INTRODUCTION

The Bolex H-16 Rex 5 is a 16mm reflex camera.

The optical system permits through the lens
viewing at all times. It is an extremely versatile,
portable, dependable, well built camera. The self-
threading allows easy loading of daylight spools.
This camera's features include single frame,
extended exposure, slow motion, a variable
shutter, and backwind. Media Loan has H-16
Bolex cameras, zoom lenses, many prime lenses,
and a double system sync package with 400' foot
magazines as well as other accessories.

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1

REFLEX VIEWFINDER................................................................................................................... 3

DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT ................................................................................................................ 3

DOUSER ............................................................................................................................................. 3

TURRET ............................................................................................................................................. 4

FILTERS ............................................................................................................................................. 4

CAMERA MOTOR ............................................................................................................................ 5

FILM SPEEDS .................................................................................................................................... 5

RELEASE SELECTOR(ON/OFF) ................................................................................................... 5

VARIABLE SHUTTER ..................................................................................................................... 6

LAP DISSOLVE.................................................................................................................................. 7

LOADING THE CAMERA ............................................................................................................... 7

CAMERA DIAGRAM ....................................................................................................................... 8

FOOTAGE COUNTER ..................................................................................................................... 9

FRAME COUNTER .......................................................................................................................... 9

TROUBLESHOOTING ..................................................................................................................... 9

REFERENCE ILLUSTRATIONS .................................................................................................. 10

WRITTEN TEST .............................................................................................................................. 11

OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY TEST ....................................................................................... 11

Written by: Michael Majoros/Marge Brown
Graphics and Compilation by: Marge Brown/Keith Ogren
Additional Information by: Alley Hinkle/Kathleen Doherty

Media Loan The Library Group (360)867-6253

The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA 98505
http://www.evergreen.edu/media 10.5.00
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REFLEX VIEWFINDER These lenses are designated by the letters "rx"
after the name on the barrel. When using these
The optical system of the Bolex H16 reflex lenses with the H16 camera, the effective expo-
permits through the lens viewing at all times. sure is back to 1/50 of a second.
This system utilizes a beam splitter so the image
seen in the viewfinder is completely free from
flicker. The reflex finder enables accurate
focusing and framing, and allows you to estimate
the depth of field. The reflex prism deflects 20-
Bolex H16 Other Camera
25% of the light passing through the lens into the
viewfinding system. Only 75-80% reaches the Read exposure Under expose
film plane. The actual quantity of light reaching RX meter at film by 1/ 3 to
the film is reduced by about 1/3 to 1/2 of an f- 1/50 second 1/2 stop
stop. To compensate for this, Bolex has deter-
mined that the effective shutter speed for the Read exposure Read exposure
H16 camera is 1/80 second rather than the Non meter at
standard 1/50 of a second. To further confuse
meter at
RX 1/80 second 1/50 second
matters, Bolex (in conjunction with Kern/Switar)
has designed a series of lenses which are cali-
brated to pass 1/3 to 1/2 stop more light that the
aperture markings on the barrel indicate, com-
pensating for the light lost to the viewfinding
system.
DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT

This adjustment corrects the optical system to

the operator's eyesight (whether of not s/he
wears glasses) and remains the same for all
lenses on the camera.

To set the diopter:

1. Turn the turret to expose the reflex prism (no

lens in taking position).
2. View a well lighted subject.
3. Loosen the grooved ring around the view-
finder and turn the lever until the grain of the
ground glass is perfectly sharp.
4. Tighten the ring which acts as a lock nut.
Some the viewfinders have locking screws.

DOUSER

The douser (located on the reflex viewfinder)

closes the eyepiece to keep light from reaching
and fogging the film plane through the
viewfinder.

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It is necessary to use the douser when doing
pixilation with a strong light behind the camera.
The douser is open when the lever is in the
horizontal position; closed in the vertical posi-
tion.
Eyecup Diopter Adjust

Turret Lock

Diopter Lock

Filter Slot

Turret

TURRET

By turning the turret you can change from one

lens to another. To turn the turret, use its fold Lens Taking Position
away lever rather than handling the lenses. In
Turret Lock Screw
this way, there is less risk of accidentally chang-
ing the aperture and/or focus ring. When using
heavy lenses, such as telephotos or zooms, the
turret should be locked with either a special
locking clamp of a turret plug. Turret plugs go
onto the lowest lens cavity (when turret is on
normal position), they are marked with a red Release Button
ring. For other lighter lenses, the turret lock on
the camera should be sufficient. This lock is FILTERS
located above the lens in the taking position and
should be tightened after the lenses are in place. The h16 camera has a filter between the taking
Keep the wide-angle lens and the telephoto lens lens position and the reflex prism. The filters
opposite each other on the turret so the telephoto therefore remain in place no matter which lens is
lens does not interfere with field of view of the used. When filming without a filter, an empty
wide angle lens. filter carrier should be left in the filter slot to
prevent light from entering the slot and fogging
the film. Make sure the carrier is located firmly
within the slot and the correct filter is in place
before shooting. An incorrect filter will either
alter the color balance or exposure.

