What the thread found

• The Arriflex 16mm BL can be mounted on a Steadicam but is not ideal due to its weight and top-mounted magazine design.
• The dovetail plate should attach directly to the bottom of the camera to manage the weight distribution from the top-mounted magazine.
• Using an excessively long mounting screw can cause the camera to start running unexpectedly if the screw tip makes metal-to-metal contact with the threaded hole; a shorter screw or tape insulation prevents this issue.
• The film magazine weight is manageable for short takes because the camera is relatively heavy for a 16mm format while film itself is light.
• The 16mm BL requires a focus gear attached to the lens housing for quiet operation, or alternatively using a different lens without the housing results in louder camera operation.
• A video tap is essential for monitoring framing during operation and may need to be powered separately from the camera to avoid introducing electrical noise.
• The 16mm BL uses a 4-pin XLR power connector for 12V supply, and powering accessories through the camera rather than directly from the rig causes significant electrical noise.
• An SR2 camera is more Steadicam-friendly than the 16mm BL and should be chosen if available as an alternative.

Depends on

• The discussion references footage from the past but no recent hands-on testing is documented.
• Mounting a top-magazine camera on Steadicam creates inherent balance challenges not present with modern designs.
• The focus gear attachment method depends on lens type and may require modifications.
• Later discussion mentions a 3-pin XLR power input variant, suggesting different 16mm BL versions may exist with different specifications.
• No detailed information provided about acceptable weight limits for the specific Steadicam model being used.

Parts

Dovetail Plate

Same gear or parts

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