Bolex question
Bolex question- special effects and filmmaking
I got a bolex H8 for christmas and have some q's. if you are looking at the side of the camera with the hand crank on it, to the left of the crank there is a switch which in one position it will be over the word MOTOR and in the lower position will be over the number 0. Can any one explain what this does? Also on the same side, but to the right and a little below the crank, there is another switch that can be put on either the T or the I setting, what does this do.Any input would be helpful!
-Chase
P.S.if any one could email me a diagram or instructions on how to load film, please do!
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Please visit our website here L&W Productions
Finally, a film camera question!
I can help you with this. Although I'm more familar with a 16mm Bolex, they are basicaly the same.
The MOTOR/O switch is to disengage the motor. If you hold the switch that runs the camera in the backwards position (single frame position)and push the MOTOR lever down, you will disconnect the motor. This is usefull for backwinding the film if you wanted to do a superimposition (among other things)To "backwind" the film you will need to get a special crank that fits into the footage counter knob. You don't really need to worry about that switch unless you're trying to do something special.
The T & I switch has to do with the Bolex's single framing capabilities and for the life of me I can't remember which is which, but never fear, you can do a simple test to figure it out...try this:
Put the switch in the T position and press the running knob backwards and hold it there, the shutter will either stay open or turn once. If it stays open that means you could expose a frame for as long as you want as long as you keep the button held back. If it turns once and closes that means you would choose that option if you were doing single framing for a time-lapse shot or animation. One of these things will happen in the "T" position and one of these things will happen in the "I" position. Now you know what each one does. I haven't used a Bolex for over a year, so I can't remember off the top of my head which is which. This may be kind of confusing, but I have a book at my apartment that would tell me exactly which is which. If you still have problems I can get back to you in a day or so with the exact answer, plus what the names of the switches are. You know, the more I think about it, this stuff should be on the Web somewhere. Have you tried searching for "Bolex" to see what comes up? I would.
As for loading...It's easy! But hard to discribe in words. I wish I could send you a diagram, but I can't.
Let's see...
OK, For one, your take-up spool is on the bottom and your feed spool is on the top. There should be a little switch on the top of the sprocketed rollers than you can push to the side. Push it, this closes the loop guides down (I hope this the same as the 16mm camera 
) now make sure the camera is wound up and feed the end of your film into the sprocketed roller (there should be little white lines in the camera to guide you)Hit the running knob and your film should cetch and load itself, making the loops and everything! now just wind up the slack in your take up reel, put the loop guide switch back in place, check your loops to make sure their cool, close the camera and you are good to go! Make sure to run off a little film that may have been light struck, then start filming!
If there are any problems get back to me, I can try to help you further after I consult my book. Good luck!
About the T/I switch, you can easily remember that the 'T' stands for 'T'ime Lapse (at that setteng, as long as the trigger is pushed, the shutter is open. The 'I' stands for 'I'nstantaneous.
Thanks alot for the info.!
-Chase
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Please visit our website here L&W Productions
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