Bolex P1

Bolex P1

Uses Standard/Regular/Double 8mm film supplied on 7.5m/25ft spools

Year: 1961-65

Lens: SOM Berthiot "Pan Cinor" 1,9/8-40mm

Manual Zoom

Frame rates: 12,16,18,24,32,48,64 and single frame

Removeable pistol grip

Weight: ??

Spring wound motor

Battery operated through the lens exposure meter (semi-automatic operation)

No sound

Price(s) on eBay:

• eBay Germany
  • EUR 51,00 (+ EUR 3,90 shipping) in 03/2007

Comments

First Bolex with an integral reflex viewfinder,through the lens metering and fixed zoom lens. However it continued the same compact body as the B8, C8 and D8 cameras. Subsequent models P2 and P3 shared the same body. The P2 was a cheaper version with a shorter range zoom and the P3 added power zooming and minor improvements.

Reviews

The Bolex P1 is one of, if not the best small body Regular (double) 8mm Zoom lens cameras ever made. It has through the lens viewing and metering, asa setting from 15 to over 500, a variable speed governor controlled motor that goes from 12-64fps The original battery for the meter was a 1.35 volt mercury type. However, I have used a zinc air 1.4 volt hearing aid battery and it has worked fine. The battery is only for the meter, you do not need the battery to operate this camera. These were a very popular camera, so they are fairly easy to find on eBay, or other sites that sell used film cameras. I have shot well over a few thousand feet with mine and it has never failed me. The image is very sharp for a non prime lens, it renders colors very well, it does well with both positive and negative film. It also has a rewind crank to allow you to do fade in and out as well as scene overlaps. However, you must be very very careful to make sure this is done correctly or you could cause the motor to become jammed (overwound). Loading film into this camera is very straight forward and easy. I am able to load mine in a changing bag so my film never sees daylight until it’s processed. But that’s not necessary, loading in subdued light is fine.

 So, if you have the opportunity to pick one of these cameras up at a decent price (under $130 needing a CLA, or $250 or more for one with a fresh CLA) you should by all means. They are a fantastic, precision built marvel. As all of the small body Bolex cameras are. Having a CLA is a must given the age of these cameras. There are a few places to have that done.

eBay Auctions

If you know a better eBay search, please edit this section and enter it between the tags