Bolex Reflex Automatic P1 Zoom Reflex
The Bolex Reflex Automatic P1 Zoom Reflex is an 8mm cine camera from the Bolex line of consumer movie cameras, equipped with a built-in zoom lens and reflex viewing. It was positioned as an amateur home-movie camera during the era when 8mm film dominated household cinematography.
UK auction hammer results for the P1 are thin, with recorded sales between £40 and £80 and a median around £60 — wholesale saleroom levels that exclude buyer's and seller's commission. In today's 2026 market, the price a P1 sells for is heavily dependent on cosmetic condition and whether the zoom mechanism still operates smoothly, and the value of any single example can swing well outside that band when only two data points exist.
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: August 2024
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Aug 2024 | £40 | Special Auction Services | |
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Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 430) Title: A Bolex P1 Zoom Reflex 8mm Cine Camera
Description:
A Bolex P1 Zoom Reflex 8mm Cine Camera, motor runs, body G-VG, with Som Berthioy Pan Cinor 8-40mm f/1.9 lens, elements G-VG, manual, in Bolex branded |
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| Nov 1999 | £80 | Christie's | |
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Auction: Magic Lanterns, Optical Toys and Cameras (Lot 242) Title: Bolex P1 Zoom Reflex no. 927859
Description:
Bolex P1 Zoom Reflex no. 927859 Estimate: £80 - £100 |
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Bolex Reflex Automatic P1 Zoom Reflex worth today?
At recent UK auction the P1 has changed hands between roughly £40 and £80 at the hammer, so a working example is typically worth a low double-digit sum rather than a collector-grade price.
How much does a Bolex P1 sell for at auction?
Recorded hammer prices sit in the £40–£80 range, with the exact figure driven by cosmetic condition and whether the zoom and transport are fully functional.
Is the Bolex P1 a good buyer's camera?
It is an affordable entry into 8mm cine shooting, but film stock, processing costs and the scarcity of service technicians matter more to total ownership cost than the modest purchase price.