Filters with Bolex H16

[etimh]

Experienced Bolex folks: if I want to try out some color filters (yellow to red) for B&W shooting with my H16, is it better to use the filter slot behind the lenses, or get a filter for the front?

I’ve only ever used color filters out front on my Canon 814XL-S and Nikon R10 and those were big and a bit pricey. For the Bolex, I have 10, 25, and 75mm Switars—not sure what the front thread diameter is on those but they are small. Might be cheap, but difficult to find, if they can be had at all. And there is also that 49mm filter adapter that some people sell. This might make it more economical. I also have a Vario-Switar 86-OE that uses Series 8 drop-in filters which are no problem to get and relatively cheap.

But questions of money aside, and maybe the convenience of the filter slot, are there any advantages, or disadvantages, either way—filter behind the lens, or in front? Or does it matter at all?

Tim

[RogerG]

I've been shooting with an H16 for the last 8 months, so while I don't consider myself an expert, I've dealt with this same question, and have a little insight.

I have three lenses: Switar 10mm (silver preset version), Vario Switar Compact zoom, and Angenieux 12-120. The Angenieux has a 72mm thread, which makes life easy, because I have a variety of 72mm filters.

The Vario Switar compact zoom takes series 5.5 filters (I believe the Switar 10mm does too, but I've only had it a couple weeks, so I'm not sure). After looking around online for the price and availability of Series 5.5 filters - neither of which was very good, I decided to go with behind-the-lens gelatin filters.

I have an SB, which like all H-16s, requires that a filter holder be in place to prevent light leaks when shooting. What's nice about the SB is its 2-position filter holder -- position 1 keeps the filter outside of the lens path; position 2 slides the filter all the way in. I keep mine loaded with an ND filter at all times, so when needed, I just push it into position 2. Very convenient, and I haven't noticed any sharpness issues. I shoot and project E100D, so any problems introduced by the gelatin filter would be readily apparent.

My general belief was that glass filters on the front of the lens are always better. However, I recently re-read The Filmmaker's Craft: 16Mm Cinematography by Philip R. Courter, which states that gelatin filters are the best. This, coupled with my positive experiences with the gelatin ND filter, have made a believer out of me. I'm sticking with gelatin for now.

That said, I too would appreciate anyone with more Bolex experience (or 16mm experience in general) to chime in on this.

- Roger

[etimh]

Hey Roger,

Thanks for the feedback and observations--good information. Appreciate it.

Tim

[David M. Leugers]

The filter slot on the Bolex is one of the nicest things about shooting with the Bolex. I always have used it, with good effect. I also use a behind the lens gelatin filter when shooting B+W with a Filmo. I use the right sized washer as a template to cut out the gelatin to fit down in the circular recess at the front of the gate opening and use the right sized
inside snap ring to hold it in place.