ARRI ALEXA Mini LF Digital Cinema Camera

The ARRI ALEXA Mini LF Digital Cinema Camera combines the compact size and low weight of the popular ALEXA Mini with the large-format (36.7mm x 25.54mm) ALEXA LF sensor, offering exciting new possibilities for full format content creators.

The ALEXA Mini LF utilizes the same ALEV 3 A2X sensor as the ALEXA LF, though the electronics of the Mini LF have been modified to meet the size, power, and cooling requirements of such a compact camera system. While this does not affect image quality in any way, it is important to note that maximum framerates achievable in different recording formats are limited, compared to the full-size ALEXA LF:

• ARRIRAW
  • LF Open Gate 4.5K: 40 fps (max.) @ 4448 x 3096
  • LF 2.39:1 4.5K: 60 fps (max.) @ 4448 x 1856
  • LF 16:9 UHD: 60 fps (max.) @ 3840 x 2160
• Apple ProRes
  • LF Open Gate 4.5K: 40 fps (max.) @ 4448 x 3096
  • LF 2.39:1 4.5K: 60 fps (max.) @ 4448 x 1856
  • LF 16:9 UHD: 60 fps (max.) @ 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 2K: 90 fps (max.) @ 2048 x 1152
  • LF 16:9 HD: 90 fps (max.) @ 1920 x 1080
  • LF Open Gate ProRes 4444 XQ: 40 fps (max.)
  • LF 2.39:1 ProRes 4444 XQ: 60 fps (max.)
• NOTE: These specifications are preliminary values and subject to change.

Robust and reliable, the ALEXA Mini LF provides exceptional overall image quality for large-format capture, featuring three internal motorized FSND filters, 12/24V power input compatible with 14.4V or 24V onboard batteries (thanks to a ~65W nominal power draw; when recording ARRIRAW 24 fps with an MVF-2 EVF connected), additional 12V & 24V accessory power outputs, and a new Codex Compact Drive recording system.

The ALEXA Mini LF supports a new 1TB Codex Compact Drive (sold separately), containing one industral SSD (without RAID) in a durable enclosure. The drive's 960GB usable capacity is available for ARRIRAW and ProRes recording, and is formatted in UDF by the camera for use with ARRIRAW and ProRes on the same media without reformatting or changing drives. The Codex Compact Drive is capable of a sustained 8 Gbps write speed.

The ALEXA Mini LF is natively compatible with ARRI and cmotion wireless lens control systems for easy integration with your existing equipment. A new, high definition, high-contrast MVF-2 electronic viewfinder has also been developed specifically for use with this camera (sold separately).

All components in the ARRI Large Format Camera System are designed to take full advantage of the larger sensor while offering compatibility with existing lenses, accessories, and workflows. The ALEXA Mini LF is compatible with LPL & PL Mount Full Format (Full Frame) and Super35 lenses, when the corresponding interchangeable lens mount or adapter (sold separately) is installed. LDS-2 or /i lens metadata is accessible via the LPL mount, and LDS-1 or /i metadata is supported via the PL-to-LPL Adapter (not included). Other manufacturers offer proprietary lens mounts for both the ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini LF cameras to support their own lenses. All anamorphic de-squeeze ratios are supported.

IMPORTANT NOTE: At launch, the ALEXA Mini LF does not support Super35 recording modes. However, this functionality is a planned future SUP update. The LF 16:9 UHD (3840x2160) recording mode will have the smallest image area (36.35mm) available at launch.

Features:

• Immersive large-format look
• Uses the same ALEV III (A2X) CMOS sensor with Bayer pattern color filter array found in the ALEXA LF
• Sensor Size: 36.7mm x 25.54mm; ⌀44.71mm (Photosite Pitch: 8.25 μm)
• Sensor Framerates: 0.75-90 fps, depending on settings
• Fixed optical low pass (OLPF), UV, IR filter
• Lower noise with higher usable sensitivity
• Highest dynamic range of any production camera to date, with 14+ stops over the entire sensitivity range (from EI 160 to EI 3200, as measured with ARRI DRTC-1 Dynamic Range Test Chart)
• Manual & Auto White Balance adjustable from 2000K to 11,000K in 10K steps
• ARRI color science provides natural skin tones, enables easy color correction, and clean VFX workflow
• Ideal for use with HDR and Wide Color Gamut displays
• Uncompressed, unencrypted MXF/ARRIRAW recording
• Supports fast & efficient MXF/AppleProRes (MXF-wrapped ProRes)
  • NOTE: At launch, the camera only supports LogC recording in both ProRes and ARRIRAW
  • Any look that has been applied to a monitoring signal path will be embedded/included with the footage and automatically applied in post, as usual
• Records to new Codex Compact Drive (reader does not require a license or additional software; Compact Drive Adapter is compatible with SXR Capture Drive Docks)
• (3) Internal, motorized, large-format Full Spectrum Neutral Density (FSND) filters, in ND 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8
• Dedicated, regulated 12V and 24V accessory power outputs (12V/2A LEMO 2-pin, 24V Fischer 3-pin with R/S, and 24V EXT port)
• 12/24V power input with 11.5-34V voltage range via an 8-pin LEMO "BAT" (DC In) connector
• Compatible with most existing onboard power solutions thanks to a ~65W maximum power draw
• New SYNC IN port and improved audio connectors (6-pin audio terminal outputs 12V for use with preamps or wireless audio receivers)
• (2) Integrated scratch audio microphones
• (6) User-configurable buttons on smart side
• (1) LOCK button on camera (and MVF-2 Viewfinder; sold separately)
• Additional external WiFI antenna
• Easy access to media, EVF, and Timecode connectors
• Weighs ~6 lb (2.7 kg) with an LPL lens mount installed (only 0.6 lb more than the original ALEXA Mini)
• Dimensions (with LPL Mount installed): 5.5" x 5.6" x 7.5" (14cm x 14.3cm x 18.8cm)

