ARRI has published its latest and most comprehensive showreel. On this very thorough (over 12 minutes) reel, ARRI pays tribute to filmmakers who used its cameras, from Super 35 to full-frame and beyond (ARRI 65), including film cameras like ARRICAM and ARRIFLEX. Check it out.
33 ARRI cameras (from 1924 to 2022)
ARRI was founded in Munich, Germany in September 1917 by August Arnold and Robert Richter as Arnold & Richter Cine Technik. The acronym ARRI was derived from the initial two letters of the founders’ surnames, Arnold and Richter. As for 2022, ARRI has invented 32 motion picture cameras (not including the forthcoming Super 35 4K camera). The most recent camera is the ARRI Mini LF, which is one of the most used cinema cameras among high-end productions including the Oscars.
Characteristics
ARRI cameras are known for two major characteristics: Reliability and quality. ARRI cameras are super reliable and are considered workhorses. The other factor is image quality. ARRI claims to overall best image quality with 14 stops of DR (Dynamic Range) on its digital cameras. One interesting fact is that the physical design of the camera has not significantly changed. For instance, explore the slide above which shows the ALEXA Classic (2000) and the ALEXA LF (2018). Notice the identical buttons interface. ARRI knows that there’s no need to replace a winning horse. However, as opposed to other cinema cameras, ARRI cameras are less popular among indie filmmakers, as the price tag is steeper compared to other high-end options. Thus, ARRI cameras are mostly being rented. There are a few alternatives to buying your own ARRI though— One is CPO (ARRI’s Certified Pre-Owned program), and the other is basically second-hand market. Today you can purchase a used ALEXA Classic for less than $6,000 (with 5,000 hours of operation and above). You will be limited regarding resolution, but you will still get the “Overall best image quality” as ARRI defines it, since it incorporates the same ALEV sensor (manufactured by ON-SEMI).
Explore the ARRI camera lines (1924-2022):
- Kinarri 35 (1924)
- Kinarri 16 (1928)
- ARRIFLEX 35 (1937)
- ARRIFLEX 35 II (1946)
- ARRIFLEX 16ST (1952)
- ARRIFLEX 16M (1960)
- ARRIFLEX 35 IIC (1964)
- ARRIFLEX 16BL (1965) Arritechno 35 (1970)
- ARRIFLEX 35BL (1972)
- ARRIFLEX 16SR (1975)
- ARRIFLEX 35BL II (1975)
- ARRIFLEX 35BL III (1980)
- ARRIFLEX 35 IIIC (1982)
- ARRIFLEX 16SR2 (1982)
- ARRIFLEX 35BL 4 (1986)
- ARRIFLEX 35BL 4S (1988) Arriflex 765 (1989)
- ARRIFLEX 535 (1990)
- ARRIFLEX 535 B (1992)
- ARRIFLEX 16SR 3 (1992)
- ARRIFLEX 435 (1994)
- ARRIFLEX 435 ES (1995)
- ARRICAM Studio and Lite (2000)
- ARRIFLEX 235 (2003)
- ARRIFLEX D-20/21 (2003/2008)
- ARRIFLEX 416 (2006)
- ARRI ALEXA (2010)
- ARRI Amira (2013)
- ARRI ALEXA 65 (2014)
- ARRI ALEXA Mini (2015)
- ARRI ALEXA SXT (2016)
- ARRI ALEXA LF (2018)
- ARRI ALEXA Mini LF (2019)
- ARRI ALEXA S35 4K (2022)
ARRI Camera Showreel 2022
A few days ago, ARRI has published its camera showreel for 2022. This very long reel (almost 13 minutes) demonstrates all kinds of projects, from mega-budget to indie films. As stated by ARRI: “The ARRI Camera Showreel 2022 pays tribute to all those who worked hard during the pandemic under difficult circumstances and created great visual adventures and masterpieces. Featuring footage shot on ARRI large-format and Super 35 cameras, as well as ALEXA 65, the reel shows that there is space for all formats side by side; we also included a couple of analog projects, shot on ARRICAM and ARRIFLEX cameras. It is a global and diverse reel, showcasing not only the big blockbusters but also indie movies, scripted TV, commercials, music promos, and art pieces. The range of visual styles and looks is extreme, created by the extraordinary talent of directors and DPs using different lenses, lighting, production design, and postproduction techniques, but always the best camera to capture their vision”. Furthermore, ARRI adds that the team had a hard time selecting the footage. “Please be assured that every single frame was appreciated. It is such a joy and honor for us, producing these reels and seeing what cinematographers have been creating; so often we are blown away” ARRI said. It seems that the reel is restricted in some countries so you may not be able to watch it from everywhere. Anyway, here it is:
