ARRI ALEXA Mini User manual

ALEXA Mini
Q U I C K G U I D E
30 May 2018
ALEXA Mini
Q U I C K G U I D E
30 May 2018

2 Imprint
Imprint
Copyright
© 2018 Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG. All rights reserved.
No portions of this document may be reproduced without prior written consent of
Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG. Specifications are subject to
change without notice. Errors, omissions, and modifications excepted.
AMIRA, ALEXA, ALEXA XT, ALEXA SXT, ALEXA LF and ALEXA Mini are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs
KG. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders and should be treated as such.
Original version.
NOTICE
This document is a Quick Guide only. For detailed operation instructions, please
refer to the User Manual.
For further assistance
Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG
Tuerkenstr. 89
D-80799 Munich, Germany
E-mail: [email protected]
www.arri.com/service
Document revision history
Document ID: K4.0006947
Version
2.5
2.6
3.0
4.0
4.1
4.2
5.3
Release
K08771
K08877
K08941
K09035
K09086
K09194
K09697
Date
28 May 2015
14 July 2015
02 Nov 2015
23 May 2016
7 June 2016
8 Nov 2016
30 May 2018

Contents 3
Contents
1 For Your Safety / 为了您的安全............................................................. 5
1.1 Risk Levels and Alert Symbols / 危险级别和警示标志.......................... 5
1.2 Vital Precautions / 重要安全措施........................................................... 6
1.3 General Precautions / 般安全措施.........................................................8
2 Audience and Intended Use................................................................. 9
3 Scope of Delivery and Warranty........................................................ 10
4 Camera Layout.....................................................................................11
4.1 Front Connectors................................................................................. 13
4.2 I/O Panel..............................................................................................13
4.3 Media Panel.........................................................................................15
4.4 Product Identification........................................................................... 16
5 Basic Camera Operation.....................................................................17
5.1 Power Supply...................................................................................... 17
5.2 Switching On and Off.......................................................................... 17
5.3 Inserting and Removing a CFast 2.0 Card......................................... 18
5.4 Inserting and Removing USB Medium................................................ 18
5.5 Starting Recording via REC button..................................................... 19
5.6 Multi Viewfinder MVF-1....................................................................... 20
5.7 User Monitor........................................................................................ 22
5.8 Camera Control Panel CCP-1.............................................................22
5.9 Home Screen.......................................................................................23
5.10 Camera Menu......................................................................................24
5.11 Operation without MVF-1 or CCP-1.................................................... 25
5.11.1 Function Button FN and Camera Buttons 1-3...................................25
5.11.2 Web Remote......................................................................................26
5.12 Licensing..............................................................................................27
6 Camera Preparation.............................................................................28
6.1 Changing a Lens................................................................................. 28
6.2 Changing the Lens Mount................................................................... 29
6.3 Mounting the Camera to a Bridge Plate..............................................31
6.4 Mounting and Unmounting the White Radio Antenna......................... 32
6.5 Connecting the MVF-1........................................................................ 33
6.6 Adjusting the MVF-1............................................................................34
6.7 Adjusting the Monitor...........................................................................34
7 Appendix...............................................................................................35
7.1 Supported CFast 2.0 Cards................................................................ 35

4 Contents
7.2 Technical Data..................................................................................... 36
7.3 Declarations of Conformity.................................................................. 38
7.4 Dimensional Drawings.........................................................................40

For Your Safety / 为了您的安全 5
1 For Your Safety / 为了您的安全
Before use, please ensure that all users read, understand and follow the instructions
in this document fully. 使用前，请确保所有的用户都已经阅读、理解，并遵循本文档内
的操作说明。
1.1 Risk Levels and Alert Symbols / 危险级别和警示标
志
Safety warnings, safety alert symbols, and signal words in these instructions indicate
different risk levels:
DANGER!
DANGER indicates an imminent hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will
result in death or serious injury.
WARNING!
WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION!
CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may
result in minor or moderate injury.
NOTICE
NOTICE explains practices not related to physical injury. No safety alert symbol
appears with this signal word.
Note: Provides additional information to clarify or simplify a procedure.
本文档内的安全警告、安全警示标志和标识词语指示不同的危险级别：
危险
危险表示危急、有危害的情景，若不防范，则会导致死亡或严重的伤害。
警告
警告表示有潜在危害的情景，若不防范，则可能会导致死亡或严重的伤害。
小心
小心表示有潜在危害的情景，若不防范，则可能会导致中等或较轻的伤害。
提示
注意表示此行为不会导致人身伤害。因此此标识词语中不含警告标志。
注：注意中会提供用于解释或简化工作的额外信息。

