Picture this: You’re perched on a mountainside, golden hour approaching. The whole crew is ready and anticipating the words “Drone going up.” Your heavy-lift drone groans under the weight of an ALEXA LF, each minute of flight time precious, each movement constrained by the sheer mass of the system. Is it balanced? Will we get the shot?!
For years, this has been the reality of large format aerial cinematography – beautiful but bounded by physics.
Now ARRI presents an intriguing answer to this challenge: the ALEXA 265.
A New Chapter in the ARRI Legacy
The story of large format cinematography has always been one of compromise – exceptional image quality traded for mobility, dynamic range for practical limitations. The ALEXA 265 promises to rewrite this narrative.
At its heart lies the new ALEV3X Rev B CMOS sensor, promising to carry forward ARRI’s legendary image characteristics:
Sensor Architecture:
- 6.5K resolution (6560 x 3100)
- 15 stops of dynamic range
- Native ISO range: 160-6400
- Dual gain architecture
But numbers tell only part of the story. What catches the eye of experienced cinematographers is the form factor:
- Size: 147 x 163.9 x 199.4 mm (compared to ALEXA 65: 163 mm x 206 mm x 388 mm)
- A mere 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs)
- Two-thirds smaller than its predecessor
The Art of Movement
For those who’ve wrestled with the ALEXA 65 on location, these dimensions represent more than specifications – they suggest new creative possibilities. Imagine documenting a traditional ceremony in a cramped temple, or following athletes through narrow mountain paths. Where the ALEXA 65 demanded careful planning and sometimes compromise, the 265 promises agility.
In aerial cinematography, this transformation could be profound. The reduced weight should mean:
- Extended flight times
- More dynamic camera movements
- Access to smaller, more maneuverable drones – (Large Format FPV flying!)
- Faster setup times in challenging locations
The Science of Image
ARRI’s new REVEAL Color Science builds on decades of expertise. In theory, this means:
- Highlights that transition with film-like subtlety
- Shadow detail that holds texture while keeping noise at bay
- Skin tones that capture the nuances of human complexity
- Colors that remain true even under challenging light
The integrated filter system suggests thoughtful evolution:
- Direct-to-sensor filtration
- Automated metadata recording
- Built-in ND filters up to ND2.7
- Future creative possibilities through new filter options
From Concept to Reality
ARRI’s preliminary footage offers tantalizing glimpses of potential:
- Escape Watch here follows urban athletes, testing the camera’s ability to capture fast movement and contrast
- Pulse Watch here explores dance, challenging the sensor’s ability to render skin tones and motion
- GT40 Watch here showcases automotive cinematography, examining color and reflection handling
Beyond Specifications
The ALEXA 265 represents more than a technological leap – it suggests a fundamental shift in how we approach large format cinematography.
While specifications and test footage hint at its capabilities, the true revelation will come as cinematographers push this tool in unexpected directions. From intimate documentaries to sweeping aerials, the barriers and challenges between vision and execution appear to be thinning.
Share your thoughts on this new tool with us at: teamlula@luminous-landscape.com.
Elevate Your Vision
You may also like