NOTE: LPL Lens Mount, EVF, media, and other accessories sold separately.

Recording Specifications:

• Recording Formats:
  • MXF/ARRIRAW
  • MXF/Apple ProRes 4444 XQ
  • MXF/Apple ProRes 4444
  • MXF/Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)
• Sensor Active Area (Photosites):
  • LF Open Gate ProRes 4.5K: 4448 x 3096
  • LF Open Gate ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 3096
  • LF 16:9 ProRes HD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 ProRes 2K: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 ProRes UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 ARRIRAW UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 2.39:1 ProRes 4.5K: 4448 x 1856
  • LF 2.39:1 ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 1856
• Sensor Active Image Area (Dimensions):
  • LF Open Gate ProRes 4.5K: 36.7mm x 25.54mm / 1.445" x 1.006"
  • LF Open Gate ARRIRAW 4.5K: 36.7mm x 25.54mm / 1.445" x 1.006"
  • LF 16:9 ProRes HD: 31.68mm x 17.82mm / 1.247" x 0.702"
  • LF 16:9 ProRes 2K: 31.68mm x 17.82mm / 1.247" x 0.702"
  • LF 16:9 ProRes UHD: 31.68mm x 17.82mm / 1.247" x 0.702"
  • LF 16:9 ARRIRAW UHD: 31.68mm x 17.82mm / 1.247" x 0.702"
  • LF 2.39:1 ProRes 4.5K: 36.7mm x 15.31mm / 1.445" x 0.603"
  • LF 2.39:1 ARRIRAW 4.5K: 36.7mm x 15.31mm / 1.445" x 0.603"
• Recording File Container Size (Pixel):
  • LF Open Gate ProRes 4.5K: 4480 x 3096
  • LF Open Gate ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 3096
  • LF 16:9 ProRes HD: 1920 x 1080
  • LF 16:9 ProRes 2K: 2048 x 1152
  • LF 16:9 ProRes UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 ARRIRAW UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 2.39:1 ProRes 4.5K: 4480 x 1856
  • LF 2.39:1 ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 1856
• Recording File Image Content (Pixel):
  • LF Open Gate ProRes 4.5K: 4448 x 3096
  • LF Open Gate ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 3096
  • LF 16:9 ProRes HD: 1920 x 1080
  • LF 16:9 ProRes 2K: 2048 x 1152
  • LF 16:9 ProRes UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 16:9 ARRIRAW UHD: 3840 x 2160
  • LF 2.39:1 ProRes 4.5K: 4448 x 1856
  • LF 2.39:1 ARRIRAW 4.5K: 4448 x 1856
• Color Output:
  • Rec 709
  • Rec 2020
  • LogC
  • Custom Look (ARRI Look File ALF-2)

Firmware Updates:

• ALEXA Mini LF SUP 6.0.21 contains no feature changes from ALEXA Mini LF SUP 6.0.20, but does implement various bug fixes (including a fix for a bug that sometimes prevents the Compact Drive 1TB from mounting properly).
• Updating:
  • For all ALEXA Mini LF owners, ARRI strongly recommends updating to Mini LF SUP 6.0.21. However, ARRI does not recommend installing a new SUP in the middle of a production.
  • ALEXA Mini LF SUP 6.0.21 can be installed on all previously shipped ALEXA Mini LF cameras: pre-production PP-1 (6.0.4), pre-production PP-2 (6.0.11) as well as production cameras (6.0.15, 6.0.16 and 6.0.20).
• Downdating:
  • While it is possible to downdate ALEXA Mini LF cameras to previous SUP versions from this version, ARRI strongly recommends against this, as this SUP includes important bug fixes and significantly enhances usability and stability.
  • ARRI recommends that you take your time to go through the release notes, the known issues section of the release notes document, and the user manual before you start using the camera.

• ALEXA Mini LF SUP 7.1 Features Overview:
  • 2.8K LF 1:1 – 2.8K recording format
    • Up to 60 fps in ARRIRAW and Apple ProRes
    • Fulfilling 4K UHD mandates
  • Lens Data Archive files for ARRI Signature Primes and ARRI Signature Zooms
    • ARRI Signature Prime 12mm and 280mm
    • ARRI Signature Zoom 45-135mm and 65-300mm
  • Sync Shift via Camera Access Protocol
  • Support for future revisions of the Codex Compact Drive 1TB
  • Various bug fixes and system stability improvements