ARRI posted an update regarding the development, testing, and shipping status of its new camera, the ALEXA Mini LF. According to ARRI, the final version of the camera is scheduled to be shipped from mid-September.

ALEXA Mini and LF hybridization

The ALEXA Mini LF is a hybrid of the ALEXA Mini and the ALEXA LF, as it retains the same LF sensor but has the form factor of the Mini.  Cinematographers incredibly required this kind of solution. DPs were eager to shoot Large Format with a more compact form factor than the ALEXA LF.

Till the born of the Mini LF, the only options to shoot large format within gimbal friendly form factor were: RED MONSTRO VV, Sony Venice, and MAVO LF. These are very different cameras from every aspect. All of them will grant cinematographers that LF look and characteristics. However, there is a significant difference between imagery and color science. It’s hard to find sets that use ALEXA and RED together. On the other hand, you can find a combination of ALEXA and URSA Mini Pro easily, but then you will have to shoot super 35. The invention of a large sensor version of the ALEXA  Mini was very much expected.

ALEXA LF vs. ALEXA Mini LF

Like the entire ALEXA line, the ALEXA Mini LF combines high resolution with optimal pixel size and the very same excellent old ARRI sensor. The ALEXA Mini LF offers a choice of recording in 4448 x 3096 Open Gate, 3840 x 2160 16:9, and 4448 x 1856 2.39:1 anamorphic.

Although this article is not a spec-tech dedicated, we’d like to mention a few technological concepts. There are a few significant difference between the LF and the Mini LF: Size & Weight, FPS, and price. That’s it! Both cameras have precisely the same sensor. The main (and only) advantages of the “big” LF is the higher fps capabilities. You can see a simplified comparison between the two in the tables below (Press on the image to view larger version).

Netflix compatibility

Many productions who wanted the ALEXA, had to choose to shoot with other options due to compatibility issues derived by Netflix Camera and Image Capture requirements. Although many Netflix productions were shot on the ALEXA Mini, for instance, the authorization process for using this camera was more complicated since the Mini shoots under 4K resolution. Now the game is changed. It’ll be interesting to explore the different cameras segmentation regarding the expected demand of the ALEXA Mini in high-end productions like Netflix. BTW, if you’d like to dive a bit dipper into the statistics, read this article regarding Netflix cameras in selected series. Take into consideration that this graph is going to change dramatically with the new Mini LF, although RED is armed with their new Ranger as well.

ALEXA Mini LF shipping status

ARRI says that the new Mini LF is under intensive final testing stage derived from users’ feedback by using the pre-production models. The final and polished product will be shipped in September. As stated by ARRI: “ARRI thanks everyone who has been patiently waiting for their ALEXA Mini LF camera. ‘Since there is an overwhelming demand from the market, but not all features have been tested to our complete satisfaction yet, we have started delivering pre-production cameras with a limited set of recommended features to service high-profile projects in July. In August we will deliver the second batch of pre-production cameras’, commented Product Manager Marc Shipman Mueller from the factory floor, ‘Continued software development, further intensive testing, and the feedback from the pre-production cameras will all contribute to the final product, which is scheduled to ship from mid-September onwards’”.

Continued software development, further intensive testing, and the feedback from the pre-production cameras will all contribute to the final product, which is scheduled to ship from mid-September onwards

ARRI Product Manager, Marc Shipman Mueller

Final thoughts

The ALEXA Mini LF is expected to contribute a lot of large format imagery to high-end productions. Will it penetrate to the indie-style productions as well? I’m sure it will. Will it affect other manufacturers like RED? Of course, it will. But at the end of the day, it’s just another tool to tell your story.

Do you see yourself using the Mini LF in your production? Let us know in the comments below.