ARRI ALEXA LF Large Format Camera Basic Set

ARRI ALEXA LF Large Format Camera Basic Set features a sensor slightly larger than full frame. The ALEXA LF records native 4K with ARRI's best overall image quality. The reliable ALEXA sensor you have come to know and love retains its natural colorimetry, while delivering an immersive, larger format aesthetic for filmmakers to explore creatively. ALEXA LF includes an exposure latitude of 14+ stops. It features low noise and a shallow depth of field to separate your subject in the foreground from the background. It also maintains pleasing skin tones and both HDR and WCG Workflows.

The body of the ALEXA LF includes the same user interface and features found on your ALEXA SXT W, including the integrated wireless video transmitter. This means that transition to the new large-format camera will be intuitive and your crew can adapt quickly. The base of the camera body includes (2) ARRI Rosettes to add your arm extensions and grips, plus 15mm LWS rod ports, and a shoulder mount indentation on the base.

Lens metadata can be recorded from your LDS-1, LDS-2 or /i capable lenses. ALEXA LF is compatible with the optional ARRI Signature Prime lens family.

The body weighs 17.2 lb (7.8 kg) when you add your LPL Mount. Sized between your ALEXA 65 and ALEXA SXT W, the ALEXA LF is the same height, but not as wide. It features (4) independent monitor outputs. The LF camera includes (2) vertical ALEV-III sensors, which are stitched together for a seamless Large Format image that is larger than Full Frame.

3 Sensor Modes

ALEXA LF includes the largest sensor of any full-frame cinema camera on the market. The ALEXA LF offers three sensor modes:

• LF Open Gate – 36.70 x 25.54 mm with (4448 x 3096) @ 44.71mm image circle
  • Delivers the ALEXA family's optimal pixel size for highest overall image quality results in a 4448 x 3096 picture
• LF 16:9 – 31.68 x 1782 mm with (3840 x 2160) @ 36.35mm image circle
  • Maximizes lens options while meeting 4K deliverable standards
• LF 2.39:1 – 36.70 x 15.31 mm with (4448 x 1856 photo sites) @ 39.76 mm image circle
  • Combines a cinematic widescreen image with high frame rates up to 150fps for slow motion

All sensor modes offer true 800 ASA sensitivity, as well as reduced noise, to provide the perfect canvas for modern, subtle lighting techniques.

Media & Maximum Frame Rates

You can record onto either high-performance SXR Capture Drives or SxS PRO+ cards on the ALEXA LF camera. The camera includes (1) card slot. You will need the included SXR adapter, just like you use on your SXT W, to record to SXR drives. That adapter is included in this Basic Set.

• SXR Capture Drives – deliver top speeds of 150 fps with ARRIRAW and 100 fps with ProRes
• SxS PRO+ cards – provide top speed of 90 fps with Pro/Res

The faster processing capabilities of the SXR allows faster frame rates for most recording formats. Their lightning-fast maximum write speed of 20 Gb/s allows for higher maximum frame rates with some recording formats, while the 1 TB (red collar) or 2 TB (blue collar) capacity permits longer recording times.

Also note that the SxS PRO+ Cards should be 256GB and up in capacity.

Recording Resolutions

Capture a wide range of resolutions in various sensor modes.

• 4.5K in LF Open Gate and LF 2.39:1
• UHD in LF 16:9
• 2K 16:9 with in-camera downscale in LF 16:9
• HD 16:9 with in-camera downscale in LF 16:9

Provides Anamorphic de-squeeze for 1.25x, 1.3x, 1.5x, 2x lens squeeze ratios.

Wireless

Like its ALEXA SXT W predecessor, the ALEXA LF camera reduces the number of cables required for a streamlined experience and includes these functions built into the design:

• Wireless video transmission
• Remote lens & camera control
• WiFi

ALEXA LF transmits uncompressed data with Record Start/Stop, Timecode, and audio under low-latency (<1ms) with one set of antenna. The second set of antennas on the ALEXA LF is dedicated to the on-board WiFi radio which offers wireless camera remote control via ALEXA Web Remote. It also can handle color management. The fifth antenna, which sits between the other two pairs on the top/rear of the camera body, is assigned to the ECS or Electronic Control System. The ECS functions with ARRI's WCU-4 Wireless Control Unit which offers lens FIZ and camera control.

Antennas fold down for travel and camera storage.

