Arri IIB/C Loading

[Nguyen D. Nguyen]

I've been looking carefully at these cameras sold on ebay, but i'd like to know from anyone who has used it: how difficult is it to load these cameras (compared to other 35mm film cameras)? Hopefully, it's not as demanding as the konvas ones?

[John Sprung]

Definitely easier than the Konvas. Sprockets are in the mag throat, you have to get the feel for them in the dark, and feel the ridge on the outside of the mag to get the right length for the loop. Since the sprockets are done in the bag, changing at the camera is very easy.

 

 

 

-- J.S.

[Rolfe Klement]

Loading the mags is pretty easy - I would say get someone to show you with a dummy roll - a couple of times then do it in the light with a dummy roll. Then it takes about 4 goes to do it in the changing bag | Tent.

 

Learning how to load the mag is useful becasue it is very similar if not identical mags used on many Arri cameras (not nearly as complex as Aaton)

 

Loading the mag into the camera is easy and pretty standard

 

Don't jam the film roll in the top when you load into a 2B or 2C

Making sure you get the pull down claw at the right film tension - someone needs to show you a couple of times - but pay attention to it cause it causes issues at high speeds if you get it wrong

Keeping the area clean while in sand etc can be an issue so keep some compressed air around but don't go to hard or turn the can from the upright cause it can cause minor condensation issues

Having to fix loose doors is easy (rattling door while closed) - and can be done while loading - just bend the door catch back over a small 1 or 2mm fulcrum

 

hope this makes sense and helps

 

thanks

 

Rolfe

[Lee Love]

Loading the mags is pretty easy - I would say get someone to show you with a dummy roll - a couple of times then do it in the light with a dummy roll. Then it takes about 4 goes to do it in the changing bag | Tent.

 

Learning how to load the mag is useful becasue it is very similar if not identical mags used on many Arri cameras (not nearly as complex as Aaton)

 

Loading the mag into the camera is easy and pretty standard

 

Don't jam the film roll in the top when you load into a 2B or 2C

Making sure you get the pull down claw at the right film tension - someone needs to show you a couple of times - but pay attention to it cause it causes issues at high speeds if you get it wrong

Keeping the area clean while in sand etc can be an issue so keep some compressed air around but don't go to hard or turn the can from the upright cause it can cause minor condensation issues

 

Hella newbie question here: Once I have the film loaded in the mag in total dark, with the film loop hanging out and the film end affixed to the take-up core and the mag door locked, I can load it onto/into the camera in the light? I can't imaginei doing the claw and gate trick in the dark..

 

Having to fix loose doors is easy (rattling door while closed) - and can be done while loading - just bend the door catch back over a small 1 or 2mm fulcrum

 

So this is pretty common, huh? Any tips on preventing the door catch from spreading again?

 

Thanks!

[Chris_Burket]

Hella newbie question here: Once I have the film loaded in the mag in total dark, with the film loop hanging out and the film end affixed to the take-up core and the mag door locked, I can load it onto/into the camera in the light? I can't imaginei doing the claw and gate trick in the dark..

So this is pretty common, huh? Any tips on preventing the door catch from spreading again?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Yes you can thread the camera in the light. It's very easy to thread and its easy to load the mags as well after you've done it a few times.

 

And don't pull on the door or hold the camera by the door.