The Rise of Lightweight 16mm and Portable Cameras (1955–1975)

1. Kodak introduces Tri-X black-and-white film

   Jan 1, 1954Labels: Kodak, Tri-X film

   • Tri X

2. Nagra III portable recorder era begins

   Jan 1, 1958Labels: Nagra III, portable recorder

   • Science Museum

3. “Primary” helps define U.S. direct cinema

   Jan 1, 1960Labels: Primary, Robert Drew

   • Primary

4. “Chronicle of a Summer” popularizes cinéma vérité

   Jan 1, 1961Labels: Chronicle of, Jean Rouch

   • Chronicle
   • Senses

5. Neopilot sync appears on Nagra III recorders

   Jan 1, 1962Labels: Neopilot, Nagra III

   • Science Museum

6. Éclair NPR launches as a quiet portable 16mm camera

   Jan 1, 1963Labels: clair NPR, NPR camera

   • AWM
   • clair 16

7. ARRI releases the self-blimped Arriflex 16BL

   Jan 1, 1965Labels: Arriflex 16BL, ARRI

   • ARRI History
   • 16BL

8. Cinema Products expands 16mm news camera market

   Jan 1, 1968Labels: Cinema Products, CP-16

   • Cinema Products
   • CP 16

9. Rune Ericson develops Super 16 for wider image

   Jan 1, 1969Labels: Super 16, Rune Ericson

   • 16mm Film
   • Super 16

10. Super 16 gets early feature-film demonstration

    Dec 1, 1969Labels: Lyckliga Skitar, Super 16

    • Super 16

11. Aaton is founded to pursue ultra-portable cameras

    Jan 1, 1971Labels: Aaton, Jean-Pierre Beauviala

    • Aaton

12. Aaton 7 is manufactured as a light sync-sound 16mm camera

    Jan 1, 1972Labels: Aaton 7, Aaton

    • Cin math que
    • Aaton

13. ARRI 16SR replaces 16BL, closing the era

    Jan 1, 1975Labels: Arriflex 16SR, ARRI

    • 16BL
    • ARRI History