Cinematographer
Die Original-Arriflex war eine Revolution – zum ersten Mal konnte ich während der Aufnahme sehen, was auf dem Film landet. Vorher arbeiteten wir blind, mit separaten Suchern und Hoffnung. Die ST hat alles verändert.
The original Arriflex 35 Standard camera (1937), the world's first reflex film camera. Introduced real-time through-the-lens viewing, enabling precise framing and new shooting techniques on set.
What is the ARRI ST?
The Arriflex 35 ST ("Standard", 1937) was the world's first single-lens reflex film camera. Developed by August Arnold and Robert Richter in Munich, it revolutionized filmmaking with a 45° mirror shutter that, for the first time, allowed for real-time image control during recording. This innovation became the standard for all professional film cameras.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Arriflex 35 (1937) | Arriflex II (1946) |
|---|---|---|
| Format | 35mm | 35mm |
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 4.0 kg |
| Frame Rate | 8–48 fps | 8–50 fps |
| Shutter | 180° Mirror | 180° Mirror |
| Viewfinder | Single-lens reflex (45°) | Single-lens reflex (45°) |
| Mount | ARRI Standard | ARRI Standard |
| Magazine | 60m / 120m | 60m / 120m |
The Revolution: The Single-Lens Reflex Viewfinder
Before 1937:
- Separate parallax viewfinders
- No view through the taking lens
- Focusing by tape measure
- Framing only estimated
From 1937 (Arriflex):
- 45° mirror reflects image to the viewfinder
- During exposure: mirror rotates away
- Real-time image control
- Precise focusing possible
The Genesis
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1917 | ARRI founded by Arnold & Richter |
| 1924 | First camera experiments |
| 1931 | Patent for single-lens reflex system |
| 1937 | Arriflex 35 market launch |
| 1939 | First war reporting |
| 1946 | Arriflex II after the war |
Significance for Cinema
Documentary Film
The compact, handheld Arriflex enabled:
- True front-line reporting in World War II
- Cinema Vérité and Direct Cinema
- New journalistic forms
Feature Film
The single-lens reflex viewfinder allowed for:
- More precise work
- Faster setups
- More complex camera movements
- Handheld camera aesthetic
Historical Films
| Context | Example | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| War Reporting | Wehrmacht Weekly Newsreel | First mobile 35mm reports |
| Post-War Cinema | Neorealism | Street shooting |
| Hollywood Adoption | 1950s | Exterior shots, B-cameras |
Arriflex vs. Mitchell
In the 1940s-50s, two systems competed:
| Feature | Arriflex 35 | Mitchell Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Viewfinder | Single-lens reflex | Parallax-corrected |
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 25 kg |
| Mobility | Handheld | Tripod-bound |
| Noise | ~40 dBA | ~20 dBA (blimped) |
| Strength | Mobile camera | Studio precision |
| Distribution | Europe, Documentary | Hollywood Studios |
Result: The Arriflex dominated mobile shooting, Mitchell studio work. Both influenced each other.
The Technical Innovation
The 45° Mirror Shutter
FUNCTIONAL OPERATION:
During exposure:
[Lens] → [Film]
↑
(Mirror up)
Between frames:
[Lens] → [Mirror 45°] → [Viewfinder/Eye]
↑
(Film advances)Advantage: The cinematographer sees exactly what is being recorded – at approximately 24 fps, the image appears continuous.
The ARRI Standard Mount
The Arriflex 35 established the first ARRI lens mount:
- Screw thread with three pins
- Faster than screw mounts
- Standard for all early ARRI cameras
- Later replaced by Bayonet and PL
Variants of the Early Arriflex
| Model | Year | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Arriflex 35 | 1937 | Original |
| Arriflex 35 II | 1946 | Post-war improvements |
| Arriflex 35 IIA | 1953 | Improved viewfinder |
| Arriflex 35 IIB | 1960 | Variable shutter angles |
| Arriflex 35 IIC | 1964 | → ARRI 2C |
The Legacy of the ST
The Arriflex 35 ST established:
Technical Standards
- Single-lens reflex viewfinder as standard
- Compact, modular design
- ARRI mount systems
Film Aesthetic
- Handheld camera as an artistic tool
- Documentary elements in feature films
- Mobile camera work
Company History
- ARRI as a leading camera manufacturer
- Foundation for all subsequent ARRI cameras
- Up to the Alexa and today's systems
Today
The original Arriflex 35 is now a collector's item:
| Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Museum quality | €5,000–€15,000 |
| Functional | €2,000–€5,000 |
| Decorative | €500–€1,500 |
- Museums – Deutsches Filmmuseum, Academy Museum
- Collectors – Camera enthusiasts and vintage equipment collectors worldwide
From the crafts
Perspectives
Director
Die Arriflex ST ermöglichte eine neue Art von Kino. Plötzlich konnte mein Kameramann die Kamera auf die Schulter nehmen und mir in den Schützengraben folgen. Der Dokumentar- und Nachrichtenfilm wurde dadurch erst möglich.
Producer
Die ST machte mobile Filmproduktion wirtschaftlich. Statt schwerer Studio-Rigs konnte ein kleines Team mit einer Arriflex überall drehen. Das war der Beginn des modernen Independent-Films.
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