Bolex B8 Movie camera
06
days
07
hours
31
minutes
58
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Rob ter Ellen
Over 35 years' experience specialising in cameras and optical equipment.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €1 |
|---|
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Description from the seller
Unique specimen of Bolex Paillard B8 cinema camera (Standard 8 / Double 8 format), produced in Switzerland in the 1950s, fully functional and reinterpreted in a contemporary artistic key.
This camera combines legendary Swiss precision engineering with an authorial aesthetic restyling. The classic black vulcanized leather has been replaced with a new covering (leatherette) in high-durability technical material, featuring an illustration inspired by Mid-Century Modern / Pop Art (evoking summer atmospheres, geometric architectures and the iconic David Hockney/California 1960s style).
Technical Specifications & Mechanical Features
Brand/Model: Paillard Bolex B8 (Made in Switzerland).
Film Format: Standard 8mm (Double 8).
Winding System: Mechanical spring-wound (no batteries), smooth and durable winding.
Twin-Objective Turret: Rotating turret for quick focal length changes.
Lenses included:
Kern-Paillard Yvar 1:2.5 f=12.5mm AR (Standard lens of exceptionally high optical performance).
Kern-Paillard Yvar 1:2.8 f=36mm AR (Portrait/detail telephoto).
Included Accessories: Original brushed aluminum cap with engraved Kern Paillard logo and Kern-Paillard Switzerland lens hood.
Frame rates: Adjustable (8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 frames per second + single frame for stop-motion).
Viewfinder: Integrated optical viewfinder with adjustable field of view.
Style, Restoration and "Custom Art"
Leatherette: Custom-made in high-definition plastified/vinyl technical material, wear-resistant and pleasant to the touch.
Visual Concept: The graphic artwork depicts brutalist/constructivist architecture softened by pastel tones (pool blue, yellow, pink, orange). It gives the camera a strong scenic impact, transforming it from a simple vintage object into a sculpture/design piece for a collection.
Aesthetic Condition: Die-cast aluminum body and chrome finishes in good condition with very slight and charming signs of aging that attest to its originality.
Condition and Functionality
Mechanical: Working. The mainspring motor runs smoothly at all speeds. The selectors and scroll collars operate correctly.
Optics: Lenses clean, diaphragms smooth, with no mold or obvious scratches.
Note: Mechanically tested with no film loaded (not tested with recently developed film). 8mm Double 8 films are available commercially online today, including development and 2/4K digitization options.
Unique specimen of Bolex Paillard B8 cinema camera (Standard 8 / Double 8 format), produced in Switzerland in the 1950s, fully functional and reinterpreted in a contemporary artistic key.
This camera combines legendary Swiss precision engineering with an authorial aesthetic restyling. The classic black vulcanized leather has been replaced with a new covering (leatherette) in high-durability technical material, featuring an illustration inspired by Mid-Century Modern / Pop Art (evoking summer atmospheres, geometric architectures and the iconic David Hockney/California 1960s style).
Technical Specifications & Mechanical Features
Brand/Model: Paillard Bolex B8 (Made in Switzerland).
Film Format: Standard 8mm (Double 8).
Winding System: Mechanical spring-wound (no batteries), smooth and durable winding.
Twin-Objective Turret: Rotating turret for quick focal length changes.
Lenses included:
Kern-Paillard Yvar 1:2.5 f=12.5mm AR (Standard lens of exceptionally high optical performance).
Kern-Paillard Yvar 1:2.8 f=36mm AR (Portrait/detail telephoto).
Included Accessories: Original brushed aluminum cap with engraved Kern Paillard logo and Kern-Paillard Switzerland lens hood.
Frame rates: Adjustable (8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64 frames per second + single frame for stop-motion).
Viewfinder: Integrated optical viewfinder with adjustable field of view.
Style, Restoration and "Custom Art"
Leatherette: Custom-made in high-definition plastified/vinyl technical material, wear-resistant and pleasant to the touch.
Visual Concept: The graphic artwork depicts brutalist/constructivist architecture softened by pastel tones (pool blue, yellow, pink, orange). It gives the camera a strong scenic impact, transforming it from a simple vintage object into a sculpture/design piece for a collection.
Aesthetic Condition: Die-cast aluminum body and chrome finishes in good condition with very slight and charming signs of aging that attest to its originality.
Condition and Functionality
Mechanical: Working. The mainspring motor runs smoothly at all speeds. The selectors and scroll collars operate correctly.
Optics: Lenses clean, diaphragms smooth, with no mold or obvious scratches.
Note: Mechanically tested with no film loaded (not tested with recently developed film). 8mm Double 8 films are available commercially online today, including development and 2/4K digitization options.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Brand
Bolex
Model/type nr
B8
Physical condition
Fair
Functional condition
Tested and working
Film type
Double 8mm
Estimated period
1900-2000
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