Bolex: Parts and Functions
Exterior
1) Reflex Viewfinder: allows for through-the-lens viewing (meaning what your seeing is what your shooting) during filming as well as when the camera is not running. NOTE: The reflex prism deflects 20-25%
of light passing thru the lens and should be taken into account when calculating exposure.
2) Footage Counter: measures the length of film that has been exposed. When the camera is loaded the
counter will read “ft.” It is recommended practice to run the camera until the counter reads “0,” to avoid
flares on your image. NOTE: When the door to the camera is open the counter automatically resets.
3) Motor Disengage Lever: by simultaneously turning the lever to “0” and setting the run switch to “M”
the camera’s spring is disengaged. This allows the camera to be handcranked our the backwound. To reset
the spring first movie the switch to “STOP” and then move the disengage lever to “M.”
4) Spring Motor Winding Handle: this crank is used to wind the spring before shooting. To wind turn
counter-clockwise. Turning the crank clockwise will unscrew it from the camera body.
5) Reflex Window Closing Lever: Cuts off stray light from entering the viewfinder if you are filming
without looking through it.
6) Frame counter: indicates the exact number of exposed frames. The UPPER DIAL adds the frames in
forward run and subtracts in reverse from frames 0-50. The LOWER DIAL totalizes, in units of 50, the
frames in forward run and subtracts in reverse up to 1000 frames.
7) Coupling Spindle: to be used for electric motor and film rewind handle.
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Exterior Cont’d
8) Variable Shutter Dial: allows you to reduce exposure time without changing the film speed. the shutter can be locked in 1/4 closed position (marked 1/2), and the 1/2 closed position (marked 1). A triangle
warning signal will appear in the view finder when the variable shutter is not fully open position. when
the level is fully lowered the shutter is full closed and no light will expose the film. *it is important to
note that NOT ALL CAMERAS have the triangle warning symbol, so make sure the knob is always up
AND locked in.*
9) Film Plane Guide Mark: indicates the plane that the film will be running through. this is useful when
using measuring tape to accurately measure focus.
10) Coupling Spindle: for electric motor model MST.
11) Exposure Control Knob: adjust from instantaneous (I) and timed (T) exposures. This is used for
single frame shooting. When set on “I” the camera will give a constant exposure to all single frame exposures as long as the run switch is set on “P”. When set on the “T” the shutter will remain open for as long
as the run switch is held on “P”.
12) Film Speed Selection Knob: allows film shooting at seven different frame rates: 12, 16, 18, 24, 32,
48 and 64. To select the desire speed, turn the control no until the corresponding figure is opposite the red
dot.
13) Front Trigger: is used to run camera.
14) Side Release: is used to run the camera. “M” (motor) is for continuous filming and “P” (pixelated)
for single frame exposures.
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Interior
16) Lever for suppressing audible signal: Typically a clicking sound marks the passage of every 8” of
film (roughly 1 second @ 24 fps) to easily estimate the length of a shot while filming. By turning this
lever towards the 0 the strength of the audible signal will be reduced.
17) Upper Spool Shaft: used for rotating spool to feed film into gate.
18 & 23) Sprockets: for feeding film through the gate.
19 & 24) Loop Formers: for loading film. when loading the loop formers should be closed to help the
film create a smooth loop to more easily feed the film thru the gate.
20) Pressure Plate Locking Pin: keeps pressure plate locked in position.
21) Loop Former Locking Lever: by turning lever the loop formers lock in position for loading. To
open the loop formers press the button on top of the lever. (if you accidentally leave them close, they
will automatically open when the camera lid is replaced. But don’t count on that!)
22) Pressure Plate: helps the film lay flat against the film plane when shooting. the pressure plate can be
released to help loading or cleaning the camera. REMEMBER that the plate is locked before shooting or
it will effect you film.!!!!
25) Lower Spool Shaft: used for take-up spool.
27) Spool Ejector: when ejector is pressed the spools are ejected to speed up the reloading process.
28) Film Retaining arm: assists the film from coming off the spool.
29) Feet setting on footage counter: When this is uncompressed the footage counter will reset to 0.
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Front and Bottom
30) Turret lever: allows for easy adjusting between the three different lens options on the turret.
31) Threaded Hole for Turrent Locking Screw: allows locking screw to keep the turrent from rotating.
32) Filter Holder
33) Turret Locking Clamp: turn screw on side to ensure turret stays in place once set in position.
34) Lid opening ring: allows user to open bolex. make sure ring is fully locked when lid is on to avoid
light leaks.
35) Three threaded holes: (2 - 3/8” and 1- 1/4”) for tripods or hand grips.
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