Has anyone heard of a Vario-Switar 100 POE 1:1,9f=16-100mm lens for Bolex H16 cameras? My brother picked it up at a garage sale thinking I could use it and I don't know if anyone uses Bolex cameras anymore or even the format of such a camera. It's in new condition and I hate to see it go to waste. Just wondered what it would be used for and if I should just toss it. Thanks, Janet

-- Janet Morley (photojanet2256@cs.com), December 10, 2001

Answers

the switar is a very good lens for the bolex camera. yes, we still use them! the lens may be worth checking into as far as the price. new ones are between $2,000-$3,500. yes, that's right. so, you don't want to "toss it". i see used ones that go as cheap as $500 and as high as $1,800 depending on condition. if it's an older model with c-mount threads, it will be worth less than if it has a bayonet mount. it really is designed for the bolex and for that reason won't work well on other cameras, or as well i should say. the bolex is designed with a prizm reflex (not a mirror) so the lens is calibrated to focus through the prizm.

-- d.a.galgozy (rollemfilm@altavista.com), December 10, 2001.

In case it hasn't become obvious yet, the Bolex is a 16mm movie camera. Lens coverage is sized for that only.

-- Sal Santamaura (santamaura@earthlink.net), December 11, 2001.

Ok, this is a description- It has a dial to set your ASA on it and another dial-1.9 to 16 with a needle inside it. It almost looks like a meter.Low and behold, there are batteries inside!On the dial with the ASA there is also a partial sun icon, a sunny icon and the letter E plus numbers from 12 to 64. It is a screw mount, and the lens opening in the back is only about 1 inch dia. But one thing has me stumped. If it's for a movie camera, why is there a cable release in there? It looks new. I see no scratches or wear on it. Janet

-- Janet (photojanet2256@cs.com), December 11, 2001.

it is a meter. an auto iris. c-mount, but since it has the meter, it's worth much more as a user lens. i don't own one, but the cable is most likely used with a splitter cable. one to the camera and one to the lens so that when you run the camera, the auto iris will turn on at the same time. by the way, that is a very professional lens. made to the highest standards and is very usable on the new bolex cameras made today. if it is a c-mount, you'll only be able to use it on the c-mount cameras such as the RX-5, or any RX model. you will not be able to use it on the SBM or the EBM without an adapter.

-- d.a.galgozy (rollemfilm@altavist.com), December 11, 2001.

that lens retails for $3,600.00 new with bayonet mount.

-- d.a.galgozy (rollemfilm@altavista.com), December 12, 2001.