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Bolex CollectorPaillard-Bolex · Est. archive

L-8 (late model)

Format
8mm
Introduced
1947
Original archive
View preserved page ↗

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Paillard Bolex late model L-8 camera for standard 8mm film

At a glance

Overall Dimensions
4 7/8in x 3 1/8in x 1 3/4in.
Weight
1 lb 12 oz.
Variable Speed
12, 16, 24 and 32 frames per second.
Tripod Socket
1/4" thread

Specifications in detail

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. Accessory prism can be attached for lenses of F=5.5mm.
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.

Serial numbers & production years

As documented on this model’s archived page. Look up any serial on the serial lookup page.

Serial rangeYear
65,000 – 70,0001947
70,000 – 75,0001948
75,000 – 80,0001949
80,000 – 90,0001950
90,000 – 100,0001951
100,000 – 120,0001952
120,000 – 135,0001953
135,000 – 137,0001954

Related models

Double 8mm cameras of the same period· 1928 - 1940s Cameras

All cameras →

The original archive

The preserved BolexCollector.com page, exactly as captured.