What is the best reflex Regular 8mm camera?

[Nicholas Kovats]

I am appealing to the forum hive to help pinpoint the best Regular 8mm reflex camera manufactured.

Please note the following caveat. Please subtract the Bolex H8 series of cameras from the equation. I am seeking a smaller all metal design with the following criteria, i.e.

1. reflex viewfinder
2. D or C Mount. Or something obscure threading.
3. small
4. all metal

Bolex P 1/2/3? Let 'er rip.

Cheers!

NK

[Lunar07]

With a d-mount and reflex viewer and small and nice looking:
The Beaulieu MR8.

Not many R8 cameras with reflex viewer and a mount are out there.

[BAC]

I have the Bolex P1 and P2, both great cameras. The P1 has a better lens and in my opinion it's better than most D-mount lenses that I have used. But the lens on both is fixed to the camera if you want a removable lens. The viewfinder on both of these is better than the H8 Rex. The H8 Rex has a very dim viewfinder and you have to open the iris fully to see anything. They are both very reliable cameras having the same basic body and spring motor as the B8, C8 and D8. I think the only difference between the P1 and P3 is the motorized zoom in the P3. That seems like one more thing to go wrong that I don't need. Plus it's one more battery compartment that can be ruined by corrosion. I would love to have the Beaulieu MR8 but they are harder to find and tend to sell for a lot more than the P1 and P2. The P1 is my camera of choice when I need something portable.

[Shanec8mm]

Hands down the Bolex K2 is the best of the best! The only 8mm camera I know that has the Kern Vario-Switar 8-36mm zoom lens. Just the lens alone makes it above the rest.
Features for this camera include:
Variable-shutter
The ability to close the view finder
manual or auto exposure. 3 PX1 batteries can be used in the battery compartment in the handle. I have this set-up now that is functioning on my K2. The ASA will need to be adjusted. I have mine set to 40 ASA with great results. If the scene becomes to bright the variable-shutter can be used. When half closed, and meter set to F16, the camera will expose the film at F22. Neat little feature.
Power zoom ability-located on the top of the camera
The ability to "stop-click" the 36mm zoom lens. Meaning you can limit the range of the zoom lens when shooting without a tripod or monopod. The zoom will only extend to 25mm when the "stop-click" is activated.
You can also limited the F stops when shooting a scene
Back-winding ability
The viewfinder shows you the area outside the scene that is framed. When you look thru the viewfinder you will see the area outside the square in yellow. Good for fast action shots. The viewfinder appears as a circle instead of the standard square appearance.
Reflex viewing
Can film at speeds of 12,18,24, and 40

[Lunar07]

Hey guys -
freedom4kids clearly stated what he is looking for. I am sure he knows about the P1, P2, and K2. I could have easily given him a list of my favorite cameras but I read his conditions.
Reason I say that is that I myself am interested in any reflex R8 camera with a mount out there in addition to the MR8.

[Nicholas Kovats]

I appreciate the postings.

I would like to state that "auto-exposure" and batteries are low priorities. I utilize an external one degree spot meter for my exposures and would encourage same relative to 45-50 year old light cells.

I posted in haste and did not provide perhaps the level of detail necessary. I would like to find a suitable candidate for potential UP8 conversion with the following design criteria, i.e.

1. Lighter than pre-existing H8 UP8 conversions.
2. 25 ft run
3. 24 fps.
4. reflex viewing.
5. D or C Mount.
6. Unidentified lens mount thread witnessed when a Bolex P 1/2/3? stock zoom lens was removed.
7. A technical manual for stated camera.
8. Is the 8mm viewfinder removable? i.e. can the optics be replaced with 16mm field of view.
9. Is the gate removable for milling 10.75mm x 3.75mm UP8 dimensions?
10. Has anyone completely disassembled one of these cameras?

At the moment I see the 8mm reflex viewfinder conversion to 16mm field of view as the greatest potential hurdle. The pre-existing conversions of Bolex H8/H16 cameras are my professional preference. But I would like to accelerate UP8 uptake and popularity. I am also intrigued by the possibility of a sub-2 pound UP8 camera.

I wish to report that inaugural motion picture theater UP8 DCP playback was successful and quite impressive relative to grain as per the full resolution 1 GB UP8 source file (overscanned 2080x870 pixel x 24 (bit depth) sequential jpeg), i.e.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Cinema_Package
http://vimeo.com/27492482

[retrogrouch]

How about the Pathe webo DS8 ? Sorry, its not regular 8, but Ds8, but maybe they make one in r8

[Lunar07]

.........

[retrogrouch]

.........

I Am getting sick of of your trollish replies. I thought that the Pathe would be good for this guys project because it came in both 16mm an DS8, and maybe would make his "At the moment I see the 8mm reflex viewfinder conversion to 16mm field of view as the greatest potential hurdle" problem easier to deal with. With an inherently wide gate, and the gearing for super 8 sprockets , reflex viewing, all metal construction, c-mount , etc.. As soon, as he said small, reflex and c or d mount, he might have well said he was looking for Nessy (I assume he doesn't want some weird made in a former-tank-factory Russian piece of crap!!)

[Lunar07]

Cool it down man. What is your problem. If you are getting sick it is your issue. Go deal with it on your own.
I started a post and I discovered that I made a mistake so I deleted the text but could not remove the post itself so I placed the '...........' instead. So what? You have an opinion and I have mine. Do you think it is the end of the world? geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!

.........

I Am getting sick of of your trollish replies. I thought that the Pathe would be good for this guys project because it came in both 16mm an DS8, and maybe would make his "At the moment I see the 8mm reflex viewfinder conversion to 16mm field of view as the greatest potential hurdle" problem easier to deal with. With an inherently wide gate, and the gearing for super 8 sprockets , reflex viewing, all metal construction, c-mount , etc.. As soon, as he said small, reflex and c or d mount, he might have well said he was looking for Nessy (I assume he doesn't want some poorly made or some weird make in a former-tank-factory Russian piece of crap!!)

[retrogrouch]

What say we settle this on the runway...
Are you challenging me to a walk-off. ......
Oh, yeah. That's a walk-off challenge, my friend Ten minutes.....Old Members Only warehouse. You oughta remember that.
You're a dinosaur.

[Lunar07]

I am not challenging you into anything. And I have no time for such challenges.
Go settle things with yourself. Do whatever you like - I am not interested.

[Mana]

Well, I can Highly recommend you check out Canon's 512. Tons of features great lens, meter works great with wein cell.

[Nicholas Kovats]

How about the Pathe webo DS8 ? Sorry, its not regular 8, but Ds8, but maybe they make one in r8

Hi Retro,

I appreciate the input.

However these camera systems also exceed the 2 lb maximum as per the design criteria. Relative to comparable Bolex tech and parts availability I suspect that the Path Webo 16mm/DS8 camera parts/hardware are scarce. I should update my design spec sheet accordingly regarding current availability of parts/hardware.

Cheers!

NK

[Lunar07]

You mean the Canon Cinezoom 512? This along with the Minolta Zoom 8 are two of R8 great cameras.
Removing their lenses to modify to UltraPan8 is a monster job.
But if a camera can be modified for UltraPan8, the Canon 512 is the 'killer app.'
I have one in fully working condition, but I am not about to try to take it to pieces - hard to find these these days.

The Minolta Zoom 8 is easier to find. I actually have two of those if Nicolas wants one to look at.

Well, I can Highly recommend you check out Canon's 512. Tons of features great lens, meter works great with wein cell.