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Bolex H16 Reflex

The Bolex H16 Reflex is a Swiss-made 16mm cine camera produced by Paillard-Bolex, introduced in 1956 as a reflex-viewing development of the long-running H16 spring-wound line. It was aimed at advanced amateurs, documentary makers and educational film users who wanted through-the-lens framing and focus on a robust mechanical camera body.

At UK auction today, hammer prices for the H16 Reflex span roughly £100 to £1,500, with a median around £600 based on hammer results from 2021 onward. Condition, completeness (turret lenses, motor, accessories) and which Reflex variant is offered drive most of the spread — clean, working examples with usable lenses regularly sell for £750–£1,200, while stripped or non-working bodies can change hands for under £250 at saleroom level.

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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: November 2025

Date Price Source
Nov 2025 £480 Special Auction Services
Oct 2025 £1,300 Tennants Auctioneers
Aug 2025 £1,750 Flints Auctions
Aug 2025 £1,125 Flints Auctions
Jul 2025 £460 Special Auction Services
Jul 2025 £882 Chiswick Auctions
Apr 2025 £1,188 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £164 Chiswick Auctions
Mar 2025 £945 Chiswick Auctions
Oct 2024 £214 Chiswick Auctions
Sep 2024 £600 Flints Auctions
Feb 2024 £750 Flints Auctions
Feb 2024 £100 Flints Auctions
Nov 2023 £875 Flints Auctions
Jul 2023 £480 David Duggleby
Apr 2023 £1,500 Flints Auctions
Apr 2023 £750 Special Auction Services
Aug 2022 £475 Flints Auctions
Jun 2022 £212 Flints Auctions
May 2021 £600 David Duggleby
Jul 2017 £65 Harper Field Auctions
Nov 2016 EUR 700 Leitz Auction
Dec 2009 EUR 320 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 650 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 £360 Christie's
May 2006 £96 Christie's
May 2006 £156 Christie's
Nov 2005 EUR 550 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 £144 Christie's
May 2005 £360 Christie's
Jul 2004 £215 Christie's
Nov 2003 £82 Christie's
Nov 2003 £70 Christie's
May 2003 £763 Christie's
Nov 2002 £293 Christie's
Nov 2002 £646 Christie's
Nov 2002 £352 Christie's
Nov 2002 £117 Christie's
Jul 2001 £329 Christie's
Jul 2001 £82 Christie's
Nov 2000 £329 Christie's
Nov 2000 £152 Christie's
Nov 2000 £293 Christie's
May 2000 £329 Christie's
May 2000 £211 Christie's
Nov 1999 £747 Christie's
Nov 1999 £747 Christie's
Oct 1999 £253 Christie's
Oct 1999 £690 Christie's
Oct 1999 £230 Christie's
Sep 1999 £253 Christie's
Jul 1999 £218 Christie's
Feb 1999 £345 Christie's
Jun 1998 £230 Christie's

Frequently asked questions

What is a Bolex H16 Reflex worth today?

UK auction hammer prices typically run from about £100 for incomplete or non-working bodies up to around £1,500 for clean, fully functional examples with lenses, with a median near £600.

How much does a Bolex H16 Reflex sell for at auction?

Recent UK saleroom results show most working examples selling for £460 to £945, with exceptional outfits reaching £1,188 in 2025 and £1,500 in 2023.

What affects the price and value of an H16 Reflex?

Mechanical condition, prism clarity, included lenses and accessories, and the specific Reflex variant are the main factors; cosmetically tidy cameras that run at correct speed sell for several times the price of project bodies.

Is the Bolex H16 Reflex still usable for shooting 16mm film?

Yes — it is a fully mechanical spring-wound camera that does not require batteries to run, so a serviced example remains practical for 16mm film work provided stock and processing are sourced.

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