8mm Forum: Questions about the Bolex H16 Camera?

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Topic: Questions about the Bolex H16 Camera?

Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 24, 2012 11:37 AM

This is my first post in the 16mm section of the Forum. A friend gave me a 1939(?) model Paillard-Bolex H16 camera and accessories he found while cleaning out an old house. It came with an unopened 100' roll of Kodachrome film, and luckily it also came with the manual. I now have it cleaned, loaded, and ready to shoot. My first questions are: Can I get this film processed and where? Can I get more film for it? Can it be processed in color, or only B&W? Any help will be appreciated, as I'm totally unfamiliar with 16mm. I attached a few pics. I hope this isn't a slippery slope for me into 16mm, I'll be broke for sure! [Eek!]

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Joe Taffis

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Fabrizio Mosca
Master Film Handler

Posts: 346
From: Milano, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004

posted October 24, 2012 11:50 AM

Hi Joe,
looking at the pictures, the Kodachrome film seems very old and I really doubt that it will give anything.
In any case, no more color processing is available (even in Kodak still was in service for Kodachrome processing, it's too an old film for being processed by them).
Of course you may use the other films for it, but verify if the camera uses single sprocket film or double sprocket ones. Being so old there's the risk you may use only film with sprockets on both sides and for that films there are few emusions in commerce.

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Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 24, 2012 02:37 PM

Hi Fabrizio, yes, it is double sprockets (both sides of the film), so I guess the camera is useless. Thanks for your reply! Could anyone use any of the parts, or the lenses, etc?

[ October 24, 2012, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: Joe Taffis ]

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Joe Taffis

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Barry Fritz
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1061
From: Burnsville, MN, USA
Registered: Dec 2009

posted October 24, 2012 02:43 PM

Joe: It will definitely take you down the slippery slope to 16mm! Better box it up and send it to me right away!! [Wink]

Seriously, they still bring good money on Ebay.

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Bill Brandenstein
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1632
From: California
Registered: Aug 2007

posted October 24, 2012 02:54 PM

Just called a favorite local retailer and was told that all Kodak 16mm camera stock is single perf as of about 2 years ago.

So Joe, what would it take to modify the camera? That's a gorgeous rig.

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Fabrizio Mosca
Master Film Handler

Posts: 346
From: Milano, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004

posted October 24, 2012 03:47 PM

Joe, not all kodak films are with one perforation.

Download their catalogue from this address and you may identify the film that is suitable for you. Unfortunately, as far as I see, they sell 400ft rolls, so you will have to re-spool them to 100ft.

Furthermore, Wittner sells FOMA and ORWO BW films with double perforation

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Joe Taffis
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1592
From: United States
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 24, 2012 04:43 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the options

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Joe Taffis

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