In the ever-evolving landscape of film technology, ARRI has once again outdone itself with the introduction of the Alexa 35. Throughout the decades of supporting the industry, ARRI has anchored themselves by innovating on some of the top lighting gear, cinema cameras, and accessories that filmmakers love today- And with their latest edition to the ALEXA lineup, seems their streak continues.
Seamlessly blending tradition with innovation, this camera (still fresh in the market), is swiftly redefining the benchmarks of filmmaking with digital cameras. Diving deep into key new features, new color science, and post workflows that the new Alexa 35 offers.
A ‘Digital Film’ Breakthrough
Among the many standout features ARRI has incorporated in cinema cameras- the ‘ARRI Look’ has always been one of the biggest draws filmmakers have to their cameras. Diving into across some of ARRI’s own test shoots they have produced on the ‘ARRI Encounter’s Series‘; they certainly seem to have honed in the aesthetic even further.
Specifically to the new Alexa 35, they decided to further embrace the 35mm film look, and designed a rather striking feature of built-in ‘digital film stocks’. This unique ability allows filmmakers to shape the visual aesthetics of their footage, offering unprecedented control over the look and feel of the final product. These digital film stocks enable operators to change how the camera essentially perceives the world, adding depth and character to the footage with variations in grain texture and contrast levels.
Designed for Modularity and Versatility
When it comes to design, it was clear that the name of the game for the Alexa 35 was compact and versatile. As one of the smallest fully-featured ARRI production cameras ever built, it offers ease of transport and rigging, making it a practical choice for a wide variety of shooting conditions, harsh or controlled. Now, while ARRI’s focus was on creating a camera that best adapts to filmmakers needs, the additional support from gear vendors like Creative Solutions was also very apparent. Developing accessories like the Alexa 35 WoodenCamera system to enhance the camera’s usability and modularity even further.
Grading and Post Production
Now this is where the Alexa 35 starts to really show off it’s new colors- with the introduction of a new 4.6k sensor, paired masterfully with the latest REVEAL color science, we get a whole new world of how an Alexa handles color. This combination is a game-changer, especially when capturing natural skin tones and adapting to challenging lighting conditions (giving upwards of 16+ stops of dynamic range). Not to mention the Alexa 35’s sensor ensures a gloriously filmic highlight roll-off, a feature that cinematographers reminisce of when shooting on digital formats.
And remember, customization stands at the core of the Alexa 35’s design philosophy, to which is very much carried over into the post workflow. With a vast selection of 20+ ARRIRAW and Apple ProRes recording formats, the camera provides filmmakers with the flexibility to optimize data rate, resolution, and other parameters to suit their specific needs. This level of customization ensures that nearly any setting can be precisely tuned to the creator’s vision, and streamline their process in the post room.
No Limit On Possibilities
Ultimately, the new Alexa 35 is an accumulation of innovative features, compact design, and unparalleled customization options that make it a powerful tool in the hands of filmmakers. A testament to ARRI’s unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cinematic storytelling.
For those eager to harness the full prowess of this cinematic powerhouse, we invite you down to Stray Angel Films to build your Alexa 35 package to rent for your next production!
