Bolex H16

Name: Bolex H16
Brand: Bolex

The Bolex H16 is a 16mm spring-wound cine camera introduced by the Swiss manufacturer Paillard-Bolex in 1935. It became a standard tool for documentary, scientific and amateur cinematography through the mid-twentieth century, and remained in production in successive variants for several decades.

At UK auction in recent years the Bolex H16 has typically sold for hammer prices between roughly £50 and £500, with a median around £150 across the saleroom results recorded since 2023. As of today in 2026 the spread is wide because condition, completeness of turret lenses and working spring mechanism strongly affect what each example is worth, and outfits with multiple lenses can sell for several times the price of a body-only camera.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: July 2026

	Date	Price	Source
	Jul 2026	£100	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 535) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: black, body VG, motor winds and runs, in maker's fitted leather case.
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	Jan 2026	£250	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 869) Title: A Bolex Paillard H16 Standard 16mm Motion Picture Camera Description: black & chrome, body G, motor winds & runs, together with a Dallmeyer Dalmac 2" f/3.5 & Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 2.5cm f/2.7 lens, together with a (Qty: 1)
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	Jan 2026	£138	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 511) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: black, body G, serial number 109860, motor winds and runs smoothly, with slight noise, with a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm lens, barrel G, optics G, and a
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	Jun 2025	£562	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 367) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: black, body G, motor winds and runs smoothly, fitted with Yvar f/2.8 16mm lens, barrel G, optics G, Switar f/1.5 25mm lens, barrel G, optics G, and
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	Apr 2025	£50	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 389) Title: A Paillard Bolex 16mm Cine Camera Description: black, body P, missing spring crank handle, heavily stained, not running, has three lenses, optics P with haze.
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	Apr 2025	£150	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 390) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: black, serial number 52015, body G, motor winds and runs, no lenses, in a rigid case with paperwork and small accessories.
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	Mar 2025	£525	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 505) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera Body Description: black, body VG, motor runs smoothly, with makers box, with accessory eyepiece and copied instructions.
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	Jan 2025	£500	🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 480) Title: A Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: A Bolex H16 Cine Camera, serial no 62595, motor runs, body G, some light blemishes, with Cook Ivotal 2 inch f/1.4, Kern Paillard 75mm f/1.9, 25mm f/1.
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	Aug 2023	£225	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 730) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Camera Description: black & chrome, body G-VG, motor winds & runs, together with an Yvar f/2.5 75mm lens, optics G-VG, some light cleaning marks present, together with a (Qty: 1)
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	Jul 2023	£250	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Mini Fine Cameras & Instruments of Science (Lot 281) Title: A Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Camera Description: black & chrome, serial no. 78380, motor winds & runs well, together with a Som Berthiot Zoom f/3.8 17-85mm lens, optics F-G, some haze & light fungus (Qty: 1)
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	Jun 2023	£200	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 621) Title: A Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Camera Description: black & chrome, body G, motor winds & runs, angle finder requires attention, viewing ground glass shows a sharp image when the viewfinder is removed, (Qty: 1)
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	Apr 2023	£100	🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 315) Title: A Bolex H16 16mm Cine Camera Body Description: A Bolex H16 16mm Cine Camera Body, serial no 103732, motor runs, body G, light wear, with body caps, with eye level and Octameter finders, no lens
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	Apr 2023	£170	🇬🇧 Special Auction Services
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 300) Title: A Bolex H16 Cine Camera Description: A Bolex H16 Cine Camera, serial no 104953, 1954, motor runs, body G, some light wear, with eye level finder and Octameter finder, with Kern Paillard
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	Nov 2016	EUR 600	🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33756) Title: BOLEX H16 Stereo outfit Description: rare set for close focus stereo exposures including adapted H16 with close-up stereo attachment with Kern Yvar 2.8/12.5mm lens (clean lenses, caps, two hoods), Kern Stereo projection lens 1.6/20mm, attached special stereo finder - all in fine and working condition Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,400
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	Nov 2016	EUR 600	🇦🇹 Leitz Auction
Auction: Leitz Auction 29 (Lot AI_29_33759) Title: BOLEX H16 First Model Description: early first version H16 with Tri-focal finder, Som Berthiot Tele-Objectif 2.5/75mm no.356882 (clean lenses), with rare special grip, original instructions book, fitted leather case - in fine, working condition Estimate: EUR 800 - EUR 1,000
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	Mar 2007	£420	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Cameras, Photographs and Optical Toys (Lot 68) Title: Bolex H16 no. 255306 Description: Bolex H16 no. 255306 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a Kern Vario-Switar f/1.9 16-100mm. lens no. 1119758, an MST motor with power supply and control box in maker's grey leather case, a 400ft. top-mounted magazine, instruction booklet Estimate: £250 - £350
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	Feb 2006	£120	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Cameras and Photographic Equipment including the Property of a Photographer (Lot 295) Title: Bolex H16 no. 123076 Description: Bolex H16 no. 123076 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 735096, a Kern Pizar f/1.9 26mm. lens no. 294673 and a Kern Yvar f/2.8 16mm. lens no. 420216 and accessories, in maker's case; a MPP tripod Estimate: £80 - £120
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	May 2003	£58	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 160) Title: Bolex H16 no. 60599 Description: Bolex H16 no. 60599 Paillard Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a Kern Genevar f/1.9 25mm. lens no. 87573 and a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 317156, in maker's case Estimate: £25 - £50
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	May 2003	£105	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 161) Title: Bolex H16 no. 62570 Description: Bolex H16 no. 62570 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm, with three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 139626, a Kern Yvar f/2.8 16mm. lens no. 137591 and a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 118086, instruction booklet and accessories, in maker's fitted case Estimate: £100 - £150
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	Apr 2003	£58	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT.THE PROP OF DRS.M.SORRELL (Lot 441) Title: Bolex H16 no. 65094 Description: Bolex H16 no. 65094 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret; and a Bolex display stand (2) Estimate: £150 - £200
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	Nov 2002	£117	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: PHOTOGRAPHS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 231) Title: Bolex H16 no. 96176 Description: Bolex H16 no. 96176 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Wollensak 17mm. f/2.7 lens no. A39636, a Wollensak 1 inch f/1.9 lens no. A51301 and a Wollensak Raptar 3 inch f/2.8 lens no. A41281, a Kinotel 3 inch f/2.5 lens no. 3003 and instruction booklets, in maker's leather case Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Nov 2002	£129	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: PHOTOGRAPHS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 230) Title: Bolex H16 no. 105565 Description: Bolex H16 no. 105565 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 307060 and a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 305673 and accessories, in maker's fitted case; a Kern Yvar f/4 150mm. lens no. 290216; a Berthiot Pan-Cinor f/2.4 15.5-70mm. lens no. 1157001 in maker's fitted box Estimate: £150 - £200
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	May 2002	£105	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 128) Title: Bolex H16 no. 105530 Description: Bolex H16 no. 105530 Paillard Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 307921, a Kern Yvar f/2.8 16mm. lens no. 291833 and a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 313291 and instruction booklets, in maker's fitted case Estimate: £25 - £100
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	May 2000	£152	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 137) Title: Bolex H16 no. 80793 Description: Bolex H16 no. 80793 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 1022207, and a Pelling & Cross Actuator Mk IV, in maker's fitted leather case Estimate: £25 - £200
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	May 2000	£199	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 135) Title: Bolex H16 no. 122502 Description: Bolex H16 no. 122502 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Pizar AR f/1.9 26mm. lens no. 362196, in maker's case, with instruction booklet Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Jan 2000	£138	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Photographs, Cameras and Photographic Equipment (Lot 101) Title: Bolex H16 no. 109408 Description: Bolex H16 no. 109408 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret mount holding a Kern Yvar AR f/2.5 75mm. lens no. 21188, a Lytar f/1.9 25mm. lens no. C48162, a Kern Switar AR f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 127854 Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Nov 1999	£195	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 231) Title: Bolex H16 no. 113341 Description: Bolex H16 no. 113341 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Dallmeyer 3 inch f/3.5 no. 460829, a Taylor-Hobson Cooke 1 inch f/1.4 no. 519809 and a Berthiot Cinor f/1.9 10cm. no. 1144454; a Taylor-Hobson Cooke Telekinic 6 inch f/4.5 lens no. 531146, extension tubes, pistol trip, instruction booklet, in maker's fitted case Estimate: £150 - £200
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	Jul 1999	£34	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 173) Title: Bolex H-16 cin camera no. 114926 Description: Bolex H-16 cin camera no. 114926 Paillard-Bolex. Switzerland; 16mm., with a Kern Switar AR f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 384170 Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Nov 1998	£126	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 26) Title: Bolex H16 no. 159355 Description: Bolex H16 no. 159355 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm.; a Berthiot Pan-Cinor f/2.4 17.5-70mm. lens no. AC12795 and reflex finder, in maker's box Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Nov 1998	£184	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: KOSLOV COLLECTION OF CAMERAS AND SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (Lot 37) Title: Bolex H-16 no. 149050 Description: Bolex H-16 no. 149050 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with turret three-lens mount holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 813118, Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 628093, Kern Switar f/1.8 16mm. lens no. 613413 and a Kern Yvar f/2.5 75mm. lens no. 45634, Bolex pistol grip, contained in case with instruction booklet Estimate: £100 - £150
