Bolex Paillard C8 Instruction Manual
Contents
1. 5 5 mm can be obtained by slipping a wide angle attachment onto the front of the view finder In order to adopt the viewfinder to suit the eyesight of movie makers who have to wear glasses the eyepiece of the C 8 s view finder can be replaced by a special eyepiece comprising a lens of the appropriate power Inquiries about filling such an eyepiece should be made to the Bolex general agent through the usual dealer at the same time specifying the strength required in diopters Parallax correction No parallax correction is needed at distances between 5 ft and infinity To obtain accurate framing at closer distances one of the sets of corrector prisms supplied separately as accessories should be used see p 20 The prism mount is held fast in the front grooves of the viewfinder by a catch which must be lowered in order to remove the prism INVERTING THE SPOOL Avoid opening the camera in toe strong a light as otherwise there is a risk that the film may be partly fogged When the double 8mm film has passed through the camera once the spool must be turned over allowing the other half of the film to be exposed As soon as the footage counter reaches the 25 ft 7 5 m mark the motor should be allowed to run until 10 clicks of the audible warning signal have been counted so as to make sure that the trailer is fully wound onto the take up spool The camera may then be opened the 2 spools taken out and inverted and2. Foreword You have just acquired a Paillard Bolex C 8 cine camera The name of Paillard Bolex is considered the world over as a hallmark of technical perfection and precision craftsmanship Before leaving the factory your camera was checked over and adjusted with meticulous thoroughness Like any other precision instrument your camera should be treated with the utmost care Always remember that any one of the countless Paillard Bolex distributors the world over will be glad to advise you as to how to get the best out of your Bolex C8 Every Paillard Bolex C 8 Motion picture camera carries a serial number engraved engraved on it s base where the carrying strap is fitted This number should be quoted in all correspondence with your dealer If your camera needs overhauling or repairs these should only be done by a Paillard Bolex authorised agent as the makers guarantee is automatically forfeited if such work is carried out by other persons In the event of your contemplating a trip abroad it will be a wise move to ask your dealer for a list of Pilllard Bolex distributes in all countries since they alone are in the position to offer you faultless service _ Viewfinder focus control Wa to 144 12 5 to 36 mm Viewfinder objective Retaining catch for parallax corrector prism or wide angle attachment Filming speed control 8 to 64 frames per second Cable release socket Exposure times C11 to 1140 second Release Winding ke
3. per second it will be reduced to a quarter of its normal value i e to 1 l40th second In such cases the diaphragm setting should be readjusted to compensate for this variation E g filming rate 16 frames per second set diaphragm to 5 6 filming rate 3 frames per second set diaphragm to 8 filming rate 32 frames per second set diaphragm to 4 17 18 Stability of camera The camera should always be held absolutely steady while shooting is in progress The slightest jolting of the camera will be amplified many times over when the film is projected making the subject appear to dance about on the screen Hold the camera pressed fast against the cheek or forehead if possible leaning the elbows at the same time against some stable object such as a wall or tree trunk Aim the camera slowly and smoothly without jerking and without rocking the body Length of scenes The length of a take depends on the amount of action involved in the scene and must be determined by the movie maker An average take usually covers about 16 of film at 16 frames per second which corresponds to a duration of some 5 to 8 seconds Although the length of a take can be prolonged somewhat if the action demands this sequences of exaggerated length tend to detract from the interest of the scene It is always possible to shoot lengthy action scenes while remaining within reasonable limits This can be done very easily by merely altering the shooti
4. Put the dust caps on the lenses between scenes and when the camera is no longer needed stow them away from damp in their Paillard Bolex cases Especial care should be taken to avoid getting dust or fingerprints onto the glass surfaces perspiration is harmful to glass 22 Camera The interior of the camera in which the entire film transport mechanism is housed must kept absolutely clean A certain amount of gelatine and dust is generally left in the gate and on the pressure pad after some length of film has been run through Such deposits should be removed as follows a Open the pressure pad b Withdraw the pressure pad by pulling it towards you c Using a clean cloth twisted around the end of a small wooden stick clean the pad and gate gently particularly around the taking aperture If the gelatine deposit is tacky and hard to remove moisten the cloth slightly wiping off the place carefully afterwards to ensure that it is dry d Put the pressure pad back in place by pushing it well home e Push the control lever forward to close the pressure pad Lubrication Like a high quality watch the Bolex C 8 camera rarely needs to be lubricated When new it contains a reserve of grease and oil sufficient to last for 2 or 3 years When this length of time has elapsed it 1s advisable to turn the camera in for fresh lubrication to the nearest Paillard Bolex distributor Under no circumstances should any attempt be made t
