Bolex Camera
Repair & Service
los angeles

A full Bolex CLA is the complete service. The camera is completely disassembled, cleaned, lubricated, and calibrated — including shutter timing, registration, film path inspection, and gate cleaning. If something is worn or out of spec, we address it. If your Bolex hasn’t been serviced in years, this is where to start. A properly serviced Bolex will run reliably for decades — this is what keeps it that way. We also offer Super 16 conversions, and every conversion includes a full CLA — so if you’re on the fence, and you’re already planning a CLA, the conversion is worth doing at the same time.

The Super 16 conversion modifies your Bolex H16 to expose a wider frame area — opening up the image to a 1.66:1 aspect ratio that’s ideal for finishing in 1.85:1 or 2:1. The process involves machining the film gate and modifying the viewfinder to match the new frame lines. The result is significantly more image real estate, finer grain, and a format that scans and blows up beautifully to 4K. Every Super 16 conversion includes a full CLA.

Accurate shutter timing is critical to proper exposure. Over time, the Bolex shutter can drift out of calibration — resulting in over or underexposed footage even with correct camera settings. We test, adjust, and verify shutter timing to ensure your camera is exposing exactly as it should at every frame rate. Shutter timing is also tested and calibrated as part of every full CLA.

Unsteady or drifting footage is a telltale sign of a registration problem. The Bolex relies on precise mechanical timing to hold each frame perfectly in place — when that’s off, the result is a wobble or weave in the image that no amount of post-production can fix. We inspect and recalibrate the registration mechanism to restore the rock-solid steadiness the Bolex is known for. Registration is also checked and corrected as part of every full CLA.

Switar lenses are disassembled down to the focus mechanism, cleared of old grease, and relubricated so everything moves with the silky feel these lenses are known for. The aperture ring, barrel, and knurled rings are cleaned and polished, and in most cases we can bring a frozen focus ring back to life. Need another Switar? Browse our 16mm lens rentals.

If your viewfinder looks hazy, spotty, or dim, you’re not seeing your full image — and that affects every shot. We clean the internal optics of the Bolex viewfinder so that what you see through the eyepiece is sharp, bright, and accurate.

Even microscopic debris in the film gate can cause scratches, uneven pressure, or soft edges on your image. We thoroughly clean the gate, pressure plate, and film rails, removing any emulsion buildup, dust, or residue that could damage your film or degrade image quality. Film gate cleaning is also included as standard in every full CLA.

Decades of use leaves its mark on the leather. We re-cement, or restore your Bolex, so the outside matches the precision within.

All major H16 models, including Rex-1 through Rex-5, EBM, EL, SBM, H16 M, and non-reflex variants. We no longer service H8 (Double 8) cameras. Looking for documentation? See our Bolex manuals.

CLA stands for Clean, Lube & Adjust — the standard preventative maintenance for mechanical cameras. If your Bolex hasn’t been serviced in a while or you’re noticing any issues, it’s time to have it serviced.

A full Bolex CLA is $800, plus parts if any are needed.

Repairs are billed at $175/hour for labor. Repairs that need diagnosis require a two-hour minimum labor fee ($350) for inspection, paid before you ship and applied toward your repair. This doesn’t apply to a CLA, which is a flat $800. If you decline the work after inspection, the $350 fee still applies. We’ll quote you before you ship, and every camera gets a full inspection before any work begins — you’ll receive a detailed breakdown of exactly what’s needed and why before we touch anything. No surprises, no work without your approval. Quotes are valid for 30 days. If anything unexpected comes up during the repair, we’ll stop and let you know before going further. You’re always in control of what gets done. If a repair costs more than the camera is worth to you, we also buy Bolex cameras.

Turnaround is typically 4–8 weeks from the date payment is received. Bolex cameras are complex instruments, and we don’t rush the work — some repairs take longer depending on parts availability or what we find during the inspection. We’ll keep you in the loop throughout. Rush service may be available — mention your deadline when you reach out.

Every camera is tested and inspected before it leaves our bench. All repairs come with a 30-day functional warranty covering the specific work performed — if something isn’t performing as it should, get in touch, and we’ll make it right. The warranty covers labor only and applies to the services agreed upon in your invoice. It doesn’t cover damage from drops, moisture, misuse, improper voltage, or normal wear and tear. Shipping costs and any additional parts required for a warranty repair are the customer’s responsibility.

Yes. We accept mail-in repairs from across the United States. Contact us first — we’ll confirm we can service your camera and send packing instructions.

Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA. By appointment only. Please call (213) 444-2422 or email to schedule.