ARRI ALEXA 65: A New Era in Large Format Digital Cinematography
This article delves into the revolutionary ARRI ALEXA 65, a large-format digital cinema camera that revives the allure of 65mm filmmaking. It highlights the camera's advanced technology, its impact on motion picture production, and features interviews with key figures in the industry.
The Return of 65mm
The ARRI ALEXA 65 marks a significant advancement in digital cinematography, offering a large-format 65mm sensor that promises unparalleled image quality. This format, once the domain of film, is now realized through cutting-edge digital technology, bringing back the aesthetic and immersive experience associated with classic large-format cinema.
The camera boasts a 65mm ARRI A3X CMOS sensor with a resolution of 6560 x 3120 pixels and a sensor size of 54.12 x 25.58mm. It utilizes the ARRI XPL mount and offers features like LDS metadata, electronic shutter from 5° to 358°, and frame rates from 20 to 27 fps (with a planned upgrade to 60 fps). The dynamic range is stated to be 14 stops.
Interviews and Industry Insights
The publication features interviews with prominent figures such as Franz Kraus (President of ARRI), discussing the vision behind the ALEXA 65. It also includes a factory visit report for the ARRI AMIRA and interviews with its product manager, Markus Dürr. Insights from ZEISS, including interviews with Winfried Scherle and Dr. Aurelien Duddock, cover their historical contributions and new lens technologies.
The article also touches upon the history and innovations of Angenieux lenses, highlighting their retrofocus designs and the development of their Optimo and Optimo Style zoom lenses, including anamorphic options.
Technical Specifications and Lens Systems
Detailed technical specifications for the ALEXA 65 are provided, covering sensor size, weight, dimensions, connectors, and power requirements. A comparison table of sensor sizes illustrates the ALEXA 65's large format against other camera systems.
New lens systems designed for the ALEXA 65 are showcased, including a series of eight prime lenses and one zoom lens, re-engineered from Hasselblad HC lenses. These lenses feature the new XPL mount and offer exceptional optical performance.
Company Histories and Technologies
The magazine also provides historical overviews of key companies in the industry, such as ZEISS, detailing their origins, scientific contributions (like Abbe's sine condition), and their evolution into leading optical manufacturers. The history of Angenieux, from its early lens designs to its modern cinema lenses, is also explored.
The document includes information on the ARRI AMIRA, positioning it as a documentary-style camera with advanced features like 3D LUT support. It also covers the ZEISS Touit and Loxia lens series, designed for mirrorless cameras, and the ZEISS CZ.2 compact zoom lenses with servo units.
Industry Partnerships and Subscriptions
The publication acknowledges its sponsors and educational partners, highlighting major players in the film and digital technology industry. Information on subscribing to Film and Digital Times is also provided.