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 MOT
Turret Lock

Filter Holder

Spring Disengage Lever

Disengage

FILM SPEEDS
CAMERA MOTOR The camera has seven filming speeds from 12-64
The Bolex h16 has its own internal spring drive frames per second (fps). To select the desired
motor. This allows an electric motor to be used speed, turn the control knob until the corre-
and also allows you to backwind the film for sponding figure is opposite the red dot. When
camera dissolves. Turn the motor disengaging changing filming speeds do not forget to alter the
lever to "MOT" and move the side release to exposure setting. (When changing from 24 to 32
"stop". If the side release will not go to stop, fps open diaphragm 1/2; from 24 to 48 by one
slightly wind the spring. Lift the winding crank stop and so forth.)
which automatically engages the spindle, and
turn counter clockwise. Wind the spring fully RELEASE SELECTOR(ON/OFF)
without forcing it. Fold the crank and secure it The H16 can be used for normal, continuous, or
on the latch on the lower body. Fully wound, the single frame filming. The different operations
motor will drive about 18 feet to film through the are controlled by the side release.
camera (about 28 secs. at 24fps). Normal filming-- This method is suitable for
IMPORTANT: Never leave the camera wound most shooting situations. Then camera runs as
during storage. This may ruin the spring. When long as the operator depresses the front release
running down the spring with no film in the or pushes the side release towards 'M'.
camera, set film speed at 8fps. Continuous filming-- Push the side release
towards 'M' until it clicks into place. The camera
will continue running until the wind runs out or
the side lever is pushed to the STOP position.

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 Backwind
VARIABLE SHUTTER

Electric Motor Shaft The H16 is equipped with a shutter whose

aperture can be varied when the camera is
running and when it is stopped. This enables
Extended Exposure Select you to reduce exposure time without altering the
camera running speed or f-stop. In bright light,
Time
the variable shutter can be used to reduce expo-
sure, therefore eliminating the need for a neutral
density filter.
Instantaneous
The shutter may be locked in each of its four
positions by pulling it out and pushing in when
at the desired setting.

Fully open----normal exposure--at the red mark.

1/4 closed----exposure reduced by one half stop.
1/2 closed----exposure reduced by one full stop.
Film Speed Selector Fully closed----no light will reach the film plane.

In some cameras, a triangular warning signal

will appear in the viewfinder if the variable
shutter is not in the fully open position.

Continuous Run Single Frame

Slide Release

Single Frame filming---

Instantaneous: Turn the knob until the guide
mark is in the I position. The effective exposure
time in this position is 1/30 of a second. Time:
Place guide mark in "T" position; shutter will
remain open as long as side release is in the "P"
position. Variable Shutter

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LAP DISSOLVE The film will jam at this point if the plate is not
closed. Remove the empty spool from its
A lap dissolve is made by superimposing a fade- spindle by pressing the ejector. Place the loaded
in on a fade-out so that one picture gradually daylight spool on the upper spindle. (Film
disappears as the next gradually appears. This should come off in the direction indicated by the
allows for a smooth transition during which the engraved arrow.)
picture brightness scarcely varies. To produce a IMPORTANT: At the film gate the emulsion
lap dissolve, close the first shot in a sequence should always face towards the front of the
with a fade out. Lock the shutter in the "closed" camera.
position. Set the frame control to zero. Disen- Using the film knife (located at the bottom of the
gage the motor. Set the slide release to the M camera), clip the film end.
position. Douse the viewfinder. Cap the lens. Close the loop formers by moving the control
Rewind the film, using the backwind key, until lever parallel to the pressure plate.
the frame counter indicates the duration of the Insert film end in the top feed sprocket and start
fade out. Move the slide release to the STOP the camera motor. The film is automatically
position. Frame the second sequence to be threaded through the gate. If you need to adjust
filmed and release the slide lever. At the same the film, you can spread the sprocket guides by
time make a fade-in the same length as the fade- sliding the locking plate forward.
out.
Duration of the fade Number of Frames/
in seconds Filming Speed
18 fps 24 fps

1 1/2 973 964

2 964 952
2 1/2 955 940
3 946 928

Loop Formers

LOADING THE CAMERA

Before loading: Pressure Plate Pin

1. Set side release to stop.
2. Set disengaging motor to MOT.
3. Turn FPS selector knob until the number
corresponding to the desired camera speed faces
the red dot. Sprocket Guides
4. Wind the camera. Release

check that the pressure plate pin is locked so that

the pressure plate cannot open.

