ARRI ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.0

ARRI has released SUP 1.2.0 for the ALEXA 35. The main features of SUP 1.2.0 include support for the new Camera Control Monitor CCM-1 and touchscreen operation for the MVF-2 viewfinder.

There is also a nice new feature when the camera is powered off by pressing the power button, the internal ND Filters will enter a safe transport position (no glass filter visible in the gate). This position provides better protection against strong impacts to the camera.

The CCM-1 is a 7” onboard monitor that provides full camera control and menu access for the ALEXA 35 and ALEXAMini LF. It displays a bright, high-contrast HD image on its 7” IPS LCD screen that is easily viewable in daylight from arange of viewing angles. Like the MVF-2, it connects via the camera’s VF connector and provides an image thatfaithfully conveys the accuracy and subtlety of ARRI color management. The CCM-1 provides an alternative control,menu, and image interface to the MVF-2 viewfinder, which it can either replace entirely (ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2) or workalongside (ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1, planned for Q4 2023). All functions are adjustable via the touchscreen or via buttonsand a joystick and can be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand free.

The CCM-1 User Buttons can be assigned either from the camera or the CCM-1 itself.

The CCM-1 was announced just prior to Cine Gear 2023. You can see our interview with ARRI from the show.

More information about the CCM-1 can be found in the CCM-1 Release Notes on the CCM-1 software download page.

ARRI has also enabled touch operation on the flip-out monitor of the MVF-2 viewfinder. The hardware has always had this capability, but it took ARRI a while to bring the user interface to a point where they felt that it would enhance working on set and in prep. On top of the touch operation, there are numerous user interface improvements, making it even easier to operate the ALEXA 35.

The CCM-1 is a 7” onboard monitor that provides full camera control and menu access for the ALEXA 35 and ALEXAMini LF. It displays a bright, high-contrast HD image on its 7” IPS LCD screen that is easily viewable in daylight from arange of viewing angles. Like the MVF-2, it connects via the camera’s VF connector and provides an image thatfaithfully conveys the accuracy and subtlety of ARRI color management. The CCM-1 provides an alternative control,menu, and image interface to the MVF-2 viewfinder, which it can either replace entirely (ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2) or workalongside (ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1, planned for Q4 2023). All functions are adjustable via the touchscreen or via buttonsand a joystick and can be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand free.

The CCM-1 User Buttons can be assigned either from the camera or the CCM-1 itself.

New Features

MVF-2 MENU > Media > Erase Media

The erase media warnings on the MVF-2 flip-out monitor has been modified to offer more information about the media erase process. The color of the title background of the warning messages clearly communicates if there are camera clips on the card that is about to be erased (red title background) or not (orange title background).

In addition to that there is a clear second step to initiate the erase process to avoid accidental operation.

MVF-2 MENU > Recording > Audio Recording > Gain Levels

The new Audio Gain screen gives a quick overview of current gain setting, the channel assignments and monitoring settings. Gain levels can be adjusted by turning the MVF-2 click wheel or dragging on the scroll bar with your finger.

To improve numerical entries like White Balance or FPS the screen design has been adapted to support touchfunctionality. The scroll bar increases and decreases the currently selected digit, tapping on the value or pressing theconfirm button on the MVF-2 click wheel selects the next digit.

The camera can now connect to WiFi networks that are secured with the WPA-3 security standard. As defined in thestandard there is also no warning message if the connection is refused due to an incorrect password.

When the camera is powered off by pressing the power button, the internal ND Filters will enter a safe transportposition (no glass filter visible in the gate). This position provides better protection against strong impacts to thecamera. Because of this, power-down takes 1 second longer now. When powering the camera back on, the previouslyset ND Filter is restored. The power-up duration remains the same as before.

When the camera is being rebooted, and the same lens remains on the camera with lens motors that had alreadybeen calibrated and that have not been detached from the lens, it is possible to skip calibrating the motors again. Thiscan now also be done while the camera is recording.

When the lens has been removed from the camera (which the camera can detect), the lens motors MUST be recalibrated. This step cannot be skipped and can also not be performed while recording.

This release contains many bugfixes and stability improvements, including the following:

ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.0 can be installed on all previously shipped ALEXA 35 cameras, and ARRI recommends updating from any previous ALEXA 35 SUP to SUP 1.2.0. However, they do not recommend updating to a new SUP in the middle of a production. Please read through the release notes, which contain detailed update instructions, before you update your camera.

Please note that a bug in the LPL lens mount can sometimes lead to the SUP 1.2 update failing for the first time. Not to worry; in that case, simply repeat the update procedure and all should be well.

It is possible to downdate from this SUP to an older SUP. However, MVF-2 viewfinders with serial numbers above 6849 and Compact Drive 2TB units with serial numbers starting with ‘273xxxxx’ require ALEXA 35 SUP 1.0.4 or newer. Since current ALEXA 35 SUPs (1.0 or later) require a different sensor calibration than the field test SUPs (0.8.x), please do not downdate the camera from a current SUP to any of the field test SUPs.

Registration 

If you have not done so already, please make sure you register your camera using ARRI’s online customer registration. Your registration ensures that you receive information about future software updates as soon as they become available. If you register your new camera within one month of purchase, you will get a one-year extended warranty for free. You can find the registration here.

Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with over 30 years' of experience working in more than 50 countries around the world.He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010.Matthew has won 48 ACS Awards, including five prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards.Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.