The Amazing Bolex M8 Projector!

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

I had my Bolex M8 projector out to view some new film I had shot. I'm always amazed at this little device. It embodies everything that is good about Dual 8 film.
All metal construction, no rubber belts, precision film gate and excellent optics, super high power lamp. Built to last multiple lifetimes. It's build quality reminds me of a precision scientific instrument.

Dual-8 = Metal cameras, projectors and film gate.

Super-8 = Plastic cameras, projectors and film cartridge.

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

I don't have to good way to demonstrate it, but Foma B&W Reversal is such a beautiful film. It is like candy, so good to watch. The shadows and highlights are like a beautiful B&W print. The highlights are brilliant without being washed out and the shadows have excellent detail without being muddy. Seems to be both high and low contrast at the same time. The grain is projected extremely sharp from edge to edge. I suspect most people have never experienced anything like this. My recollections of home movies are blurry blobs on the screen.

The optics of the Bolex cameras are better than any 16mm still camera or Minox. Combined with this projector, the results are stunning.

Kino · Jan 23, 2023

Yes, these are little works of art! I have one too, but yours is in nicer condition.

As long as we are doing show and tell, I have a H8 Bolex, Double Regular 8mm camera that takes 100 ft. daylight spools that is equally great!

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

As you know, having a 100ft spool in an H8, is like the 16mm guys with a 400ft magazine!

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

I have an H8 REX, burt I use my Non-Rex as a Low Light camera. The side viewer, is, of course much brighter than the TTL view of the Rex, the shutter speed is effectively slower than the Rex (because no beam splitter) and, best of all, only the Non-Rex takes the f0.9 lens!
This last year I have used this more than the Rex.

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

Kino said:
Yes, these are little works of art! I have one two, but yours is in nicer condition.

As long as we are doing show and tell, I have a H8 Bolex, Double Regular 8mm camera that takes 100 ft. daylight spools that is equally great!

View attachment 327472

That is a great camera you have there! I was actually looking at Non-Rex H8 ebay yesterday just to have a second one. I'm more attached to the Non-Rex H8 probably because I have had it since the 1980s and have shot more film through it than my Rex H8.

Kino · Jan 23, 2023

Thanks!

A Rex 8mm! Nice!

I am jealous that you have actual Bolex lenses; mine are Soligars but that's what came with the kit.

Beautiful cameras all around.

ic-racer · Jan 23, 2023

In the late 1990s I bought a bunch of Bolex H8 equipment when people were giving it away. Film cine had lost favor to video and certainly no one wanted Dual-8 equipment at the time. I think it paid off as I have shot many rolls of Dual-8 with the equipment since then. I got a pretty crazy stash of equipment; even the wealthy back in the heyday of Bolex did not have all this stuff!

I got two REX H8, the Non-Rex H8, Bolex Tripod, Hand Grips, Dual-8 splicers, Movioloa, many Switar lenses, lenscaps, lenshoods, series filters that fit under the lenshoods, etc. I even got three sets of lenses for the Non-Rex. One aftermarket set, a Yavar set and the Switar set.

I also bought a lot of Polaroid Pack film equipment (peel apart) back then, but that did not last

BAC1967 · Jan 23, 2023

I agree, the M8 is my favorite 8mm projector. I also have a few Bolex 18-5’s, 8mm and Super 8. The Keystone K-109D is another good one.

For shooting, the H8 Rex4 is my pride and joy but I find I shoot the D8, B8 and P1 more often just because they are more portable.

Bolex Paillard H8 Rex 4 by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Nizo made some great 8mm cameras as well.

Nizo Heliomatic Trifo by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Ranieri · Jan 24, 2023

I own a M8 too, but everytime I use it I can't help but be afraid of getting an electric shock since mine lacks ground. Also I always keep a fire estinguisher near when I use it. It's a really nice projector but the engine and lighting system could use some upgrades. I found mine that had been stored for 15+ years in a moisty room but started first time and never needed repair.

Kino · Jan 24, 2023

That's a lovely Nizo.

BAC1967 · Jan 24, 2023

Kino said:
That's a lovely Nizo.

It's a great camera but like the H8 it's kind of big and heavy. It also has great Rodenstock lenses but they are not interchangeable like the Bolex cameras.

