Bolsey model c twin lens reflex manual

After taking a shot and advancing the film by using the lift up wind knob, the double exposure prevention pin retracts and the release lever then covers the double exposure prevention pin with the tension of the spring and shuts down the iris diaphragm just before the shutter is released.

When the shutter release lever is pushed down, the shutter is released, the double exposure prevention pin pops out, and double exposure pin prevents the release lever from returning. However, sometimes when winding the film I have discovered that the film winds on, but the pin is not retracted, which prevents you taking a shot.

This is easily fixed by pushing in the double exposure prevention rod, and the shutter is then cocked. This same method can be used if you deliberately intend to create double exposures. To wind on a new shot you slightly lift the wind knob, and after about three and a half turns the double exposure prevention pin is retracted and the release is enabled. While that is happening the film counter also moves below the film wind knob and shots are sequentially calculated.

Once you have used a full roll of film you will feel pressure, so do not force the film winder or you will shear the film off. There is no sprocket lock, so once the film is all exposed all you have to do is rewind the film. As described, the biggest problem with the camera is shake caused by operating the shutter. The small size of the camera, double exposure prevention and half-inch of travel by the shutter release button is why I struggled to get good shots.

However, there are two simple solutions which will greatly improve shots made with the Bolsey, or in fact with any vintage camera. Use a short shutter release cable.

Three inch vintage ones are available if you hunt for them. This dramatically reduced the movement caused by using the shutter release button.

However, I was very fortunate to find one in almost new condition; sadly the majority of them are prone to corrosion due to the thin varnish on the polished aluminum wearing off.

However, it can still be used exactly the same as the Bolsey Model C if you cannot find one. The thing to be most careful of if you want a workable copy is to check with the seller that the shutter is operational. They are a precise clockwork mechanism, and the lubrication over the years can harden.

The Alphax shutters are simple, reliable and easy to repair, so if you want one to shoot I strongly advise getting your camera serviced beforehand. The other problem is that for some reason perhaps poor glue almost every Bolsey Model C is missing its lovely little red dot. The regular Bolsey model B and B2 are quite common and easy to find, sometimes even in working condition, but fewer copies of the Model C were produced, and they are a bit of cult camera in Japan.

So if you want one just to put on a shelf, or even to shoot with as I did, then you will have to be prepared to do a bit of hunting. On top of that, it has a fascinating history and Jacques Bolsey was a really amazing and influential camera designer; he was very proud of this little camera. Of course not, but it has just as much history at a fraction of the price. Best of all, people are fascinated by TLR cameras and if you wear one around your neck people everywhere will stop and ask questions about the camera, and that makes street photography a breeze.

Yes, it does have some liabilities, like the shutter release that makes getting shots without shake a bit tricky, but there are ways to get around that. Is it a camera I would shoot every day? Of course not, but it looks great, gets admiring looks, and when I pick it up it brings a smile to my face.

Well done, Jacques Bolsey, your lovely little invention is still producing happy snaps seventy years after you invented it! By purchasing anything using these links, Casual Photophile may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you. This helps Casual Photophile produce the content we produce. Many thanks for your support. This combination of elements results in images that cannot be created digitally.

Great Story and Write-up! Thanks Stefan, the Bolsey 8 was amazing, sadly the film came in special cassettes, so very hard to actually use nowadays. I never heard the KGB myth. Very nice, thanks! American camera history is always interesting, especially with a Ukrainian twist and a detour into filmmaking. Jump to: navigation , search. Le Bolsey. Flassy France : Fotosaga, June Leaflet, no ISBN number. Sanford, Richard.

Bolsey, the man behind the camera. I am not an authority on the Bolsey. However, I do know they made them for the military and other branches of the government.

The army had olive colored cameras. There may have been differently colored versions for the air force and navy. John, I own a Bosley Jubilee. I would like to sell it. It looks like it is in good condition. It was given to me some dozen years or so ago and sat in a drawer since then. About the author John Neel. John Neel March 14, at am. Ken Fitzpatrick August 10, at pm.

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