ALEXA 35 Workflow FAQ

Yes, next to the default ACM (ARRI Color Managment) you can use your own DRTs in CCM (Custom Color Management). Here's a step-by-step guide on ALF4.

In case you stick with ARRI Color Management, you can choose between different SDR and HDR transforms in camera:

• REC 709 (SDR)
• REC 2020 (SDR)
• REC 2100 / PQ (HDR)
• REC 2100 / HLG (HDR)

All these DRTs are also included in our official ARRI LogC4 LUT Package, which can be used in post-production.

The following table depicts the naming of the in-camera DRT and the corresponding 3D-LUT. 

With the update to ACES Version 1.3 there was also an update for the ACES IDT for REVEAL (AWG4/LogC4). The ACES Version 1.3 can be implemented by 3rd party vendors e.g. Pomfort already supports ACES 1.3. ACES can be used on the SDI output and in post-production of course. Currently we do not offer an ACES in-camera workflow.

Combining ARRI cameras with ALEV3 sensor (ALEXA Series including LF and Mini LF as well as AEXA 65) and AMIRA with ALEXA 35 in post-production can be done in multiple ways.

Our recommended workflow is “debayering ARRIRAW to ARRI Wide Gamut 4” without bringing the footage to LogC3 as the first step. This can be achieved by using our ARRI Reference Tool or a 3rd party application the supports our SDK. See our always-up-to-date technical information on Supporting Tools & Software if your software supports REVEAL for ALEV3 cameras.

For demanding low light situations you have various options to tackle the challenge and enhance your results:

• Make use of the ALEV4's High ISO – 6400ASA
• Use "Enhanced Sensitivity" (ES) Mode
• Apply a Shadow-Texture

Learn how to combine these features for the best result by reading our guide on low light shooting.

All 3D-LUTs you want to use in ALEXA 35 or ALEXA 265 need to be converted to an ARRI Look File 4. You use our ARRI Reference Tool to do so. You can choose to either use ARRI Color Management (ACM) and olny work with a creative Log-to-Log 3D-LUT (=without output transform/DRT) inside the look file, or if you want to use a custom DRT, use Custom Color Management (CCM) Mode where you would combine your Log-to-Log 3D-LUT with a custom LUT that does the conversion to SDR and/or HDR.

If you have a LogC3-based show LUT, we suggest completely redesigning/visually matching these for cameras using REVEAL color science (ALEXA 35 or newer).

There’s also a guideline which explains the look file creation step-by-step.

Both cameras use our new REVEAL Color Science. REVEAL introduced a new Log C curve (LogC4) for ARRI Wide Gamut 4 color space to make use of the advancements made in sensor technology for ALEV4 while being backwards compatible.

Because the new LogC4 curve is too different from the well-known LogC3 characteristic, a conversion of Look files (or 3D-LUTs) is not possible. Looks/LUTs must be recreated visually in LogC4.

Please note: We highly recommend not to create an inversion of an ALF2 look to create an ALF4 look. This would result in a technically wrong image.

Our ARRI Reference Tool (ART) combines the functionality of our ARRIRAW Converter, ARRI Color Tool and ARRI Meta Extract in one tool. You can extract all metadata form ALEXA 35 into a *.json file.

To use the Look Library in post production, download the Log-to-Log version for LogC4 here (ALEXA 35, ALEXA 265 or later). Please keep in mind that those need to be need to be combined with the official ARRI Display Render Transform LUT for e.g. Rec709: 

Look Library Look for LogC4 (log-to-log) + ARRI_LogC4-to-Gamma24_Rec709-D65_v1

This example would result in a correct image incl. the look for Rec 709. Or you combine the Look Library Look with the official ARRI DRT for HDR:

Look Library Look for LogC4 (log-to-log) + ARRI_LogC4-to-St2084_1K_Rec2100-D65_DW100_v1

Our standard texture “K445 Default” is designed to work well for all subject matters and settings, while making the most of the camera’s cinematic strengths. It is forgiving on skin, but also renders images with exceptional clarity and detail, which makes it also a perfect texture for green screen shots and VFX purposes.

ALF2 look files are designed to work with ALEXA Mini, ALEXA SXT, ALEXA 65, ALEXA LF, ALEXA Mini LF, as well as AMIRA (all using our ALEV3 sensor). They combine a creative grade (CDL or custom LUT) with a color-space transform.

ALF4 is the new generation look file for ALEXA 35 and ALEXA 265. This look file separates the creative grade from the decision which output color space you intend to use. The creative grade is a Log-to-Log 3D-LUT that makes changes “in log” to the LogC4 image. The following output color space transformation is currently determined by the respective setting in the camera, you can choose between:

•    REC 709 (SDR)
•    REC 2020 (SDR)
•    REC 2100 / PQ (HDR)
•    REC 2100 / HLG (HDR)

All these DRTs are also included in our official ARRI LogC4 LUT Package, which can also be used in post-production. If you prefer using your own DRTs in ALEXA 35/ALEXA 265, this is possible in Custom Color Management (CCM) mode.

In the following table you will find the naming of the in-camera DRT and the corresponding 3D-LUT. 

ALF2 and ALF4 look files are not compatible and cannot be converted.