Bolex 16mm cine Camera

[MrToast]

I'm looking to buy a nice quality (not too worn) Bolext 16mm Camera.

If anyone knows of a place in Tokyo i can find one of these beauties then please let me know.

I've seen all sorts in Akihabara but I dont know if i can trust they will work or not. Anyone else found one of these before?

[Mulboyne]

[DrP]

Why would you buy a Bolex in Japan? But if you do -- most H16's will be in sound working order if you know about how to check the cams. Most important, really, is the lens -- so if you can find one with a good Angenieux lens I prefer that over the Paillard - then that's what I'd be looking for. If in Japan -- you should be scouting for the Canon 1014's, since they are actually better (and more hip) than the Bolex. Plus S8 is alot cheaper to process. AND -- I know one of the company's in Japan that is doing processing for S8, Double8 Kodachrome...

There ya go. Otherwise -- do something fun and visit Russia to pick up some of the cool 16 and 35 mm 'gun cams' . You can also get loads of stock for next to nothing. (http://www.geocities.com/russiancamera/)

BTW - I know quite a few Nagra VPR5's were sold in Japan if you see ANY of these lurking aound during your jaunts around Aki, please let me know! That and an Ampex MR-70 is pretty much my Holy Grail...

Currently I have:

Nagra IVs
Fisher Price PXL-2000
Canon 1014
Ampex 354/PR10 modded by Boeing
'K3' 16mm (http://www.k3camera.com/)
And an assortment of Hi8, Dv cams

[FG Lurker]

I've seen all sorts in Akihabara but I dont know if i can trust they will work or not.

Buying from a reputable store in Akihabara is your best bet, especially if you don't know exactly how to test or what sort of problems to look for.

Yahoo can be good but a lot of sellers are either "creative" with their descriptions or don't check their goods properly. Or perhaps they also don't know how to check properly. (Besides the normal possible mechanical/electrical problems, fungus and haze are not uncommon here in lenses so you do need to be careful.)

[DrP]

..the lens, the lens...! You are so right Lurker -- most film cams wear pretty good if they are pro or semi-pro, but you really need to see the lens first hand, and a print, too, to choose a good working film cam..