6 For Your Safety / 为了您的安全
1.2 Vital Precautions / 重要安全措施
DANGER!
High voltage! Risk of electric shock and fire!
Short-circuits may entail lethal damage!
Before use, read and follow all valid instructions.
Use solely and exclusively as described in the instructions.
Never open. Never insert objects.
For operation, always use a power source as indicated in the instructions.
Always unplug the power cable by gripping the power plug, not the cable.
Never try to repair. All repair work should be done by a qualified ARRI Service
Center.
Never remove or deactivate any safety equipment (incl. warning stickers or paint-
marked screws).
Always protect from moisture, cold, heat, dirt, vibration, shock, or aggressive
substances.
Never cover any fan openings.
危险
高电压！有触电或起火风险！
短路将引起致命危险。
使用之前，请仔细阅读所有未过期的使用说明，并严格遵循。
切勿打开机身。切入插入任何物体。
操作时，请务必使用说明中指出的电源。
断开电源时请握住电源插头，而不是电线。
切勿尝试自行维修。所有的维修工作必须由具备资质的ARRI 维修中心进行。
切勿移除或毁坏任何安全设施（例如警告贴纸或涂漆标示的螺丝）。
务必避免潮湿、寒冷、炎热、多尘、震动、冲击或严酷的使用环境。
切勿覆盖任何风扇开口。

For Your Safety / 为了您的安全 7
CAUTION!
Condensation! Risk of electric shock and fire!
Condensation may form on the sensor and electrical connections when exposing
the camera to sudden changes of temperature or humidity!
To avoid injury and damage, never operate the camera when condensation occurs.
小心
冷凝！有触电或火灾风险！
当将摄影机暴露于温度或湿度迅速变化的环境中时，影像传感器和电子部件连接处可
能会产 为了您的安全 6 生的冷凝。
为了避免受伤或设备损坏，在冷凝发生时切勿操作摄影机。
CAUTION!
Heavy weight! Risk of injury and damage!
If placed on an unstable surface, the camera can fall and cause serious harm!
Always place the camera on proper support devices. Safely attach it as described
in the instructions.
小心
设备重量较大！有受伤或设备损坏风险！
若安置于不稳定的位置，则摄影机可能会掉落，并造成严重的伤害。
务必将摄影机安装于适当的支撑设备上。请按照说明中所描述的方法来安全地安装摄
影机。
CAUTION!
Hot surfaces! Risk of injury and damage!
During extended operation or operation in high ambient temperatures, the fan outlet
at the camera rear, the CFast drive and the CFast card can get hot.
Never cover, obstruct or block the fan in- or outlets while the camera is powered.
小心
表面极烫！有人身伤害或物品损失危险！
由于长时间使用或在高温环境下使用，摄影机后部的散热口位置、CFast卡槽位
置、CFast卡可能会变得很热。
在摄影机运行时，切勿遮挡、阻塞或覆盖风扇进风口或出风口。

8 For Your Safety / 为了您的安全
1.3 General Precautions / 般安全措施
NOTICE
Even rugged cameras use components sensitive to improper use.
Direct sunlight can result in camera housing temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F). At
ambient temperatures above 25 °C (77 °F), protect the camera from direct sunlight.
Protect the optical system and sensor: Never point the camera or viewfinder into
direct sunlight.
Avoid permanent sensor damage: Never let any direct light or reflections from high-
energy light sources (e.g. laser beams) enter the camera's optical path.
Protect the sensor: Always keep a lens or protective cap on the empty lens mount.
Change lenses in dry, dust-free environments only.
Always clean the sensor cover glass according to ARRI instructions. Instructions
can be downloaded from the ARRI website in the ALEXA download section.
Only use the tools, materials and procedures recommended in this document. For
the correct use of other equipment, see the manufacturer's instructions.
提示
即使本摄影机非常坚固，也是由敏感的组件所组成的，请谨慎使用。
当改变摄影机安装支撑设备或系统时（特别是更换电缆），请务必断开摄影机电源。
注意保护光学系统和影像传感器：切勿将摄影机或取景器直接面朝直射阳光。
避免对影像传感器造成永久性伤害：切勿让任何来自高能量光源（例如激光）的直射
光或反 射光进入摄影机的光路系统。
注意保护影像影像传感器：空镜头卡口上务必安装镜头或保护盖。更换镜头时，务必
在干燥、 无尘的环境中进行。
请完全并仅按照用户手册中所描述的方法来清洁影像传感器保护玻璃。若清洁不成
功，请咨 询ARRI 维修中心。切勿尝试打开保护玻璃。
清洁影像传感器保护玻璃时，务必遵守ARRI说明书中描述的方法。
仅使用本文档中建议使用的工具、材料和操作方法。若要正确地使用其他设备，请参
阅其制 造商的说明书。

