Questions/Resources Regrading an 'Early' Arri 16S

Matt Lauretta · February 19

Hi,

Thanks to a friend who works in recycling, I've come into possession of an Arri 16S, S/N 7321. I'm a little confused about loading film in it - it has the 'old' style pressure flap (Google translation of a German term, in a 1969 Arri parts manual...) that doesn't have any rollers, just contoured surfaces. It's also missing the drive belt cover plate, though I recall seeing it mentioned in a thread here that the 'early' cameras didn't have them? Also, no film loop guides... See image.

Basically, my question is if anyone has any advice or old manuals pertaining to the specific idiosyncrasies regarding these earlier Arri cams. Does the lack of rollers/additional guide post (?) in the film feed path mean there's a higher chance for film to get scratched or misfeed? Are there any other 'early' features that I should look out for?

I am purely an amateur, so I don't intend to use this for commercial shoots or anything, just the odd personal project here and there.

Thanks.

Mark Dunn · February 19

"Content not viewable in your region".

Imgur won't tell you this, but it was fined in the UK for failing to protect the personal data of children and it's now blocked. If you want anyone outside the US to see your image you'll have to host it elsewhere.

Edited February 19 by Mark Dunn

Stefan Hafeneger · February 20

I have a similar model. You load it fairly similar to the newer models. Pull the silver piece in the middle towards the bottom of the camera to create space to load the film. Once you have it threaded through, press the button to lock it back in place. These older models have no cover for the drive belts. Create the loops as you see fit. Might take a few tries. You can always run test film with the door off to check that film doesn’t touch the body.

Steve Switaj · February 20

"Thanks to a friend who works in recycling"

Wow - I'm jealous, that looks like to be a cool little piece of history in really nice shape you've got there. If you're not the one who put the new eyecup on, it means that somebody has been taking care of it pretty recently.

Mark Dunn · February 20

I'm curious- can someone put the image where I can see it?

Charlie Peich · February 20

image.png.96de1b1bd521f870df5e839a3d89ce3c.png

Mark Dunn · February 20

I think it's fairly clear how big the loops should be- you can compare with a diagram of the later model. Just big enough and not rubbing on anything. You could chinagraph in some guidelines when you have it right. Unless you want to impress your friends by doing it blind👍

Considering the age, maybe think about a CLA.

Edited February 20 by Mark Dunn

Matt Lauretta · February 20

Thank you Charlie for re-uploading - I was just about to do that myself actually!

8 hours ago, Stefan Hafeneger said:

I have a similar model. You load it fairly similar to the newer models. Pull the silver piece in the middle towards the bottom of the camera to create space to load the film. Once you have it threaded through, press the button to lock it back in place. These older models have no cover for the drive belts. Create the loops as you see fit. Might take a few tries. You can always run test film with the door off to check that film doesn’t touch the body.

Thanks! All of my film experience is with still cameras, so this is very new to me.

6 hours ago, Steve Switaj said:

"Thanks to a friend who works in recycling"

Wow - I'm jealous, that looks like to be a cool little piece of history in really nice shape you've got there. If you're not the one who put the new eyecup on, it means that somebody has been taking care of it pretty recently.

I wish I knew more about it's history, but alas, the most I know is it came from somewhere corporate - he works for a big e-cycler and they mostly handle laptops and stuff. That's why he was given this for free, none of their customers cared for it haha.

The eyecup is clean and very pliable, the shutter and gear train spin freely, even the motor coupling feels like it's still pliable and grippy. About the only flaws are the lens turret is incredibly stiff to rotate, and it's missing a motor and the little hatch you take out to mount the 400' magazine. Oh, and the viewfinder is very yellowed, but a little bit of UV should fix that.