CameraWorth.com

Bolex H16

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: January 2026

Date Price Source
Jan 2026 £138 Flints Auctions
Jan 2026 £250 Flints Auctions
Jun 2025 £562 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £50 Flints Auctions
Apr 2025 £150 Flints Auctions
Mar 2025 £525 Flints Auctions
Jan 2025 £500 Special Auction Services
Aug 2023 £225 Flints Auctions
Jul 2023 £250 Flints Auctions
Jun 2023 £200 Flints Auctions
Apr 2023 £170 Special Auction Services
Apr 2023 £100 Special Auction Services
Nov 2016 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Nov 2016 EUR 600 Leitz Auction
Mar 2007 £420 Christie's
Feb 2006 £120 Christie's
May 2003 £58 Christie's
May 2003 £105 Christie's
Apr 2003 £58 Christie's
Nov 2002 £117 Christie's
Nov 2002 £129 Christie's
May 2002 £105 Christie's
May 2000 £152 Christie's
May 2000 £199 Christie's
Jan 2000 £138 Christie's
Nov 1999 £195 Christie's
Jul 1999 £34 Christie's
Nov 1998 £126 Christie's
Nov 1998 £184 Christie's
Oct 1998 £69 Christie's
Oct 1998 £126 Christie's
Aug 1998 £115 Christie's
Aug 1998 £161 Christie's
Aug 1998 £126 Christie's
Jul 1998 £483 Christie's
Jul 1998 £97 Christie's
Jun 1998 £138 Christie's
May 1998 £138 Christie's
Jan 1998 £195 Christie's
Nov -0001 £400 Flints Auctions
Nov -0001 £438 Flints Auctions

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.

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