Inexpensive options for video tap on the Arri 2B/C

February 1, 2006

I now use a SONY PD-150 hooked up to a NTSC field monitor and framed to the shot I set up on my Arri 35 so I can monitor and have video "rushes" of the day's shoot.

This works OK for static camera shots... it doesn't work with pans or other camera movement, obviously.

Is there any way to get a video tap onto my Arri? If so, who makes them? How much do they run costwise? Does it involve any major or minor surgery on the camera itself or is it something that is hooked up using the film door?

I don't mind losing the ability to see through the viewfinder while the camera is running as long as I can view what will end up on film through my TV monitor.

Mitch Gross · February 1, 2006

Visual Products make a nice one. There are various "eyepiece taps," which are small cameras that mount to the viewfinder. Don't know who makes them anymore, but you could ask your local camera rental house if they have any to unload. Should only be a few hundred bucks.

Nick G Smith · February 1, 2006

Here is a copy of a reply I posted on the 2B/C Forum last Oct under ' Need a new door'

There are a number of options to put a video assist on a 2c/b door.

Best and most expensive is the Jurgens door. Check out www.jurgen.com. Benefits are 100% of the light to both eyepiece and video assist and pivoting eyepiece. Most probably cost more than you paid for the camera!

Then there are partial beam splitters placed in the door. Usually they give around 70% of light to the eyepiece 30% to video assist. Check out Visual Products or for a much cheaper option get in touch with Steve Morton. check out : http://members.optusnet.com.au/~smort1/cinecamods/mods

Take Charlie's advice about pola's

Next, look at SL cine video door. 100% video door no eyepiece - check out: http://www.slcine.com/html/index.html

Then cheapest of all is a video assist attached to the eyepiece. Usually b/w . Again look at Steve Mortons' site or Duall camera at http://www.duallcamera.com/store/VideoTaps.shtml

As stated on previous boards the 2c baffles make an interesting effect for watching producers so best explain to director, producer etc. what they are.

Nick