This was one of my two primary cameras when I was a combat cameraman in Vietnam... When I shot this with prime lenses, I used a 10mm, 16mm and 25mm. I also used a 12-120mm Angenieux zoom lens. My secondary camera (for rough work) was the 16mm Bell and Howell Filmo DR equipped with 10mm, 16mm and 25mm lenses... The reason I equipped the camera with short primes was that I could do a better job hand holding the camera with shorter focal length lenses. IMO, the camera did not balance as well hand holding the 12-120 Angenieux. I used a belt battery for the Arri... BTW: In later life, I shot Canon DSLR cameras with an Angenieux 28-70mm f/2.8 lens and that lens was superb! I have never seen a U.S. combat cameraman using an Arriflex but, I have seen several images showing German combat cameramen using the 35mm Arriflex during WW-II...
I think you have to load the 100 ft film in total darkness so the tips of your fingers will do the job in finding that "clown tips" & register tips", closing door, and guide the film throug the gates ; i believe this will be dificult for the beginner.
Thank you for this tutorial, I think this will help me a lot! Do you have an opinion on how critical it is to keep the viewfinder closed at all times? Does light get in easily or is this only an issue in very bright environments like out in the sun?
Unless you have a light shining right into it, it will not make a visible difference IMO. Some Arri finders can be closed. If you are worried about it and you can't close it use a piece of camera or gaff tape.