5. back in the camera irrespective of whether the letter F appears on the counter instead of O To allow for this however 4 ft 1 25 m should be subtracted from the amount of unexposed film ascertained as explained in paragraph a above Shooting must therefore be stopped when the figure thus obtained appears under the coloured clot on the footage counter 11 12 LENSES D Mount Distance from lens mount to film 12 29 mm Standard lenses focal length 1 4 12 5 or 13 mm These lenses belong to the most current category and are suitable for use in the majority of circumstances Wide angle lenses focal length 7 32 to 1 4 5 5 to 6 5 mm These lenses are used in cases when the movie maker wishes to shoot a wide general view of the scene in which the action is taking place or when obstacles in the way prevent him from moving back far enough to obtain a good view of a given subject such as a monument or other building or an indoor scene It is also possible to turn a standard 1 2 lens into a wide angle lens by adding a Hyper Cinci wide angle attachment your usual dealer will be pleased to advise you in this connection This attachment halves the focal length of the lens and doubles its held of view turning it into a 1 4 lens Telephoto lenses focal length 1 or 1 1 2 25 or 36 mm These lenses are used to obtain near or close up views of subjects of all kinds such as sporting events wild life scenes archi
6. the camera reloaded the full spool being placed on the upper film feed spindle with the side marked II uppermost When the film has been fully exposed the original Paillard Bolex spool supplied with the camera now on the upper spindle will be empty again UNLOADING At the end of the spool As soon as the film trailer included has run through for the second time the camera should be opened and the exposed spool should be stowed away again in its box 10 When spool is only partly exposed If it is wished to remove a partly exposed spool from the camera say for the purpose of shooting a sequence with a film of different speed or with colour film the following procedure should be adopted a Check the reading on the footage counter and subtract it from 25 ft 7 5 m in order to obtain the amount of him still unexposed b Open the camera in a darkroom c Open the pressure pad by means of the lever and withdraw the two spools together taking care not to scratch the film d Place the spools one on top of another and put them in a light and airtight box It is a good idea to put a marker on the film such as a paper clip or a thin strip of adhesive tape as this will help one to locate the last frame occupied To facilitate reloading this marker should be slipped on the film near the rubber guide Note Since the leader has already been wound onto the spool shooting can begin again as soon as the film is
7. to the starting point when the pressure ever is operated in the course of loading or unloading the camera Audible end of film signal An audible warning signal is heard when the counter registers 25 ft 7 5 m Speed control The speed control enables the filming speed to be varied between 8 and 64 frames per second even while shooting is in progress The normal filming speed of 16 frames per second corresponds to the projection speed for silent films Films shot at a slower speed 8 frames per second produce an illusion of accelerated motion on the screen while films shot at higher speeds say 64 frames per second for instance produce a slow motion effect Exposure time and filming speed Continuous running The exposure times corresponding to filming rates between 8 and 64 frames per second are shown on the table on the side of the camera Frame by frame shots The exposure time is approximately 1 17th second when the speed control is set to 8 frames per second 1 25th second in all other positions Viewfinder The built in viewfinder is used for framing the scene to be shot The focal length corresponding to the field to which the viewfinder is set is indicated by the number of the scale which appears opposite the fixed marker line The viewfinder is continuously adjustable to match the field covered by lenses of focal length 1 2 1 and 1 1 2 12 5 25 and 36 mm A field corresponding to that of a 1 4 6 5 mm or 1 5
8. e take lt Winding One complete winding of the motor suffices to expose about 7 feet of film corresponding to 34 seconds running time at 16 f p s However it is advisable to wind up the motor after every take no matter how short The operator will thus avoid the disagreeable surprise of finding that the motor has stopped in the middle of a take or that pressure on the Starting button produces no response It often occurs that movie makers miss the chance of a good shot by neglecting this simple precaution Selecting the lens to be used Determine the best framing by looking through the eyepiece at back of camera Once the viewfinder held is set fit a lens of corresponding focal length Exposure table Correct exposure of the film has a determining influence on picture quality As a guide for the novice the exposure table attached to the front bottom of the camera body indicates the diaphragm stops which should be used under the lighting conditions most usually met with assuming that the film is being shot at a rate of 16 frames per second The position of the subject and the speed of the film are also taken into account The data marked in black apply to black and white film and those marked in red apply to colour him Reading from left to right the four illustrative diagrams relate to the following conditions respectively 1 Overcast sky 2 Hazy sunshine 3 Clear sunny weather 4 Brilliant sunshine The figures in the s
