ARRI announces completion of ALEXA SXT development
ARRI is pleased to announce that development of the ALEXA SXT cameras (Super Xtended Technology) is completed.
ARRI will now make good on its promise to provide upgrades to all ALEXA XT EV, ALEXA XT Plus and ALEXA XT Studio cameras shipped in 2015 and 2016. In addition to the originally promised upgrade program of a free-of-charge upgrade to SXT in Munich, ARRI has equipped its service stations in London, Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong and Mumbai to perform the upgrade. For those who received their XT camera before 2015, a paid-for upgrade option to a full SXT is also available.
While keeping the sensor and user interface of the original ALEXA design, the capabilities of ALEXA SXT cameras (ALEXA SXT EV, ALEXA SXT Plus and ALEXA SXT Studio) have been greatly extended. Equipped with the powerful electronics and sophisticated image processing of the ALEXA 65, SXT cameras can manage more recording formats and handle more processor-intensive tasks such as calculating looks with 3D LUTs or color space conversions to Rec 2020, all in real time.
The new ARRI look management offers a wide range of unique looks while making it easy to maintain and share the cinematographer's intended look on set, in dailies and in editing. An optional mild noise reduction helps when shooting in low light.
ALEXA SXT has the most powerful and flexible monitoring features for perfect quality control on set. While all images recorded with ALEXA have been High Dynamic Range since the camera's introduction in 2010, it is now possible to also monitor in HDR. Four independent monitoring outputs (viewfinder and 3x MON OUTs) provide the right image for each crew member, and each of the MON OUTs can output to either a Rec 709 or Rec 2020 monitor.
The new media bay can accept a wide range of media, including SxS PRO cards, SxS PRO+ cards, CFast 2.0 cards, XR Capture Drives and the new, high-performance SXR Capture Drives. All that horsepower allows frame rate increases for various recording formats, and ProRes will be recorded super-safely via a RAID function.
For more information, visit www.arri.com
New SkyPanel Remote & firmware update increase the flexibility & functionality of LED soft lights.
Concurrent with its announcement of the new S120-C fixture, ARRI is extending the versatility of the SkyPanel family with a new handheld remote control unit and a firmware update that brings additional features.
SkyPanel Remote
Inspired by the requests of users, the SkyPanel Remote adds new flexibility and ease-of-use for the popular SkyPanel line of luminaires. This handheld remote connects to any SkyPanel via a USB cable and allows for full control of the fixture remotely. This is particularly useful if the SkyPanel is high up on a light stand or in a position where the onboard control panel is difficult to access.
SkyPanel Firmware 2.5
Alongside the release of the SkyPanel Remote comes a firmware update that brings new features to the SkyPanel, improves the experience of using the remote and adds various other enhancements. SkyPanel Firmware 2.5 introduces five key new features: master/slave mode, expanded gel library and DMX protocol, xy coordinate DMX protocol, battery low voltage warning and control panel lock.
The new master/slave mode allows for one SkyPanel to control several other SkyPanels via DMX. When this mode is enabled, any SkyPanel connected to the master fixture by DMX cable will mimic adjustments made to the master’s control panel. This is an ideal option for smaller applications where a large DMX network and lighting console are not practical. When coupled with the SkyPanel Remote, the master/slave mode becomes a powerful solution to control a small network of fixtures linked together.
Firmware 2.5 expands on the popular gel mode introduced in Firmware 2.0. LEE Filters 700 Series is now implemented in the SkyPanel, bringing 41 new colors into the SkyPanel gel library for an increased total of 318 colors. This expansive palette of well-known colors also has an updated DMX protocol, which allows users to fade between two different gel colors and also to select the way in which the transition between colors is carried out.
The xy coordinate DMX protocol provides a new way to select a color with SkyPanel. Using the familiar CIE 1931 color space chromaticity diagram, this protocol allows users to select x and y coordinates to produce a particular color within that color space. This new mode is useful for advanced applications where selecting a specific point in the CIE 1931 color space is critical.
If using a battery to power the SkyPanel, Firmware 2.5 now gives a warning if the battery voltage has dropped below a user-defined value, taking the guesswork out of battery changes. A lock feature has also been implemented in the SkyPanel control panel, which is turned on and off by holding down the encoder for five seconds.
Other interface enhancements in Firmware 2.5 include large text during CCT or saturation adjustments, better menu layout, and voltage readout on the main screen when a battery is in use.
For more information, visit: https://www.arri.com/lighting/skypanel/products/skypanel_remote/
ARRI expands its range of SkyPanel LED soft lights with the new S120-C, the biggest member of the SkyPanel family
The highly acclaimed ARRI SkyPanel series of LED soft lights is growing, with the new SkyPanel S120-C joining the S60 and S30 family of products. The S120 is twice as long as the S60, but weighs nearly the same. Its larger light aperture makes a great soft light even better. Retaining the same features and color tuneability as its smaller counterparts, the S120 consumes less than 400 watts, yet it is slightly brighter than the S60-C and has an outstanding efficacy of 90 lumens per watt.