Audience and Intended Use 9
2 Audience and Intended Use
NOTICE
The product is solely and exclusively available for commercial costumers and shall
be used by skilled personnel only. Every user should be trained according to ARRI
guidelines.
Use the product only for the purpose described in this document. Always follow the
valid instructions and system requirements for all equipment involved.
The ALEXA Mini is a 35mm digital camera solely and exclusively for recording images
at various resolutions suitable for a variety of distribution formats:
ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 4444, ProRes 4444 XQ,
and ARRIRAW* codec
Rec 709 and Rec 2020 encoding (through use of look files), Log C or ARRIRAW*
encoding
CFast 2.0 card recording
Up to 200 fps with full image quality
35 mm CMOS sensor in 16:9 or 4:3* modes
EVF with OLED eyepiece
Fold-away monitor for both live view and user interface access
Small and lightweight built for high mobility and special applications
* Feature requires licensing.

10 Scope of Delivery and Warranty
3 Scope of Delivery and Warranty
NOTICE
Product and packaging contain recyclable materials. Always store, ship and
dispose according to local regulations.
ARRI is not liable for consequences from inadequate storage, shipment or disposal.
Delivery
On delivery, please check if package and content are intact. Never accept a damaged/
incomplete delivery. A complete delivery includes:
ALEXA Mini camera with lens mount according to order: Titanium PL LDS Mount
with LBUS connector (K2.0003216), AMIRA PL LDS Mount (K2.0001107), EF
Lens Mount (K2.0001103), B4 Lens Mount (K2.0001237)
White Radio Antenna
USB memory stick
3.0 mm Allen key
Quick Guide
Original packaging incl. drying agent
NOTICE
ARRI offers an increasing variety of product bundles and additional accessories.
For details, please consult our website or your local ARRI Service Partner.
Warranty
For scope of warranty, please ask your local ARRI Service Partner. ARRI is not liable
for consequences from inadequate shipment, improper use or third-party products.

Camera Layout 11
4 Camera Layout
Camera Right
3
4
2
1
1Fan Intake
2LBUS Connector
3Integrated WiFi Antenna
4I/O Panel
Camera Left
REC
1
3
4
2
1FN Function Button
2Camera Buttons 1-3
3Record Button
4Camera Status LED
Camera Top
REC
M
VF
2
VF
1
EX
P
PK
1
2
3
4
5
1MAP-1 (K2.0006334)
2MVB-1 (K2.0006140)
3MVF-1 Buttons
4Record Button
5MVF-1 Tally Light

12 Camera Layout
Camera Bottom
1
2
4
3
1MVF-1 Type Label
2MVF-1 PLAY Button
3Camera Type Labels
4LBUS Connector
Camera Front
1
2
3
4
1RMB-3 (K2.0006186)
2Lens Mount
3LBUS Connector
4Audio Connector
Camera Back
1
2
3
8
9
1
0
1
1
4
7
5
6
1Fold-away monitor
2EVF OLED Eyepiece
3Timecode Connector
4White Radio Antenna
5I/O Panel
6Media Panel
7Ethernet Connector
8Boot Status LED
9Power Button
10 Camera Status LED
11 Fan Outlet

Camera Layout 13
4.1 Front Connectors
1
2
1Audio Connector
2LBUS Connector
Audio (5-pin LEMO)
2-channel +24dBu line level audio input. Use the ALEXA Mini Au-
dio connector with cable (K2.0006171) to connect audio sources.
LBUS (4-pin LEMO)
LBUS connector for daisy-chainable LBUS devices such as
cforce mini lens motors, cforce plus lens motors, ARRI Master
Grips and ARRI LCUBE CUB-1. Note: the LBUS connector is on-
ly availble with the Titanium PL Lens Mount (K2.0003216).
4.2 I/O Panel
1
3
2
4
5
6
7
1TC Timecode Connector
2White Radio Antenna Connector
3EVF Connector for MVF-1 or CCP-1
4SDI 1&2 SDI Outputs
5BAT Main Power Connector
6EXT External Connector
7ETH Ethernet Connector

