Does Anyone Here Have Experience Using Leica Thread Mount Lenses on a Vintage Bolex?

[LeicaTom]

Hello Everyone!

As some people might already know that really clean 1956 50mm f1.5 Summarit I bought like 3 months ago, came with a very nice original Bolex Cine Adapter and Cap - this has sparked my curiosity about what type of Bolex Cameras worked with Leica Thread Mount lenses back in the 1950`s and early 60`s

Is there anyone here who has had Bolex Movie camera experience?

I really would like to get into producing some Retro PinUp "Girlie" movie SHORTS and I would like to use the Summarit and maybe some of my other LTM lenses on a camera that will still work and shoot short films with film stock that`s still available?

Any suggestions on what Bolex gear works well with the LTM`s 16 mm or 8mm and or any other help would be greatly appreciated 😀

Tom

 

[kevin m]

I used to have a Bolex Rex-4 and used a Nikon to C-mount adapter. Get a spring-wind, Reflex viewing system Bolex and you'll have fun with it.

Kodak still makes Plus-X reversal stock, I think, and that's lovely. What film you shoot depends on how you plan to edit the footage, though. If you want to edit digitally vs. editing on a bench, etc..

 

[LeicaTom]

Does anyone know how many different Bolex cameras the C mount LTM converter will work on?

I want a variation of film cameras to pick from, in different price ranges in 16mm or Super 8?

This is all new stuff to me Bolex`s

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The 8mm cameras used "D" mount, not C-Mount. A normal lens is 13mm for a regular-8 camera. The normal lens for the 16mm film camera is a 25mm lens. SO the Summarit will be the equivalent of a 100mm F1.5 Telephoto on the Bolex 16.

I have a 13mm F1.9 Nikkor lens in D-Mount. It is a joint venture between Nikon and Revere. Nikon must have really needed the money.

I've even got some Kodachrome in Double-8. Does anyone process K-11 anymore? I haven't shot any since 1975. It's from 1957.

 

[LeicaTom]

The 8mm cameras used "D" mount, not C-Mount. A normal lens is 13mm for a regular-8 camera. The normal lens for the 16mm film camera is a 25mm lens. SO the Summarit will be the equivalent of a 100mm F1.5 Telephoto on the Bolex 16.

I have a 13mm F1.9 Nikkor lens in D-Mount. It is a joint venture between Nikon and Revere. Nikon must have really needed the money.

ahh!

So if I wanted to use Leica lenses on a film camera it has to be a 16mm one?
Hmmm is`nt 16mm film stock hard to get?
I have seen Bolex 16`s converted over to the Super 8, maybe it`s just better for me to buy a Leicina Super 8 to work with?

Tom

 

[Sonnar Brian]

More expensive than hard to get. It will run some serious money. That's why a lot of film schools went to Super-8.

 

[kevin m]

16mm stock is easy to get. You can order it directly from Kodak. It comes in 100ft. daylight spools and 400ft open rolls. You'll want the 100ft. spools for your Bolex.

As I mentioned before, you have to decide how you're planning to edit it beforehand, as that will determine which direction you take. Most film houses that process can also telecine the film for you and transfer it to video tape, mini-DV, etc., and then you can edit on a computer.

 

[kevin m]

And Double-8, and double Super-8, which is what converted Bolexes run, is pretty much a specialty film now. If you want to shoot Super-8, just get a Super-8 camera. The cartridges are easy to load, too.

I think tri-x, plus-x and Ektachrome are all still available in Super-8 from Kodak, and there are private houses that will develop and scan the film for you. Benchtop editors are lots of fun, too, and you can pick them up cheap on ebay. I have a little guillotine splicer and I still put together and project home movies.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I have one roll of Kodachrome-25 in Double-8mm. K14 process. Been in the refrigerator since 1986. If you find a place to process it, I'll donate it for the project and lend you the Nikkor 13/f1.9. I probably have some other D-Mount lenses as well.

 

[LeicaTom]

Very Kool!

Thanks everyone for the help, it`s just thinking up alot of things all at once about how to do these "little movies" and make them look original etc.
I know most stag/girlie films were 8mm - but I just that Super 8 was better etc.
(or easier to find film for?)
I really need to find some current websites that discuss vintage film cameras and their uses to make modern films

If anyone knows of a good site or maybe even a book about making movies with vintage cameras please let me know

I've even decided to even look into STEREO Photography as well with a Leica IIIC too,
(with a FIATE bar or a homemade one - from an idea I just read about in
Peter Gowland`s Stereo Photography book from 1953)

I`m feeling quite experimental lately 😉

Tom

 

[sanmich]

I shoot and process 16mm tri-X for the fun of it. Well, processing it is NOT fun, but is really cheap compared to pro labs.

Tom, good luck with your project, I would like to help if I can.

About the lens: keep in mind that a Bolex reflex has a focus shift due to the fixed prism used between the lens and the film. That's the reason why the very same lenses were produces in regular C-mount and C-Mount for Bolex. There is a place in the web describing the phenomenon. I think any lens opened wider than f/3.2 (the hell if I know how I remember that) will have a problem. So shooting a summarit wide open may be a problem. Maybe this issue exists only on reflex and non-reflex Bolexes accepts any lens?

Good luck!

 

[sanmich]

normal focal lenght for 16mm film

normal focal lenght for 16mm film

Albeit 25mm is considered a normal focal lenght for 16mm, I think it is in fact already a long focal. If I recall correctly, I once calculated that the normal lenght is around 15mm. Cine film is very different from stills and maybe the perception given drives one to shoot much more long lenght than wides. In any case, for my family shots, I mainly use the 15mm focal, and rarely the 25mm. I would have very hard times to shoot a 50mm...

 

[bsdunek]

Try these guys: http://www.chamblesscineequip.com/
They seem to know all about this stuff. Many years ago, when I still did film movies, I used them for film, processing, etc. Always good service.
I still have my Bolex H-8 with three lens turret, etc. What a beautiful piece of machinery. Too bad it's so expensive to use.

 

[super8mm]

If you want to see all an indepth website of super 8 and regular 8, simply google "super 8 man" and you should get me...(my website actually).

http://home.pacbell.net/mnyberg/super8mm/

All formats (8, super 8, single 8, and 16mm) of reversal films are still available. Also, professional negative movie films are also READILY available for Super 8 and 16mm. I have even shot Kodak's newest Ektachrome 100D in my Bolex H8 Reflex with Switar primes...the footage is here:

http://exposure.cbc.ca/node/7186

Just call me a rangefinder cheapskate who loves his Leica IIIf with its 15mm Heliogon.

Cheers,
Mike