Alexa M

[Wolfgang Troescher]

Really nice commercial about the new Arri Alexa M, including nice Steadicam-Shots.

 

[Mark Schlicher]

Just saw Zacuto's "Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout" presentation, projected in a theatre. One takeaway for me is that the Canon C300 delivers a picture that can match quite well with an Alexa. Local DP's are using it already as b-camera for Alexa shoots.

 

I didn't expect to like the C300 picture as much as I did, particularly as an 8-bit, low-bitrate camera.

 

Really nice commercial about the new Arri Alexa M, including nice Steadicam-Shots.

 

[William Demeritt]

What were the details of that shoot out? Was it a beauty contest or a triathlon to see what camera could survive the gamut we throw at them?

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

Just saw Zacuto's "Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout" presentation, projected in a theatre. One takeaway for me is that the Canon C300 delivers a picture that can match quite well with an Alexa. Local DP's are using it already as b-camera for Alexa shoots.

 

I didn't expect to like the C300 picture as much as I did, particularly as an 8-bit, low-bitrate camera.

 

Really nice commercial about the new Arri Alexa M, including nice Steadicam-Shots.

 

 

 

Beg to differ. We just shot tests this week with the C300 and it's NOT a match. Infact the Nikon D800 looked better

[Mark Schlicher]

Zacuto's shootout didn't include the Nikon; they declined to participate and provide a camera for the test, as I understand it.

 

"Match quite well" is my subjective description, not intended to imply technical parity. Just that the look and dynamic range held up surprising well, and had a visually pleasing quality that was closer to the Alexa's "look" than many other cameras in the test. My completely subjective opinion, but one that was shared by others in the audience.

 

I'd expected it to look nearly as bad as the Canon 7D that was also tested, but it was miles better.

 

The test consisted of three pre-lit shots on a studio set with actors, designed with very high contrast ratio. Each camera was under the supervision of a separate "master DP", and was shot raw if the camera supported it, or with a scene file/picture profile selected by the DP to maximize the camera's capabilities. The shots were then all "one-light" graded by the colorist and Filmworkers/Chicago.

 

In a second round of tests, the DP's were allowed a limited amount of time to augment the base lighting, to make the most aesthetically pleasing image for their camera, (and control contrast). Then each DP did a supervised grade, including power windows and other capabilites of the colorist's machine, to wring every last ounce of quality they could from the image.

 

All the cameras had a Fujinon cinema zoom except the Canons, because Canon chose to use their own new cinema zoom lens.

 

The presentation was broken up into three sections with discussion in between. The second round of tests was presented "blind".

 

It was projected on the theatre's DLP 2k projector. When they release the presentation online next month, they will include technical data on the camera settings and lighting setups used, including spot readings.

 

They are touring this presentation to several markets in the next few weeks and I recommend checking it out.

 

Just saw Zacuto's "Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout" presentation, projected in a theatre. One takeaway for me is that the Canon C300 delivers a picture that can match quite well with an Alexa. Local DP's are using it already as b-camera for Alexa shoots.

 

I didn't expect to like the C300 picture as much as I did, particularly as an 8-bit, low-bitrate camera.

 

Really nice commercial about the new Arri Alexa M, including nice Steadicam-Shots.

 

 

 

Beg to differ. We just shot tests this week with the C300 and it's NOT a match. Infact the Nikon D800 looked better

[Eric Fletcher S.O.C.]

They are touring this presentation to several markets in the next few weeks and I recommend checking it out.

 

 

Thanks but I'll take shooting a test and then sitting in a Technicolor Color suite and doing split screens over anything that's a traveling roadshow.....

[Bryan Fowler]

Back to Wolf's original topic.

 

I liked that. Seeing how the M is being used, or can be used. What really made sense was the car stuff, on the sword, leg and things like that. The aerials were interesting too, but I don't have the opportunity to do much of that stuff.

 

I can even see using the M for the 3D rig, but I'm still not sure why you'd use it just on regular steadicam. It's heavier right? And not the weight that we normally want. The weight is in a backpack, and then you have to be tethered. A small fiber cable, I know, but still. What am I missing?

 

(I realize that if that's the camera for all the OTHER shots, that's what we use with the steadicam, but this seemed to show off, "hey! you can use the M with the steadicam! All you need is a backpack that you wear over your vest!")

 

Help me out here. I've been wondering this.

[James Davis]

You're not alone in your thoughts Bryan, I get the point of it for everything BUT Steadicam, for 2D use yeah the normal Alexa is great, it's a lovely camera to work with, but for 3D the Epic makes so much more sense.

 

The idea of having to wear a backpack while operating with it and being tethered just seems ridiculous and completely impractical.

Edited May 23, 2012 by James Davis

[Mark Schlicher]

For anyone who is interested, and doesn't have the fortunate opportunity to design and shoot their own tests, I recommend trying to get to a projected screening of the Zacuto tests. Not the same as watching at a grading suite, but of course it's better than watching it on the web.

 

There was no question that the Alexa had a superior image than any of the lower end cameras, with more latitude and very pleasing colorimetry.

 

By the way, I forgot to mention that Bruce Logan, ASC designed and supervised the tests.