9. ip of ordinary 8mm film 50 feet i e 2 x 25 ft in length yielding about 4 minutes screening time Choice of film There are several different types of double run 8 mm black and white or colour film available on the marker Each category is determined by the speed of the emulsion and the figures in which this speed is expressed are used as a reference when consulting exposure tables or meters Black and white film Depending on the lighting conditions the movie maker has generally speaking a choice between either a film of medium speed 22 degrees Scheiner or 10 ASA for outdoor shots in daylight or a flim of higher speed 28 degrees Scheiner or 40 ASA for outdoor shots in poor light and more especially for indoor shots Colour film Double run 8 mm colour film is manufactured in two types a for use in daylight b for use in artificial light with flood type lighting Winding The camera should be loaded in shade to avoid any risk of fogging the edges of the film LOADING Lift up the hinged winding key and wind up the motor fully by turning the key in a clockwise direction The camera can also be wound by turning the key back and forth Do not attempt to wind further after the check To open the camera Lift up the hinged semicircular ring on the camera lid and turn it to the left towards O To open the pressure pad Lay the open camera down with the lid towards you and open the pre
10. mall squares in the middle of the pictures relate to distant views and those in the large squares at the bottom to close up subjects Example For outdoor shots on a sunny clay with a colour film of exposure index 22 23 Scheiner 10 12 ASA Nearby subject in the shade use diaphragtn stop 4 partly lighted use diaphragm stop 5 6 fully lighted use diaphragm stop 8 Distant subject fully lighted use diaphragm stop 11 15 16 Exposure meters Photoelectric exposure meters help the movie maker to determine the diaphragm stop which should be used under various lighting conditions They are suitable for both black and white and colour films Depending on the model they measure either incident or reflected light Exposure meters which are highly delicate instruments are usually carried as a separate unit for utmost convenience in use Setting the diaphragm The amount of light which after passing through the lens reaches the film is limited by the aperture of the diaphragm The smallest number on the scale corresponds to the widest setting of the diaphragm The graduations on the diaphragm scale are known as stops When the diaphragm is closed by one stop e g by altering the setting from f 5 6 to f 8 the amount of light reaching the film is halved Conversely opening the diaphragm by one stop e g from f 8 to f 5 6 doubles the amount of light admitted Opening the by two stops quadruples it and so on In determi
11. ng angle an or distance for each take For comprehensive advice on how to shoot first rate movies see the Bolex Cine Guide edited by Palllard ACCESSORIES FOR FILMING Filters You can impart heightened contrast to your Elms by using filters For black and white film orange yellow red green and grey Paillard Bolex filters available For colour film Kodak Wratten 1 A Ansco UV 16 and Agfa UV K 29 C correction filters Kodak Wratten 80 and 85 Ansco 10 and 11 and Agfa K 69 and K 19 conversion filters Lens hoods These attachments serve to protect the lens from side reflections They should always be used when shooting backlighted scenes BAGOM adopter ring This ring makes it possible to use Kern Paillard lenses intended for the Bolex H 16 on the C 8 When used for shooting 8 mm films such lenses produce the same effect as 8 mm lenses of the same focal lengths 19 20 Parallax corrector prisms When slipped in the grooves in front of the viewfinder these corrector prisms permit perfect framing of extreme close ups They are available in sets of two PRISM for distances of 10 and 20 25 and 50 cm PRIFT for distances of 1 and 2 ft 30 and 60 cm Wide angle attachment for viewfinder When slipped onto the front of the viewfinder which must be set to 12 5 the wide angle attachments adapt the field of the viewfinder to correspond with that of a 7 32 5 5 mm or 1 4 6 5 mm lens according to
12. ning the correct stop to use three main factors must be taken into account the intensity of the lighting the speed of the film the filming rate Focussing If you have a Fix Focus lens the shortest distance at which pictures will be sharp is shown on the scale opposite each diagram setting f stop If you have a lens fitted with the Visifocus or Compass depth of focus scale you will had it most convenient to begin by setting the diaphragm and then to place the oo sign opposite the last orange dot on the Visifocus scale or the end of the white line on the Compass scale The other end of the dotted scale or line then shows the shortest distance at which subjects will still be sharply focussed for instance 0 60 m in the case of a 12 5 mm lens with the diaphragm set to f 8 When shooting very near close ups the lens must be focussed to the exact distance between the subject and the him itself This distance must be reckoned from the film plane see Fig 2 To alter the filming speed Adjust the speed control according to the effect which it is desired to obtain The normal filming rate is 16 frames per second This corresponds to the rate at which silent projectors are normally run Note Do not forget that altering the filming speed also alters the rate of exposure of the film Thus this rate which amounts to 1 35th second at 16 frames per second will be doubled at 8 frames per second whereas at 64 frames
