Arriflex 16BL
NOTE: use a sturdy tripod for Arri-BL
Quiet hand-held single or double system sound or wild 16mm camera used for all types of TV film pro-
duction and documentary film making. Facilities include Pilotone generator, automatic start and man-
ual scene marking and connections for a single system (com-mag) sync sound module.
Description
Cam driven single pull-down claw and single register pin movement.
Single port Arri steel bayonet lens mounting. Takes all Arri mounted lenses except for those of short
back focal distance (principally wide angle and Cooke Kinetal types).
Fixed opening 180˚ shutter. Optimum 24fps HMI frequency 48 or 60Hz.
Spinning mirror reflex viewfinder. Standard eyepiece fixed at side of camera level with film plane.
Interchangeable periscope finder recommended for hand-held filming. Automatic closing eyepiece
an available extra.
Early models have interchangeable 12v DC governor controlled and various voltage AC 24 or 25fps
synchronous motors. Various crystal control modules may be used in conjunction with the DC motor.
By external control modules DC motors may be run at variable speeds from 5-50fps. (Motors may be
set for 24 or 25fps/50Hz or for 24fps/60Hz operation by changing the two gears seen behind a trans-
parent cover inside the film chamber. Gears are marked with their speed and Pilotone frequency.)
DC motor draws 3 amp. Blinking light at rear shows sync speed.
Later model, BLEQ, has in-built crystal control motor which may be set to 6,12,24,48 or
6.25,12.5,25, 50fps. External sync and a phase shift unit for filming a TV monitor and other elec-
tronic accessories may be used with this model.
Magazines: 200, 400 ft. (60 and 120m) reversible displacement and 1200ft. (360m) non-reversible
co-axial type. Film may be corewound or on daylight loading spools. Padded blimp covers; available
for protection from the environment and for additional sound blimping. 16BL mags. look similar to
16M type, but are not interchangeable.
Footage counter and tachometer at rear of camera. Mags. have footage remaining indicator which is
correct for B & W filmstock. (10 per cent should be deducted for colour.)
TTL exposure meter is an optional extra.
Single system com-mag recording module and amplifier is an available accessory. Amplifier has man-
ual control and automatic gain and inputs for two microphones. Sound advanced 28 frames.
Serial number engraved on camera right side.
