Can a bolex take Super 16?
- Thread starter 3rdwave
- Start date
Ryan Patrick O'Hara
Veteran
Yes?
First, "Super16mm" is not a type of film*** 16mm is almost always 16mm... it is simply the film camera's movement, gate, lensesn and etc. which deturmines the image size / aspect ratio of things.
*The exception is if you are using a 16mm film stock which has perfs on both sides... in which case, you can't shoot super16 no matter what camera you have! But I'm pretty sure VIsion series (2 & 3) are only perferated on one side and the double sided perf stocks are all but gone from the market.
In theory a bolex could be mechanically outfitted with a modified movement (gate), lenses, and etc to shoot the 'super 16mm' format... but it's rare at best. I've never seen one in person but have heard of people who modify the cameras. I've used modified Arri's, though.
So to answer the question... a bolex should be able to handle Vision 3 as long as it's movement is in good condition. VIsion 3 film (the 500 speed) is actually a bit more thick then the Vision 2 series, so be careful! You also will see that it will take up more room on the daylight spools! (Only a small amount of run time is lost. ALmost negligable.)
A regular bolex will only shoot normal 16mm film at the normal 16mm resolution.
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First, "Super16mm" is not a type of film*** 16mm is almost always 16mm... it is simply the film camera's movement, gate, lensesn and etc. which deturmines the image size / aspect ratio of things.
*The exception is if you are using a 16mm film stock which has perfs on both sides... in which case, you can't shoot super16 no matter what camera you have! But I'm pretty sure VIsion series (2 & 3) are only perferated on one side and the double sided perf stocks are all but gone from the market.
In theory a bolex could be mechanically outfitted with a modified movement (gate), lenses, and etc to shoot the 'super 16mm' format... but it's rare at best. I've never seen one in person but have heard of people who modify the cameras. I've used modified Arri's, though.
So to answer the question... a bolex should be able to handle Vision 3 as long as it's movement is in good condition. VIsion 3 film (the 500 speed) is actually a bit more thick then the Vision 2 series, so be careful! You also will see that it will take up more room on the daylight spools! (Only a small amount of run time is lost. ALmost negligable.)
A regular bolex will only shoot normal 16mm film at the normal 16mm resolution.
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William_Robinette
Shallow Member
I have used a S16 modded Bolex and it worked splendidly. If I remember it was a hassle to find someone who was able to do the modification.
Armstrongfilms
Active member
They definitely do not make single-perf 16mm anymore. I shoot 16mm on a monthly basis, with varying cameras from an Arri srII to my lil K-3. The only double-perf stuff ive seen is backstock on some not so popular stocks, and some re-cans or re-cuts on the newer stocks. The key is to get the correct "wind" for your camera, which is either A or B wound, meaning the "tail" of the film comes out either left or right reel, and will properly feed into your takeup spool. Dont get the wrong wind film unless you are going for an effect (shooting film emulsion backwards gives it an unrecoverable, creeeepy red look!!).
the funny thing is, we may see a massive reduction in double perf 35mm as well, as most cams are being fitted, or factory made, into 3-perf super35 (poor man's anamorphic), and even the, pffffft. 2-perf ones are out there. this mod alone allows for an extensive savings in film stock in the long run, so producers/production companies that let the benjamins rule the day, opt for them.
the funny thing is, we may see a massive reduction in double perf 35mm as well, as most cams are being fitted, or factory made, into 3-perf super35 (poor man's anamorphic), and even the, pffffft. 2-perf ones are out there. this mod alone allows for an extensive savings in film stock in the long run, so producers/production companies that let the benjamins rule the day, opt for them.
scorsesefan
Veteran
Friend of mine "super sixteened" his Bolex. Cost a couple of grand I think and he had to send it out.