Radiant Images Adds ALEXA Plus 4:3 to Stable of Leading-Edge Digital Cinema Cameras

LA-based rental house known for digital cinema innovations

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2013) – The newest addition to the ARRI Alexa digital cinema camera lineup – the ALEXA Plus 4:3 – is now available at Radiant Images.

The ALEXA Plus 4:3 is a new ALEXA model that is basically an ALEXA Plus but with a 4:3 Super-35 sensor and built-in licenses for anamorphic de-squeeze, high-speed shooting, and DNxHD recording.  Camera operators have the ability to easily switch from 16:9 sensor mode to 4:3 sensor mode.

Together with the ALEXA Studio and ALEXA M, which already have 4:3 sensors, the ALEXA Plus 4:3 rounds out a line-up that now represents the perfect solution for anamorphic productions with the Studio functioning as an A-camera, the Plus 4:3 as a B-camera (or A-camera) and the M as a compact, versatile C-camera.

“With the ALEXA Plus 4:3, ARRI has added yet another stallion to its stable of dynamic and powerful digital cameras,” said Michael Mansouri, co-founder of Radiant Images, a leading LA-based rental house and digital cinema innovator. “Our technicians look forward to working with cinematographers and cameras operators to get the most out of this impressive new camera option.”

With the ALEXA Plus 4:3, the full area of the sensor is used when shooting with anamorphic lenses for 2.39:1 widescreen distribution, resulting in the retention of a much higher image quality.

Anamorphic lenses squeeze the image by a factor of two, projecting a 1.195:1 aspect ratio onto the sensor. When using native 16:9 sensors, the sides of the image must be cropped, resulting in a much smaller used sensor area and a different view angle for the lens. But in using the ALEXA Plus 4:3, the unique optical characteristics of anamorphic lenses - the magic at the heart of anamorphic cinematography - are rendered faithfully and fully in the digital image.

 ALEXA represents the most efficient and versatile method to transport images, audio and metadata through the production process. This is achieved through a multitude of output options, support for Direct to Edit workflows, complete metadata and integrated color management.

Also, ARRI currently offers a DNxHD license that enables recording in 8-bit 4:2:2 and 10-bit 4:2:2 modes to SxS PRO cards.

For more information about the ARRI ALEXA as well as other leading-edge digital cameras, lenses, gear and accessories, visit http://www.radiantimages.com or call 323-737-1314. Find Radiant Images on Facebook and Twitter.

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