13. nt 25 PAILLARD BOLEX M8 Motion picture projector For 8mm film Equipped with a high quality lens available in focal lengths of 20mm 25mm and 34mm Supplied in two version Model M 8 for A C or D C power supplies 110 125 volts OCTEM Model M 8 R for A C power supplies 110 250 volts with built in resistance and voltage selector OCTAR Silent running Leatherette carrying case GOVAL Precision built handsomely styled and simple to use the Bolex M amp operates with unfailing efficiently under all conditions and shows Smm black and white or colour films to best advantage Add sound to your films and show the result with help of the Bolex synchroniser This ingenious device ensures perfect synchronization of the picture and the accompanying sound track registered and played back on tape recorder Code SYMAT Table Code SYTAB Manufacturers PAILLARD LTD Ste Croix Switzerland anglais Roln Printed in Switzerland
14. o dismantle the camera mechanism as the makers guarantee 1s automatically forfeited if this is done 23 24 Use and care of camera in tropical climates Certain precautions must be taken to protect both camera and film against heat and damp when living or travelling in tropical regions Airtight boxes tropical pack for storing film spools are available on the market The film should only be left in the camera proper for the amount of time required to expose it The camera and all its accessories should be cleaned thoroughly and frequently The leather lining and carrying cases should be treated with a special protective chemical such as Septatan Tymol and so on To prevent hot moist air from condensing and giving rise to bacterial growths in or on the equipment the latter should not be stowed away in its various cases between takes but should be freely exposed to the air On the other hand when the equipment is to be left unused for some time particularly during the monsoon season it should be protected by putting it away in airtight tins into which a suitable desiccating agent such as silica gel calctum chloride Sova beads and so on has been placed These chemicals should not be used too liberally however in order to avoid excessive drying which might damage the leather or the film A relative humidity of 35 to 40 is quite acceptable Care should be taken to avoid dropping any of the chemical onto the equipme
15. peeds Stability of the camera Length of scenes TE PEI TE I 77 14 Accessories Filters for black and white and colour film Sunshades Adapter ring Parallax correction prisms Wide angle attachments Cable releases Tripod Camera Haine Movie eT ind Sul gun eaiel s pada nna actw insane 7 19 The Bolex Cine Guide on sale at all good photo and cine equipment stores contains all essential information on how to shoot good movies EQUIPMENT The standard equipment of the Bolex C 8 camera comprises the following items a 1 lens b 1 empty Lake up spool c 1 short cable release d 1 instruction manual e 1 depth of field chart per focusing mount lens supplied with the camera Before using your camera we strongly recommend that you read through this manual very carefully from cover to cover A thorough prior acquaintance with the purpose and use of the various controls will save the beginner many false starts and will help him to get good results right from the outset 8 mm FILM Capacity The Bolex C 8 camera is designed to take double 8 mm film on 25 ft Spools Leader In reality unexposed 25ft spools of double 8 mm film contain somewhat over 33ft of film due to the fact that a length of leader about 4ft long is allowed for at each end so that the camera can be loaded and unloaded without fogging the film The leaders are removed after development and the film is finally returned as a single str
16. ssure pad by moving the lever as shown in the sketch Then remove the take up spool from the camera Readying the film Place the full spool in the palm of the right hand holding it in such a manner as to prevent the film from coming loose and unwinding Slip the end of the Film into one of the slits in the core of the empty spool which should be held in the left hand with the side marked I uppermost Then wind 2 or 3 turns of film onto the take up spool by turning the latter in a clockwise direction keeping both spools held firmly Bett aaa ee Now move the full spool away from the take up spool until a length of about 6 ins of film has been unwound Insert the index finger of the left and right hand behind the film as shown in the sketch To insert the film in the camera Slip the full gate guiding it The dark shiny spool onto its spindle and insert the film into the with the left index finger side of the film must be turned towards you and the light side a towards the lens Slip the take up spool onto its spindle regardless of the position of the notches Final check up When the spools take up spool by and film are in in place turn the hand in order to tighten up the film Close the pressure pad by pushing the lever hack into position Then press on the filming button for at fraction of a second in order to check that the film is drawn correctly through the camera Lastly clone
