Arriflex camera

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

The Arriflex camera is a professional motion-picture camera known for its innovative viewing system. Unlike many reflex cameras that divert light from the film to the viewfinder, the Arriflex uses a rotating mirror shutter. This mirror reflects light into the viewfinder only when the shutter blade covers the film as it advances, allowing the full amount of light to reach the film for exposure.1

While this system is admired, it has some drawbacks. Light can reflect back from the viewer's eyepiece to the film, requiring the eyepiece to fit snugly and be completely covered when not in use. Additionally, the shutter closing only once per frame can cause a distinct flicker that the cameraman must adjust to.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

motion-picture technology
Principal parts
…mirror shutter employed in the Arriflex camera. Light is reflected into the viewfinder only when the shutter blade covers the film as it advances to the next frame. This arrangement, however, is not wholly free from objections. Chief among these is that the arrangement opens a return path for light…
Read More
…mirror shutter employed in the Arriflex camera. Light is reflected into the viewfinder only when the shutter blade covers the film as it advances to the next frame. This arrangement, however, is not wholly free from objections. Chief among these is that the arrangement opens a return path for light…
Read More