ARRI ALEXA User manual

Pocket Guide

2
Table of Contents
ALEXA Pocket Guide
ALEXA Overview 4
Introduction / Preparing a Shoot 4
Main Features 6
Exposure 8
Exposure Index 8
False Color Exposure Check 10
ND filters with ALEXA 11
Operation 12
Home Screen 13
Home Screen Icons 15
Camera Right Side Controls 16
Buttons & Menu Map 18
Output Options 28
Output Overview 28
ProRes 29
ARRIRAW 30
Gamma: Log C, Rec 709 and DCI P3 31
About Log C 33
Table of Contents
ALEXA Plus

3
Table of Contents
Gamma Settings Restrictions 35
Metadata Overview 36
Technical Data 38
ALEXA 38
ALEXA Plus 45
Dimensions 46
ALEXA 46
ALEXA Plus 49
ARRI Lenses 52
ARRI/ZEISS Master Primes 52
ARRI/ZEISS Ultra Primes 54
ARRI/ZEISS LDS Ultra Primes 56
ARRI/Fujinon Alura Zooms 58
ARRI/ZEISS Master Macro 100 60
Resources and Contacts 62
Service Contacts 62
Sales Contacts 64
Internet Resources & Tools 66
ALEXA

4
ALEXA Overview
ALEXA Overview
Welcome to the ALEXA and ALEXA Plus Pocket
Guide, which provides key information for
preproduction and production on an ALEXA shoot.
While the guide does contain a lot of technical
information, it is important to note that the ALEXA
platform has been designed to be as user-friendly as
possible. The menu system and ergonomic controls
are both simple and intuitive, so in many ways the
best way to learn ALEXA is to get your hands on the
real thing. However, carrying this guide with you
and combining it with other resources such as the
interactive ALEXA Online Simulator at arridigital.com
will ensure your readiness to take full advantage of
the camera’s unique and versatile features.
Be sure to discuss your workflow and choice
of gamma and recording format with your
postproduction team. To avoid surprises, it is
critical to test your chosen settings and the
complete workflow before the shoot itself; some of
the tasks previously performed by a lab will have to
be relocated to other places in the digital workflow.
We highly recommend that you make at least one
backup immediately after an on-board SxS PRO card
is removed from the camera. Moreover, it is advisable
to capitalize on the immediacy of digitally captured
material by having someone look at the footage as
soon as possible for quality control.
Introduction Preparing a Shoot

5
ALEXA Overview

6
■ Multiple output options
- ProRes, ARRIRAW and HD-SDI
- Log C, Rec 709 or DCI P3
- audio and metadata recording
■ Apple ProRes
- onto SxS PRO cards
- all five Apple ProRes codecs
■ ARRIRAW
- best format for 2K deliverables
- best quality for VFX productions
- greatest flexibility in post
- best option for archiving
■ HD-SDI
- integrates into existing HD infrastructures
- configurable HD-SDI outputs
ALEXA Overview
Main Features
■ Film-like, organic look
- extended, clean highlights
- extremely low noise floor
- natural skin tones
- excellent color separation
- cinematic depth of field
■ Wide exposure latitude of 14 stops
■ EI 800 base sensitivity (EI 160 to EI 3200)
■ Sharp, natural images for 2K and HD
Exceptional Image Performance Efficient and Versatile Workflows

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■ Compatibility with industry standards
- PL mount lenses
- HD-SDI, ProRes, SxS PRO cards
- Gold mount or V-lock on-board batteries
- 12 or 24 V power inputs and outputs
- support for third party on-board recorders
- support for ARRIRAW by third party post tools
■ Numerous upgrade options
- upgradable Storage Interface Module
- upgradable Electronics Interface Module
- Exchangeable Lens Mount (ELM)
- easy and powerful software upgrades
■ Rugged and reliable
■ Simple and safe operation
■ Well balanced, ergonomic design
■ Carefully considered details
■ Precision sync for 3D
■ Compatible with existing accessories
■ Worldwide ARRI service network
ALEXA Overview
Open, Future-proof ArchitectureARRI Product Quality

8
Exposure
Exposure
EI 160 EI 200
18% Gray
5.3 Stops
8.7 Stops
EI 400
18% Gray
6.3 Stops
7.7 Stops
EI 800
18% Gray
7.4 Stops
6.6 Stops
EI 1600
18% Gray
8.4 Stops
5.6 Stops
EI 3200
18% Gray
9.4 Stops
4.6 Stops
18% Gray
5.0 Stops
9.0 Stops
While ALEXA’s 14 stops of exposure latitude and
unique highlight handling approaches that of film,
there is one major difference between the way film
and digital cameras behave: with digital cameras,
a change in EI will shift how many stops are available
above and below 18% grey – each EI step shifts the
location of 18% grey. What is special about ALEXA,
however, is that its wide exposure latitude which is
available at all EI settings, and not just at one
EI sensitivity setting.
Exposure Index

