16mm Non-Reflex focusing

[Brainteaser]

I have been tossing the idea around of buying a 16mm non reflex camera to get my feet wet with 16mm film but keeping it low budget to start. My main issue with these cameras (Bolex H16 nnon-reflex or B&H Filmo 70) is the fact that they are non reflex.

I was thinking about focusing by just using the distance settings on the lens and it doesn't make that much sense, it seems like I would end up having a lot of out of focus material just from not being able to really know whats happening to your film. That's when I remembered about my old Pentax ME super SLR camera that I've got sitting in a case in the closet with a bunch of lenses and telephotos. Would it be possible to use this camera, with a lens of the same focal length as the one on the non reflex camera, to focus the non reflex camera?

I guess my idea is that they would be mounted on the same tripod and the difference in focal length would be minute. Once I determine the focus on the SLR reflex then translate that to the non reflex camera lens.

Anyone think this is the stupidest idea they have ever heard or could I be on to something? I realize it's probably not cost effective to buy a camera to focus another camera but a lot of people already have SLR (or even DSLR) cameras that they could possibly utilize in this situation.

any feedback is appreciated.

[kuparikettu]

I'd suggest shooting using the distance markings. That's really how it is done even when doing things the "professional way" with super16 cameras such as Aaton XTR. TTL focusing alone just isn't safe enough even when it is available. Get a measure and find out the distance, then shoot. If you have movement, measure the different distances and mark them on the lens. Then get an assistant to do the focusing according to the markings during the take.

[Brainteaser]

thanks my issue is that the distance markings are often limiting because I'll be using lenses as large as 300mm the distance markings only go to 150 ft or so, some of my subjects may be 300 feet or more away. Thats my concern.

Anyway I'm sorry about two posting for the same topic the site was having a problem last night and I didn't realize I posted this topic twice.