Bolex B8 8mm film camera

[David Mitchell]

Hi all,

This arrived today its got a case, 13mm lens, all the instructions and the optional extra handle which is very comfy lol.

Its a twin turret model, 2 lenses which you can switch and then you simply move the magnifying view finder across to get the correct perspective

I will write more about this in a bit, been playing with the IS-3000 this evening lol

 

[Adam Lewis]

That's beautiful! Cameraporn.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Mmmm - lovely looking bit of kit

 

[Hamish Gill]

Nice ... I bought the pistol grip for mine but it didn't have it originally...
mine came in a leather box with a lightmeter and twin kern(I think) lenses ... It was my grandads, from new ...

 

[David Mitchell]

Nice ... I bought the pistol grip for mine but it didn't have it originally...
mine came in a leather box with a lightmeter and twin kern(I think) lenses ... It was my grandads, from new ...

Ah, I was wondering what might be missing as there is a space under the grip for something else, I know the later models had a built in light meter so that makes sense.

It feels so nice in the hand and being swiss and clockwork its so smooth and quiet when operating, although I think the lens need some attention as I think its stuck at F4 (just needs freeing).

Its such a nice camera, the regular 8 film isn't the cheapest or easiest to get hold of now though, you can still get super 8 film on Amazon but not regular 8. I didn't want a 'plastic fantastic' super 8 camera as those are later but wanted a stylish model back when they didn't have the world 'power or turbo' written on them lol.

They only make regular 8 in 400ft reels these days, but people do respool them and sell them in the 25ft size which this camera takes (50ft in all as you rerun the film through again exposing the other half, hence the offset lens). But for a 4 minute movie it will probably cost around £60 to get the film stock, get it developed and get it telecined digitally. Although I do believe we might have a telecine machine somewhere but it might only be for super 8 and not regular 8.