ALEXA 65 is a turnkey capture and workflow solution. More than just a 65 mm digital cinema camera that delivers exceptionally high quality images, ALEXA 65 is a complete large-format system, offering custom-designed prime lens, zoom lens and workflow solutions for high-end theatrical motion pictures.

The camera is about the same size and weight as an ALEXA XT Studio.

At the heart of the ALEXA 65 is the A3X sensor; the largest high-performance motion picture sensor available on the market today. The sensor has a 54.12 mm x 25.58 mm active imaging area, which is even larger than the film gate of ARRI’s 765 65 mm film camera.
 
The maximum recordable resolution from the A3X sensor is 6560 x 3100 photosites, with a dynamic range of more than 14 stops. The sensor design is based on the same photosite technology as the ALEXA XT, therefore image attributes such as colorimetry and dynamic range will match well with any member of the ALEXA family. This allows productions the freedom to mix the use of 35 mm format ALEXA XT cameras with the larger 65 mm format ALEXA 65, without having to worry about adopting different workflows or any additional color correction of images in postproduction.

The ALEXA 65 is only available for rent through the ARRI Rental organization.

Not at all. While the ALEXA 65 offers the incredible image of the 65 mm format, for most feature films, TV series or commercials, the Super 35 format of the ALEXA XT remains a great solution.
 
The ALEXA 65 is yet another tool in the filmmakers arsenal of ALEXA cameras, a tool for high-end application. One also needs to consider the need for special 65 mm lenses, faster recording media and adequate workflow tools.

Since it was launched the ALEXA 65’s capabilities have been extended through pioneering technology advances. The system now supports 2TB SXR capture drives as a recording medium, offering 43 minutes of recording time at the full 6560 x 3100 sensor resolution. The SXR technology also permits groundbreaking read and write speeds, enabling 60 fps full resolution ARRIRAW recording, plus faster offload rates, delivering a quick, cost-effective and streamlined workflow solution via the Vault S65 and the Vault XL65 systems.

No. The ALEXA 65 only records ARRIRAW.

Yes. ALEXA 65 can be configured in exactly the same way as an ALEXA XT. On-set ARRI Look File support and CDL works the same as ALEXA XT too.

The ALEXA 65 is a standard 24 V camera system, and as such, uses the same block battery solutions as the ALEXA XT.

The higher performance A3X sensor and higher bandwidth signal processing of the ALEXA 65 requires a little more cooling at the front end, compared to a regular ALEXA XT. These additional fans run very quietly and are modeled on the standard ALEXA fan system; therefore they have no contact with any of the cameras internal electronics.
 
In addition, the same sensor temperature control method is used on ALEXA 65 as with any member of the ALEXA family. The sensor is actively maintained at a constant temperature to ensure accurate and trusted image performance under all environmental conditions.

It is HD, 1920 x 1080, to be compatible with the currently used on-board and on-set monitors.

ARRI Rental have exclusively commissioned a brand new range of 65 mm prime and zoom optics, which utilize Hasselblad lens elements from the world-renowned HC series of large-format lenses.
 
To create a truly class-leading 65 mm cinema lens look and feel, these lens elements have been re-housed in robust and uniform lens barrels, co-developed with IB/E Optics to our own design specifications – including a new iris system for the prime lenses, and a new focus/iris/zoom control mechanism for the zoom lens. These lenses use a new proprietary XPL mount system with LDS functionality. However, the ALEXA 65 XPL lens mount is modular in design and will allow for adaptation to other medium-format lenses in the future.
 
This new Prime 65 lens series delivers unparalleled MTF, excellent contrast and geometry, and no chromatic aberrations or focus breathing. Usability and environmental ruggedness is comparable to that of the ARRI/Zeiss Master Prime lenses.
 
Additionally, a Vintage 765 lens range, originally developed to partner the ARRIFLEX 765, has been adapted for use with the ALEXA 65. These lenses provide a classic filmic look with a gradual, soft roll-off across the image – perfect for creating a softer look that is complimentary to the new Prime 65 and Zoom 65 lenses.

The ALEXA 65 is fitted with a brand new proprietary XPL lens mount, supporting the Prime 65 and Zoom 65 lenses, as well as the Vintage 765 range. ARRI Rental is currently looking at other lens and lens mount options and will make further announcements in due course.

