L-8 (early model)

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  Bolex L8 early model

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  L8 complete outfit

Specifications

Overall Dimensions

4 7/8in x 3 1/8in x 1 3/4in.

Weight

1 lb 12 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.

Lens Mount

Thread diameter of 5/8" (15.8mm) with a setting of 0.3075" (7.8mm). Standard D mount lenses can be used with the L-8 ring adaptor.

Viewfinder

Optical type; instantly changed with a sliding mask, to accommodate the field of view for lenses of F=12.5mm, 25mm and 36mm. The field is seen through the finder as it will appear on the film.

Precise Speed

Exposures are made at 1/30th second at 16 frames per second.

Release Button

provides for the making of continuous exposures by finger-tip release or by locking it in running position. The button also rotates to provide a definite lock to prevent accidental operation when not in use.

Footage Counter

automatically resets to zero when film is removed or when changing spools from one side to the other. When the end of 25ft of film is passing the gate, an indicator comes into the finder automatically.

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.