In a slightly shocking announcement, ARRI revealed the ARRI ALEXA 265, the successor to the ALEXA 65, their giant format cinema digital camera. If you take a look at it, it’s instantly clear: They used the ALEXA 35 physique design and reworked it to accommodate a 65mm sensor. Be taught extra under. Should you thought, “it’s the top of the 12 months, we received’t see any new main digital camera bulletins anymore”, and even, “We acquired the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA announcement and the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K as (tremendous) giant format cameras this 12 months, that’s lots!”, you’ve been unsuitable: Right here we’re, ARRI simply dropped a brand new giant format digital camera simply earlier than the vacations (however, spoiler alert: it’s not going to land below your Christmas tree). ARRI ALEXA 265 – as small as an ALEXA 35, one third of ALEXA 65’s weightUnexpectedly, we’re seeing a “small” giant format ARRI ALEXA with the brand new ARRI ALEXA 265, which is scheduled to be out there in early 2025. It seems like this might be a rental-only digital camera identical to the ALEXA 65, its predecessor, however it’s solely marginally bigger than the highly regarded ALEXA 35 (right here’s our in-depth interview and right here’s our detailed Lab Check together with video), a Super35mm sensor digital camera, and far lighter than its predecessor (one third of the ALEXA 65’s weight). This could make large-format cinematography much more possible for characteristic movie and TV collection manufacturing than ever earlier than. It’s save to say this digital camera goes to make a distinction within the high-end market and we are able to’t wait to get our arms on one to place it via its paces in our famend Lab Assessments, with all the outcomes in fact additionally heading to the CineD Digital camera Database. In the meanwhile, I’ll go away you with the complete press textual content from ARRI, and we sit up for your ideas on this transfer within the feedback under. ARRI ALEXA 265 in use on a Steadicam rig. Picture credit score: ARRIFull ARRI press textARRI publicizes the small and light-weight ALEXA 265 digital camera, revolutionizing 65 mm cinematographyALEXA 265 is one-third the scale and weight of ALEXA 65Revised 65 mm sensor brings greater dynamic vary and sensitivityUnique in-camera filter cartridge systemSame LogC4 workflow and REVEAL Coloration Science as ALEXA 35December 5, 2024; Munich – ARRI introduces ALEXA 265, a new-generation 65 mm digital camera that responds to suggestions from customers of the ALEXA 65, its predecessor. ALEXA 265 combines a small kind issue with a revised 65 mm sensor, delivering greater picture high quality via 15 stops of dynamic vary and enhanced low-light efficiency. That includes the identical LogC4 workflow, REVEAL Coloration Science, and equipment as ARRI’s state-of-the-art ALEXA 35, plus a brand new filter system, ALEXA 265 makes 65 mm as simple to make use of as every other format.The ALEXA 265 digital camera physique is predicated on the compact ALEXA 35 and regardless of containing a sensor thrice as giant, is just 4 mm longer and 11 mm wider. Utilizing this physique design means ALEXA 265 is lower than one-third the ALEXA 65’s weight (3.3 kg vs. 10.5 kg) and takes benefit of ARRI’s newest cooling and energy administration applied sciences. Whereas the digital camera’s small dimension and weight permit it for use in methods by no means imagined for 65 mm—from drones and stabilizers to probably the most space-constrained places—its efficiencies make it sooner to work with on set. Boot-up time and energy draw have been improved, and compatibility with the ALEXA 35 accent set opens vastly extra rigging choices.Entrance view of the brand new ARRI ALEXA 265. Picture credit score: ARRIFeedback from ALEXA 65 customers during the last decade made the dramatic discount in kind issue a design precedence for ALEXA 265, but additionally decided the method to picture high quality. Filmmakers wished to retain the 6.5K decision and enormous pixel pitch, however have been interested by greater dynamic vary and improved low-light efficiency. A brand-new and complete revision of the 65 mm sensor was due to this fact developed for ALEXA 265, growing the dynamic vary from 14 to fifteen stops and the sensitivity from 3200 to 6400 EI (ISO/ASA), with crisper blacks, better distinction, and a decrease noise flooring.Delivering this greater picture high quality is an easy and environment friendly workflow that makes use of ARRI’s newest developments. The brand new-generation LogC4 workflow and 3D LUTs launched for ALEXA 35 at the moment are shared with ALEXA 265, which information ARRIRAW in-camera to the Codex Compact Drives utilized in all present ARRI cameras. Customary drive readers and docks can be utilized, as can Codex HDE (Excessive Density Encoding), lowering file sizes by as much as 40% with out diminishing picture high quality. On-set screens might be arrange in HD or UHD, displaying SDR or HDR, or each. ARRI is updating its SDK to make sure that ALEXA 265 photographs are suitable with all main third-party software program instruments.Facet view of the brand new ARRI ALEXA 265. Picture credit score: ARRIA distinctive characteristic of the ALEXA 265 is its filter cartridge system, which permits particular filter trays, encased in a protecting cartridge, to slip in entrance of the sensor. ARRI FSND filters from zero to ND2.7 in single-stop increments might be out there with ALEXA 265 on the time of launch, and plenty of extra artistic filter choices are within the works. An encoded chip on the filter tray conveys details about no matter filter has been inserted; this info is on the market within the consumer interface and can also be recorded in digital camera metadata to be used on set and in publish.ARRI ALEXA 265 rigged up in a small taking pictures bundle. Picture credit score: ARRIALEXA 265 photographs are processed in-camera utilizing ARRI REVEAL Coloration Science, launched with the ALEXA 35 and in addition suitable with ARRIRAW photographs from the ALEXA Mini LF. REVEAL is a set of picture processing steps that collectively assist the digital camera to seize extra correct colours, with subtler tonal variations. Pores and skin tones are rendered in a flattering, pure means, whereas extremely saturated colours and difficult colours similar to pastel shades are displayed with unimaginable realism. All ALEXA 265 and ALEXA 35 cameras are tremendous color-matched to one another, simplifying coloration grading, and the ALEXA 265’s superior LED calibration streamlines digital manufacturing and LED quantity work.The listing of ALEXA 65 movies and filmmakers during the last 10 years is a roll name of the trade’s most visionary initiatives and folks. Whereas 65 mm could solely be accessible to comparatively few productions, this historic format conjures up many and represents the top of mainstream picture acquisition. Now, with the launch of ALEXA 265, a brand new period of 65 mm begins—one that can redefine the format’s artistic potentialities.ALEXA 265 might be out there to productions from early 2025.
