bolex RX- 10mm schneider (non RX) lens compatible?

Post by **Justin Lovell** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:38 pm

"I think you may have problems "
will it focus "Not well"
"AFAIK it's not really an aberration issue, it's a focus issue. "
"i hear that if you use these lenses f2.8 and up the issue dissapears. "
Your 10mm lens will probably not give normal results with the RX camera."

I love how vague some of these answers are. I don't think anyone on here has actually tested and found the exact answers to the RX issues. It seems to be based upon what we've all READ about on the internet ...

Not meaning this as an attack on anyone, just something that I have continually noticed on the forum about the answers we get....

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 9:16 pm

I agree that there isn't a lot of firsthand experience using the RX lenses on other cameras, but that's likely because film and processing are too expensive to make people want to screw around with strange lens combinations.

FWIW, Bolex themselves documented the issue and specified the RX lenses only on RX cameras. Over 50 or 75mm was OK on either type. The f/stops are also slightly compensated on the RX to make up for light loss from the prism, but in practice this is a small difference.

Post by **ECNtoo** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:28 am

ok folks,hopefully this will clear things up although im sure people will renounce information from the source.

there should be a document here on the bolex lens system.

read it and enjoy

http://www.apecity.com/manuals/

Post by **Justin Lovell** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 5:58 am

what a fantastic link! thank you..!

the sadest part of the article (about RX lenses on the site) is the last line:

"A film test is necessary to determine the quality or loss of quality. If the quality is unsatisfactory, and adjustment in the back focus does not solve the problem."

-it feel like there should be one more page in the article that describes what _will_ solve the problem

Post by **ECNtoo** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 6:43 am

i am a wealth of antiquated information.

i think the information you were seeking was mentioned somewhere in this thread.if not feel free to pm me.im trying to go the other way,ful apature usage of my switar rx lenses on non bolex cameras. i do think i have a fix though

Post by **Justin Lovell** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:43 pm

I thought about that issue to: RX lenses on non RX bolexes... but its not really a concern for me..!

Post by **ECNtoo** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 1:42 am

ok,so do you know whats happening with your lenses now?

what lenses and mounts do you have now?

Post by **Justin Lovell** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:32 pm

I'm getting this package:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... L:AAQ:CA:1

And I now have an Angineux 5.9mm cmount
none of the lenses are RX

I also have a c-mount to NIKON adapter and use nikon 35mm still camera lenses < but I don't know what the issues may be with Reflex bolexes and adapted lenses.

I really need to try and get in touch with a bolex representative who knows the answers... I'll have to wait till tuesday. Anyone have contact information for the bolex tech people at the bolex HQ? (that's probably the best people to contact for the right answers).

(Also anyone know if those lenses will cover the S16 image area (I found a place in Montreal that will do the s16 conversion for $600 CDN).

Post by **ECNtoo** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:32 am

i call bolex hq semi regularily.hence why i beleive the info i have.

Post by **Justin Lovell** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 1:20 pm

cool, could you provide me their contact #?

Post by **clivetobin** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:20 am

Evan Kubota wrote:.... The f/stops are also slightly compensated on the RX to make up for light loss from the prism....

No they are not. This has been beat to death previously, including recently. Bolex's official word in all of their RX instruction manuals is the Bolex LIGHT METER has "adapted" calibrations to allow for the prism loss, NOT the lens markings.

Post by **Evan Kubota** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:01 am

Clive is correct - you tend to forget things and make stuff up when you don't stay immersed in the world of Bolex... my brain can only hold so much at one time and older information inevitably fades away.

Anyway, the best solution is to use the right type of lens for the camera unless it's 75mm or longer (or was it 50?)

Post by **ZERKALO** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 7:16 pm

Still dont understand... sorry, :oops: can i use any c-mount lens in my RX bolex or should i get a RX lens?... i know is a silly question, im a bit confused

Post by **audadvnc** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:55 pm

I have a Bolex Reflex camera with a non-RX 12mm lens on it and it looks OK as long as I close down the iris a bit, say down to f/5.6 or so. But wide open I see a softer, less distinct image - nothing is completely in focus. That's because of the optical properties of the Bolex we've been discussing here. Try it for yourself and see if the image is sharp enough for your needs.

Post by **Lunar07** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 5:47 am

ZERKALO wrote:Still dont understand... sorry, :oops: can i use any c-mount lens in my RX bolex or should i get a RX lens?... i know is a silly question, im a bit confused

For optimal results:
You can use any C mount lens with a focal length of 75mm and higher.
With lenses with a focal length less than 75mm, use lenses with the RX designation.