Reflex vs. Side mount on H-8 Bolex

[yosemitesamiam]

Hello. I have a question. I am searching and looking to buy a Bolex H-8 on eBay...but in dealing with the sellers, have found it to be easier to just get more pictures and try and figure out descriptions myself, as no one seems to know anything.

I have a question though...how do you tell the difference between a reflex type and a side mount type? I know this sounds like a dumb question because if it is a side mount, there will be a viewfinder on the side. But what I have found is that some of them have viewfinders on the top right side of the camera AND on the side. And this is where my confusion is.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Sam

[utilityskate]

Hey Sam,

Check these links, they are my faves for id'ing Bolexes.

http://speed.city-net.com/~fodder/bolex/index.html
http://www.tobincinemasystems.com/page96.html

From my understanding on Bolexes:

The side mount is a parallel viewfinder, with a distance adjustment to correct parallex error when filming at close distance. Both Reflex and non-reflex models have these. In the case of Reflex models, they still have these despite the reflex capability because they are much brighter and easier to look through than the dimmer reflex finder.

The viewfinder thingy on the top right of the camera is how to spot the difference between the reflex / non reflex models. Imagine these viewfinders as being a long rectangular 'shaft'. The reflex viewfinder 'shaft' is positioned flush against the body of the camera, while non reflex may be mounted atop some small metal brackets. The reflex viewfinder shaft is semi-circular at the end of the shaft towards the lens, whereas the non reflex model is box like (flat), like a real rectangle. On the reflex, there is a little lever on the side of the shaft that you can lift up to prevent stray light entering the viewfinder and fogging the film if you are filming without pressing your eye against the finder.

Check those links for more details. The differences are subtle but you should study them carefully before you buy.

[studiocarter]

The h8 will have a greater light gathering capability since it does not loose any in the reflex system. It shoots at 1/30 sec instead of 1/55 at 16fps. That's good for low light situations. Most shooting indoors will be low light till you get into lighting and the equipment required.
Serial numbers will date the camera and the type of pull down claw used. Later higher numbers are better.
Rex cameras do definately need rex lenses. They do not work without rx lenses. Be sure a rex camera has rx lenses on it. Such cameras and lenses are twice the cost of non reflex cameras and lenses even with Switar lenses. D mount rex lenses do not work on other cameras.
Get Switar lenses if at all possible for both.
My H8rex shoots a little off center. The reflex system needs to be adjusted. Parallax is still a problem. I adjusted it once and need to again. Since it looses so much light why even bother with it? Just use a H8 late model with Switar lenses. Course, the preset lenses have that nifty MACRO that can focus soooooo close. (that alone may be worth it) but a close up lens will do the same and is much much cheaper.
I vote for the greater light gathering of the H8 camera as long as it has the variable shutter on the camera.

Michael Carter

[Lunar07_]

Hello. I have a question. I am searching and looking to buy a Bolex H-8 on eBay...but in dealing with the sellers, have found it to be easier to just get more pictures and try and figure out descriptions myself, as no one seems to know anything.

I have a question though...how do you tell the difference between a reflex type and a side mount type? I know this sounds like a dumb question because if it is a side mount, there will be a viewfinder on the side. But what I have found is that some of them have viewfinders on the top right side of the camera AND on the side. And this is where my confusion is.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!

Sam

Start with the easy thing: H-8 Reflex has a brand label identifying them as H-8 reflex. These come in two general flavours - Rex 3 and Rex 4. It uses lenses designated as "H8 RX" on the lens and these lenses are C-mount lenses (like the H-16's). Let me put it this way to you since life is too short - ***if you want a reflex type and the label on the camera does not have the H-8 Reflex desgination then treat it as non-reflex.*** In addition, H-8 reflex, as I mention above uses C-mount 1" lenses made specifically for H8 reflex.
Non reflex H-8 uses 5/8" D mount lenses. This in itself tells you if an H-8 is reflex or non reflex.

You can tell the difference between Rex3 and Rex 4. Rex3's have a lever to select between I and T next to the speed dial. Rex4's have a know to select between I and T.

[yosemitesamiam]

Thanks everyone! So what I learned this morning was that even though a reflex camera is worth more, it doesn't necessarily make it a better option!

[Herb Montes]

One thing about not having a reflex is it forces you to learn to focus. You train yourself to guess distances by eye if you need to shoot on the fly or use a tape measure for short distances if you have the time. Maybe carrying one of those pocket scopes used by golfers to check distances to the pin could be a handy accessory to have.

[yosemitesamiam]

One thing about not having a reflex is it forces you to learn to focus. You train yourself to guess distances by eye if you need to shoot on the fly or use a tape measure for short distances if you have the time. Maybe carrying one of those pocket scopes used by golfers to check distances to the pin could be a handy accessory to have.

LOL...now that would be a gas! Old Bolex camera, manual everything all the way to having to guess and judge distance....and then a pocket sonnar golf scope so I know to the mm how far away my object is!

hehe

thanks

[studiocarter]

Nah, that is only for the B8 type cameras. The H8 has the focusing finder. The taking lens is rotated up to the focusing finder, then back into the taking position. It is true through the lens focusing.

[Lunar07_]

Thanks everyone! So what I learned this morning was that even though a reflex camera is worth more, it doesn't necessarily make it a better option!

Allow me to disagree Do not force yourself into a corner The Rex 4 for example has the 1:1 shaft in case one fine day you can afford one of the many of the motors (Time Lapse, Crystal Motors etc...) that are mounted on the 1:1 shaft.