A large surface area is a crucial feature of a good soft light. With an aperture of 1290 mm x 300 mm (50.8” x 11.8”), the S120 outputs a beautifully soft, even beam of light that has a wide range of uses. The long aspect ratio wraps light around objects and is perfect for vertical lighting of people. In addition the S120 works well as an overhead light for large areas, with the increased dimensions meaning that fewer lights and less cables are required.
Released alongside the S120 are all the accessories needed for sculpting and controlling the light. Among the S120 accessories are honeycombs, eggcrates, barndoors, diffusion panels, the SkyBender and a new fabric barndoor called the FlexDoor. This wide range of accessories makes the S120 more versatile and easier to control.
For more information, visit: https://www.arri.com/lighting/skypanel/products/s120_c/
New ARRI Master Grips for ultimate handheld control and comfort
Expanding its range of ECS (Electronic Control System) accessories, ARRI announces four new Master Grip handgrips, which offer unprecedented fingertip control of ARRI and third-party cameras and lenses when shooting handheld.
The primary function of traditional cine-style handgrips is to firmly stabilize a camera on the operator’s shoulder. Documentary camera setups include a servo zoom with the handle, allowing certain lens and camera functions to be controlled. In today’s industry, the previously separate worlds of cine and documentary equipment have merged. In addition, small cameras like the ALEXA Mini have a reduced user interface and require external camera controls. This has created demand for solid, cine-style camera handgrips with documentary-style controls.
In response, ARRI has developed the Master Grips, the latest addition to its ECS (Electronic Control System) range. Combining effective camera stabilization with comprehensive lens and camera control, they are available in four versions: right-side and left-side grips, with either a rocker for super-smooth zooming or a thumb wheel for iris or focus adjustments. Lightweight and built to ARRI’s unsurpassed quality standards, the Master Grips are aimed at ALEXA, AMIRA and third-party camera users who want flexible and responsive fingertip control while shooting handheld.
Well-proven design
Based on the classic ARRIFLEX handgrips trusted by generations of filmmakers, the Master Grips follow a proven ergonomic design. With controls that are easy to reach and yet protected from accidental triggering, they allow for prolonged handheld operating without any discomfort or strain. Constructed around a lightweight magnesium cast housing, the Master Grips are solid, rugged and reliable – able to withstand sustained use in harsh shooting environments.
Versatile controls
The Master Grips provide full control of focus, iris and zoom settings on cine lenses, including adjustable motor speed, zoom response and motor limits. They also offer a comfortable way to control the integrated servo motors of ENG and EF lenses (from ALEXA Mini/AMIRA SUP 5.0 – initially only iris support for EF lenses). Mounted on tripod pan arms or studio pedestal heads, the Master Grips can be used as focus and zoom demands for multi-camera setups, such as when using the AMIRA in Multicam mode. Camera control functionality includes user button access and REC start/stop for ARRI and third-party cameras, with the latter requiring the LCUBE CUB-1 accessory, updated with CUB-1 SUP 2.0.
Easy to use
With an intuitive user interface, the Master Grips are easy to set up either via the integrated touchscreen or physical buttons. The controls are fully configurable and a status readout boosts user confidence, with the multilingual display allowing menus and status to be read in English, Chinese, Spanish or German.
Accessories:
LCUBE CUB-2
A miniature signal converter that integrates the 12 pin Hirose ENG protocol into the LBUS ecosystem. It provides two options for iris control: auto-iris from the camera or manual iris from a Master Grip.
Handgrip extensions
Available in three lengths (80 mm / 160 mm / 240 mm) and featuring a lightweight 15 mm tube design, these extensions include a solid steel ARRI rosette and cable clips.
Pan arm adapters
Clamp adapters of various sizes, allowing ARRI Master Grips to be used on all common pan arms, including Sachtler, O’Connor and Vinten.
Rod mounting adapter for AMIRA
The new Rod Mounting Bracket RMB-4 attaches to the top-right of the AMIRA body and holds a standard 15 mm or 19 mm rod. It provides a solid mount for lens motors while retaining free back-and-forth movement of the sliding shoulder pad, viewfinder and handle for optimized shoulder balance.
Master Grip case and cables
The sturdy, compact and purpose-designed case can safely hold a set of two Master Grips, three motors, handgrip extensions, LCUBE converters and cables. A new set of cables, in dedicated lengths and with angled connectors, provides optimized cabling solutions for the Master Grips.
For more information, please visit https://www.arri.com/camera/pro_camera_accessories