Telecine Bolex 18-5L Projector

[Konton]

I don't shoot much anymore. In 2011, the day before my son was born I picked up this Bolex 18-5L Projector from this sketchy lesbian couple in Oakland, California for $80 with plans to do something awesome. But then I got busy with a family. Anyway every now and then I get back to the project, someday more than others.

I chose the Bolex 18-5L simply because it was metal and looked good sitting on my desk. I kept thinking it would be cool if I could have it transfer film without a computer or anything attached to it. That was and still is the dream. Every now and then I get a step further.

The advent of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and the release of the camera module got me a little closer. I replaced the internal light with the camera and will see what space will allow me to mount the computer itself within. I worked out a way to mount an LED where the lens used to be, and using a magnet and reed switch, determined how to let the system know one frame appeared in front of the projector. I also ripped out the shutter and fan for good measure.

I'm not a programmer, but raspicam allows me a few options. I'm hoping with frame rate and shutter speed control, I might be able to find a solution without waiting for someone to develop a frame grabber. Actually, someone may have developed a frame grabber, but I haven't learned how to code what I need in Python for it to work.

Okay, watch the video rather than read this ramble: http://youtu.be/CxrVp-NH-so

[James E]

Very kewel... I wish my tinkering skills were that good!