H8 REX crystal synced?

Post by **studiocarter** » Fri Jan 10, 2003 11:05 pm

What do you folks think of a Bolex H8 REX that has Switar preset RX lenses, the ones with the little handles, getting crystal synced to shoot at various speeds including 29.97whatever?

Please don't tell me 16 is better. That is covered. This cam could get changed into a DS8 for about $700 more but the worm gear and whatever may need to be changed on the motor? Anyway. It'll start out as a crystal synced Regular 8mm camera that will match sound recorded with a Hi-8mm camera.

Cool? Not cool?

Michael A. Carter
(there is another Michael out there)

Yemi · Post by **Yemi** » Sat Jan 11, 2003 12:51 am

Hi There.

I once owned a lovely Bolex Rex4 DS8. The Rex4 has a 1:1 drive shaft so I got hold of a Bolex ESM motor (The ESM has the option of crystal control). Everything worked great. The camera produced some of the best super8 footage I've ever shot. Just remember that the camera is noisy with or without a motor so you'll need to blimp it for sound work.

The switar lenses are very sharp but I got equally stunning footage from a Beaulieu. The Beaulieu was much easier to focus because the viewfinder was bigger and brighter. Plus, the Beaulieu performed better in low light and I had more film stocks to choose from. Also the Bolex + ESM motor and battery weighed well over 10 pounds.....Maybe you shoot all your stuff with a tripod.

Post by **ricardoeko** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 5:25 am

Well, i've always heard that you can't have a better camera than a bolex. And some days ago i bought 3 bolex cameras the B8, C8 and L8, and now i'm thinking about buying a converted bolex Ds8 with 3 lenses. I already have an electrical canon 814 and a mechanical quarz Ds8, and now i'm going to invest in bolex material, soon i'll also buy a bolex projector. I think it is always a good choice to film with bolex, the cameras are pretty, precise, and strong.

Ricardo Leite

Portugal

Post by **David M. Leugers** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 5:16 pm

Michael

Way too cool! I've often thought about it. I own several H-8 rex and non-rex cameras and can attest to the quality of images these great cameras are capable of. They have the best registration of any 8mm camera IMHO. Being able to film double system sound would allow for some serious film making! Go for it.

David M. Leugers

Post by **studiocarter** » Sun Jan 12, 2003 10:00 pm

Thanks David, the motor I'm looking at is here: http://www.tobincinemasystems.com/page148.html
Is there a cheaper way to do this?

Michael