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	Oct 1998	£69	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 31) Title: Bolex H-16 no. 159540 Description: Bolex H-16 no. 159540 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret mount holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 36mm. lens no. 703165, Kern Pizar f/1.9 5.5mm. lens no. 810244, Kern Yvar f/1.9 13mm. lens no. 665212, in maker's case Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Oct 1998	£126	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS & OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 35) Title: Bolex H16 no. 100438 Description: Bolex H16 no. 100438 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with three-lens turret mount holding a Kern Switar AR C f/1.4 25mm. no. 244865, a Kern Yvar AR f/2.8 16mm. no. 271368 and a Kern Yvar AR f/2.8 75mm. no. 281013 and a Weston exposure meter, in maker's fitted case Estimate: £25 - £150
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	Aug 1998	£126	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 39) Title: Bolex H16 no. 96829 Description: Bolex H16 no. 96829 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; with a three-lens turret holding a Berthiot Cinor f/1.5 17mm. lens no. 1052693, Berthiot Cinor f/1.5 25mm. lens no. 1087476, Berthiot Tele-Cinor f/2.5 75mm. lens no. 1034162, contained in case Estimate: £25 - £200
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	Aug 1998	£115	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 38) Title: Bolex H16 no. 38825 Description: Bolex H16 no. 38825 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with three-lens turret holding a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens, a Yvar f/2.8 15mm. lens and a Cooke Telekinic 4 inch f/4.5 lens, in a case Estimate: £20 - £250
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	Aug 1998	£161	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 37) Title: Bolex H-16 no. 161596 Description: Bolex H-16 no. 161596 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/3.3 100mm. lens no. 925708, a Cosmicar f/2.5 75mm. lens no. 12377 and a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 556259 Estimate: £25 - £100
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	Jul 1998	£483	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 12) Title: Bolex H16 no. 169847 Description: Bolex H16 no. 169847 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Switar f/1.8 16mm. lens no. 520969, a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 636946 and a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 747550, in maker's case; a Kern Vario-Switar f/2.5 18-86mm. lens no. 1098609 and instructions, in maker's box Estimate: £20 - £500
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	Jul 1998	£97	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 18) Title: Bolex H16 no. 75166 Description: Bolex H16 no. 75166 Paillard Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm. with a three-lens turret holding a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 204072, a Kern f/1.4 25mm. no. 218291 and a Kern f/2.8 16mm lens 243477, in a case Estimate: £20 - £100
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	Jun 1998	£138	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 587) Title: Bolex H16 no. 91842 Description: Bolex H16 no. 91842 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with three-lens turret holding a Kern Switar AR f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 143544 and a Kern Switar f/1.6 10mm. lens no. 389814, handgrip and filters, in a case Estimate: £20 - £200
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	May 1998	£138	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 33) Title: Bolex H-16 no. 146519 Description: Bolex H-16 no. 146519 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; with a Kern-Paillard Yvar f/2.8 36mm. lens no. 463824, a Kern-Paillard Yvar f/1.9 13mm. lens no. 614409; a H-16-fit Kern-Paillard Bolex stereo outfit, in maker's box with instructions Estimate: £20 - £200
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	Jan 1998	£195	🇬🇧 Christie's
Auction: CAMERAS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 42) Title: Bolex H16 no. 112718 Description: Bolex H16 no. 112718 Paillard-Bolex, Switzerland; 16mm., with a Kern Yvar f/2.8 75mm. lens no. 659316, a Kern Yvar f/2.8 16mm. lens no. 294165 and a Kern Switar f/1.4 25mm. lens no. 324475, in maker's fitted case; a Bolex tripod Estimate: £20 - £180
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	Nov -0001	£400	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 298) Title: A Bolex H16 Standard 16mm Motion Picture Camera Description: black & chrome, serial no. 65699, body F-G, motor appears to wind & run, together with a Schneider Xenon f/1.9 16mm lens, optics F, some haze present, (Qty: 1)
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	Nov -0001	£438	🇬🇧 Flints Auctions
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 292) Title: A Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Clockwork Cine Camera Description: body G-VG, appears to wind & run correctly, with Octameter, a Meyer Tripolan f/2.8 17mm lens, a Meyer Primoplan f/1.5 2.5cm lens, a Som Berthiot Tele- (Qty: 1)
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Frequently asked questions

What is a Bolex H16 worth today?

Recent UK auction hammer prices for the Bolex H16 have ranged from about £50 to £500, with a typical value around £150 depending on condition and whether lenses are included.

How much does a Bolex H16 sell for at auction?

Hammer results since 2023 sit mostly between £100 and £225 for clean body-and-lens examples, while exceptional outfits with multiple working lenses have sold for around £500.

What affects the price of a Bolex H16?

The main factors are mechanical condition of the spring motor and shutter, optical condition of any fitted C-mount lenses, and completeness of accessories such as the turret lenses, viewfinder and case.

Sales History

Frequently asked questions

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