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Bolex CollectorPaillard-Bolex · Est. archive

B-8LA

Format
8mm
Introduced
1961
Original archive
View preserved page ↗

Paillard Bolex B-8LA camera for standard 8mm film

  • Bolex B-8LA

Specifications

Overall Dimensions
5" x 3 1/2" x 2"
Weight
Approximately 28 oz.
Outer Case
Highly polished duraluminium body, covered in genuine Morocco leather. Metal parts are chrome-plated.
Film Capacity
25ft daylight loading spools of double run 8mm film. When a roll runs through the camera, only half the width of film is exposed. The spool is then reversed and run through again, exposing the other half. When processed, film is split and spliced together giving 50' for projection. Projection time at 16 fps for 25' roll is 4 minutes.
Threading
manual, with no loop forming; with the pressure pad opened the film is simply placed over a guide roller, threaded behind the gate, over the bottom guide roller and onto the takeup spool.
Motor
Constant speed, spring motor mechanism; governor controlled. Generous winding key, attached to the camera, folds back against its side when not in use. Spring cannot be over-wound.
Turret
Accommodates two standard D mount lenses.
Viewfinder
optical type; adjustable dial shows the scene as viewed by focal lengths of 12.5mm, 25mm and 36mm. Built-in prism swings into position to provide a field of view for 5.5mm lenses. Accessory prism attachments provide parallax correction while filming at close distances.
Variable Speed
12, 16, 18, 24, 32, 48 and 64 frames per second.
Release Button
continuous exposures can be made by a finger tip release button or cable release. Running operation can be locked to prevent accidental exposures, or set for continuous hands-free filming.
Variable Shutter
Adjustable dial changes the shutter opening from 0-165 degrees to allow for shortened exposure times and fades.
Footage Counter
Precise reading of exposed film footage. Audible end-of-film signal. Resets to zero upon reloading.
Single Frame
A cable release socket allows the user to expose single frames for filming animation, titles, etc.
Manual Rewind
A small hand crank allows for rewinding film up to 60 frames.
Exposure Meter
A photoelectric cell measures light through the lens. Two needle indicators in the viewfinder are then aligned by adjusting the diaphragm on your lens, resulting in proper exposure.
Tripod Socket
1/4" thread

Serial numbers & production years

As documented on this model’s archived page. Look up any serial on the serial lookup page.

Serial rangeYear
887,501910,0001961
910,000973,0001962
973,000984,5001963

The original archive

The preserved BolexCollector.com page, exactly as captured.