Paillard A.G. Bolex H-16
The Bolex H-16 is a 16mm spring-wound cine camera made in Switzerland by Paillard, first introduced in the 1930s and produced in numerous iterations across subsequent decades. It was positioned as a professional-grade hand-held motion picture camera, widely used by documentary, educational and independent filmmakers before video displaced 16mm in most working contexts.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the Bolex H-16 have spanned roughly £190 to £980, with a median around £560 based on the sales recorded here. That spread reflects wholesale saleroom results rather than retail asking prices, and in today's market condition, completeness of the three-lens turret, and the state of the spring motor drive all materially affect what an individual H-16 is worth. Clean, working examples with matched C-mount lenses tend to sell for more than bodies offered without optics.
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.
| Date | Price | Source | |
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| Apr 2026 | £250 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 302) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera
Description:
black, body F-G, leatherette lifting, motor winds and runs smoothly, with a Som Berthiot Pan Cinor f/2.4 17.5-70mm lens, with extended viewfinder, in |
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| Mar 2025 | £31 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 488) Title: A Paillard Bolex 16mm Cine Camera Body
Description:
black, serial number 37798, body F, untested, mechanically jammed, with accessory grip, and a non-matching Paillard Reflex Eyepiece, |
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| Nov 2024 | £1,625 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 361) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 EBM Electric 16mm Cine Camera
Description:
1970-, black/chrome, serial no. 304664, with Kern Vario-Switar f/1.9 16-100mm lens, black, serial no. 1118207, body, VG, untested, lens, VG, complete |
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| Oct 2024 | £800 | Harper Field Auctions | |
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Auction: Buying & Selling (Lot 1988) Title: Paillard Bolex H16 cine camera outfit, serial number 195622 with Switar 1:1.8 f=16mm, Pizar 1:1.5
Description:
Paillard Bolex H16 cine camera outfit, serial number 195622 with Switar 1:1.8 f=16mm, Pizar 1:1.5 |
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| Mar 2023 | £562 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 640) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Camera
Description:
black & chrome, serial no. 148720, c.1957, body G-VG, motor winds & runs, with reflex finder, speed selection works, together with a Switar f/1.9 (Qty: 1) |
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| Mar 2023 | £188 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 638) Title: A Paillard Bolex H16 16mm Motion Picture Camera
Description:
black & chrome, serial no. 9346, c.1936/37, body G, motor winds & runs, doesn't hold wind for long, speed selection works, together with a Ross (Qty: 1) |
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| Mar 2023 | £975 | Flints Auctions | |
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Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 629) Title: A Pillard Bolex H16 Cine Camera
Description:
black/chrome, serial no. 86697, body, VG, motor running, including the following lenses : Kern Switar H16 RX f/1.4 35mm, Kern Switar H16 RX f/1.8 |
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