8mm Forum: Bolex P3 viewfinder

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Topic: Bolex P3 viewfinder

Luigi Castellitto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 29, 2013 06:20 PM

The viewfinder of the Bolex P3 does not change brightness even if you operate on the shuttuer or on the diaphragm?
Thank you!

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Luigi Castellitto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 30, 2013 07:41 AM

Come on, no one has a P3? [Smile]

I know that on this forum are well informed about the model line-P3! [Smile]

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Glenn Brady
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 117
From: North Carolina, USA
Registered: Nov 2006

posted August 30, 2013 08:21 AM

The beamsplitter of the reflex viewfinder of the P3 is located forward of the iris and shutter.

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Bryan Chernick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Bothell, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted August 30, 2013 10:06 AM

I've got a P1 and P2, like Glenn said you're view is in front of the iris so you won't see a change. I think they did this to give a bright view in the viewfinder. I also have a Bolex H8 Rex 4. The lenses can be removed so the beamsplitter is behind the iris. This makes for less light going to the viewfinder. Most of the time it's very hard to see what you're filming.

One thing Bolex did to compensate for this was to make lenses with two levers to adjust the iris. One locks into place where you want the iris set. The other opens the iris fully to focus then you can swing it right back to where you had it locked to make your shot.

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Luigi Castellitto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 30, 2013 12:49 PM

Got it, thanks guys. Indeed, if the viewfinder was behind the diaphragm would always be dark, especially indoors.
Great though the method you describe, Bryan, was on the H series?

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Glenn Brady
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 117
From: North Carolina, USA
Registered: Nov 2006

posted August 30, 2013 01:53 PM

On the H Reflex series the beamsplitter is behind the iris (because the cameras accept interchangeable lenses) and in front of the shutter.

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Luigi Castellitto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 30, 2013 02:04 PM

So the H series does not have the lightmeter and the needle? I did not know, useful to know!

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Glenn Brady
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 117
From: North Carolina, USA
Registered: Nov 2006

posted August 30, 2013 02:50 PM

I think you'll find further questions you may have answered at http://www.bolexcollector.com/.

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Luigi Castellitto
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 715
From: Campobasso, Italy
Registered: Jun 2013

posted August 31, 2013 08:34 AM

I knew the site, but the detail of the position of the beamsplitter in the P series was not mentioned.
Thank you all!

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