AFFORDABLE AAA BATTERY GRIP FOR THE BEAULIEU 2016 AND R16 CAMERAS

Although my blog Mi Mundo en Súper-8 is devoted mainly to S-type 8 mm film, every now and then I also write about other film formats. Today it’s the turn of my beloved Beaulieu 16 mm cameras — the R16 and the 2016.

Beaulieu 2016 with AAA battery grip

I love these cameras, but since I rarely shoot in 16 mm, the original battery grips on both of my cameras failed years ago. Two or three years ago, I bought the new Panasonic Eneelop-powered grips from César Ballesteros of TESTED SUPER8 CAMERAS. As always with this company — of which I’ve been a loyal client for more than twenty years — the workmanship is excellent, the finish impeccable, and they remain the best choice for anyone who shoots 16 mm on a regular basis.

But for filmmakers like me, who only occasionally load a 100-foot roll of 16 mm, perhaps once a year, there is now a practical and economical alternative: a 3D-printed AAA battery grip designed by the German firm AUSGEKNIPST.DE.

WHY THE GRIP MADE BY AUSGEKNIPST.DE MATTERS.

Instead of investing in high-end power units that I’ll hardly ever use, this simple and affordable grip allows me to run my Beaulieu 2016 with just six AAA alkaline batteries or five AAA rechargeable NiMh batteries (Eneloop Pro or EBL 1100 mAh are recommended).

With one set of quality alkaline cells, such as Panasonic Evolta, you can shoot more than 10 rolls of 100 ft (30.5 m) under normal conditions — more than enough for occasional projects.

The adapter may be 3D-printed, but it is robust, precisely engineered, and proudly made in Germany. It features a silicon contact plate with copper rings, a strong PLA+ housing, and reliable metal threading. In practice, it powers the camera smoothly, provides a secure stop, and delivers long runtimes — without the headaches of hunting down rare, expensive, and often unreliable original batteries.

What’s in the package.

• 1 battery adapter for 6 AAA batteries + 1 end connector

• Or, as a set: 2 adapters + 1 end cap
  (batteries not included)

Technical specifications.

• Compatible with 6× AAA batteries

• Recommended: 5× AAA NiMh rechargeable (1100 mAh)

• Material: PLA+ housing, silicon contact plate, copper contacts

For occasional 16 mm filmmakers, this little accessory is a lifesaver. It keeps your Beaulieu R16 or 2016 ready to shoot without breaking the bank — a modest investment that ensures peace of mind and the guarantee that your classic camera is always operational when inspiration strikes.

Of course, for filmmakers who work with 16 mm on a regular, professional basis, the best option remains the high-quality grip from TESTED SUPER8 CAMERAS.

Professional Eneloop metallic grip made by Tested Super 8 cameras