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[gbalaji]

Well after longtime seeing this post still valid and now on NAB 2012 we are seeing 4K as real standard. What is the take about 4K as standard in Digital Cinema Acquisition & Projection. You can see for yourself that Sony F65, Canon EOS 1Dc & 500D & hoped Arri will introduce a 4K Sensor upgrade based on rumors got from my source.

After all this now no once can complaint about EPIC as well Alexa future program of 2K ProRES which leads to 1080p is not good enough for Film Exhibition & Visual Effects Workflow. Did Arri agree on this and expect whether Alexa will see a 4K Sensor in near future?

[Harry Clark]

Hey Chris,
Don't be too sure that "legendary quality" and "90 years of craftsmanship" means zero downtime. I have had my Alexa Plus experience trouble twice during two different preps, and lost a total of 12 rental days in the process. Both were electronic/ technology related issues.
Of course, I have had my Red Ones go down, and I had to send my first Epic back due to a loose power Lemo connector, straight from the factory.
Stuff happens. Stuff happens with digital cinema cameras, regardless of the manufacturer. The more technology and complexity in any tool, the more potential for trouble. When we were using film cameras, which are rather like expensive sewing machines, we often had fewer issues, and those issues were often easy to spot and fix, often without a trip to the factory, sometimes even right out in the field.
I agree the Alexa is a fantastic tool and built to a very high standard. But it's not infallible; not that I think you meant to imply that it was, but someone reading your post might interpret it that way...
Cheers,
Harry

[ChrisSmith]

These Mac vs PC, Xbox vs PS3, Red vs ARRI discussions always come from some source of predetermined bias and really never concludes anything as all machines are relative to their result.

As a guy that owned an EPIC-M for 5 months then sold it to get an Alexa I can tell you it was simply put, the image.  period.  That's what I get paid to turn-in.  It's the most beautiful digital camera right now.  End of story.  If the EPIC looked remotely in the ballpark as good, I would have been more than happy to keep it.  If RED can make a good looking sensor in the future I will use it as well.  We're still talking about cameras because they make pretty pictures, right?

[Chris Bell]

Harry,

Sorry to hear about your issues... it is frustrating spending large sums only to loose business.  I feel your pain, I've been there. 

True, no camera system is perfect.  Digital cameras are just computers with lens mounts.  I do, however, feel that Arri delivers a very reliable product.  I've took my Alexa around the world last year to some very inhospitable environments and never had an issue. 

On another note, I just returned from NAB and had a chance to view footage from all of the major players.  While any competent cinematographer can make great images with these cameras, footage from the Alexa stood out as the most compelling.  It convinced me that counting pixels is highly over-rated. 

[Michael Borenstein]

All,

Thank you for an interesting debate.  We appreciate and value all of your opinions and perspectives, however I am going to lock the thread at this point as this conversation can go on forever and I would prefer it not lead to any hostility in the community. 

Regards
Mike