Name: Bolex D8L
Brand: Bolex

A wind-up 8mm pocket cine camera with triple-lens turret and through-the-lens metering, made in Switzerland.

Overview

The Bolex D8L is a spring-driven 8mm pocket cine camera made by Bolex Paillard in Switzerland, . It belongs to Bolex’s 8mm pocket camera series and is directly related to the D8LA, which superseded it in 1961. It has a triple lens turret for D-mount lenses, single-frame operation, and an internal meter sensor with a through-the-lens meter switch. The core mechanism is shared with other Bolex pocket models, including the B8, C8, D8 variants, and P1 - P3 zoom reflex cameras.

Specifications

Film Format	Double 8mm film
Dimensions	5" x 3 1/2" x 2"
Weight	Approximately 28 oz
Lens Mount	D mount
Viewfinder	Optical
Motion Drive	Spring-driven (wind-up)
Frame Operation	Single frame
Lens Turret	Triple

Design

The body is highly polished duraluminium covered in genuine Morocco leather. Inside are a claw arm, eccentric, governor, helical gear and take-up clutch, plus a pressure plate and gate lever. There is a footage counter and a through-the-lens meter switch with an internal sensor. There is no rewind facility, which is what separates it from the D8LA.

Context

The D8L comes out of the line of Bolex 8mm pocket cameras that began with the L8 in 1942. The 1950s models, including the B, C and D series, added multi-lens turrets and through-the-lens metering. The D8LA of 1961 followed the D8L, added a rewind function, and is considered an improved version of it.

Market

Common problems are sluggish operation, scratchy winding keys, sticky run switches, hazy viewfinders, stiff turrets, faulty single-frame mechanisms, meter switches that don't retract, and corrosion. Juddering comes from deformed springs. A winding key that turns without winding means a broken spring. The build quality is high, so the camera can often be brought back to near-new condition by cleaning and relubricating with clock oil or sewing machine oil and light grease. Servicing takes screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers or a 2-prong driver, tweezers, brushes, isopropyl alcohol, and cotton buds. A "Bolex D8L Repair Tutorial" is available.