K1 Automatic
- Format
- 8mm
- Introduced
- 1963
- Original archive
- View preserved page ↗
3 photographs — swipe, or tap to enlarge
Paillard Bolex Zoom Reflex Automatic K1 camera for standard 8mm film
At a glance
- Overall Dimensions
- 8 1/2" x 8" x 2 1/2"
- Weight
- Approximately 2 lbs.
- Zoom Lens
- Kern Vario-Switar 8-36mm f/1.9 zoom lens
- Variable Speed
- 12, 18 and 40 frames per second
- Footage Counter
- Precise reading of exposed film footage. Resets to zero upon reloading.
- Manual Rewind
- A small hand crank allows for rewinding film up to 60 frames.
Specifications in detail
- Outer Case
- Aluminum body with leather covering; black crinkle-finish paint on top and rear.
- 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.
- Viewfinder
- Reflex viewfinder with ground-glass focusing; Adjustable diopter for eyesight correction; Rubber eyecup.
- Release Button
- Continuous exposures can be made by a trigger release on the front of the grip handle. Cable release socket allows for single frame exposures or continuous hands-free filming.
- Variable Shutter
- Adjustable dial changes the shutter opening from 0-165 degrees to allow for shortened exposure times and fades.
- Single Frame
- A cable release socket allows the user to expose single frames for filming animation, titles, etc.
- Automatic Exposure
- Electric-eye metering with fully automatic diaphragm and manual override. Film sensitivity of 10-400 ASA.
- Grip
- Built-in grip with trigger release and socket for cable release. A storage compartment provides room for the backwind handle. The bottom of the grip contains a 1/4" thread tripod socket.
Serial numbers & production years
As documented on this model’s archived page. Look up any serial on the serial lookup page.
| Serial range | Year |
|---|---|
| 943,501 – 973,000 | 1962 |
| 973,000 – 984,500 | 1963 |
Related models
The Automatic line
Double 8mm cameras of the same period· 1960s Cameras
The original archive
The preserved BolexCollector.com page, exactly as captured.