ARRI Alexa LF Camera Test and First Impressions at VISION5
We recently completed our Alexa LF test here at Vision5. This is ARRI’s newest large format cinema camera, and it’s quickly become one of our favorite tools. The Alexa LF features ARRI’s large format ALEV III sensor, placing it at the top of an already impressive lineup of ARRI cameras.
While the differences weren’t huge, there are several reasons we believe the Alexa LF will become our go-to camera for commercial and feature work.
What’s New With the Alexa LF
One of the biggest upgrades is the sensor. The Alexa LF is ARRI’s first true 4K camera outside of the Alexa 65. That 4K resolution allows it to meet the technical delivery specs required by platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon.
Another standout feature is the wider field of view created by the large format sensor. You still get the shallow depth of field that cinematographers love, but with a more immersive frame. In low light, we noticed the image held up incredibly well, especially in the ISO 1600 to 3200 range. The Alexa LF has a built-in noise reduction feature that smooths the image just slightly. Whether that’s better than a DaVinci Resolve pass is up for debate, but the results looked great straight out of the camera.
Limitations and Tradeoffs
This isn’t a run-and-gun camera. The Alexa LF body weighs about 18 pounds, which puts us back into a more traditional filmmaking mindset. That means dolly, crane, or steadicam setups instead of handheld gimbals. In some ways, it’s a return to form. It forces us to slow down and be more deliberate with our movement, which we actually find refreshing.
The camera also brings a few power challenges. It requires 24V, so your standard V-Mount or Gold Mount batteries won’t work without modification. That said, there are already a few solid options:
- Hawk-Woods makes 26V batteries built specifically for the Alexa LF, with up to 350Wh of capacity.
- Bebob offers high-load 12V batteries with special contact strips, but the LF-compatible plate is still on backorder.
- Wooden Camera developed a solution that allows you to run two 12V batteries in tandem to produce the required 24V.
These options show that support for the LF is growing, and it’s getting easier to integrate into existing workflows.
Lenses and the LPL Mount
When ARRI introduced the LPL mount, some worried that it would limit lens compatibility. That hasn’t been the case in our experience. The PL-to-LPL adapter is easy to use, and it allowed us to shoot comfortably with our Cooke S7/i full frame lenses.
ARRI has confirmed that several major lens manufacturers are already working on native LPL options. That makes us believe this mount could become the next standard.
Looking to the Future
We expect the Alexa LF to become a top choice not just for high-end streaming content, but also for commercials and mid-budget features. More importantly, this camera might help bring back some of the discipline that came with shooting on film.
Have we pushed small camera bodies as far as they can go? Maybe. And maybe now it’s time to swing back the other way. This camera reminds us to think, plan, and create with purpose.
We’ll be sharing another post soon where we test the Alexa LF on a real production set. If you’re interested in renting our ARRI Alexa LF, call us at 602-910-3132 for pricing and availability. Check out our camera rentals page to learn more about using the Alexa LF (Updated: Alexa Mini LF or Alexa 35) in your next project.
Learn more about the ARRI Alexa LF on ARRI’s official site.
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