ARRIFLEX 416 - Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are you building a new Super 16 film camera now?
A: Super 16 film as a format is doing very well. New technologies like modern telecines, scanners, new film stocks, new lenses and the Digital Intermediate process have dramatically improved the image quality available from a Super 16 mm negative. Since shooting Super 16 is relatively inexpensive, and the cameras are small, lightweight and easy to operate, many producers and cinematographers see Super 16 as an attractive alternative to shooting 35 (Super 16 is less expensive) or HD (Super 16 has better image quality, higher exposure range, optical viewfinder, archival security, etc).

Q: Why is this new camera called "416"?
A: The 416 is ARRI's 4th generation sync-sound 16 mm camera with a coaxial magazine.

Q: The 416 goes to 75 fps. Will there be a high speed version?
A: At this point in time we have no plans for a high speed version. For high speed shooting up to 150 fps you can use the 16SR 3 Advanced HS.

Q: Can I use the Master Primes on the 416?
A: Yes. The 416 viewfinder sits up higher on the camera body and is slightly angled upwards, to allow almost all of the wider diameter PL mount lenses, like the Master Primes, to fit.

Q: What is the difference between the 416 and the 416 Plus?
A: The 416 has the same connectors (BAT, REMOTE, RS) as the 235, plus a standard LEMO timecode connector. The 416 Plus has additional accessory electronics integrated. You can plug lens motors directly into the 416 Plus, and it contains a radio for wireless remote control of camera (RUN/STOP, fps, preferences, ramps) and lens (focus, iris, zoom). The 416 Plus works with the ARRI Wireless Remote System.

Q: Can I upgrade the 416 to a 416 Plus?
A: Yes. The difference between 416 and 416 Plus is the right side of the camera, the so called electronics cover. The 416 electronics cover can be replaced with the electronics cover of the 416 Plus.

Q: What features does the 416 share with ARRI's 35 format cameras?

The 416 is as quiet as an ARRICAM.
The 416 has a bright, high resolution and high contrast optical viewfinder.
The 416 has the same mechanical viewfinder design and ergonomics as the 235.
The 416 has the same video assist electronics as the ARRICAM, 435 Xtreme and 235.
The 416 uses the same optical design concept as the 235 - viewfinder and video assist are optically independent of each other for a fast switch from tripod to Steadicam mode.
The 416 has an ergonomic design inspired by the 235.
The 416 Plus has built-in accessory electronics like the 435 Xtreme.
The 416 accepts the same PL mount lenses as the 35 format cameras.
The 416 has the same control panel as the 235, and the operation is the same as the 535, 535B, 16SR 3 and 435.

Q: Why does the 416 not have an electronic shutter?
A: An electronic shutter would have made the 416 substantially bigger, heavier and more expensive. It would have also made the shutter housing larger, which would have interfered with many wide-angle primes. Most customers, when asked during the focus groups, said that they would rather have a smaller, lighter and less expensive camera. Ramps can still be run with the Iris Control Unit ICU by using the lens' iris to compensate for changes in exposure, or with the Wireless Remote Unit WRC-1 (on 416 non-Plus, a UMC-3 is needed for using the WRC-1).

Q: Is the 416 Super 16 only?
A: Yes. The 416 is super all the time. It cannot be set to Regular 16, and there really is no reason to do this. Most rentals asked about this topic said they keep their cameras in Super 16, and have not had any reason to switch them back to Regular 16 for years.

2. Viewfinder Questions

Q: Does the 416 have the same viewfinder as the 235?
A: No. Even though mechanically the 416 viewfinder is very similar to the 235 viewfinder, the optics are a completely new design optimized for the smaller image of a Super 16 fiber screen.

Q: Which eyepiece extensions can I use with the 416?
A: The 416 uses the same eyepiece, plus the same medium and long eyepiece extensions as the ARRIFLEX 235.

Q: Why are there two MINI MONITOR connectors on the 416 IVS?
A: One is meant to power and provide a video signal to the on-board monitor, the other is meant to power and provide a video signal to a wireless video transmitter. The two MINI MONITOR outputs are the only 12 V outputs on the 416.

Q: Why are the 416 IVS color bars horizontal?
A: These were the bars available from the chip set used in the 416 IVS. For adjusting monitors on the set, it does not matter if the bars are vertical or horizontal.

3. Magazine Questions

Q: Can I still use the 16SR magazines?
A: No. In order to make the 416 smaller, lighter and quieter it was necessary to design a completely new magazine. The 416 is not compatible with any 16SR magazines.

Q: Why are feed and take up side reversed on the 416 magazines?
A: To achieve the small size and light weight of the 416, it was necessary to reverse feed and take up sides of the magazine from the way it was on the 16SR 3. As a reminder, FEED and TAKE UP will be written on the magazine throat (visible when the assistant is looking at the mag before loading, not visible when the magazine is on the camera) and inside the magazine.