17. tectural details and so on which have to he shot from some distance away 1 or 1 1 2 telephoto lenses are in most general use for 8mm movie work However long focus lenses designed for use on 16 mm motion picture cameras can also be used by adding a BAGOM adapter ring In using a telephoto lens care should be taken to ensure that the camera is kept perfectly steady preferably by setting it up on a tripod Owing to the additional brightness generally prevailing in distant views the diaphragm should be stopped down one half or one stop lower than the setting one would use on a normal focus lens The following filters will be found useful as a means of reducing the effect of atmospheric haze Wratten 1 A for Kodachrome Orange for black and white film Ansco UV I6 for Ansco Color Agfa UV K 29 C for Agfacolor 13 14 SHOOTING The various operations entailed in shooting a film should be carried out in the following order 1 Wind up the motor 2 Select an appropriate shooting angle and adjust the field of the viewfinder according to the amount of subject matter which is to be included in the scene 3 Check that the viewfinder setting corresponds to the focal length of the lens 4 Set the diaphragm and focusing controls on the lens 5 Adjust the filming speed as required 6 Make sure that the camera is being held quite steady then start shooting by pressing on the operating control 7 Keep a check on the length of th
18. the model 7 32 5 5 mm viewfinder attachment Code VELBE 1 4 6 5 mm viewfinder attachment Code VEBEL The wide angle attachment or prism is maintained in position by a catch which must be pushed down in order to remove the accessory Cable releases Apart from the 8 cable release supplied with the camera two longer cable releases are available separately as accessories Length 20 50 cm Code DECAB Length 40 100 cm Code DECBE Tripod For utmost stability when filming and to avoid shooting pictures that jump about on the screen the use of a tripod is strongly recommended The Bolex Movie Tripod is light sturdy and easy to manipulate Designed especially for Boiex cameras Code PODOM Carrying bag Code PODUS Camera Handle Less bulky than a tripod helps you to hold your camera really steady Code POFRA Movie Titler When you have shot a few films you will wish to edit them or in other words to split them up into scenes and takes rearrange them and mount them together by splicing and also to make them more attractive by adding titles For this latter purpose you will and the Bolex 8 mm Movie Titler invaluable Code TIHUI 21 UPKEEP Lenses All the outer surfaces of the lenses should be kept absolutely clean To clean them use the special soft tissue paper sold in photo stores The lenses should not be constantly rubbed as this might damage the anti reflex coating
19. this lid of the camera again and fasten it by turning the catch toward F OPERATION Intermittent running How to hold the camera 1 position The film passes in front of the lens and registers the picture as long as the finger is kept pressed on the release button The motor stops as soon as the pressure ceases Push 2 position the release Continuous running 3 position button Push the release button down and downwards with the left index turn the milled wheel slightly in finger and upwardly direction Use of cable release intermittent running For perfectly stable shots and self filming Set the sliding mask opposite the lower marking this position is determined by a stop Screw the cable release into the socket thus uncovered OPERATION Safety catch Use of cable release Single exposure Makes it impossible to start the motor when the camera is not in use For trick effects cartoon films and so on Set the mask opposite the upper marking and screw in the cable release Turn the milled wheel in an upwardly direction MAIN PARTS Footage counter The footage counter automatically indicates the amount of film that has been exposed The part of the scale between F feet and O corresponds to the length of the leader Therefore start filming only when the figure O appears under the coloured dot Note The counter automatically returns
20. y Safety catch Exposure table Viewfinder eyepiece Footage counter Lid fastening ring Interchangeable lenses Edge corresponding to the position of the film inside the camera film plane All 8 mm lenses with standard type mounts can be used on the Bolex C8 camera Thread 15 88 mm 5 Lens seat to film plane distance T 12 29 mm Maximum length of threaded section L 4 3 mm The distance T corres ponds to the distance between the film plane P and the face of the camera on which the lens rests when screw ed into position Fig 2 Important To screw and unscrew the lens hold it by ring B INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF PAILLARD BOLEX C 8 CINE CAMERA Page Equipment FilmS 2 3 Loading the CaMe Fralriccaiicivedteihdvvisavbeuviadiaiiwiasl Mauviiedatoviarheiiadiuanaduiesaaieieemenne 4 Operation Intermittent and continuous running Single frame exposures Cable release Locking mechanism 4 5 553 tea sexeeaantevenccbetwancasenndesett 6 Main parts Footage counter Speed control Exposure time and filming speed View tinder Parallax COPeCHOM esa tenes 8 Inserting the spool Unloading At end of the film or before use 0000 10 Lenses Standard lenses Wide angle lenses Telephoto lenses 0sceeeeeeeeeees 13 Shooting Winding Selecting the lens Exposure table Exposure meters Setting the diaphragm Focusing Filming s
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