14 Camera Layout
TC (5-pin LEMO)
The TC connector is a 5-pin LEMO socket. It accepts and distrib-
utes LTC (Longitudinal Time Code) signals.
White Radio Antenna Connector
Connector for the white radio antenna. White radio allows for
wireless lens control, lens data communication and remote con-
trol of basic camera functions.
Note: Do not leave the antenna connector open during operation
or transport. The radio module inside could be damaged by elec-
trostatic discharge on the open connector. Use the originally sup-
plied antenna only (K2.0001996).
EVF (16-pin ODU)
The EVF connector connects a MVF-1 or CCP-1 to the camera
and allows for hot-plugging MVF-1 or CCP-1.
SDI 1&2 (BNC)
Both SDI BNC connectors are carrying SDI signals in 1920 x
1080 (422 1.5G, 422 3G, 444 3G) as well as 3840 x 2160 (DL
422 3G, 422 6G, DL 422 6G).
Through a hardware modification, SDI 2 can be reconfigured to a
SYNC IN connector for analog genlock signals (Black burst, Tri-
level sync). Please contact an ARRI camera service center for
more information.
BAT (8-pin LEMO)
The BAT connector is the main power input of the ALEXA Mini
and accepts an input voltage range from 10.5 to 34 V DC.
EXT (7-pin LEMO)
A multi-pin accessory connector for communication with various
accessories, carrying two CAN buses and unregulated accessory
power output at battery voltage level (1.1 A max.). With external
adapter EXT-RS (K2.0006170), R/S functionality is supported.

Camera Layout 15
ETH (10-pin LEMO)
ALEXA Mini uses a 10-pin LEMO connector. Use the ALEXA
Ethernet Cable KC 153-S (K2.72021.0) to connect the Ethernet
connector to a standard RJ-45 Ethernet port.
Note: The ALEXA Remote Control Unit RCU-4 cannot be used
with the ALEXA Mini.
4.3 Media Panel
1
2
3
4
1Card Status LED
2CFast 2.0 Card Slot
3USB Connector
4Media Lid
Card Status LED
The card status LED allows for a quick check of the card status:
Status LED Card State
Off No card inserted
Green Ready to record
Flashing red Recording
Solid red Not ready to record, card full or card invalid
USB Connector
Interface for USB memory sticks with FAT file system. The cam-
era saves data such as user setups, frame grabs and system
logs to the USB memory sticks. The USB port can also be used
to charge USB devices and supplies 5V with a maximum current
of 500mA.
CAUTION!
Hot surfaces! Risk of injury and damage!
During extended operation or operation in high ambient temperatures, the fan outlet
at the camera rear, the CFast drive and the CFast card can get hot.
Never cover, obstruct or block the fan in- or outlets while the camera is powered.

16 Camera Layout
4.4 Product Identification
1
The FCC conformity label and the CE type
label with serial number (1) are located on
the bottom of the camera. The serial num-
ber consists of the last 5 digits of the equip-
ment number K1.0003873-XXXXX.

Basic Camera Operation 17
5 Basic Camera Operation
5.1 Power Supply
The ALEXA Mini accepts an input voltage range from 10.5 to
34 V DC. The camera can be solely powered through the 8-pin
LEMO BAT connector located at the back of the camera. Do not
supply power outside the specified voltage range.
You can use a KC50-S (K2.75007.0) or KC50-SP-S (K2.0001275) power cable or one
of the various on-board adapter plates for V-mount and Gold Mount batteries to supply
the camera with power.
NOTICE
For maximum operation time, always use fully charged batteries with 10.5 to 34 V
DC (50 W minimum).
Always keep the BAT connector accessible so that the cable can be unplugged
quickly in case of emergency. Do not use power cables longer than 4m.
5.2 Switching On and Off
The power button is located at the lower left on the back of the camera. The power
button's background light is illuminated when the power on the BAT connector is in the
valid range.
1
2
3
1Power Button with background illumination
2Boot Status LED
3Camera Status LED
Switching On the Camera
► Press the power button (1).
The camera starts booting. While the camera is booting up, the boot status LED
(2) is flashing blue. As soon as the camera has finished the boot process, the boot
status LED turns to solid blue. During the boot process, the ARRI logo is shown in
the monitor of the MVF-1 and the CCP-1 (if connected).
Switching Off the Camera
► Press and hold the power button (1) until the camera has switched off and the boot
status LED (2) turns off.
On the monitor of the MVF-1 and CCP-1 as well as in the viewfinder and the SDI
outputs, a countdown appears while you press and hold the power button. On
reaching zero, the camera switches off.

