ARRI 435 ES

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The electronic shutter variant of the ARRI 435 (1999), offering in-shot shutter adjustment from 11.2° to 180°. Enables speed ramping and dynamic exposure changes within a single take.

What is the ARRI 435 ES?

The ARRI 435 ES (1999) – "ES" stands for Electronic Shutter – is a variant of the ARRI 435 with an electronically controllable shutter angle. Unlike the mechanically adjusted shutter, the ES allows the angle to be changed from 11.2° to 180° during recording – ideal for speed ramping with automatic exposure compensation.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Value
Format	35mm (2/3/4-perf)
Weight	5.5 kg (Body)
Frame Rate	1–150 fps
Shutter	11.2°–180° (electronic)
Noise	<20 dBA @ 24 fps
Mount	PL Mount
Magazines	120m / 300m / 600m

The Electronic Shutter System

Parameter	Standard 435	435 ES
Shutter Adjustment	Manual, before recording	Electronic, during recording
Adjustment Range	11.2°–180°	11.2°–180°
Change Speed	N/A	Up to 3°/Frame
Control	Mechanical	Electronic/Remote

What is Speed Ramping?

Speed ramping is the smooth transition between different frame rates:

Example

Seconds 1-3: 24 fps (Normal)
 ↓
Seconds 3-4: Ramp 24→100 fps
 ↓
Seconds 4-6: 100 fps (Slow Motion)
 ↓
Seconds 6-7: Ramp 100→24 fps
 ↓
Seconds 7-10: 24 fps (Normal)

The Exposure Problem

fps	Shutter 180°	Exposure
24	1/48 s	100%
100	1/200 s	24%

Without ES: Abrupt brightness change
With ES: Automatic compensation via shutter angle

Notable Films with Speed Ramping

Film	Year	Usage
The Matrix	1999	Bullet-time effects
Gladiator	2000	Battle scenes
300	2006	Fight choreography
Sherlock Holmes	2009	Action sequences

The "300" Aesthetic

The film "300" (2006) popularized extreme speed ramping:

Typical "300" Shot

Warrior begins attack (24 fps)
Sword rises (ramp to 100 fps)
Impact in slow motion (100 fps)
Impact (ramp back to 24 fps)
Continue fight (24 fps)

Why 435 ES?

Seamless transitions
Automatic exposure
In-camera instead of post
Organic look

435 ES vs. Standard 435

Function	435	435 ES
Speed Ramping	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation	Manual/Post	Automatic
Shutter During Recording	Fixed	Variable
Complexity	Lower	Higher
Rental Price	~€600/day	~€800/day

Technical Details

The Electronic Shutter

Motor-driven – Precise angle control
Frame-accurate – Adjustment per single frame
Programmable – Preset ramps possible
Remote-capable – Remote control

Control Options

Method	Description
FCC	Film Camera Controller
Manual	Directly on the body
Wireless	Via radio link
Programmed	Preset curves

Typical Configurations

Action/Slow Motion Set

435 ES body
300m magazine
Zeiss Ultra Prime
FCC controller
Wireless follow focus
Rental: ~€900/day

Commercials with Speed Ramping

435 ES body
120m magazine
Leica Summilux-C
Programmed ramps
Rental: ~€850/day

Limitations

Compared to Digital

No real-time preview of the ramp
Film must be developed
Less flexible post-production

Mechanical

More complex than the standard 435
More potential sources of error
Higher maintenance effort

The Legacy

In Cinematography

Popularized in-camera speed ramping
Foundation for digital systems
Enabled the "300" aesthetic

Today

Replaced by: Digital cameras with speed ramping
Historically: Important for the film→digital transition
Availability: Limited in specialty rentals

Aspect	Details
Availability	Limited
Rental/Day	€800–€1,000
Service	ARRI Network
Status	Discontinued

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Die 435 ES war die erste Kamera, mit der ich den Verschluss während der Aufnahme ändern konnte. Speed-Ramping mit gleichzeitiger Belichtungsanpassung – ein Take von 24 auf 100 fps mit sanftem Übergang. Das war revolutionär.

Director

Die 435 ES ermöglichte mir Effekte, die vorher nur in der Post möglich waren. Ein Charakter läuft normal, die Action beginnt, alles geht in Zeitlupe – nahtlos in einem Take.

Producer

Die ES war teurer als die normale 435, aber sie sparte Post-Produktionskosten. Was vorher komplizierte VFX erforderte, konnte jetzt in-camera gemacht werden.