Hi, I'm searching for a 16mm camera for my birthday, I'm familiar w/ digital filming cameras but I've always wanted to have a 16mm camera. I'm leaning towards a Bolex, is there anthing I should know or want for my first time w/ 16mm cameras? Please send me links or info about a camera you may suggest. I'm also looking for something w/ a regular, zoom, and wide angle lens, and prefer a small and or light 16mm camera, HELP?
James Louderback
The Bolex is the great workhorse of 16mm. Many different models
to choose from. The "H-16" is the first 16mm camera I bought and
I still use it. You can usually find them for not much money.
Beaulieu - the "R16" is one of my favorites. They are great
cameras with a beautiful lens and used are very inexpensive. Its
a little loud, but can be quited with a barney.
Eclair - the NPR is the camera many film schools use. Rugged,
solid and quiet.
Canon - the Scoopic was the standard in TV news cameras
in the 1970's. Easy to use. Another film school staple. Before video,
every film student used the reliable Scoopic before moving up to
the Eclair.
CP-16 - a really nice, solid camera with crystal sync and most
come with an excellent Angenieuz zoom lens. These were used for
news gathering for decades.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Thank you very much for your imput. Do you have any suggestions onto how will I record audio when filming, preferbraly I'd like to have a sort of older recording sound such as the audio you'd hear from a 1970's or 1980's film (you know to match the 16mm feel).
James Louderback
The primary recording device at that time was the Nagra.
=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Not sure if you're still looking, but here's my two cents:
Bolexes are beautiful machines, but way too fussy for any serious use. They jam, they leak, and they break. The H16-R use a prism that cuts 1/3 of a stop from your exposure. It's got a 135-degree shutter rather than 180, further cutting down on your exposure. If all you need is a spring-wound, non-sync camera, your better bet is a Krasnogorsk K3. I've got one myself and it just doesn't quit. All-metal construction, about 20 years newer than most Bolexes, and it's got a real 180-degree mirrored shutter for reflex viewing without any stop loss.
Other than the K3 and the H16 I've mostly used Arri cameras. The SB is a good option if you need something that accepts a 400' mag and it's got a registration pin, but it's loud as hell and impossible to handhold when it's wearing a magazine.
Sync-wise, I love the Arri SR but it's crazy expensive. I've heard good things about the Eclair NPR, but it can also be a bit pricey. The CP-16 is definitely the cheapest crystal camera out there. If you get one in good condition and take care of it, it can be a very nice camera. Just be sure to get the CP-16R, not the CP-16A, or you'll be stuck with a parallax viewfinder.
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Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com
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Andrew Gingerich
Exploding Goldfish Films
Check out my blog at http://www.exgfilms.com
and my reel at http://portfolio.exgfilms.com
