The ARRI ALEXA 35 is a 4K Super 35 camera that elevates digital cinematography to unprecedented heights. ARRI’s first new sensor in 12 years builds on the evolution of the ALEXA family over that period, delivering 2.5 stops more dynamic range, better low light performance, and richer colors. The new REVEAL Color Science takes full advantage of the sensor’s image quality, while ARRI Textures enhance in-camera creativity. Easy operation, robust build quality, new accessories, and a complete new mechanical support system round out the ALEXA 35 platform.

More dynamic range, contrast, and sensitivity

ALEXA 35 measures at 17 stops of dynamic range (exposure latitude), far more than any other digital cinema camera. Having 1.5 stops more in the highlights and one stop more in the shadows than previous ALEXA cameras, while retaining the naturalistic film-like highlight roll-off, will be game-changing for filmmakers. Sophisticated stray-light suppression in the camera and lens mounts ensures that the full contrast range and character of each lens are captured by the sensor. Together, the increased dynamic range and stray light control make it easier to handle any lighting conditions on set, increase flexibility in post, and provide the best source for HDR (High Dynamic Range) projects.

With low noise and sensitivity settings ranging from EI 160 to EI 6400, ALEXA 35 is a “High ISO” camera. An optional Enhanced Sensitivity Mode can be applied to settings between EI 2560 and EI 6400, producing an even cleaner image in low light. This exceptional sensitivity, combined with the wider dynamic range and stray-light suppression, allows ALEXA 35 to capture the most delicate nuances of light and shadow in more situations than ever before.

REVEAL Color Science

ARRI’s discussions with filmmakers and careful review of the image pipeline have led to significant improvements in image quality and a faster, easier workflow. REVEAL Color Science is the collective name for a suite of new image processing steps used by ALEXA 35 internally and also available through leading third-party postproduction tools for ARRIRAW processing. It includes an improved debayering algorithm for cleaner compositing, a new color engine for more accurate color reproduction, a new wide gamut color space for faster grading, new LogC4 encoding to contain the increased dynamic range, and new LogC4 LUTs (Look Up Tables) for improved color fidelity.

While bringing out the best of the ALEXA 35’s new sensor, REVEAL Color Science is also backwards compatible. ARRIRAW footage captured by ALEXA LF and Mini LF cameras can be processed with REVEAL Color Science, gaining many of its advantages. This means that the ALEXA 35 and ARRI’s large-format cameras can be combined on set and can also share LogC4 LUTs in post.

Enhanced creative control

With its Super 35 4:3 native 4K sensor, ALEXA 35 can be used with a vast global inventory of existing lenses—modern and vintage, anamorphic and spherical, Super 35 and large format. Filmmakers wanting to shoot with ARRI cameras while having to fulfill 4K mandates now have an immeasurably broader lens choice.

ARRI Textures is a unique new feature that allows cinematographers to fundamentally alter the way in which the camera records images, should they wish to. Up until now, ALEXA cameras have been pre-programmed with a default texture that determines the amount and character of grain in the image, and the amount of contrast at different levels of detail, perceived by the viewer as sharpness. For the first time, ALEXA 35 provides the option to choose from a menu of ARRI Textures, much like selecting a film stock.

Easy operation and new accessory range

ALEXA 35 is the smallest fully-featured ARRI production camera ever, packing the features and processing power of a “larger” ALEXA into a Mini-sized body. Crews will be intuitively familiar with the camera’s simple menu structure; support for 1TB and 2TB Codex Compact Drives; and MVF-2 viewfinder, now with HDR. Fast and easy operation is assured through a new left-side display, Advanced Color Match, pre-recording capability, and a slew of usability improvements such as additional user buttons. A total of 19 recording formats, incorporating efficient in-camera down-sampling and anamorphic de-squeezing, allow productions to optimize data rate, resolution, and other parameters, based on their individual needs. Mixed reality and virtual productions will benefit from the camera’s ability to record lens metadata in all common standards and output real-time streaming metadata to ARRI’s Live Link Metadata Plug-in for Unreal Engine.

ARRI has crafted a new line of bespoke ALEXA 35 accessories that expand the camera’s capabilities and ensure maximum speed and versatility on set. Closely integrated electronic accessories offer additional power outputs or extended audio features. A complete new set of mechanical support items provides flexible options for any shooting situation, scaling quickly and easily from a small and lightweight setup to a full-blown production configuration.

ALEXA 35 is supported by ARRI’s full suite of online tools, as well as free-of-charge standalone apps like the iPhone/iPad Camera Companion App, ARRI Reference Tool, and ARRIRAW HDE Transcoder.

Temperature resistant, splash and dust-proof, and conceived with future hardware and software updates inmind, ALEXA 35 delivers robust and reliable service on set, a long product cycle, and a safe return on investment.

What are the cinematographers saying about the ALEXA 35

“With increased light sensitivity and more detail in the highlights, I can be even more bold with my lighting and exposure choices.”  Ari Wegner ACS Cinematographer

“The ALEXA 35 was spectacular; it outperformed all my expectations. I could not get the camera to clip – the dynamic range is so wide and impressive. This is a completely new generation.” Erik Messerschmidt ASC Cinematographer

“The new sensor produced images that were extremely malleable, with staggering latitude. It retained all the color and information even in the most brilliant of highlights and deepest of shadows. James Friend ASC, BSC Cinematographer”

“With increased light sensitivity and more detail in the highlights, I can be even more bold with my lighting and exposure choices.2 Ari Wegner ACS Cinematographer

We couldn’t use any lights; we just used the streetlights and the light from buildings. It was definitely noticeable that the Enhanced Sensitivity Mode has minimal noise, so I think it’s a real improvement. Jessie Wang Cinematographer

ALEXA 35 Guided Tour

 

About ARRI:

“Inspiring images. Since 1917.” ARRI is a global player within the motion picture industry, employing around 1,200 staff worldwide. Named after its founders August Arnold and Robert Richter, ARRI was established in Munich, Germany, where the headquarters is still located today. Other subsidiaries are in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia.

The ARRI Group consists of the business units Camera Systems, Lighting, and Rental, all dedicated to connecting creativity and future technologies for moving images. ARRI is a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems as well as system solutions for the film, broadcast, and media industries, with a worldwide distribution and service network. The portfolio includes digital cameras, lenses, camera accessories, archive technologies, lamp heads, and lighting accessories. Along with offering exclusive technologies, ARRI Rental’s first-class services and equipment provide camera, lighting, and grip packages to professional productions around the world.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized ARRI’s engineers and their contributions to the industry with 19 Scientific and Technical Awards.

To learn more about ALEXA 35, visit www.arri.com/alexa35

For locations and more information, please visit www.arri.com.