Wireless Video Receiver WVR-1

Depending on atmospheric conditions and line of sight, the WVR-1, which is included in this set, can receive a signal from as far as 2,000' (600m) from the transmitter. The minimum distance for all units is at least 3' (1m).

The housing is spray (water) resistant and dustproof aluminum with integrated collars for antenna and BNC connectors, and offers several mounting options. The WVR-1 also has a wide operating temperature range, from -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C).

The receiver can be powered from an AC power supply, Gold Mount, V-Mount, or SONY L series battery. The receiver has a 12V power output for accessories like a director's monitor, reducing the size and weight of handheld monitor configurations. Depending on your configuration and the power consumption of additional accessories, a single L series battery might not be able to supply enough power through the PWR OUT connector of the WVR-1. In that case, either add a second L series battery or use your Receiver Power Supply RPS-1, which is sold separately.

LPL Mount

A crucial element of the new ALEXA LF system is the LPL lens mount, which is optimized for large format sensors and comes with purchase of your camera. A wider diameter and shorter flange focal depth allows your ARRI Signature Prime lenses and all future large format optics to be small and lightweight, with a fast T-stop and pleasing bokeh—a combination of features that would not be possible within the confines of your PL lens mount. The LPL mount features a larger bore to accommodate the Large Frame format.

The LPL mount transfers LDS protocol and is LDS-2 compatible.

In the future, an LPL mount will also be available for other ARRI cameras, such as your ALEXA Mini, and is being licensed to third-party lens and camera manufacturers.

PL-to-LPL Adapter

Your ALEXA LF also comes standard with a PL-to-LPL Adapter so you can use existing compatible lenses on the new Large Format camera. The adapter features black earlobes, while the LPL mount includes blue earlobes.

You can set the mount and adapter to 12:00 or 3:00 to accommodate third party lens positioning. The adapter passes LDS protocol and is LDS-2 compatible.

Simple ARRI Workflows

ALEXA LF offers the same tried-and-true workflows as your other ALEXA cameras with versatility. Recording at various resolutions is possible in uncompressed, unencrypted ARRIRAW or fast, efficient ProRes. Existing ARRI Look Files can be used with ALEXA LF, plus the entire range of ARRI workflow software tools will also support ALEXA large-format images.

Sample workflows might include:

ALEXA LF Camera > ARRIRAW > SXR Capture Drive (1TB or 2TB) > Computer for Post

ALEXA LF Camera > ProRes > SXR Capture Drive (1TB or 2TB) > Computer for Post

OR

ALEXA LF Camera > ProRes > SxS PRO+ 256GB > Computer for Post

ALEXA LF Camera > ARRI Look Management > ALF-2 Look File > Computer for Post

NOTE: Capture Drives and Memory Drives are sold separately.

Firmware Updates

Software Update Package LF SUP 4.0 provides significant new features, compatibility with ARRI LBUS accessories and important bug fixes:

• New anamorphic de-squeeze factors
  • 1.65x for Panavision Ultra Vista Anamorphic lenses
  • 1.80x for Cooke Anamorphic/i Full Frame Plus lenses
• LBUS support
  • The LCS to LBUS cable (K2.0007318) enables use of ARRI LBUS accessories, including cforce mini motors, Operator Control Unit OCU-1 with override, Master Grips, LCUBEs, et al.
• EXT Sync: sensor sync and settings sync
• Separate MAGNIFY values for each sensor mode
• Project frame rate changes sensor and SDI frame rates
• Improved dynamic defect pixel correction

IMPORTANT NOTE: The ALEXA LF 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade is a prerequisite for updating ALEXA LF cameras with LF SUP 4.0. If you still have an ALEXA LF with LF SUP 2.0/2.1, please contact AbelCine Service to schedule the ALEXA LF 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade. If you already have LF SUP 3.0, simply download LF SUP 4.0 and install it on your ALEXA LF.

Software Update Package LF SUP 4.2 provides a critical bug fix for an error that prevents the camera from booting correctly. With ALEXA LF SUP 4.1, ARRI was able to remove the most frequent occurrence of this issue and with ALEXA LF SUP 4.2, able to remove all occurrences of this issue by eradicating the root cause.

ARRI strongly recommends updating all ALEXA LF cameras that currently have LF SUP 4.0 or LF SUP 4.1 software. Cameras with LF SUP 3.0 or earlier are not affected.

LF SUP 4.2 requires LF SUP 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade

LF SUP 4.2 should only be installed on ALEXA LF cameras that have previously undergone the "ALEXA LF 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade", which can be performed free-of-charge by ARRI Service. Please contact AbelCine Service if you need assistance scheduling the ALEXA LF 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade, or if you have any additional questions.

