Arri 16BL Loading and Lens Changing
Magazine loading
Open mag. check inside is free of emulsion dust. Filmstock must be wound ‘emulsion-in’ and ‘B’ wound
if single perf. Trim film end through centre of a sprocket hole and at right angles for ease of loading. If
using rolls ensure core adaptors are in place, if using daylight loading spool wound films, remove mag.
core adaptors.
Hold film with end coming off in clockwise direction and thread and into feed mechanism before plac-
ing roll on left spindle. Film may be wound on male or female slotted cores. A collapsible core is nor-
mally fitted on the take-up side. Ensure that core adaptors are left in mag. after use. Gently turning
mag. driving gear will ease film through mag. throat.
Measure out correct size loop by laying film along outside edge of mag. until it reaches first of two
marks (43 perfs.). It is then fed back into right side of mag. and secured onto take-up centre or spool
in clockwise direction, emulsion in. Set footage indicator lever and roller. Close mag. lid securely and
wind on a little film by turning mag. drive gear to take-up to ensure it operates easily. Tighten up any
film slack. When loading film for com-mag ‘sound on film’ operation a longer loop measured to second
mark (76 perfs.) is required.
ARRI 16BL LOADING
1. Measuring loop length for silent or sep-mag.
operation.
2. Measuring loop length for com-mag. loading.
3. Silent or sep-mag. loading path.
4. Com-mag loading path: A. recording heads.
5. 1200ft, (360m) mag. loading, measuring nor-
mal 36 perf. loop.
6. Measuring com-mag, loop.
7. Forming 19 perf. cross-over chamber loop.
8. Mag. loaded prior to closing cross-over cham-
ber lid and replacing mag.cover.
9. To release zoom lens and blimp assembly, turn
lock ring (A) anti-clockwise.
10. Press lens release button (B).
11. Remove lens directly outwards from camera.
Threading
Open the camera door, remove mag. aperture cover, open gate and inch mechanism until register pin
is withdrawn and pull-down claw is half-way down its stroke. Check aperture for freedom from hairs etc.
Pass film loop through aperture. Place mag. on camera inclining gently to mesh gears. Secure by turn-
ing front knob clockwise, form loops in camera to size as indicated, hook film perf. onto register pin,
close gate, inch camera, connect battery to camera and run a little film to check all is well. Close cam-
era door and run to check or set camera speed. Zero footage counter. Never try to inch camera while it
is running.