Everyone loves the ALEXA and for good reason. It might not boast the 5K specs of the EPIC, but it doesn't need to. ARRI built a camera that's become the industry norm because it's reliable and easy to work with. It also shoots beautiful images. But like most modular cameras out there, it's impractical for the documentary world (a world I spend a lot of time in). Until now. ARRI has just announced the AMIRA, essentially a shoulder-mounted ALEXA.
From the ARRI website:
From the ARRI website:
ALEXA image quality up to 200 fps
AMIRA features the same sensor and exceptional image quality as the ARRI ALEXA, recording superior HD 1080 or 2K pictures that are suitable for any distribution format. With a dynamic range of more than 14 stops, low noise levels, subtle highlight handling, natural color rendering, breathtaking skin tones and speeds of up to 200 fps, AMIRA will deliver beautiful, life-like images in any situation.
AMIRA records Rec 709 or Log C images using ProRes LT, 422, 422HQ or 444 codecs. By recording to in-camera CFast 2.0 flash memory cards with super-quick data rates, the route into postproduction is made as simple as possible. CFast 2.0 is an open format, easily accessible to anyone and delivering a fantastic price-performance ratio through incredible transfer speeds, long recording times and compatibility with standard IT tools. Costs per GB are brought right down and higher-than-broadcast-quality image pipelines are made available even to low budget productions.
Single-user ergonomics -- perfect shoulder balance
AMIRA boots up quickly and can be used straight out of the bag by a single user, with no setting up, no rigging and no delays. In the time it takes to lift the camera to an operator's shoulder, it will be ready to record, making AMIRA perfect for 'run-and-gun' shoots where the action is unpredictable and the camerawork responsive. Integrated, motorized ND filters as well as zebra and false color tools aid exposure control, while an advanced peaking function makes accurate focusing easy and swift.
Access to switches and configurable user buttons is quick and intuitive. An innovative multi-viewfinder makes life even easier for the single user by combining a high resolution OLED eyepiece with a fold-away LCD monitor that displays a live image when the eyepiece is not in use and also provides full access to camera functions, without AMIRA having to be removed from the operator's shoulder. Flexible multi-channel audio options are accessed from the camera right side, again minimizing disturbance to the operator.
No word yet on pricing, although I imagine it'll be well beyond the budgets of all of us documentary filmmakers. Regardless, it's nice to know ARRI was thinking of us.
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