9
Exposure
As a shortcut, we have come up with the following
method of writing ALEXA’s exposure index:
Values behind the exposure index are the number of
stops above and below 18% grey. These values are
for Log C. Rec 709 and DCI P3 have 0.5 stops fewer
in the low end at EI 160, 0.4 stops fewer in the low
end at EI 200 and 0.2 stops fewer in the low end at
EI 400. Otherwise they are the same.

10
Exposure
False Color Exposure Check
The false color exposure check for the electronic
viewfinder and/or MON OUT output measures the
camera image, tints certain signal levels in a distinct
color and shows the rest as a black and white image.
Please note that the camera‘s measurements are
based on a Rec 709 or P3 gamma. When shooting
in Log C, the false color exposure check will also
use Rec 709 or P3 gamma (whichever had been
activated before). Rec 709, P3 and Log C share very
similar levels for middle grey, but differ in the bright
and dark areas as Log C has some additional range
beyond what the false color exposure check indi-
cates. Looking at it from the other side: if the false
color exposure check indicates that you are OK in
Rec 709 or P3, you are also going to be OK in Log C.
What Signal Level Color
White clipping 100% - 99% red
Just below white clipping 99% - 97% yellow
One stop over medium gray (Caucasian skin) 56% - 52% pink
18% medium gray 42% - 38% green
Just above black clipping 4.0% - 2.5% blue
Black clipping 2.5% - 0.0% purple

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Exposure
Depending on the subject matter in front of the
camera, you can use regular ND filters up to an
ND 0.9. Beyond that, we recommend the use of
ND filters that also attenuate the far red spectrum
or the use of ND filters plus a separate filter that
attenuates the far red spectrum. The use of only
ND filters beyond ND 0.9 can lead to some black
fabrics, especially synthetics, being recorded with
a reddish/brown tint. The denser the ND filter in
front of the camera, the more important it is to
also attenuate the far red spectrum. Filters that
reduce the far red spectrum, as well as such filters
in combination with ND filters, are available from
a number of manufacturers. A single filter that
combines an ND and a far red cut off usually
yields better results than multiple stacked filters.
ND lters with ALEXA

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Operation
Operation
Home Screen

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Operation
Home Screen Center Bar
TC Displays current time code including
source (INT=internal or EXT=external
source). Frames are not displayed,
instead the time base of the time code
is shown in small digits.
MASTER Camera is set to Ext sync: MASTER
SLAVE Camera is set to Ext sync: SLAVE
Settings sync is active
BAT 1 Voltage level of power source present
at BAT connector, or percentage of
remaining capacity of attached battery
if it transmits this information.
BAT 2 Voltage level of battery attached to
top and/or back onboard battery
adapter, or percentage of remaining
capacity of attached battery if it
transmits this information.
REEL Identifies current reel. Consists of
camera index and reel counter.
CLIP Identifies current clip. Consists of
clip index and clip counter.
DUR Duration of current clip during
recording or length of last recorded
clip during standby. Shown as
h:mm:ss.

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Operation
Home Screen Center Bar
• STBY The camera is in standby and
ready to record.
• REC The camera is recording.
• ERROR An error occured. Recording is not
possible. Press the INFO button
for more info.
If nothing is shown, the camera
works properly, but no SxS PRO
card is present for recording.
CARD section Displays capacity information of
SxS PRO cards.
SxS 1 10MIN Capacity of currently active card in
minutes. Calculated for currently set
frame rate and codec.
Note: since ProRes is a variable bit
rate codec, these are only approximate
values.
Green capacity bar showing
remaining capacity as a percentage.
Grey if card slot is empty.
Red if card cannot be recorded.
Press the INFO button for more info.
< Marks the active card.

