ARRI Western Region Vice President welcomes SOC members to the presentation

Stephan Ukas-Bradley, Technical Services Manager gives an overview of the D-20’s CMOS technology

The audience of crew members learn about the D-20

Attendees had a chance for some brief “hands-on” time with the camera, led by Ukas-Bradley

Russell stands by a monitor showcasing a reel of productions shot with the D-20.

The Society Of Camera Operators (SOC) received an introduction to the ARRIFLEX D-20 Feb. 4 at the Motion Picture Retirement Home in Woodland Hills, Calif. The ARRI Burbank office annually showcases new products to the SOC, giving members a sneak peak at gear for use on future productions.  After a brief overview about the latest offerings from ARRI like the ARRIMAX 18K HMI PAR, the 235 camera, Master Prime lenses and Ultra 8 R lens, Bill Russell ARRI Vice President of Western Operations, began to talk about the highly anticipated ARRIFLEX D-20. “This is the largest turnout we’ve ever had,” said Russell. “All I can say is, ‘Behold the power of digital.’”

As the audience laughed, Russell reassured them of ARRI’s longstanding history with film cameras. “This is an indication of what is happening to our industry and technology itself, but it does not mean our film products are dead by any means. In fact, our film products are doing very well. ”

The ARRIFLEX D-20 is a film-style digital camera. Because of its single, Super 35-sized CMOS sensor, the D-20 uses the same lenses as 35 mm film cameras and has the same depth of field as 35 mm film. It has an optical viewfinder, is capable of variable frame rates and is compatible with ARRI film camera accessories. It outputs either an HDTV signal in Video Mode or the raw sensor data in Film Mode.

Technical Services Manager, Stephan Ukas Bradley, led the group through a PowerPoint presentation on the camera and showed recent footage including the Jeffron music video “Dance,” shot by Robin Holder.

The audience comprised of camera assistants, directors of photography, digital imaging technicians and operators. The SOC, formed in 1978, is an honorary organization composed of several hundred men and women internationally, who make their living operating film and/or video cameras in the cinematic media. The Society, incorporated in 1981 in California as a nonprofit organization, advances the art and creative contribution of the operating cameraman in the Motion Picture and Television Industries. The Society serves the purpose of bringing into the closest confederation Industry leaders in their fields.

An Tran