The expanded studio camera (1997) – the 535 with 3-perf support. Combined the legendary quietness of the 535 with 3-perf film savings for more economical productions.
What is the ARRI 535B?
The ARRI 535B (1997) is the enhanced version of the ARRI 535 with 3-perf support. It combines the legendary quietness and precision of the 535 with the ability to shoot in the film-saving 3-perf format – ideal for cost-effective productions without compromising quality.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | 35mm (3-perf / 4-perf) |
| Weight | 7.6 kg (Body) |
| Frame Rate | 3–60 fps |
| Shutter | 11.2°–180° |
| Noise | <19 dBA |
| Mount | PL Mount |
| Magazines | 120m / 300m / 600m |
535 vs. 535B
| Feature | 535 | 535B |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Perf | No | Yes |
| 4-Perf | Yes | Yes |
| Noise | <19 dBA | <19 dBA |
| Weight | 7.5 kg | 7.6 kg |
| Price (at the time) | ~$75,000 | ~$85,000 |
What is 3-Perf?
The Perforation Format
4-PERF (Standard): 3-PERF:
┌─┬─────────┬─┐ ┌─┬─────────┬─┐
│●│ │●│ │●│ │●│
│●│ IMAGE │●│ │●│ IMAGE │●│
│●│ │●│ │●│ │●│
│●│ │●│ └─┴─────────┴─┘
└─┴─────────┴─┘
↓ ↓
4 Perforations 3 Perforations
per frame per frameAdvantages of 3-Perf
| Aspect | 4-Perf | 3-Perf | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Film per frame | 4 Perfs | 3 Perfs | 25% |
| Runtime 300m | 10 Min | 13.3 Min | 33% |
| Material Costs | 100% | 75% | 25% |
Aspect Ratio Optimization
| Format | Native Aspect Ratio |
|---|---|
| 4-Perf | 1.33:1 (Academy) |
| 3-Perf | 1.78:1 (HD Optimized) |
Advantage: 3-Perf utilizes film more efficiently for widescreen formats.
Notable 3-Perf Productions
| Film | Year | DP | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanic | 1997 | Russell Carpenter | 3-perf partial |
| Mission: Impossible 2 | 2000 | Jeffrey L. Kimball | 3-perf |
| The Bourne Identity | 2002 | Oliver Wood | 3-perf |
| Spider-Man | 2002 | Don Burgess | 3-perf |
Why 535B instead of 435?
| Feature | 535B | 435 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | <19 dBA | <20 dBA |
| Max fps | 60 | 150 |
| 3-Perf | Yes | Via conversion |
| Specialization | Studio | High-Speed |
| Price | ~€700/day | ~€600/day |
Decision:
- 535B for quiet dialogue scenes with film savings
- 435 for action and slow motion
The 3-Perf Workflow
Shooting
- Configure camera for 3-perf
- Special 3-perf magazines
- Normal shooting
Post-Production
- Special scan (3-perf capable)
- Native 1.78:1 aspect ratio
- No vertical compression needed
Limitations
- Not all labs supported 3-perf
- Special scanners required
- Compatibility check necessary
Typical Configurations
Studio Dialogue (3-Perf)
- 535B body (3-perf configuration)
- 300m magazine (13+ min)
- Zeiss Master Prime
- Follow Focus
- Rental: ~€700/day
- Film Savings: 25%
Studio Standard (4-Perf)
- 535B body (4-perf)
- 300m magazine
- Cooke S4/i
- Rental: ~€700/day
The Economics
Example Calculation (1997)
| Factor | 4-Perf | 3-Perf |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000,000 ft Raw Material | $150,000 | $112,500 |
| Developing | $120,000 | $90,000 |
| Total Savings | – | ~$67,500 |
On Large Productions
- "Titanic" (1997): ~1.5 million ft of film
- Potential Savings: ~$100,000+
- Plus longer runtimes per magazine
The Legacy
In Cinematography
- Established 3-perf as a viable option
- Cost-effectiveness without quality compromise
- Transition to HD aspect ratios
Successor
The ARRICAM ST adopted the 535B philosophy:
- Even quieter (<18 dBA)
- LDS system
- 3-perf support
Today
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Availability | Very limited |
| Rental/Day | €600–€800 |
| Service | ARRI Network |
| Status | Discontinued (2004) |
| Replaced by | ARRICAM ST |
More in the lexikon
Related terms
Camera · Kameras
ARRI 535
35mm studio camera with precision film transport running below 19 dB. Rugged design made…
Camera · Kameras
ARRICAM ST
Camera · Kameras
ARRI 435
Camera · Kameras
Moviecam SuperAmerica
Camera · Equipment
Panavision
US manufacturer of professional cameras and lenses — rents exclusively to film…