Bolex's 16mm cine camera — the H16 Non-Reflex Super 16 for film cinematography.
The Bolex H16 is a spring-wound 16mm cine camera manufactured by Paillard-Bolex in Switzerland from 1935 onwards, regarded as one of the most important cameras in the history of documentary and experimental film. The non-reflex designation means framing is via a separate optical viewfinder. Super 16 indicates the film gate has been modified to use the full frame width for the wider 1.78:1 aspect ratio, maximising resolution for HD transfer.
Spring-wound motor, 16mm film format, Super 16 gate modification (expanded frame for 1.78:1), C-mount or D-mount lens compatibility depending on variant, single-frame and multi-speed capability.
The Super 16 modification converts the camera for widescreen work and dramatically improves the image quality available when scanning to HD or 4K, as the larger gate captures more of the film. The non-reflex design means parallax error must be accounted for at close distances. Bolex cameras have a loyal following among experimental and documentary filmmakers for their mechanical reliability and Swiss craftsmanship.
Verify the spring motor winds and runs smoothly at all selected speeds. Check that the Super 16 gate modification is clean and the film path is undamaged. C-mount flange depth must be correct for accurate focus registration. Test with a short roll of film before purchase if possible.