Arriflex 35 (1937) was the first reflex 35mm motion picture camera. Built around the spinning mirror reflex shutter designed by Erich Kästner, Chief Engineer for Arnold & Richter Cine Technik (ARRI), Arri Group. It allows the operator to have a viewfinder image equal to the recorded picture. Used extensively in motion pictures, a staple of production, ignited and unleashed film makers from large studio cameras allowing for location filming and unique camera movement. Widely used in 200ft loading as a 'battlefield camera' in WWII for collecting battle-front intelligence, (eg for analysing weapons effectiveness), for training films and for potential use in propaganda cinema films.
The camera utilizes a three turret bayonet lens mount, and is capable of frame rates up to 90 frames per second. Film magazines for 200 or 400 foot loads. The DC motor mounts down and used as a hand grip. Later were developed flat base mount AC motors allowing the camera to have a lower profile, center of gravity where the motor mounted on the side of the camera body vertical or horizontal on the various bases, giving the camera better operating balance while used on tripod pan heads and a more compact profile for 'blimping'.