BAC1967 · Jan 24, 2023

Ranieri said:
I own a M8 too, but everytime I use it I can't help but be afraid of getting an electric shock since mine lacks ground. Also I always keep a fire estinguisher near when I use it. It's a really nice projector but the engine and lighting system could use some upgrades. I found mine that had been stored for 15+ years in a moisty room but started first time and never needed repair.

That's a legitimate concern with old electronics, better safe than sorry.

With these M8 projectors they really need to be properly lubricated at the oil points, especially if they have been sitting for a long time. The oil will evaporate over time. If you open it up you will see wicks going from those red oil points to the bearings. The wick on the rear is short but the one on top is long and can take a lot of oil if it has dried. If they become dry and you run the projector it will seize up and become a big beautiful paper weight. I did manage to get one going again that was seized but I'm sure some damage or excessive wear was done to the bearings.

One of the great features on the M8 that you don't see on most other projectors is the bottom loop forming cog. If the film gets stuck in the gate it will give the film a nudge to help pull it through, keeping the bottom loop formed. This often happens with thick splices. That's why I use the Bolex beveled splicer, it makes a nice smooth splice that goes through the gate with ease.

Ranieri · Jan 24, 2023

BAC1967 said:
That's a legitimate concern with old electronics, better safe than sorry.

Yeah maybe it's better if I find a way to ground it.

BAC1967 said:
With these M8 projectors they really need to be properly lubricated at the oil points, especially if they have been sitting for a long time. The oil will evaporate over time. If you open it up you will see wicks going from those red oil points to the bearings.

I lubricated it with sewing machine oil and do so before every projection (I rarely use it). Do you think the risk of seizure is high? I am lucky enough to live near a very good service lab.

miha · Jan 24, 2023

Does standard 8mm (=double 8) mean 16mm film exposed twice and slit after processing? Do these cameras take 100 ft spools?

BAC1967 · Jan 24, 2023

Ranieri said:
Yeah maybe it's better if I find a way to ground it.

I lubricated it with sewing machine oil and do so before every projection (I rarely use it). Do you think the risk of seizure is high? I am lucky enough to live near a very good service lab.

I don't know much about adding a ground to it, I'm a Geologist, not an electrician. I would do some research on grounding old electronics.

I add some oil before I use it. It's hard to tell how much it needs but if it sucks up the oil quickly the wick is probably dry. If the oil sits in the hole for a while it's probably ok. The thing you have to be careful about is over oiling it and creating a mess inside. The rear oil port doesn't need much, it's just lubricating one bearing directly under the hole. Same goes for the reel spindles. It's the one in you're second photo that's kind of tricky since it has the long wick.

Ranieri · Jan 24, 2023

Thank you for the advice, in the user manual it is explained how to add ground, but there is a pin needed which my projector came without, so I will have to find a replacement.

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

Mine was frozen when I got it over 20 years ago. I replaced all the wicks inside using felt and string. I replaced the take-up spool slipper clutch with new cork. My brushes were still like new. Bulb socket and wiring were all good. I do use a GFI outlet for the device. I don't have any pictures of the overhaul, but it was pretty self explanatory.
I have been oiling mine with Singer Sewing Machine oil (that is what I have in the oiling bottle).

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

BAC1967 said:
I agree, the M8 is my favorite 8mm projector. I also have a few Bolex 18-5’s, 8mm and Super 8. The Keystone K-109D is another good one.

For shooting, the H8 Rex4 is my pride and joy but I find I shoot the D8, B8 and P1 more often just because they are more portable.

Bolex Paillard H8 Rex 4 by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Nizo made some great 8mm cameras as well.

Nizo Heliomatic Trifo by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Fantastic machines!!

BAC1967 · Jan 24, 2023

miha said:
Does standard 8mm (=double 8) mean 16mm film exposed twice and slit after processing? Do these cameras take 100 ft spools?

Yes, that's correct. The Bolex H model cameras take 100 and 25 foot spools, most other Double 8mm cameras take 25 foot spools.

miha · Jan 24, 2023

BAC1967 said:
Yes, that's correct. The Bolex H model cameras take 100 and 25 foot spools, most other Double 8mm cameras take 25 foot spools.

Thank you.

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

Yes, a 100ft load in a H8 gives about the same running time as a 400ft magazine the 16mm guys use because H8 gives 4 frames for every single 16mm frame:

The Amazing Bolex M8 Projector!

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