FAQs -35mm Cameras

Obviously not a definitive list, just a few things to look out for....
see also:16 & S16mm camera / neg size comparisons/ Connector pin-outs /. Lens mounts / Camera Manuals

Arriflex 35mm. often used as second unit cameras. brief history: was the first reflex 35mm camera (1937). 3 lens port turret, arri bayonet lenses. Variously updated, 35-II (1946), Arri IIA (1953), Arri IIB(1960 a variable shutter added), Arri IIC (1964,.fixed 180 degree shutter), Arri 3C: PL mount lens and adjustable 165 degree shutter. Picture is a Arri IIB Weight: 17lb (400ft load) Motors: Variable:16vDC, 24-28vDC. 80fps - 32vDC. but governor, synchronous and animation type motors also available. Mags: 200ft and 400ft (displacement type). lenses: Arri standard mount lenses (same as 16mm)

Arriflex III MK II outfit BNCR PV PL, 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 15-180 degrees, 400' mags, 12v batteries, variable speed control 5-130, forward and reverse.

Arri III MK I outfit PV BNCR PL, 24/25 integral crystal speed motor, 4-50 fps, variable shutter 135/144/172.8/180 degrees, 400' mags, 12v batts

Arriflex 435 outfit PV 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 15-180 degrees, pivoting door, 400' mags, 24v batts, variable crystal speed 1-150 fps, forward/reverse, levelling eyepiece.

Mitchell NC The Mitchell rack-over BNC was the camera of choice for major motion picture production from just before the beginning of World War II through to the advent of the Mitchell BNCR in December 1967. The first was made in 1934, the second in 1935, and third 1937. Because of the war, there was only one camera made between 1939 and 1946, (sno.18, in June 1941). After the war production by Mitchell Camera Corp. increased dramatically and by 1947 they were making 32 a year!, (serial nos 32 - 64). The age of Hollywood in the 1950s' was about to roll and a Mitchell BNC was still the camera of choice, but Mitchell were unable to satisfy world demand, for several years a copy was made under licence by Newall Engineering Ltd. in Peterborough, England. Mitchell manufactured 364 BNCs, #1-365, (there is no #13), many now over 60 years old, are still the work horses of the animation and motion control industry, renowned for the precision and accuracy of the film transport mechanism -better that of many modern cameras. . more on the Newall

lenses: most sold with Bausch+Lomb Baltar lens BNC, or Cooke, Cooke pancros (in BNC mount).

Mitchell BNC
NC stood for News Camera, BNC was the blimped version (a huge aluminium cast housing).

Mitchell 35R
The NC but now as a reflex camera... from 1967 to 1980s. The pictures below shows a model (sn around 175) with 110 Volt Mitchell Synchronous Motor and rotating 3 lens turret, other versions have single BNCR mounts, video assists, Fries (24/25 & variable crystal speed 4-150fps) or more sophisticated Jackson Woodburn (digital crystal speed 0-150 fps) for/rev, 28v motors. Variable shutter, 400/1000' mags top or rear mounted. The Panavision Gold uses the same film transport/gate mechanism, see Panaflex.
lenses: most sold with Bausch+Lomb Baltar lens, at best f2. but there are Canon, Arri and various anamorphic lenses etc in BNCR. Some cameras are modified to PL mount.
Threading diagrams:

PANASTAR:
MK II: 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 45-180 degrees, Panaglow, levelling eyepiece, follow focus, 500' mags, matte box, 24v batteries, variable crystal speed 4 - 120 fps in one frame increments, forward/ reverse.

Eyemo Bell and Howell model 71 (type A-7) originally featuring 3 arm offset turret, direct viewing through the lense by means of a prismatic focusing magnifier combined with the use of an alignment gauge, critical focusing on ground glass, offset drum eye piece with positive finders. 400 ft magazines, speeds ranging 8-12-16-24-32-48 FPS, used with ratchet winding key or motor (as picture). The white lenses in the picture are Miltar "c" type. .

Often used as a stunt camera. With a crash box housing this is a small indestructible camera (without a magasine the body accomodates 100ft of film) Eyemo JAR conversions from the original winding film advance to 24v DC motor and the addition of a Nikon mount:

35mm Sync Sound Cameras

PANAFLEX PLATINUM : 24/25 integral crystal motor, speeds from 4-36 fps, for/rev, variable shutter 50-200 degrees, Panaglow, levelling eyepiece, follow focus, left hand grip, right hand grip, 500' mags, matte box, 24v batts.

PANAFLEX GII: 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 50-200, Panaglow, levelling eyepiece, follow focus, 500' mags, matte box, 24v batteries, variable speed 4-36 fps. Based on the Mitchell R35 (but different motor, lighter and quieter mags).

PANAFLEX: lightweight 24/25 integral crystal motor, speeds from 4-32 fps, fixed shutter 172.8 or 180.

Arriflex BL IV: BNCR/PL Arriglow system. 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 144/172.8/180 degrees, 400' mags, 12v batteries, extension viewfinder, variable speed control 5-32 fps, pistol grip, follow focus, matte box, eyepiece leveller.

Arriflex BL III: BNCR/PL 24/25 integral crystal motor, variable shutter 144/172.8/180 degrees, 400' mags, follow focus, matte box,12v batts, extension viewfinder, variable speed control 5-32 fps, eyepiece leveller, pistol grip.

35mm: Through the video assist of an Arri 3C, (though the 185/166 figures have been added for clarity). The overall frame is approx 3x4.

Links:
Optex
Arriflex Arri Media (3 Highbridge Oxford Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 1LX ) Tel: 01895 457100 Fax: 01895 457101
Van Diemen
Old Camera database http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Ewichm/cinelist.html

May 2010