Bolex H16 SBM : How Loud?

[adamgarner]

I'm curious about how loud a Bolex H16 SBM runs. Can one capture sound with it running in the same room? Also, how long can one film at 24fps with one wind???

I love the idea of having a spring driving bolex RX5, and converting to super 16 for future projects. The idea of no batteries is great. Does the spring wind have an internal light meter that runs on a little battery?

Any suggestions/pointers would be appreciated!

Thanks gang.

[avplumber]

its a little quieter than an Arri S cause theres no motor. but the internal elements still clack. if you put a barney on it you could maybe get it quiet enough. i've never tried it though - its not crystal-sync anyway.

my Bolex has film in it at the moment, so i can't run it to see how long a crank lasts. i don't shoot 24fps too often, but at 32-40fps i would get about 30 seconds/crank. so maybe 45 seconds?

sorry for being so general, but i hope that helps.

e

[avplumber]

oops, forgot to answer your other questions. not having a battery is great. a friend of mine took one to Antarctica so he wouldn't have to deal with cold batteries and it ran like a champ. its also one less thing to carry and if you're trying to get action shots like skateboarding with a Kinoptik 5.7 lens, theres nothing better.

i doesnt have an internal meter. but i think a few Vario-Switar lenses have them built-in. friends of mine that have the Super16 version don't use Vario-Switar lenses anyway. mostly Kinoptik, Century and Angeniux. Zeiss if you can afford it.

e

[fogo]

Hi Adam,

the SBM manual states a full wind drives 18 feet of film, ie 28 seconds at 24fps.

If you can wait a few days and would like to hear a sound recording of an sbm and think it might be useful, Ill make you one, with a spoken voice as reference level.

fogo

[adamgarner]

Actually that would be of HUGE help, to get to hear it. When you get a chance I'd love to hear it.

I supposed 28 seconds is enough time for 99% of the shots you want? Any issues with that time limit? Also, are motors hard to find? I know that some sbm models are capable of using an external motor, right?

How hard are these to load with a roll? How dark does it have to be? I'm curious about operational stuff, you know?

[super8man]

Loading a SBM is no different than any regular 8 camera. I use a large changing bag and don't worry too much about light - ie - I keep the bottom of the bag openand use it to see what I am doing. Your biggest concern on any film load is making sure the take up reel is properly taking up the film. Give the camera a few winds to visually see that it is advancing and loading correctly before you put the side back on. After a roll you will soon learn the sounds your camera makes while advancing to know that all is well or not. Which goes to say the camera is presumably not as quiet as you might like.

[sk360]

One thing I have noticed with my EBM is it's not good is to lay the camera on it's side or turn it upside down. If you do, I would put it in the changing bag and try and "feel" about to make sure the film didn't get loose from the gate or take up reel and maybe run a second or two of film to make sure it's in place. (Don't forget to check for dust afterwards). If your using daylight reels , you migh be able to just pop the lid open and take a look, but I would only do that if you don't mind some of your film being exposed to light and of course should be done in an area without to much direct light--if at all.

[sk360]

.I supposed 28 seconds is enough time for 99% of the shots you want? Any issues with that time limit? Also, are motors hard to find? I know that some sbm models are capable of using an external motor, right?

?

Those Clive Toban motors are great. We used on on a Rex 4 a few years back. Not sure if he still makes them or how hard the yare to get these days.