Cinor zoom lens which has a built in reflex viewfinder - large and bright compared to the default viewfinder on the camera. I had no idea that Bolex had a powered zoom version of this camera. Very nice indeed and it looks like its loaded up with extra features like backwind and variable shutter! [Smile]

Made in the days when people had to really know what they were doing to get good quality movies. Cell phone anyone? [Big Grin]

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on August 12, 2019, 03:17 PM:

Paul, A nice one! But is there any demand for it? I had some great movie cameras! I had a hard time getting rid of them! It took a while! I sold them cheap!

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 12, 2019, 03:24 PM:

Well you certainly have a point there Leon, but I can see buying one of these just for display purposes, as a prime example of brilliant cine engineering design.
Anyone know if you can still buy double 8mm roll color film for this camera?

Posted by Leon Norris (Member # 3151) on August 12, 2019, 03:40 PM:

Paul, you can't get that film stock no more? But someone somewhere might still have some in there freezer!

Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on August 13, 2019, 09:51 AM:

It's definitely a beautiful camera. Very unique design. Built solid. Picked it up for $50 on ebay but the repairs are going to be $250+ I'm willing to pay because i love it so much. After picking up a Keystone 109D projector I started thinking about making my own movies. I came across the Bolex P3 and instantly loved it. I've only been able to find B&W Double 8 film, not color. There is still a lab in Toronto that develops double 8. Hope my first shoot goes well!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Looks like they all charge roughly the same amount.

Posted by Simon Wyss (Member # 1569) on August 15, 2019, 01:17 AM:

As of today there are the following stocks on the market.

Fomapan R 100 by Foma Bohemia of Hradec Králové, Czech republic, 25 and 100 foot for Paillard-Bolex H
Orwo UN 54, panchromatic negative film, 100 ISO, from Kahl in Brühl, Germany*, 25-100-400 foot
Orwo N 74, panchro. neg., 400 ISO, Kahl, 25-100-400 foot
Orwo PF 2, positive or print film, not sensitized, about 10 ISO, Kahl, 25 and 400 foot
UT 18, reversal colour film, 50 ISO in daylight, Kahl, 25 and 100 foot
UT 21, reversal colour film, 100 ISO daylight, Kahl, 25 foot
NC 15, colour negative, 25 ISO daylight, Kahl, 25 foot
NC 17, colour negative, 40 ISO daylight, Kahl, 25 foot
NC 21, colour negative, 100 ISO daylight, Kahl, 25 foot
Kodak Plus-X reversal 7265 panchro., 50 ISO, from Dennis Toeppen, Urbana, Illinois, 25 foot
Kodak Tri-X reversal 7266 panchro., 200 ISO, 25 foot, Toeppen
Kodak Ektachrome 100 daylight, 25 foot, Toeppen
Kodak Vision 3 color negative 7203, ISO 50 daylight, 25 foot, Toeppen
Kodak Vision 3 color negative 7207, ISO 250 daylight, 25 foot

*and from John Schwind, Dixon, California (International Film Brokers)

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=fomapan%20r&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=
https://www.kahlfilm.de/
http://toeppenfilm.com/
https://www.buy8mmfilm.com/

Posted by Kevin Bourret (Member # 6643) on August 23, 2019, 07:49 AM:

Chris, if you want to look for someone more local,

In Montreal we have somebody who repair Bolex camera.

You can contact him by email:
bolextech at gmail.com

But keep in mind that he is not available until September as i already contacted him and told me. Me too i am currently waiting to have my Bolex P3 repair.

Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on August 27, 2019, 10:40 PM:

Thanks Kevin!

I've sent it to someone in Toronto who has experience repairing Bolex cameras. Should have it back next week! Hope it comes back fully functional. But thank you very much for the contact!

Posted by Chris Smart (Member # 7022) on September 04, 2019, 11:09 AM:

Hello again! Curious to hear from other Zoom Reflex users. I just had it serviced and its back to being fully functional but I'm still noticing an audible noise when I'm reaching the end of the motor wound at around 25 seconds in and lasts until its fully done at 30 seconds. It sounds almost like screeching. Is this normal?

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