ALEXA LF
Large format, high speed, fully featured
Large format, high speed, fully featured
ARRI's new large-format camera system consists of the ALEXA LF camera, ARRI Signature Prime and Zoom lenses, LPL lens mount and PL-to-LPL Adapter. Featuring a sensor slightly larger than full frame, the ALEXA LF camera records native 4.5K with ARRI’s best overall image quality. This allows filmmakers to explore the immersive large-format aesthetic while retaining the sensor’s natural colorimetry, pleasing skin tones and stunning capability for HDR workflows. Versatile recording formats, including efficient ProRes and uncompressed, unencrypted ARRIRAW up to 150 fps, encompass all on-set workflow requirements.
Yes. ALEXA LF is Netflix approved in all three sensor modes (LF Open Gate, LF 16:9 and LF 2.39:1) and in ARRIRAW and ProRes (4444 XQ, 4444 and 422 HQ) recording formats. The ALEXA LF is listed on the Netflix "Help Center Support Page".
Note 1: While full frame lenses cover the full ALEXA LF sensor in all three sensor modes, many Super 35 spherical lenses also cover the LF 16:9 sensor mode, including:
Note 2: While full frame anamorphic lenses are slowly entering the market, shooting with existing 35 format anamorphic lenses is also possible by using LF Open Gate and cropping the desired area from the image in post-production. A Netflix approved ARRI white paper with details can be downloaded directly here.
Amongst other topics, the white paper covers two methods for shooting with anamorphic lenses for a 4K mandate:
Note 3: Netflix recommends that lenses not specifically designed for large format be thoroughly tested for adequate sensor coverage, and for satisfaction of the production’s creative intent. To check the illumination of different lenses on ARRI cameras, please try the Frame Line & Lens Illumination Tool.
Note 4: Please note that the UHD SDI output of this camera is also approved by Netflix and has already been used in a number of projects.
The top end of the ALEXA LF power draw from a 12V on-board battery would generate currents that various components in the camera/battery-adapter/on-board-battery system are not rated for.
The power input of the ALEXA LF has been set to 18.5 - 34 V for the on-board battery interface (19.5 to 34 V for the BAT connector). The current ALEXA battery adapters for 12V Gold mount (BAB-G K2.72003.0 and BAT-G K2.72006.0) and 12V V Lock (BAB-V K2.72010.0 and BAT-V K2.72011.0) will not work with the ALEXA LF.
However, there are three alternative battery adapters offered by ARRI: the "Battery Adapter Back High Load Gold Mount" (BAB-HG), the "Battery Adapter Back High Load V Mount" (BAB-HV) and the "RP-CFA1" battery adapter. Additionally, there is a range of other options are available from third party on-board battery manufacturers. An overview of all on-board battery solutions for ALEXA LF can be found in the Technical Info "ALEXA LF & On-board Batteries".
Since the display used in the EVF-1 has been discontinued, a new viewfinder - the EVF-2, has been developed to accompany the ALEXA LF. While still maintaining its predecessor’s proven robustness, reliability and ergonomics, the EVF-2 is equipped with a new display with full HD resolution and higher contrast, improving the operator's ability to judge focus and dynamic range.
We have taken the opportunity to also include a new glass eyepiece based on the ARRICAM design for a cleaner image which is free of distortions, and which allows greater freedom of movement for the operator through a wider exit pupil.
And while we were at it we have implemented the latest color science, which gives more accurate color rendition, a better match to on-set monitors, and a stable color balance at all display brightness settings, image brightness levels and from -20ºC to +45ºC (-4º F to +113º F).
For those who use EVF-1 and EVF-2 on the same set, an "EVF-1 gamma" setting emulates the EVF-1 tonal behavior.
The use of existing 35 format anamorphic lenses for a native 4K mandate is also possible by using LF Open Gate and cropping the desired area from the image in post-production. A Netflix approved ARRI white paper with details can be downloaded directly here.
Amongst other topics, the white paper covers two methods for shooting with anamorphic lenses for a native 4K mandate:
Optimized for large-format lenses, the LPL lens mount fitted to ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini LF cameras accepts ARRI Signature Primes and Zooms, ARRI Rental DNA LF and 65 format optics, and third-party LPL lenses. The PL-to-LPL adapter, which attaches securely to the LPL lens mount without tools, offers backwards compatibility with all PL mount lenses, be they Super 35 or full frame. LDS-2 or /i lens metadata is accessible via the LPL mount, and LDS-1 or /i via the PL-to-LPL adapter. ARRI’s Frame Line and Lens Illumination Tool, available in the Learn & Help/Tools section of the ARRI website, illustrates how much of the large-format sensor is covered by a given lens.
Other manufacturers, such as Panavision and Vantage, offer proprietary lens mounts for the ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini LF cameras, to support their own lens ranges. Cinematographers therefore have an almost unlimited lens choice when shooting with ARRI large-format cameras.
Codex High Density Encoding (HDE) uses sophisticated, loss-less encoding to reduce ARRIRAW file sizes by around 40% during the offload from the recording media. While exhibiting a smaller footprint, HDE is not compromising on quality. Once decoded, the output results in a bit-for-bit perfect match to the original ARRIRAW file! HDE lowers storage costs, shortens transfer times, and speeds up workflows, which translates to direct savings in time and money.
You can apply HDE to ARRIRAW data from any of our cameras with the free Device Manager software from Codex (Mac only). The file format is supported by major studios and many standard post production applications. Codex also created a SMTPE RDD, which describes the HDE file structure and how HDE can be decoded. HDE can be used at no charge with Codex Capture Drives, Codex Compact Drives, and any Codex Dock or Reader. Codex also offers paid HDE license options which allow productions using ALEXA Mini and AMIRA cameras with CFast 2.0 recording media to benefit from HDE.