BOLEX Super-16mm Conversion
$1,650
While modifying Bolex cameras for ourselves and our clients, we quickly found that we were not satisfied with the Super-16mm conversions done to them, so we decided to make our own. Our Super-16mm conversion is the most comprehensive in the business, and as close as you can get to factory spec. If you convert your camera to Super-16mm with OFG Customs, here’s what you will receive:
• NEW Custom machined & lapped hardened steel gate conforming to ISO5768/SMPTE 201 with an aperture of 12.35x7.42mm (1.66:1)
Re-machining or filing gates often leads to inaccuracies in gate size, centering, and surface finish. OFG Customs’ hardened steel Super-16 gate removes these variables. The hardened and lapped steel surface will last for decades, and provide a smooth surface that won’t scratch your film.
• NEW Custom machined prism holder, providing adequate room for Super-16 conversion.
We have designed two versions of the new prism holder to work with both of the most common lens mounting options: Bolex Bayonet mount and Turret mount (C-mount).
Turret Mount: Bolex Rex-3, Rex-4, Rex-5
Many conversions only shift one, or sometimes even none of the 3 C-mounts on the turret. Our conversion is able to ensure all 3 of your lens mounts will be centered over the gate every time.
• NEW Custom machined lens mounting plate providing for exact lens centering.
Lens centering is one of the hardest aspects of the conversion to get right. The amount needed to shift the lens centering will depend on the exact dimensions of the gate aperture. In this case, when the front is machined open to allow it slide back and forth, the lens mount can easily be set incorrectly or shift with time. To avoid these issues, our lens mounting plate is brand new, and in conjunction with our gate and jigs, will register centered every time.
• Precision machining of original Bolex sprockets.
With our conversion, the original Bolex sprockets are each machined to within 50 microns of runout, to remove the portions that would touch the extended Super-16 frame. This is a simple operation that some even do with a hand file, but precision machining is the preferred method for consistency.
Instead of machining the original front, we opted to reverse engineer and manufacture new parts with modified geometry, better suited for Super-16 conversions.
• New laser-cut shims & Bayonet mount light baffle
To ensure proper gate and ground glass flange depth, new shims will be installed in various locations. This process is done using an autocollimator, ensuring optical performance is corrected despite varying prism thicknesses. The gate and ground glass flange depth will be adjusted to match, then the front will be shimmed to spec.
• NEW Custom machined Super-16mm pressure plate based on Bolex factory modification.
The original Standard-16 pressure plate is roughly 15.3mm wide, leaving a good portion of the film unsupported from the rear. When moving to Super-16, this can lead to the pressure plate warping the film, impacting focus. It can also result in marking on the rail areas of the film. We resolve these issues by moving to a full-width pressure plate that provides contact across the entire gate width. This is the same technique seen in Bolex factory Super-16 modifications.
Bayonet Mount: Bolex EBM, SBM, SB
• NEW Precise laser-cut ground glass mask with optional full view or safe area.
We make custom laser-cut masks for your ground glass. You may choose to have a safe area in your ground glass mask, or one with full view. This means that you can choose to see the entire frame you will be capturing, or a slight crop. If you intend on over-scanning the image, the full view may be best. And if your intent is to crop into the image to only see the image area, the safe area option helps to ensure that dust caught in the gate aperture won't impede on your framing.
• INCLUDED BOLEX STANDARD CALIBRATION OF: prism to gate parallelism, gate flange depth, ground glass flange depth, gate/mask alignment, and lateral claw alignment.
Super-16mm Conversion is currently available for these Bolex models:
EBM | SBM | SB | REX-3 | REX-4 | REX-5
If you’re curious if the OFG Customs Super-16mm Conversion is compatible with your camera, please reach out and we will be happy to help! We are incredibly excited to offer this service, and bring more artists into the world of Super-16mm!