Arri has unveiled the Alexa 35 digital cinema camera, a 4K Super 35 camera that the company says 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.
The 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 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.
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 post-production 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.
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.
To learn more about Alexa 35, visit www.arri.com/alexa35