At present, there are eight lenses within the Prime 65 range and one Zoom 65. The Prime 65 series offers focal lengths from 24 mm to 300 mm, with apertures from T2.2 to T4.8, while the Vintage 765 lens range offers 11 focal lengths from 30 mm to 350 mm.

Prime 65 & Zoom 65 Lens Range

Vintage 765 Lens Range

Additional prime and zoom lenses, as well as other optical accessories are planned for 2015.

As a scaled up version of the ALEXA XT, the ALEXA 65 employs the same on-set support with regards to color management and display technology. The ALEXA 65 has two separate HD monitoring outputs and also uses the same Look and CDL functionality as the ALEXA XT.

ARRI Rental have partnered with Codex to deliver a rapid, cost-effective ARRIRAW workflow for the ALEXA 65. Initially, the camera can use the same 512GB XR capture drives as the ALEXA XT but a new, pioneering recording technology co-developed with Codex now means that the ALEXA 65 supports 2 TB SXR capture drives, offering 43 minutes of recording time at the full 6560 x 3100 sensor resolution.
 
The new SXR capture drive technology, which will also feature in ARRI’s new-generation ALEXA SXT cameras, offers very high recording data rates and facilitates a faster offload time, delivering a quicker, cost-effective and more streamlined workflow solution with the Vault S65 and the Vault XL65 systems. Both can transfer, store and review ALEXA 65 material on-set, near-set or in a post facility based on production needs.

 
Vault S65
 
The Vault S65 is designed for use on, or near set as the hub of a file-based workflow. The Vault S65 platform integrates world-class image science and high quality processing into a modular design that means it can be customized for any project. It is rugged in design and can be DC powered, running off standard 24 V camera batteries, which makes the Vault S ideal for location-based productions.
 
As with traditional Vault systems, the Vault S65 comprises of a series of configurable modules.

• Transfer module
  • Contains readers for the media from the ALEXA 65 and all other ARRI digital cameras
  • Clones original camera data quickly with full check-sum verification
• Storage module
  • Contains 8 TB solid state transfer drives that are raid protected and robust: ideal for moving data from set to post
• Review module
  • Allows playback of original camera material on a high resolution calibrated display with the correct look and at the right frame rate
  • A full color pipeline, including support for ACES. Use real-time, non-destructive, primary grading tools or apply pre-made LUTs

 
Vault XL65
 
Based on a Codex Vault XL platform, the new ARRI Rental Vault XL65 is the workflow workhorse behind the ALEXA 65 and can render out full ALEXA 65 Open Gate 6.5K ARRIRAW in near real time, as well as simultaneously produce dailies for offline use. The Vault XL65 can also downscale to 4K or 2K depending on the workflow pipeline required.
 
The system is a rack-mounted, network attached device that is ideal for a near-set or postproduction configuration. It contains multiple CPU and GPU cores for parallel processing of data and network storage. This provides fast access to files and allows for easy administration and integration into an existing facility infrastructure. Along with near real-time processing of ALEXA 65 Open Gate material, the Vault XL65 can also play back original camera material to a calibrated display at the highest resolution, with the correct look and at the right frame rate.
 
With a sophisticated timeline and user friendly interface the QC of original camera material can be carried out efficiently, while also generating detailed QC reports for production use. The system also includes a full color pipeline, including support for ACES, and uses non-destructive, primary grading tools to create new color decisions or simply apply pre-made LUTs.
 
Most importantly a powerful GPU processing engine can transcode to all the formats required for dailies at speeds far greater than real time.
 
The Vault XL65 also has the ability to archive to dual LTO tapes with full verification, using the industry-standard LTFS format.

Referring to the tables below, when recording full resolution Open Gate 6560 x 3100 ARRIRAW at 24 fps, the ALEXA 65 generates around 2.6 terabytes of data per hour. This is almost three times more than an ALEXA XT in Open Gate mode.
 
Alternatively, the ALEXA 65 will support two cropped recording modes; 1.78:1 (5120 x 2880) and 1.50:1 (4320 x 2880). In these lower resolution modes the camera generates less data. The ALEXA 65 therefore has the flexibility to support a variety of production requirements and workflow needs.