8mm Forum: Non Bolex lens for H16 cine camera.

This is topic Non Bolex lens for H16 cine camera. in forum 16mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 17, 2015, 03:41 AM:

I have acquired a very nice specimen of an H16. It's too nice to strip & re-cycle & would make an excellent display item. However it doesn't have a lens & Bolex lenses cost an arm & a leg. So as an alternative I thought I would fit a lens from another manufacturer. So my questions are, does anyone know the thread size on the H16, has anyone fitted a step up or down adapter & fitted a non Bolex lens, or any other suggestions. The lens doesn't have to operate, it wold just be there for aesthetic purposes.

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on July 18, 2015, 12:04 PM:

Eric
So long as the lens is C mount it will fit. There are plenty of other makes of C mount lenses available- Taylor Hobson/Schneider Kreuscnach and other good quality ones - the problem is that the modern photographic fraternity pay exorbitant prices for any C mounts for use on digital cameras because of the 'bokeh' given by these old lenses apparently. If you are prepared to accept a lens that has fungus or damaged optics then there is a better chance of getting a lens at a reasonable price. I also have an H16 and have been looking for a lens for some time, so I know the problem you have. Good luck.

Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 19, 2015, 03:08 AM:

Thanks Terry. I've seen on Ebay a couple of cheepo converters from China, I've used them before with 35mm SLR lenses, they are a bit rough & ready but cheeeeeeeeeep.
Thanks for the reply.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/361307446894?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on July 20, 2015, 04:00 AM:

Eric,
You don't say whether the Bolex is a reflex or non-reflex. Old C-mount lenses often have deep screw flanges which are fine on the non-reflex but can damage the reflex prism. Some converters could do this too.

Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 20, 2015, 06:37 AM:

Hi Paul
It's a non reflex, & as I said, the lens will be fitted to enhance the aesthetic appearance, as the set up will be for display not as a cine camera. Thanks for the heads up, we learn something every day.
Regards Eric

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on July 20, 2015, 07:34 AM:

It should look fine. If you want something substantial a Russian Helios 58mm lens from a Zenit 35mm SLR could be fitted with a C-mount to M42 converter. The cheapest option would be a TV lens from Ebay with a C-mount already fitted say 25mm or similar.

Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 20, 2015, 08:18 AM:

Hi Paul
Most of the adapters are from China & take around 5 weeks to arrive, there are a couple of TV lenses on Ebay in the UK, hopefully I'll bag one of those but I have a very low budget.
Regards Eric.

Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 22, 2015, 09:12 AM:

Just acquired a C type to M42 adapter & a Hanimex M42 zoom lens, less than £20 from Ebay including the camera flash & case, don't know how the lens will look on the C16 but is should be dramatic.

Posted by Paul Mason (Member # 4015) on July 26, 2015, 01:35 PM:

Hi Eric,
Lens might need support due to the weight on the turret plate. Please post a pic of the result.
Best wishes

Posted by Eric Shepherd (Member # 4326) on July 27, 2015, 04:55 PM:

Hi Paul
The lens arrived today & I have just done a trial fit. No strain on the turret plate, & as it will be a display feature, it wouldn't matter anyway. However, I've been mulling over how to mount the camera, in the past I've use a small tripod of the same era, but always worried about stability. Your suggestion led me to come up with a wooden plinth with the camera assembly centralised on the plinth, fixed using the camera's tripod socket & the lens fitted with a tripod lens mount with a threaded rod down to the plinth, or some fancy split tube clip.
Watch this space.
Regards Eric.

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