Sprocket Guide Lock

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 CAMERA DIAGRAM

Feed Spindle

Pressure Plate
Release Pin

Sprocket Guides
Audible Signal
Pressure Plate Select

Filter Holder
Spool Ejector

Loop Former Sprocket Guide

Lock Release Lock Release

Retaining Arm

Loop Formers

Take Up Spindle

Film Knife

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Continue to run the camera until 12 to 15 inches --the upper dial adds the frames in forward run
of film have passed through the drive mecha- and subtracts them in reverse (0 to 50 frames)
nism. --The lower dial totals in units of 50 frames. It
Open the loop formers by pressing the button will subtract when the camera runs in reverse.
located on the sprocket/gate assembly. Insert the Indicators are from 0 to 1000 frames.
film end into the take-up spool (in the direction
of the engraved arrow), Place the spool on the
lower spindle and take up any slack by hand.
Run the camera again for several seconds to
make sure that everything is OK (check that the
film is advancing normally and the loops do not Frame Counter
scrape the body). Replace and lock the lid.

FOOTAGE COUNTER

The footage counter indicates how much film 100's of Frame

has been exposed. Once the camera has been
loaded, the counter will read FEET. Run the
camera until the figure "0" appears opposite the Fame Reset
white line in the indicator window. This indi-
cates the film leader has been taken up and the
camera is ready to be used.
The counter will automatically return to "0"
when the lid is removed.
TROUBLESHOOTING
When shooting at 24 fps, there is the option for
Problem and Probable Cause
an audible CLICK every second indicating that 8
Film is black:
inches of film has passed through the camera.
Variable lens shutter was closed
This can be useful when timing a pan or zoom
Lens cap left on
shot. For an audible CLICK, move theaudible
Exposure incorrect
signal select lever down when loading film; for
no click place the lever in the "0" position.
Film underexposed, images reversed; with color
film, general orange tint:
FRAME COUNTER
Film incorrectly loaded with the base facing
forward instead of the emulsion.
The frame counter is helpful for lap dissolves,
double exposures, and animation.
Jumpy images:
Loops formed incorrectly
Shrunken film stock.

Dominant red-orange tint:

Using tungsten lamps with a daylight film or an
underpowered tungsten lamp.

Obscured Images:
Turret incorrectly positioned.
Telephoto lens on turret obscuring view of other
lenses.
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TROUBLESHOOTING cont
Exposure Meter Shoe
Partly obscured pictures:
Telephoto lens in the way of the taking lens or
turret badly positioned.

Parallel scratches on the edge of the film:

Dust or particles of emulsion in the film gate.
Camera poorly loaded.

Fogged film:
Light entering through the viewfinder or filter
slot.
Film was loaded in extremely bright light.
Camera not seated well. Filter Holder

Film fogged at edges:

Camera loaded in strong light.
Warped take up or feed reel.
Filter carrier not in slot during exposure.

Out of focus or 'breathing' picture:

Pressure pad incorrectly locked.
Magazine Cavity Cover

REFERENCE ILLUSTRATIONS

Carrying Handle
Exposure Meter Shoe

Exposure Meter Shoe

Turret Lever
Optical Veiwfinder Bracket

Turret Locking Screw

Starting Button
Lid Lock

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 Please Complete the Proficiency Test Before
Checking Out the Bolex H16 from Media Loan

WRITTEN TEST OPERATIONAL PROFICIENCY TEST

1. List the four steps necessary to set the 1. Identify all of the parts and control of the
diopter adjustment. Bolex H16.
2. How many frames per second is the Bolex 2. Set the diopter and place the 85b filter in the
capable of shooting? How few? camera.
3. What kind of viewing system does the 3. Set the fps at '24'.
Bolex H16 employ? Set the counter at'0'.
4. What is the shutter speed of the Bolex 4. Load film in the camera.
H16? 5. Demonstrate how to create a lap dissolve.
5. Explain the difference between Bolex Rx 6. Demonstrate extended exposure and anima-
lenses and normal lenses. What is the effect tion features.
on shutter speed, and how do you compen- 7. Demonstrate proper lens mounting to insure
sate? proper 'taking' balance.
6. What is the function of the turret plug?
7. List the steps necessary to perform a lap
dissolve.
8. List the steps necessary to thread the
camera.
9. Describe any precautions you need to take
while cleaning and operating the Bolex.
10. What is the extent of you financial re-
sponsibility in case of loss, or damage to the
camera?

Media Services The Library Group (360)867-6253

The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA 98505
11