18 Basic Camera Operation
5.3 Inserting and Removing a CFast 2.0 Card
2
1
3
1. To insert the card, open the lid (1).
2. Align the card's positive edge (3) facing the camera rear.
3. With the contact pins first, gently insert the card until it
audibly locks (2).
4. Gently close the lid (1). Never force it closed on an un-
locked card.
2
1
1. To remove the card, open the lid (1).
2. Gently push on the card until it unlocks audibly (2).
3. Remove the card.
A list of supported CFast 2.0 cards can be found in the appendix of this document.
NOTICE
ALEXA Mini does not accept ALEXA-formatted CFast 2.0 cards, and vice versa.
Before using a CFast 2.0 card with ALEXA Mini, you must erase it in-camera to
create the required file system.
Avoid damage to the contacts of both camera and card. Always insert cards as
described in this document.
Never change memory cards when recording - this may damage the recorded clip.
5.4 Inserting and Removing USB Medium
The ALEXA Mini saves data such as user setups, frame grabs and system logs to a
USB memory stick. Firmware, additional frame lines and ARRI Look File 2 files can
be loaded onto the camera from the USB memory stick. The USB slot is located at the
back of the camera below the CFast 2.0 card slot. To access the USB slot, open the
media lid.
The USB memory stick needs to be FAT-formatted and requires a special folder
structure in order to work with the camera. This folder structure can be prepared in
camera and the folder preparation will not alter existing folders and files on the USB
medium.

Basic Camera Operation 19
The USB icon in the status section on the HOME screen of the user interface reflects
the USB medium status (useable, read/write, write-protected, invalid).
2
3
1
1. Open the media lid (1).
2. Connect a FAT-formatted USB stick (3) to the camera's
USB slot (2).
You can remove the stick from the camera without unmounting it.
NOTICE
The camera only supports USB memory sticks or pendrives, FAT-formatted with
MBR partition table and with a maximum capacity of 16GB. Hard drives or similar
can not be recognized.
5.5 Starting Recording via REC button
The REC button (1) is located on the left side of the camera, on the MVF-1 and the
Camera Control Panel CCP-1. The camera status LED (2) next to the REC button
reflects the camera's status. Recording can only be started with a valid CFast card
inserted.
RECREC
1
2
1
Camera Status LED
state
Camera State
Solid green Ready for recording
Solid red Recording, Pre-recording
Off Idle and not ready for recording (CFast card is full, no
CFast card is inserted or CFast card is not valid).

20 Basic Camera Operation
Camera Status LED
state
Camera State
Flashing red/green Camera is in an error state.
NOTICE
Pressing the record button returns the MVF-1 user interface to the home screen
and disables the menu access.
Recording disables the home screen buttons for FPS, TC, Shutter, and Look
settings.
Connecting or disconnecting devices or cables while recording can disturb the
audio/image signal due to static electricity.
5.6 Multi Viewfinder MVF-1
1
3
2
4
5 6
7
9
8
1
0
1
1
1User Monitor (Live & UI) 7 M Monitor Button
2 PK Peaking Button 8Proximity Sensor
3 EXP Exposure Tool Button 9Diopter Adjustment
4 VF-1 User Button 10 Screen Buttons
5 VF-2 User Button 11 Jogwheel
6 REC Recording Button
User Monitor (Live View and User Interface)
The 3.2" fold-away monitor with up-and-down tilt function can display the camera
live image or the main user interface, providing full access to camera functions and
menus. Use the monitor button (7) to toggle between live view and user interface.
PK (Peaking Button)
The peaking button activates and deactivates the peaking tool on the viewfinder and
the monitor.
For more information on peaking please refer to the user manual.
EXP (Exposure Tool Button)
The EXP button activates and deactivates the exposure tool for the viewfinder and the
monitor.