Fletcher Chicago is the first camera house in the Midwest to offer rentals of the Arri 416?Arriflex’ first new 16mm camera in 30 years when the SR was introduced.
The camera, an investment in a range of $140-$150,000, according to rentals coordinator Stan Glapa, was one of the first Arriflex 416s to be delivered.
The Arri 416 is Fletcher’s first foray into 16mm cameras. The equipment company is known for state-of-the-art 35mm film and digital cameras for sales and rentals.
“Arri had made a commitment because it believes 16mm remains a viable format. With the new Kodak 16mm stocks of finer, tighter grains and digital intermediate, you get an image that looks very close to 35mm,” said Glapa.
The market is sure to gravitate to the new product as the Arri 416 offers features previously only found in high-end 35mm to Super 16 productions, he noted.
Lightweight, powerful, flexible and portable, the Arri 416 has a 35-style viewfinder and an amazingly low sound level similar to that of the Arricam.
Its speed is variable from 1 to 75 fps, and its mirror shutter can be manually adjusted from 45 to 180 degrees.
It has a completely new lightweight ergonomic design, integrated electronic accessories and compatibility with the same lenses and accessories used by its 35mm.
Included in the cost of the camera were magazines, test equipment, peripherals and lensings.
Rental is pegged at “about $1,200 a day,” Glapa said. Training on the 416 is available upon request.
Fletcher also bought Arri’s hot, new HD camera, the D10, and is only one of three rental houses in the country to offer it, along with CSC and Clairmont Cameras.
Tom Fletcher has been traveling to 10 Midwestern cities to introduce the new product. He started March 10 in Milwaukee and will conclude with a Chicago presentation Wednesday and Thursday, April 4-5, at Fletcher Chicago.
Fletcher Chicago is located at 1000 N. North Branch; phone, 312/932-2700. See www.fletch.com.