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Operation
Name Icon Description
General Important information
Warning waiting on the info
screen. Press the INFO
button for more info.
General An error occurred.
Error Press the INFO
button for more info.
Temperature Small sensor
Warning temperature offset.
Image quality might
be affected.
Temperature Large sensor
Error temperature offset.
Image quality might be
affected seriously.
Name Icon Description
Lock Camera is locked.
SD Card SD Card present.
Turns orange when
card is accessed.
Grab Stil frame is currently
captured to the SD card.
A new still frame can
only be captured when
this is completed.
Tropical Sensor is in tropical
Mode mode (=40° C
sensor temperature)
Home Screen Icons

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Operation
ALEXA

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Operation
ALEXA Plus

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Operation
Buttons & Menu Map – ALEXA & ALEXA Plus
RECORDING MONITORING
SxS Cards >>
Codec (ProRes 422 Proxy/ProRes 422 LT/ProRes 422/
ProRes 422 HQ/ProRes 4444)
Dual Recording (On/Off)
Quick format SxS Card 1
Quick format SxS Card 2
Erase SxS Card 1
Erase SxS Card 2
REC OUT >>
Framerate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30/48/50/59.94/60fps)
HD-SDI format (422 1.5G SL/DL/3G SL/444 1.5 DL/
ARRIRAW 1.5G DL)
Scan format (psf/p)
Output range (Legal/Extended/Raw)
REC OUT fps sets sensor fps (On/Off)
SDI remote (On/Off)
Vari flag (On/Off)
SYSTEM
Sensor >>
Sensor temperature (Standard/Tropical)
Power >>
BAT1 (Plug) warning (11.0-30.0V; 21.0V)
BAT2 (Onboard) warning (11.0-30.0V; 12,0V)
Display >>
Display button brightness (1-8)
Button brightness (Off/Low/Medium/High)
System clock/date >>
set date and time
External sync >>
Eye index (R/L)
Sensor sync (Off/EXT master/slave/RET slave)
HD out phase (+/- 30 clocks; 0 clocks)
Send HD sync trigger >
Settings sync (Off/ETH master/slave)
Run beeper >>
Mode (Off/Start/Stop/Start+Stop)
Firmware >>
select update file
PROJECT
FRAMEGRABS
USER SETUPS
Set RGB file format (Jpeg/Tiff/Dpx/Ari)
Grabbed images inherit REC OUT settings!
Ari only possible, when REC OUT = ARRI RAW
Save current setup
Load setup
Factory reset
Project frame rate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30fps)
Camera index (A-Z)
Next reel count (001-999)
Production info Production info >>
Director
Cinematographer
Location
Production
User info 1
User info 2
Electronic viewfinder >>
Brightness (1-5)
Rotate image (On/Off)
Smooth mode (On/Off)
Status info (On/Off)
Surround view (On/Off)
Surround mask (Black line/Color line/Mask 25%/50%/75%)
Frame lines (On/Off)
Center mark (Off/Dot/Cross)
MON OUT >>
Framerate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30/48/50/59.94/60fps)
Scanformat (psf/p)
Status info (On/Off)
Surround view (On/Off)
Surround mask (Black line/Color line/Mask 25%/50%/75%)
Frame lines (On/Off)
Center mark (Off/Dot/Cross)
False Color (On/Off)
Framelines >>
Frame line 1 (choose/add/delete; ARRI-178)
Frame line 2 (choose/add/delete; Off)
User rectangles (Off/Rect 1/Rect2/Rect 1&2)
Color (Red/Green/Blue/Yellow/Black/White)
Intensity (1-4)
Set rect 1
Set rect 2 Set rect 1/2 >>
Top, Bottom, Left, Right (0 — 1000)
MENU

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Operation
ALEXA SUP 3.0/3.1
underlined values
represent the factory reset.
RECORDING MONITORING
SxS Cards >>
Codec (ProRes 422 Proxy/ProRes 422 LT/ProRes 422/
ProRes 422 HQ/ProRes 4444)
Dual Recording (On/Off)
Quick format SxS Card 1
Quick format SxS Card 2
Erase SxS Card 1
Erase SxS Card 2
REC OUT >>
Framerate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30/48/50/59.94/60fps)
HD-SDI format (422 1.5G SL/DL/3G SL/444 1.5 DL/
ARRIRAW 1.5G DL)
Scan format (psf/p)
Output range (Legal/Extended/Raw)
REC OUT fps sets sensor fps (On/Off)
SDI remote (On/Off)
Vari flag (On/Off)
SYSTEM
Sensor >>
Sensor temperature (Standard/Tropical)
Power >>
BAT1 (Plug) warning (11.0-30.0V; 21.0V)
BAT2 (Onboard) warning (11.0-30.0V; 12,0V)
Display >>
Display button brightness (1-8)
Button brightness (Off/Low/Medium/High)
System clock/date >>
set date and time
External sync >>
Eye index (R/L)
Sensor sync (Off/EXT master/slave/RET slave)
HD out phase (+/- 30 clocks; 0 clocks)
Send HD sync trigger >
Settings sync (Off/ETH master/slave)
Run beeper >>
Mode (Off/Start/Stop/Start+Stop)
Firmware >>
select update file
PROJECT
FRAMEGRABS
USER SETUPS
Set RGB file format (Jpeg/Tiff/Dpx/Ari)
Grabbed images inherit REC OUT settings!
Ari only possible, when REC OUT = ARRI RAW
Save current setup
Load setup
Factory reset
Project frame rate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30fps)
Camera index (A-Z)
Next reel count (001-999)
Production info Production info >>
Director
Cinematographer
Location
Production
User info 1
User info 2
Electronic viewfinder >>
Brightness (1-5)
Rotate image (On/Off)
Smooth mode (On/Off)
Status info (On/Off)
Surround view (On/Off)
Surround mask (Black line/Color line/Mask 25%/50%/75%)
Frame lines (On/Off)
Center mark (Off/Dot/Cross)
MON OUT >>
Framerate (23.976/24/25/29.97/30/48/50/59.94/60fps)
Scanformat (psf/p)
Status info (On/Off)
Surround view (On/Off)
Surround mask (Black line/Color line/Mask 25%/50%/75%)
Frame lines (On/Off)
Center mark (Off/Dot/Cross)
False Color (On/Off)
Framelines >>
Frame line 1 (choose/add/delete; ARRI-178)
Frame line 2 (choose/add/delete; Off)
User rectangles (Off/Rect 1/Rect2/Rect 1&2)
Color (Red/Green/Blue/Yellow/Black/White)
Intensity (1-4)
Set rect 1
Set rect 2 Set rect 1/2 >>
Top, Bottom, Left, Right (0 — 1000)
MENU

