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Arri 435 RemoteAquaCam
The 435 RAC (RemoteAquaCam) was originally engineered for use with remote heads on cranes for at sea or wet stage work but as remote lens control has become the norm for narrative and commercial production, the 435 RAC has become the go to housing for shooting film hand held under the water or floating on the surface. Designed around a standard Arriflex 435, custom SL Cine 400′ magazines and Preston remote focus and iris controls, this low profile camera system can be easily fitted with Cooke, Panavision or Zeiss spherical and anamorphic lenses. Some small lightweight zoom lenses can also be used. Both flat and dome ports are available as well as a variety of port extension rings to accommodate the different lenses. Water drops are cleared from the front port by an air-powered rain deflector.
The original ARRI 435 RCU can be utilized with an additional cable to the surface to allow for camera setting changes and film speed ramps.
Video tap for operator and surface feed:
Arriflex’s later HD video tap add-on, the HD-IVS, will not fit inside the housing. However, HydroFlex now offers the Mothco Design HD Video Tap which installs on the ARRI 100% Video Top (required for use in the housing… inquire about availability from HydroFlex). This allows for full HD signal to an onboard underwater monitor for the operator as well as to the surface for video village.
ARRI HD-IVS
ARRI 100% Video Top
Mothco HD Video Tap
Fully loaded, the system weighs 70lbs. out of the water and is depth rated to 100′.
Arri 435 RemoteAquaCam + HydroHead
The 435 RAC and HydroHead combination on location in Orlando, Florida. Mounted on a Chapman crane lashed to a pontoon boat, a fish’s POV swimming through the reeds and catching a lure was easily done.
Photo Credit: Scott Howell
HydroHead mounted to a Lenny Arm for the Davidoff “Cool Water” commercial shot at Falls Lake, Universal Studios.
Photo Credit: Eric Traml
The 435 Remote AquaCam and HydroHead are mounted on a Chapman/Leonard “Lenny Plus” crane and allowed the camera to go to the bottom of a 15-foot deep tank.