Cameras: News and Updates

A number of new ALEXA cameras, capabilities and documents have become available in 2012 that combine to make the ALEXA family of cameras the most versatile digital camera system yet.

ALEXA Studio
ARRI ended 2011 by proudly shipping the first ALEXA Studios, and has been building and shipping many more Studios since then. Operators are happy about the optical viewfinder, while cinematographers and directors alike appreciate the 4:3 sensor, which allows the best use of anamorphic lenses for widescreen projects. Upcoming ALEXA Studio movies include World War Z, shot by Robert Richardson, ASC, and Skyfall, shot by Roger Deakins, BSC, ASC.

DNxHD
Software Update Packet (SUP) 6.0 was released in February 2012, enabling DNxHD recording with the purchase of a license from the ARRI Webshop. In addition, there were a number of new features, including color bars, new user button abilities (de-squeeze on/off and Auto White Balance) and new icons in the electronic viewfinder and on MON OUT to indicate an ARRI Look File being active. Smooth Mode is also now indicated in the electronic viewfinder.

DNxHD further increases the amazing flexibility of ALEXA cameras, which feel at home in any production environment. ALEXA cameras are unique in that they are not tied to one proprietary recording format, but support four different output formats, each with various flavors (for example five ProRes codecs with different compression ratios). Thus any production need can be met, from high-end feature film to soap opera.

ALEXA output formats:

ARRIRAW (external recorder required)
HD-SDI video (external recorder required)
Apple QuickTime/ProRes files (internal recording to SxS PRO cards)
Avid MXF/DNxHD files (internal recording to SxS PRO cards).

ALEXA M
In May ARRI will start delivering the ALEXA M, which shines with its ability to fit into places a regular ALEXA could not go. ALEXA M is the ideal camera for 3D rigs, action, Steadicam, aerial, underwater and in general for placing a camera in tight spots such as car interiors.

"World War Z required really fast moves and intense running shots of various kinds, and I have to say that the M was amazing. When I kept the sled very light, with a single battery and a prime lens, it moved faster than anything I have ever seen, including handheld - and with control! Cabling, which is always an issue with Steadicam, was improved immensely with the M, because it was just one tiny little cable. I couldn’t have been happier; I was able to do moves that I didn’t actually think you could do with a Steadicam."

Larry McConkey, Steadicam Operator on World War Z

"The M worked very well in a 3D rig and very well on a Steadicam, but the setup that really showed its benefits was the car. With the M we suddenly had a lot of space in the car, which made rigging easier, especially with the cage that surrounds the camera - you can put it wherever you want. Essentially the M allows elegant solutions in difficult situations and enables new perspectives with no sacrifice in quality. You could use other small cameras for these kinds of shots, but none of them offer this level of quality. You can trust the M because it is an ALEXA; when I take this camera into the fight I know I will win!"

Tom Faehrmann, Director of Photography

Resources:

www.arri.com