The Bolex camera played a central role in the work of many avant-garde filmmakers from the 1940s through to the 1970s because of its precision and light weight, robustness and range of facilities, and the high quality of its optics, especially the zoom lenses, and its simple operation, which made possible an infinite combination of creative cinematographic choices.
The H-8 REX was the first 8mm reflex camera manufactured by Bolex. It featured through-the-lens viewing with a magnified ground glass image of 20x that allowed for extremely accurate focusing. The rear of the viewfinder included a rubber eyecup attached to a diopter, which was adjustable to the user's eyesight. Comes with black leather camera bag type case and some accessories. All pieces are in very good condition with little to no wear on the camera, only the usual wear on the tripod such as stiff operation, small nicks, and cracked rubber on the feet but no major issues. Rubber eye cup is slightly dried and bent, but replacement parts are widely available. The camera is in working condition although it has not been film tested.
Comes mounted with 1953-54 Bolex-Paillard H8 RX Macro-Switar 1:1.3 12.5mm lens with serial number 865684
H-8 REX
8mm Camera
1962
OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 8 1/2" x 6" x 3"
WEIGHT: Approximately 5 1/2 lbs
OUTER CASE: Highly polished duraluminium body, covered in genuine Morocco leather. Metal parts are chrome-plated.
FILM CAPACITY: 100ft (30m), 50ft (15m) and 25ft daylight loading spools of double run 8mm film. When a roll runs through the camera, only half the width of film is exposed. The spool is then reversed and run through again, exposing the other half. When processed, film is split and spliced together giving twice the amount for projection.
THREADING: Automatic threading and loop forming. The end of the film is simply placed in a channel leading to the feed sprocket. The release is pressed and the film is then automatically threaded throughout the entire mechanism.
MOTOR: Constant speed, spring motor mechanism; governor controlled. Large winding handle folds downward and attaches to camera when not in use. Spring cannot be over-wound. 8:1 external drive shaft permits the attachment of an electric motor.
TURRET: Rotating turret with folding lever; Accommodates three interchangeable H8 RX type C-mount lenses; Built-in turret lock lever.
VIEWFINDER: 10x magnification; Reflex viewing with semi-reflecting prism system; Groundglass focusing; Adjustable to eyesight. The camera comes equipped with an Octometer viewfinder.
VARIABLE SPEED: 12, 16, 18, 24, 32 and 64 frames per second
RELEASE BUTTON: provides for the making of continuous exposures by a finger-tip release on the front of the camera. A side release allows for locked, hands-free running or single frame exposures.
VARIABLE SHUTTER: 133 degree variable shutter; Operated manually to decrease exposure time, or with accessory Rexofader to accomplish fade-ins and fade-outs.
FOOTAGE COUNTER: adds and subtracts accurately in forward or reverse motion and automatically returns to zero when film is reloaded into the camera.
AUDIBLE FOOTAGE INDICATOR: A distinct click announces the passing of each 10 inches of film through the gate. This mechanism may be disengaged, if desired, by simply moving a lever.
FRAME COUNTER: Twin dial counts frames individually and in total; Adds frames in forward motion and subtracts when film is wound backwards. Dial may be reset manually at any time.
SINGLE FRAME: Time lapse and animation is possible by using the side release button or an accessory cable release and adapter; I-T lever allows for timed or instantaneous single exposures.
MANUAL REWIND: Clutch disengages spring motor and permits forward movement and backwind without running down the spring; allows for dissolves and superimposition.
TRIPOD SOCKET: 3/8" thread