Bolex H16 SBM
The Bolex H16 SBM is a 16mm spring-wound cine camera from the long-running Swiss-made H16 reflex line. The SBM variant is a member of the H16 reflex family aimed at advanced amateur and semi-professional film-makers.
Hammer prices for the H16 SBM at recent UK auction are limited, with a single recorded sale in November 2025 reaching £2,500 — a wholesale saleroom result rather than a retail or dealer asking price. With only one data point in 2026, that figure is the best available reference for what an H16 SBM is currently worth, though condition, completeness and any included lenses will move the price materially.
Sales History
Prices shown are realised prices — auction results and completed eBay sales, never asking prices. Most saleroom figures are hammer prices, before commission; some houses publish a premium-inclusive figure, and we do not adjust for condition. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher. How this figure is calculated.
Prices updated: November 2025
| Date | Price | Value GBP | Source | |
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| Nov 2025 | £2,500 | £2,000 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 490B) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Reflex SBM 16mm Cine Camera
Description:
1970-, black/chrome, serial no. 304928, with Kern Vario-Switar f/1.9 16-100mm lens, body G-VG, motor running, lens, G-VG, some internal haze, |
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| Nov 2023 | £1,150 | £920 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 315) Title: A Bolex H16 SBM 16mm Cine Camera
Description:
black/chrome, serial no. 311077, with Fuji Fujinon-TV f/1.4 12.5mm lens, black, serial no. 168703, body, G, untested, lens, G, some haze, complete |
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| Nov 2023 | £1,625 | £1,300 | 🇬🇧 Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 316) Title: A Bolex H16 SBM 16mm Cine Camera
Description:
black/chrome, serial no. 303513, with Fuji Fujinon-TV f/1.4 12.5mm lens, black, serial no. 168629, body, G-VG, motor running, lens, F, internal haze |
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| Dec 2010 | EUR 1,100 | £933 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 18 (Lot AI_18_11700) Title: Bolex H16 SBM
Description:
professional 16mm camera with integrated spring motor drive and 2 1/2" Bolex-bayonet in the original fitted outfit case, comes with a Vario-Switar 100 POE 1.9/16-100mm (No 1122918), Bolex-Gossen light meter, RX-Fader, C-mount adapter, rewind crank, a set of C-mount extension tubes, straps and small parts, a set of Bolex filter holders and printed instructions. This model can be converted to S16! Estimate: EUR 1,500 - EUR 1,800 |
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| Nov 2008 | EUR 700 | £581 | 🇦🇹 Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 14 (Lot AI_14_17549) Title: Bolex H16 SBM outfit
Description:
late Bolex in good working order (could be converted to Super-16), Kern Macro-Switar 1.1/26mm no.1107050, Kern Vario-Switar Compact 3.5/17-85mm no.1130608, Soligor 3.5/80-200mm no.7692731 (cond.C), Seimar 5.6/300mm no.40667, C-mount adapter, caps, filter holders, gelatine filters, rewind crank, 5 unused films in maker's boxes, instruction book Estimate: EUR 1,200 - EUR 1,500 |
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| Nov 2000 | £646 | £550 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 153) Title: Bolex H16 SBM no. 305794
Description:
Bolex H16 SBM no. 305794 Estimate: £25 - £200 |
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| Oct 1999 | £747 | £650 | 🇬🇧 Christie's | |
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Auction: Cameras and Optical Toys (Lot 14) Title: Bolex H16 SBM no. 304894
Description:
Bolex H16 SBM no. 304894 Estimate: £400 - £600 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bolex H16 SBM worth today?
Based on UK auction hammer data, an H16 SBM sold for £2,500 in late 2025, which is the most recent reference value heading into 2026.
How much does a Bolex H16 SBM sell for at auction?
The single recorded UK auction price in our sales history is £2,500, so that figure represents the current market reference rather than a broad range.
Is the Bolex H16 SBM a good buy at this price?
At around £2,500 hammer, the value depends heavily on mechanical condition and whether lenses are included, since servicing and clean optics are the main cost drivers for working 16mm Bolex bodies.