16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

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Nicholas Kovats
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16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

Post by Nicholas Kovats »

Some enterprising "students" attached a Bolex 16mm film camera to a drone for some spectacular shots over a US desert. The making of video contains beautiful scanned excerpts of the Bolex aerial cinematography. Shot on Kodak Vision 3 50D color negative. They used the following equipment, i.e.

Gimbal used: Movi M5
Drone used: Freefly Alta 8 (weight capacity of 15 lbs)
Camera used: Bolex H16

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsRexSiCx20
Nicholas Kovats
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BAC
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Re: 16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

Post by BAC »

The footage looks great. That's an impressive drone to lift an H16!
Will2
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Re: 16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

Post by Will2 »

This has been my dream ever since my first Phantom 1. Any stabilization system that can handle a tricked out RED could handle a Bolex or Scoopic pretty easily. Those beautiful shots with drones we've been seeing would look twice as good on film!

Bet that Ikonoskop 16 would be a great camera for that application.
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Re: 16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

Post by DonFito »

Thanks for sharing Nicholas!
Cheers,

Rafael Rivera
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Patrick
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Re: 16mm Bolex Film Camera on a Drone

Post by Patrick »

That's one of the coolest things Ive seen regarding mixing old and new technology. Previously, I was actually wondering if anyone had toyed around with mounting a cine camera to a multirotor. From time time, I attach my GoPro to my Syma X8C quadcopter for aerial footage and although it's certainly convenient from a long recording time aspect, I do get annoyed from time to time by the lack of exposure control and limited dynamic range. I have to say that 50D film stock in the youtube video had some nice exposure latitude - judging by the detail in the clouds - that's what I struggle with so many times with digital (including my Panasonic M4/3 cameras.) I'm not surprised at the size of that octocopter - having to lift a Bolex H16. Good point about the A-Minima - that would be ideal in terms of size and weight.
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