Bolex

Bolex Paillard B8L 8mm Cine Camera Kern Yvar Lenses Case - Meter Fault

Name: Bolex Paillard B8L 8mm Cine Camera Kern Yvar Lenses Case - Meter Fault
Brand: Bolex
Price: 60.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

£60.00 GBP

Sale Sold out

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Description

The Bolex Paillard B8L is a Swiss-engineered 8mm twin-turret cine camera produced in the late 1950s by Paillard-Bolex. Built with a precision clockwork spring-motor drive, variable frame rates (12 to 64 fps), and a focal-plane shutter, it represents classic mid-century Swiss mechanical craftsmanship. Fitted with a dual lens turret hosting two Kern-Paillard prime lenses: a Kern Yvar 13mm f/1.9 AR standard lens and a Kern Yvar 36mm f/2.8 AR telephoto lens. Features an integrated light meter system and variable optical viewfinder. Presented complete with its original vintage leatherette hard case, original instruction booklet, filter ring, and metal caps. Offered for spares or repair due to a non-responsive light meter.

Condition

Overall Condition: Good but Faulty Meter

Optics are mostly clear. Metal camera body and black leatherette cover show light, clean cosmetic age wear with bright chrome trim and crisp lettering. Spring motor winds smoothly, release trigger runs the camera drive steadily across frame rates, turret rotates cleanly, and lens aperture and focus rings turn properly. The built-in exposure light meter is non-functional/unresponsive. Sold as-is for spares, repair, or handheld shooting using external metering. Note that the foam in the case is breaking down.

Included

Bolex Paillard B8L 8mm Cine Camera Body
Kern-Paillard Yvar 13mm f/1.9 AR Lens
Kern-Paillard Yvar 36mm f/2.8 AR Lens (No. 867511)
Original Vintage Leatherette Hard Carry Case
Original Bolex B8 Cine-Camera Instruction Booklet
Metal Screw Filters / Threaded Lens Rings & Caps

Key Features

Precision clockwork spring-drive mechanism made in Switzerland
Dual-lens rotating turret system accepting standard D-mount cine lenses
Includes two high-grade Kern-Paillard AR optics (13mm f/1.9 & 36mm f/2.8)
Variable framing speeds from 12 to 64 frames per second plus single-frame exposure
Adjustable optical viewfinder system
Full outfit with original hard case and documentation

Collector's Notes

The selenium cell light meters on late 1950s Bolex B8L cameras frequently exhaust their light sensitivity over time. However, because the camera drive itself is entirely mechanical and clockwork-powered, the non-working meter does not affect the physical operation of the camera. Filmmakers routinely shoot with these using manual external exposure meters, while the included Kern-Paillard D-mount lenses remain highly popular for adaptation onto digital Micro Four Thirds and mirrorless cameras.