As you may already know, ARRI unveiled its new large sensor camera last week: The ALEXA Mini LF (Large Format). ARRI has also released some useful educational videos which deal with the camera aspects. Let’s explore those videos.

ARRI Large Format camera system-An overview

The first video shows an overview of the ARRI large-format system, including the ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini LF cameras, Signature Prime lenses, and other components. We wrote an article regarding ARRI LF characteristics which you can read here. The fundamentals are the same as the ALEXA LF. 

The video compares the ALEXA LF to the Mini LF in terms of similarities. It’s interesting to note that the ALEXA Mini LF sensor is as twice as large than the ALEXA Mini sensor.

ALEXA Mini LF sensor is as twice as large than the ALEXA Mini sensor.

By the way, ARRI claims that hundreds of ALEXA LF were being sold. The main difference between the Mini LF and the ALEXA LF is the ability to shoot high frame rate. The Mini LF is not a high FPS camera (like the ALEXA LF).

Ready to shoot set

This video is focused on the “Ready to shoot set” that includes the new MVF-2 viewfinder, mounting bracket, cable, handle, rear accessory bracket, power splitting box, compact bridge plate, rod mounting bracket and two 1 TB Codex Compact Drives. All you need to add are battery and lens, and you’re good to go. Watch it here:

Robustness

This video demonstrates the main features in the ALEXA Mini LF and the new viewfinder MVF-2. The video focuses on the build quality and robustness of the ALEXA cameras in general which are achieved by a process called “Shake and Bake.” The “Shake and Bake” is like stress testing. It’s done by an industrial shaker machine that shakes the camera for hours under extreme temperatures, to simulate a long and rough usage to ensure that the camera is built well and harsh productions demands do not affect electronics.

The “Shake and Bake” is like stress testing. It’s done by an industrial shaker machine that shakes the camera for hours under extreme temperatures, to simulate a long and rough usage

Furthermore, this video shows a detailed look at the new MVF-2 viewfinder with flip-out monitor, plus wired and wireless remote camera control. Check it out:

ALEXA Mini LF mechanical and electronic accessories

The next two videos are about accessories: electronics and mechanical. The ECS video is about the WCU-4 for wireless control of focus, iris and zoom, SXU-1 for single-axis wireless control, OCU-1 for operator control, ARRI Master Grips, web remote via WiFi, camera control with the new MVF-2 viewfinder and ARRI’s Wireless Video System. Check them out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0M-dq7d7YxM

Workflow

This video is quite an interesting one because it talks about the new media used on the Mini LF.  The camera records MXF/ARRIRAW or MXF/ProRes (ARRI is switching from the Quicktime container to the MXF container due to easier access to metadata) internally to the new 1TB Codex Compact Drive. The video is also focused on the recording format of the Mini LF. We made a chart regarding data consumption rate of the Mini (and Mini LF) compared to other popular cinema cameras so feel free to check it out. The ALEXA  Mini LF records ARRIRAW, OG 4.5K for about 500 MB/s (just like the ALEXA LF).

ARRI is switching from the Quicktime container to the MXF container due to easier access to metadata

Codex High-Density Encoding (HDE)

The HDE is used for data cost savings. According to ARRI, this is a way to reduce the data rate of the ARRIRAW which is a high data consumption codec (see chart). The ARRIRAW is incredibly detailed but also extremely data hungry. HDE reduces the information for about 40% (according to ARRI) and still preserves the precision of the ARRIRAW. It’s important to note that HDE is a free codec, which means there is no need to pay for licensing.

The video also demonstrates the ARRI apps like the ARRI Color Tool, ARRIRAW Converter, and ARRI Meta Extract, and ARRI online tools like the Camera Simulators, Formats & Data Rates Calculator, and Frame Line and Lens Illumination Tool.

HDE reduces the information for about 40% (according to ARRI) and still preserves the precision of the ARRIRAW

Final thoughts

We like educational videos, whatever it’s a masterclass, demonstration and just a short and immersive like those. For whom is new in the large format arena, it’s highly recommended to watch those videos and learn a bit more about those large format cameras.

Have you watches ARRI Tech Talk videos about the new Mini LF? Let’s know your insights.