NOTE: The ALEXA LF 3.0 upgrade includes the upgrade of an electronics board (ACDA3 gets exchanged for ACDA4), and LF SUP 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2 require the ACDA4 board. LF SUP 4.2 will not run on ALEXA LF cameras with the older ACDA3 board installed (any camera running LF SUP 2.0 or LF SUP 2.1).

Upgrade Paths:

• If your ALEXA LF has LF SUP 2.0 or 2.1: Please contact AbelCine Service if you require assistance scheduling the ALEXA LF 3.0 Software & Hardware Upgrade, or installing LF SUP 4.2. You can also contact ARRI Service directly.
• If your ALEXA LF has LF SUP 3.0, 4.0 or 4.1: Download LF SUP 4.2 and install.

Downdating:

Once LF SUP 4.2 is installed, it is possible to revert back to LF SUP 4.0 and LF SUP 4.1, but not to LF SUP 3.0 or older. However, due to the nature of the issue that 4.2 avoids, it is not recommended to downgrade to LF SUP 4.0 or LF SUP 4.1.

EVF-1 Viewfinder Included

The ARRI ALEXA EVF-1 Electronic Viewfinder is a film-style, low latency (≤ frame delay), color electronic viewfinder with a 1280 x 784 F-LCOS micro display and ARRI LED illumination, both temperature controlled. Straightforward operation is assured through camera status visible in the viewfinder and a number of quick access buttons for often used functions such as zoom and exposure assist. The viewfinder’s settings, as well as basic camera settings, can be changed by the operator directly on the EVF-1.

The EVF-1 image exhibits high resolution, high contrast, low distortion, and an evenly illuminated viewing area. The EVF-1 includes a state-of-the-art F-LCOS (Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal On Silicon) micro display with 1280 x 768 pixel resolution, a high screen refresh rate, plus an ARRI optical design which employs the highest quality coated glass optics.

Reliable color reproduction at all temperatures is assured through the auto-calibrating, temperature controlled ARRI LED light engine.

Tools

Familiarize yourself with the menu navigation of the ALEXA LF camera with an interactive online training tool: the ARRI ALEXA LF Camera Simulator.

With the Free ARRI Frameline Composer App, you can create custom framelines online, based on your specific requirements.

Use the ARRI Formats & Data Rate Calculater (FDRC) as an online tool you can use before your shoot to prep or in the field to calculate the record durations and data rates of your different camera settings (combinations of camera model, codec, resolution, project rate, sensor speed, recording media, and audio on/off).

Color Management and Image Processing

The camera supports ARRI Look Files available for SDR, HDR PQ, and HDR HLG. ARRI ALEXA LF offers 16-bit linear in ALEXA Wide Gamut/Log C color space. It includes Target output color spaces: Log C, Rec 709, Rec 2020.

You can also obtain a free color tool from ARRI, their ARRI Color Tool (ACT).

Optional Camera Accessories

The ALEXA LF offers full connectivity with your existing PL mount lenses and with your ALEXA camera accessories, when you use an optional adapter. In addition, you can continue to use your ARRI WCU-4 electronic control system, your ALEXA Viewfinder, camera stabilization systems, and accessories.

The optional PL-to-LPL Adapter offers backward compatibility with all PL mount lenses (Super 35 or Full Frame). The adapter will connect to your ALEXA LF camera without tools so you can seamlessly switch between PL or LPL lenses on set or location. The camera will accept complete lens metadata accessible from your LDS-2, LDS-1 or /i lenses.

The optional LPL Lens Mount is optimized for large-format sensors like the ARRI ALEXA LF. Mount features a wider diameter and shorter angle focal depth, which allows your ARRI Signature Prime lenses and all future large-format optics to be small and lightweight, with a fast T-stop and pleasing bokeh—a combination of features that would not be possible within the confines of your standard PL lens mount. The LPL mount will also be available for other ARRI cameras such as the ALEXA Mini, and is being licensed to third-party lens and camera manufacturers.

Signature Primes

ARRI's family of Signature Primes, which are sold separately, provide a modern take on a historic look with a creamy bokeh and natural skin tones and fit the ALEXA LF Large Format Camera without an adapter. The Signature Primes also feature a rear magnetic filter holder that accepts masks and filters.

NOTE: Camera accessories are sold separately. Examine the box contents to know what comes with this particular camera set.