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Operation
SHUTTER
COLOR
EI
AUDIO
FPS
set Sensor Speed (0.75 fps - 60fps; 24fps)
add/delete value
SxS Codec (MENU > RECORDING > SxS CARDS)
SxS Info (INFO > SxS CARDS)
REC OUT (MENU > RECORDING > REC OUT)
set ExposureIndex (160ASA - 3200ASA; 800ASA)
set Gamma for
SxS (REC709, DCI P3, LOGC)
REC OUT (REC709, DCI P3, LOGC, ARRIRAW)
MON OUT (REC709, DCI P3, LOGC)
EVF (REC709, LOGC)
LOG C film matrix (On/Off)
set Shutter Angle (5.0° - 358.0°; 180°)
add/delete value
see calculated exposure time
set WhiteBalance (2000K - 11000K; 5600K;
and CC SHIFT)
add/rename/delete value
WB
HOME
Audio OUT >>
L+/- (Phones Level +/-)
R+/- (Phones Level +/-)
Options
Audio IN > Options >>
Record (on/off)
Channel 1/2 level (manual/unity)
Channel 1/2 source (L/R in)
Soundroll (=Tape) (edit name)
Audio OUT
CH1+/- (level +20/-10)
CH2+/- (level +20/-10)
Options
Audio OUT > Options >>
Channel 1 monitor (None, L/R out, L&R out)
Channel 2 monitor (None, L/R out, L&R out)
Audio OUT level (Manual, Unity max.)
USER BUTTON ASSIGNMENT SxS PLAYBACK
BUTTON LOCK
locks HOMESCREEN,
MENU, PLAY, TC and INFO;
also locks the buttons on EVF!
SYSTEM INFORMATION
LIVE INFO
VERSION
SxS CARDS
SYSTEM
SAVE TO SD
FPS INFO
TIMECODE
set Button 1, 2, 3 >>
None
MON OUT surround
MON OUT gamma
MON OUT framelines
MON OUT status info
MON OUT false color
Frame lines color
EVF surround
EVF gamma
EVF frame lines
EVF status info
EVF zoom
EVF false color
Grab still frame
Toggle SxS
Check last clip
Circle clip
set Button 4, 5 >>
None
MON OUT surround
MON OUT gamma
MON OUT framelines
MON OUT status info
MON OUT false color
Frame lines color
Toggle SxS
Format Card1
Format Card2
CLIPLIST
LIVE
Options
Play/Pause
CIRCLE CLIP
PLAY Options >>
Clip end action (Stop/Pause/Loop)
Show frame lines (On/Off)
Status info on MON OUT (On/Off)
TC Options >>
Source (Int TC/Ext LTC)
Mode (Rec run/Free Run)
Generator (Regen/Jam Sync)
User bit source (Internal/LTC in UB)
SET TC (SET 2 TIME/RESET/MANUAL)
Options
Userbits (set Userbits)
Project (Menu > Project)
USER
PLAY INFO
TC
LOCK
save Framegrab to SD Card
GRAB
Buttons & Menu Map – ALEXA & ALEXA Plus
ALEXA SUP 3.0/3.1 underlined values represent the factory reset.