ARRI has announced the availability of Software Update Package LF SUP 3.0 for the ARRI ALEXA LF camera. LF SUP 3.0 provides new features, supports new hardware and includes important bug fixes. Let’s have a look at the main features.

ARRI is releasing the “ALEXA LF 3.0 SW & HW Upgrade”, a package of free-of-charge software and hardware upgrades that provides significant new features and performance improvements for the ALEXA LF.

Support for ALEXA Electronic Viewfinder EVF-2

The new EVF-2 requires ALEXA LF Software Update Packet LF SUP 3.0.

The EVF-2 described by ARRI: “Since the display used in the EVF-1 has been discontinued, a new view finder – the EVF-2, has been developed to accompany the ALEXA LF. While maintaining its predecessor’s proven robustness, reliability and ergonomics, the EVF-2 is equipped with a new display with full HD resolution and higher contrast, improving the operator’s ability to judge focus and dynamic range”

Since the display used in the EVF-1 has been discontinued, a new view finder – the EVF-2, has been developed to accompany the ALEXA LF. While maintaining its predecessor’s proven robustness, reliability and ergonomics, the EVF-2 is equipped with a new display with full HD resolution and higher contrast, improving the operator’s ability to judge focus and dynamic range

Furthermore, EVF-2 include a new glass eyepiece based on the ARRICAM design for a cleaner image which is free of distortions, and which allows greater freedom of movement for the operator through a wider exit pupil, means this EVF is more user friendly than EVF-1.

Important:

ALEXA LF cameras from now on will come with the EVF-2. ALEXA LF cameras with LF SUP 3.0 are compatible with EVF-1 and EVF-2.

Owners of ALEXA LF/EVF-1 can acquire the EVF-2 by trading in their EVF-1 and paying half the EVF-2 list price.

LF SUP 3.0 highlights:

Support for Electronic View finder EVF-2

Support for SxS PRO+ 256 GB cards

Support for battery adapters BAB-HG & BAB-HV

MAGNIFICATION for EVF-1/2 & MON OUT

Six ZOOM positions for EVF-1/2 & MON OUT

Simplified global anamorphic de-squeeze

Monitor identification

Improved Noise Reduction

MAGNIFICATION for EVF-1/2 & MON OUT

As with the ALEXA 65, a MAGNIFICATION feature sets a persistent magnification for each of the four monitoring output paths (EVF and MON OUT 1, 2 and 3), so the intended target image can be enlarged as desired on EVF and monitors. This feature is based on extensive ALEXA LF user feedback from the field. The new MAGNIFICATION feature sets a persistent magnification for each of the four monitoring outputs paths (EVF and MON OUT 1, 2 and 3), so the intended target image can be as big as desired on EVF and monitors.

Supported Recording Media

ALEXA LF SUP 3.0 fully supports SxS PRO+ 256 GB (SBP-256D, SBP-256E) cards. Please note that as with all ALEXA cameras, SxS PRO+ cards will only record ProRes, not ARRIRAW.

ZOOM feature improved

The existing ZOOM feature, designed for a temporary zoom-in to quickly check focus, is improved with six user-settable target areas, which can be easily accessed through new ZOOM user buttons.

Anamorphic de-squeeze ratio simplified

Setting the anamorphic de-squeeze ratio has been simplified and it is now possible to quickly identify which MON OUT a given monitor is connected to. It is now possible to globally set one de- squeeze ratio in the PROJECT settings. This de-squeeze ratio can be activated or deactivated individually for each of the four monitoring image paths (EVF, MON OUT 1, 2, 3). This de-squeeze ratio will be recorded in metadata and used for automatic de-squeeze in the ARRIRAW Converter and other post production tools.



Improved Noise Reduction



ARRI says that the ARRI Noise Reduction (ANR) algorithm has been improved and results now in lower black levels than in LF SUP 2.0/2.1.

ARRI says that while updating the camera, ARRI Service will also install the latest version of the upcoming ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) software, which improves the reliability and signal robustness of the integrated wireless video transmitter.

Important notes

Please note that the new LF SUP 3.0 software requires a hardware board inside the camera to be exchanged – this is needed to support the SxS PRO+ 256 GB cards. Furthermore, SUP 3.0 will not run without the new board. The “ALEXA LF 3.0 SW & HW Upgrade” is available free- of-charge from ARRI Service, but in order to update you need to contact ARRI Service to schedule an appointment.

For more info you can check out the ALEXA LF SUP 3.0 release notes. Read all of it and scroll to the end of the release note to discover the “Known Issues”, just FYI.

Have you tried the EVF-2? Did you upgrade to SUP-3? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.