S1 question

[beamascope]

I have a Bolex S1 which takes the odd (mercury)batteries in the back of the handle for the auto exposure. My question isn't so much which batteries it can use but can it be used without batteries on MANUAL. The reason I ask is because looking through the lens with the film gate allowing light through the aperture doesn't seem to change when I turn the dial. Does it require a battery to work in manual? Looking through the viewfinder I see the different F-stops as I turn the dial but I don't think this is doing anything in the lens itself.

[Charlie Blackfield]

Sounds exactly the same as an Agfa Movex Regular 8 camera I've got. Now I wouldn't have thought that you need the batteries to operate the manual exposure control. My suspicion when I encountered this problem with the Agfa was that the aperture control is just altogether stuffed, but I'd be happy for someone to correct me if I'm wrong.

Charlie

[beamascope]

Thanks for the response. I've looked at it further and determined that it does not need the battery to work in manual. I had to get some light into the front of the lens just right and I could see it adjusting. Seems it just doesn't really get as small as I thought it would.