ARRI ALEXA LF Review

The ARRI ALEXA LF represents ARRI's first step into large-format cinematography, expanding the company's legendary ALEXA line with a sensor that captures the full potential of modern cinema glass. With an Open Gate mode of 4448 x 3096 and native support for anamorphic workflows, the LF delivers the shallow depth of field and cinematic character that high-end productions demand. Its 14+ stops of dynamic range, paired with 16-bit linear processing and ARRIRAW internal recording, maintain the image quality and color science ARRI is known for across features and episodic work.

The camera offers flexible recording options, from ARRIRAW at up to 150 fps in 2.39:1 anamorphic mode to ProRes flavors for more manageable file sizes. The integrated FSND filter system (ND 0.3 to 2.4) and built-in wireless video transmission streamline on-set workflows, while the LPL mount accommodates ARRI's Signature Primes and other large-format optics. At nearly $100,000, the ALEXA LF is an investment reserved for rental houses and established productions, but it delivers the image fidelity and reliability that justify its place at the top of the cinema camera hierarchy.