Pentacon AK16/Pentaflex 16:
Both exactly the same design as each other, just the cosmetically different. Early Pentacon AK16 cameras were black enameled, later in the production series the camera’s changed name to Pentaflex 16 and gained plastic/vinyl coatings in various colours, grey, black, sometimes green.
Camera Details:
The cameras have a unique lens mount, no lens adapters are known of. This is not overly bad, as the stock lenses that came with the cameras were very good. All magazines and motors interchangeable. Some magazines are designed for 96 fps filming, these are marked “96” There are other magazines designed for reverse, these are labelled “R” The standard motor allows multiple speeds, 12,16,20,24, and 32. All the battery operated motors can run off a car or motorcycle battery.
The Pentaflex/Pentacon camera is very well designed, and for the 1950’s, was very advanced. The ability to “hot” load magazines of varying film stock capacity, the standard high quality lenses available, and the camera’s sturdiness, make this camera ideal for 16mm film shooting.
website detailing a “quick” service HERE
website detailing refurbishment of a motor HERE
Loading the Pentaflex Magazine
Here and there on the internet it has been said a few times in forums and the like that the Pentaflex has a nasty habit of chewing film, either film gets bunched up in the magazine, or film perforations get ripped. The Pentaflex requires film to be loaded in a specific manner, the loops have to be absolutely correct, and as per the below pictures, the guide pin has to be engaged before the magazine is loaded into the camera.
In the above picture, the top film loop needs to be slightly smaller than the indicated magazine outline, as per the red outline
In the above picture, the bottom loop has to be the same as the magazine outline.
Once the film is loaded into the magazine, the magazine pin has to be in a perforation, as per the above picture. When the magazine is inserted into the camera, and the magazine lock pushes the magazine up against the shutter and pull-down claw, this pin is disengaged. Its purpose in to ensure correct positioning of the film.
If the pin is not inserted into a perforation, then the film will be off center and when the magazine is inserted into the camera, and the magazine lock pushes the magazine up against the shutter and pull-down claw, the pull-down claw will either rip the perforations or simply jam.
Pentaflex / Pentacon lenses
Carl Zeiss Jena wide angle 2.8 12.5mm
Carl Zeiss Jena standard lens 1.4 25mm
Carl Zeiss Jena standard lens 1.4 50mm
Carl Zeiss Jena telephoto 2.8 80mm
Carl Zeiss Jena telephoto 4.0 135mm
Pentovar 16 Kombi 2.8 15-60mm or 5.6 15-20mm (This is a variable focal length lens)
Ebay links to Pentaflex and Pentacon 16mm cameras and accessories
Direct Manual Download Links:
Pentaflex AK16 User Manual English Translation HERE
Pentaflex 16mm technical data HERE
Pentaflex Operation Manual HERE
Pentaflex Spring Motor English Translation HERE
Pentaflex website links:
Vesab.de Very informative site about Pentaflex AK16, detailed info available via translated site.
kinofototeh Russian camera blog, good info on the Pentaflex camera
Jeff L’Heureux Film director, used two Pentaflex 16mm cameras to shoot a feature on FujiFilm. To view the trailer, follow LINK. There is also a Facebook page with many stills from the shoot: HERE
Anna & Terry Vacani website detailing a private collection, handy info on Pentaflex
Pentaflex Wikipedia site A popular site for starting research into the little known camera. Useful links and history of the camera.
Hans Albrecht Contains a technical information doc on the Pentaflex 16mm camera. An English translation can be downloaded HERE
Pentaflex AK16 Basic instruction page on applying lubricant and general “look over” of a Pentaflex camera. Also includes details on refurbishing the electric motor.
Cine-Collectors An interesting site detailing personal and informative reviews of many cameras, here: the Pentaflex AK 16
Bench.Squeaky.Tech: A detailed and very handy repair of a Pentaflex 16 motor
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Australian cine 8mm & 16mm resource 