Q: Is it difficult to load the 416 magazine?
A: No. It is a little different from loading a 16 SR magazine, but once you get the hang of it, it is actually easier, faster and safer. There are fewer steps to be done in the bag, and it is now possible to place a whole 400' film roll on the feed spindle and still have ample room to feed the film head into the throat. In addition, the 416 magazine is not as finicky about the angle you use to feed the film into the top of the magazine throat

Q: How can I check loop length?
A: There is a white line inside the magazine throat that allows you to quickly check for correct loop length. Turn the magazine so the throat is pointing upwards with the feed side facing you. Then push the loop to the left so all the slack is below the pressure plate. The end of a correctly sized loop will fall within the white line marked in the lower throat chamber.

Q: Can I adjust the loop length after I have loaded the magazine?
A: Yes. Assuming you have not exposed any images on that roll of film yet, adjusting the loop size is easy. Open the feed side of the magazine. Push down the button in the middle of the lower sprocket and turn the sprockets against each other to alter the loop length. Make sure the sprocket engages properly again after changing the loop size.

Q: Are you working on an 800' magazine?
A: There are currently no plans for an 800' magazine.

4. Accessory Questions

Q: What does the split bridgeplate do?
A: The split bridgeplate allows a fast change from tripod configuration to hand held. While the top part of the split bridgeplate (called the accessory carrier) stays on the camera, the bottom part (the sled) stays on the tripod with the rods, matte box, lens motors, follow focus, lens support bridge and lens. Once the camera is detached from lens and sled, the second assistant can break down the stuff on the tripod, while the operator can already shoot hand held.

Please note that the shoulder pad attaches to the accessory carrier via a quick release mechanism, and the Left Rod Bracket can be attached to the left side of the accessory carrier.

Q: Which ARRI accessories can I use on the 416?
A: The 416 is compatible with the 16SR 3 fiber screens, ARRI Remote Control Unit RCU-1, External Display EXD-1, Wireless Remote System, Wireless Remote Control WRC-1, Universal Motor Controller UMC-3, Iris Control Unit ICU (Accessory Expansion Cable KC-88-S needed), Wired Handgrip Attachment WHA-1, WHA-2, WHA-3, Electronic Synchronization Unit ESU (Accessory Expansion Cable KC-88-S needed), heated eyecups (even though you need to use an ARRICAM heated eyecup cable), right and left side hand grips, 235 eyepiece and eyepiece extensions and most ARRI follow focus units and matte boxes. The 416 supports the lightweight rods and all accessories that mount to lightweight rods, even though there is a new Lightweight Support (LWS-5) for the 416, which is optimized to carry much heavier loads than previous LWS units.

Q: Which ARRI accessories can I not use on the 416?
A: The 416 is not compatible with any 16SR magazines, 16SR 3 low mode brackets (there is a new 416 low mode bracket), 16SR 3 eyepiece and eyepiece extensions, 16SR 3 batteries (well, they would power the 416, but they cannot be mounted), Lightweight Support LWS-4, 16SR 3 IVS, Camera Control Unit CCU-1, Laptop Camera Controller LCC and the 435 Single Frame Hand Controller.

Q: Does the 416 have the Lens Data System (LDS) built-in?
A: No. The 416 is not equipped with the contacts or electronics for the Lens Data System.

Q: If LDS is not built-in, why is there an LDD connector on the 416 Plus?
A: The Lens Data Display (LDD) connector on the 416 Plus is there to make the use of the Lens Data Archive possible with the 416. The Lens Data Display for Focus Puller (LDD-FP) can be connected there, and the Lens Data Archive software in the LDD-FP provides LDS features with any lens, as long as a lens motor is used.

Q: Can I use the 416 On Board Battery OBB-2 on other cameras?
A: No. Other cameras cannot communicate with the battery so they would deep discharge the battery which would damage the battery.

Q: Can I use the 235 On Board Battery OBB-1 on the 416?
A: Yes, even though it will obstruct the two 12V MINI MONITOR connectors on the IVS, and will not run as many magazines as the OBB-2.

Q: Does the 416 have timecode?
A: Yes, and we have kept the same timecode system as on the 16SR 3. Technically that is 80 bit timecode corresponding to SMPTE RP136, Format Type C, recorded as a continuous barcode on the edge of the film. There is only one type of 416 magazine, which can be equipped with a Timecode module if Timecode recording is required.

Q: Which handle should I use?
A: There are two handles available: The Standard Camera Handle SCH-2 and the Low Mode Support Set LMS-2. For carrying the camera around and hand held work, the Standard Camera Handle is best. When the camera should be underslung on a Steadicam or remote head with a 16 format zoom, a third post can be added to the Standard Camera Handle to give the handle more stability. When the camera should be underslung with 35 format zooms, the Low Mode Support Set is needed. Please note that it is also possible to keep the Low Mode Support set on all the time, as the Set includes a detachable camera handle that can be positioned in various places depending on weight distribution. We recommend to have both the Standard Camera Handle and the Low Mode Support Set available on the set.

5. Questions regarding Operating the 416

Q: The first time RUN is pressed after the camera has been powered up, there is be a brief delay before the camera comes up to speed. Why is this?
A: After a new magazine has been attached or after camera power has been turned on, you should always push the PHASE button to perform a loop check (the display shows ‘loop’). If that has not been done, the camera will perform the loop check when you push RUN for the first time, resulting in a short delay before the camera comes up to speed. A loop check takes about 2 seconds and will engage the pulldown claw, check loop size and center the loop properly. The camera will display a warning if loop size is too big or too small.

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