ARRI 16SR3

arri 16sr arri 416 arri super 16 aaton xtr prod

The ultimate Super 16 camera (1992), quieter than 20 dBA and industry standard for TV series, documentaries, and indie cinema. Widely regarded as the finest 16mm camera ever built.

What is the ARRI 16SR3?

The ARRI 16SR3 (1992) is the third and final generation of the legendary 16SR series – often referred to as the best 16mm camera ever built. With less than 20 dBA operating noise, an excellent viewfinder, and legendary reliability, it became the standard for TV productions, documentaries, and independent cinema worldwide.

Technical Specifications

Feature	16SR3 Standard	16SR3 Advanced	16SR3 HS
Format	Super 16mm	Super 16mm	Super 16mm
Weight	4.0 kg	4.1 kg	4.2 kg
Frame Rate	5–75 fps	5–75 fps	5–150 fps
Shutter	180°	11.2°–180°	11.2°–180°
Noise	<20 dBA	<20 dBA	<20 dBA
Mount	PL (54mm)	PL (54mm)	PL (54mm)

Key Features

<20 dBA – The quietest 16mm movement in the world
Reflex Viewfinder – Brightness adjustment, magnification options
Variable Shutter – 11.2° to 180° in 0.1° increments
ARRI Code – Timecode for automatic synchronization
Video Assist – Integrated video tap
Super-16 Native – Optimized for 1.66:1/1.78:1

Versions

16SR3 Standard

Base model with fixed 180° shutter
Frame rate 5–75 fps
For standard productions

16SR3 Advanced

Variable shutter (11.2°–180°)
Enhanced electronics
For demanding productions

16SR3 HS (High Speed)

Up to 150 fps for slow motion
Reinforced mechanics
For sports filming, commercials, special shots

The Viewfinder

The 16SR3 viewfinder is considered the best in the 16mm segment:

Feature	Description
Magnification	10x / 20x switchable
Brightness	Variable, also with Video Assist
Ground Glass	Interchangeable
Frame Lines	Overlayable (1.33, 1.66, 1.78, 1.85)
Precision	Precisely calibrated, no parallax error

Notable TV Series (Super-16)

Series	Years	Network	Significance
The X-Files	1993–2002	Fox	9 seasons, over 200 episodes
Buffy the Vampire Slayer	1997–2001	WB	5 seasons (later 35mm)
Firefly	2002–2003	Fox	Joss Whedon
The Office (UK)	2001–2003	BBC	Ricky Gervais
ER (Parts)	1994–2009	NBC	Documentary sequences

Notable Films

Film	Year	DP	Usage
Leaving Las Vegas	1995	Declan Quinn, ASC	Entirely Super-16
The Wrestler	2008	Maryse Alberti	Documentary style
Black Swan	2010	Matthew Libatique, ASC	Alongside 416 and A-Minima
Moonrise Kingdom	2012	Robert Yeoman, ASC	Alongside 35mm
Carol	2015	Ed Lachman, ASC	Super-16 portions

16SR3 vs. 416

Feature	16SR3 (1992)	416 (2006)
Weight	4.0 kg	3.0 kg
Noise	<20 dBA	<18 dBA
Max Frame Rate	75 fps (150 HS)	75 fps
Video Assist	Analog	Digital HD
Ergonomics	Classic	More compact
Price (used)	€10,000–€20,000	€25,000–€40,000