Radio-Television-Film - Equipment Tip Sheets

Speed Controllers and Milliframe Controllers

What is the difference?

Speed controllers are approximate. Milliframe controllers are crystal controlled, and accurate to a thousandth of a second.

We only have two milliframe controllers - R08071 and 505304.

Here's how they work:

R06073 is a variable speed controller (it's not crystal controlled so the numbers are approximate):

SR speeds from 5 to 70 frames per second

35-III speeds from 5 to 60 frames per second

35 BL-4 speeds from 5 to 40 frames per second

R06074 is a variable speed controller which maxes out at about 48 fps (it's not crystal controlled so the numbers are approximate):

SR speeds from 5 to 48 frames per second

35-III speeds from 5 to 48 frames per second

35 BL-4 speeds from 5 to 40 frames per second

R08071 is a milliframe controller (crystal controlled so the numbers are accurate):

SR speeds from 1 to 70+ frames per second

35-III speeds from 1 to 60 frames per second

35 BL-4 speeds from 1 to 37 frames per second

505304 is a milliframe controller (crystal controlled so the numbers are accurate):

'This controller is internally limited to 39.999 fps, and will run any of our SRs, and the two 35mm cameras from 1 to 39.999 fps.

The Arri BLs that have Tobin motors can be used with the Tobin milliframe controller. Speed will be limited to the speed on the motor.

Other notes:

The 35-III is limited to 60 fps no matter which controller is used. In order to go faster you would need specially adapted mags, a special motor and an extra power source. We don't own any of these. Please do not try this with our camera. If you have a need for speed, please rent equipment that WILL go the speed you need.

The 35 BL-4 seems to be internally limited to approximately 37 frames per second.