The Journey – Real-World Production with the Alexa LF
After unboxing our ARRI Alexa LF in mid-July, we couldn’t wait to put it to the test. So we powered it up, hit record, and ran several camera tests to explore what this large format system could do. Those early tests confirmed what we expected and made us even more excited to bring the Alexa LF onto a real production set.
But before we rolled into the field, we had to answer some key questions. What lenses should we use? How do we power the camera? What’s the best follow focus setup? Which sensor mode and codec would give us the best results for this shoot? Even with all the research we’d done, we were curious to see how this camera would perform in one of the harshest environments in the country.
Choosing Our Alexa LF Shooting Package
Lenses
Lenses were a big part of this Alexa LF test. Since ARRI Signature Primes and other LPL-mount lenses are still scarce and expensive, we used the PL adapter and paired the LF with Cooke S7/i full-frame lenses. We chose Cooke glass for its warmth and organic look, which matched the tone of the piece we were shooting. ARRI’s PL-to-LPL adapter made setup simple, and the lenses performed beautifully on the LF sensor.
Although we didn’t use ARRI’s internal ND system on this shoot, we plan to test that out soon.
Battery Power
The Alexa LF requires 19.5–34V, which created some challenges when choosing a mobile power solution. With Bebob’s battery plate not yet available, our choices were limited to block batteries or AC power.
We ended up testing a custom Hawk-Woods 24V shark fin V-Mount solution, originally made for an older ARRIFLEX SR3 film camera. It worked flawlessly, even though it wasn’t designed for the LF. The only drawback was added weight, but it gave us mobility and freed us from the need to be tethered.
Follow Focus and Accessories
We didn’t have the budget for an ARRI or Preston wireless follow focus system, so we turned to the Tiltamax Nucleus-M. While we were cautious at first, the unit impressed us. No calibration issues, no interference, and solid performance from start to finish. Other gear included SmallHD monitors and a Teradek wireless video system.
Workflow and Image Quality
We shot in ProRes 4444 XQ at 4.5K 2.39:1 using Codex 1TB media. Over two days and four locations, we captured roughly 1TB of footage. Transfer speeds from the Codex drives were among the fastest we’ve worked with. The 12-bit color depth and quality of ProRes 4444 XQ looked amazing — and we were able to edit it smoothly on a midrange 2013 Mac Pro.
While RAW is available on the Alexa LF, ProRes gave us everything we needed in a more manageable format. With fast storage, you can edit full-resolution files straight from camera with no issues.
How the Alexa LF Held Up on Set
Familiarity and Menus
If you’ve used an ARRI before, you’ll feel at home. The Alexa LF shares the same intuitive menu system and layout as the rest of the ARRI family. That familiarity saved us time on set and let us focus on lighting, framing, and performance.
Heat and Reliability
Shooting in Phoenix during the summer isn’t easy. We’ve seen high-end cinema cameras shut down in under five minutes from heat stress. Some even had to be wrapped in ice. The Alexa LF? It kept running — over-cranked, in 110-degree heat, with no signs of overheating. That dependability let us focus on the visuals instead of fighting the gear.
Low Light and Sensor Performance
Thanks to the larger format sensor, we squeezed a few extra takes out of the limited blue hour window. We pushed the LF to 1600 ASA with no noise reduction and found the results comparable to 800 ASA on earlier Alexa models. The sensor gave us a cleaner image, even at higher ISOs.
Final Thoughts on the Alexa LF Test
Yes, it’s a big camera. But once you add accessories to any build, it ends up similar in size and weight to many modern systems. What it gives you in return is image quality, stability, and the kind of planning mindset that helps elevate a project.
Our biggest ongoing need is a dedicated battery solution. The Hawk-Woods rig worked great, but we’re eager to try Bebob’s 24V option when it becomes more available.
If you’re looking for a camera that delivers stunning large-format images, handles heat, and gives you flexibility in post, the Alexa LF is a serious contender.
If you’re interested in renting our Alexa LF for your next project, call us at 602-910-3132 for pricing.
Read our initial Alexa LF camera test for more insights.
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