ARRI beings shipping its AMIRA camcorder

The AMIRA: now ready to bold go

Having opened orders for the AMIRA, ARRI's new documentary-style camera optimised for single-operator use and extended shoulder-mounted operation, back in January, the $39,999 units are now shipping.

The camera, which boasts the same 35mm sensor as the ALEXA, features in-camera grading with preloaded 3D LUTs, as well as up to 200fps slow motion. Despite its obvious doco-heritage ARRI says it’s aimed at a wide spread of production types, from reportage and corporate films to TV drama and even low-budget movies.

It comes with a number of pre-loaded 3D LUT-based Looks that can be applied on set during the shoot, while productions can, of course, custom-build their own 3D LUTs in external grading systems, load them into the camera during prep and modify them in-camera while filming.

The first non-linear editing system to announce support for colour management of AMIRA QuickTime ProRes files is Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Premiere can apply look files (including 3D LUTs) that are included in AMIRA files and convert automatically from Log C to REC 709.

All in all there are three camera configurations to choose from. Customers then complete their package by selecting lens mount, battery mount and bottom plate. Whichever AMIRA camera set is initially chosen, it can be upgraded with additional functionality by purchasing a license at the ARRI website (in other words, it’s all there ready to go, just needs unlocking with the right password).

The main featureset includes a dynamic range of 14+ stops , ProRes up to 4444 on CFast 2.0 cards, OLED eyepiece and fold-away LCD monitor, along with multi-channel audio with easy-access controls. Beyond that you get into the three different configurations which ARRI characterises as The Economical, The All-Rounder and The All-Inclusive

AMIRA CAMERA SET
Features include: HD 1080i and 1080p; 0.75-100 fps; ProRes 422 and 422 (LT) recording in Rec 709; three looks; adjustable in-camera image parameters for knee, gamma and saturation; peaking for focus control; zebra and false colour for exposure control.

AMIRA ADVANCED
Features additional to the economical AMIRA set: 100-200 fps; ProRes 422 (HQ) recording; Log C; unlimited Look functions; import Looks; ASC CDL in-camera grading; dynamic auto-tracking white balance^; WiFi remote control^; Bluetooth audio monitoring^; pre-record function^.

AMIRA PREMIUM
This is the all-singing, all-dancing, fully unlocked model. Features additional to the AMIRA Advanced: 2K (2048 x 1152) and ProRes 4444 recording; import custom 3D LUTs.

As mentioned before, pricing begins at $39,999.00