Arriflex D-20
Encyclopedia
The Arriflex D-20 is a film-style digital motion picture camera
made by Arri
first introduced in November 2005. The camera's attributes are its optical viewfinder, modularity, and 35mm-width
CMOS sensor
. The camera was discontinued in 2008 and the Arriflex D-21
was introduced.
aperture. Effectively the D-20, when used with current 35 mm PL mount motion picture lenses, yields the same field of view
and depth of field
as Super 35 mm film
motion picture cameras
.
The D-20 captures images in two main modes.
In HD mode the sensor uses 2880x1620 active pixels to generate an image with a 16:9
aspect ratio downsampled to 1920x1080 pixels in either YUV 4:2:2 10 bit
(via single link HD-SDI) or RGB 4:4:4 10 bit
(via dual link HD-SDI). Typically, the D-20 is tethered to a Sony HDCamSR recorder. Other recording options exist, including the Grass Valley
flash mag which provides untethered recording of up to 15 minutes per "mag" in RGB 4:4:4.
Following recording formats are possible:
Data Mode:
- 2880 x 2160 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 23.976p, 24p, 25p
- 2880 x 1620 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 29.97p, 30p
HD Mode – HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M):
- 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 bit @ 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 PsF
HD Mode – dual link HD-SDI (SMPTE 372M):
- 1920 x 1080 4:4:4 RGB 10 bit @ 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 PsF
- 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 bit @ 48, 50, 59.94, 60PsF*
The D-20 has a mechanical shutter, variable from 11.2° to 180° or an electronic shutter that simulates a 270° mechanical shutter at 24frame/s. The camera is capable of running at speeds from 1 to 60frame/s. Numerous components of the camera were borrowed from Arri film camera models (most notably the 435ES
), assuring compatibility with Arri film camera accessories and support equipment.
Though the D-20 system is capable of variable speeds from 1 to 60 frames per second, in RAW Data mode these are currently limited to 23.976 frame/s, 24 frame/s, 25 frame/s, 29.97 frame/s & 30 frame/s per second.
The sensitivity of the D-20 in video mode is regulated by the application of LUTs
(Look Up Tables) prior to output. With sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 800 with linear responses, the D-20 also offers log curve options designed to mimic the response of film negative. Unlike some other digital cameras, the D-20 does not offer gain boost, instead relying on the advantages of adding gain in the post production process. The sensitivity of the camera in Data mode is regulated by applying LUTs
in the outboard processing of the image.
Origin
, the SI 2K and the D-20 feature detachable optical viewfinders.
Some advantages of an optical over purely electronic viewing systems include:
Some disadvantages an optical viewing introduces to a camera system:
Electronic viewing options can be added to the camera. Typically, an additional monitor is used to both view and evaluate images for the camera.
The D-20 also accepts a traditional film style video assist system, sharing the image available through the optical viewfinder. This can be useful in Steadicam and remote crane applications where visibility outside the sensor capture area is preferable.
Like Arri mechanical cameras, the D-20 is modularly constructed so that both the mechanical and electronic components are upgradable over time, the camera however was discontinued in 2008 and the D-21 was introduced.
-sized digital motion picture cameras directly in competition with the D-20 include the Panavision
Genesis
camera, the Sony F35 camera and the Red One camera.
Digital cinematography
Digital cinematography is the process of capturing motion pictures as digital images, rather than on film. Digital capture may occur on video tape, hard disks, flash memory, or other media which can record digital data. As digital technology has improved, this practice has become increasingly common...
made by Arri
Arri
-History:Arri was founded in Munich, Germany as Arnold & Richter Cine Technik in 1917, named after founders August Arnold and Robert Richter. They produce professional motion picture equipment, digital and film cameras and cinematic lighting equipment...
first introduced in November 2005. The camera's attributes are its optical viewfinder, modularity, and 35mm-width
35 mm film
35 mm film is the film gauge most commonly used for chemical still photography and motion pictures. The name of the gauge refers to the width of the photographic film, which consists of strips 35 millimeters in width...
CMOS sensor
Active pixel sensor
An active-pixel sensor is an image sensor consisting of an integrated circuit containing an array of pixel sensors, each pixel containing a photodetector and an active amplifier. There are many types of active pixel sensors including the CMOS APS used most commonly in cell phone cameras, web...
. The camera was discontinued in 2008 and the Arriflex D-21
Arriflex D-21
The Arriflex D-21 is a film-style digital motion picture camera introduced by Arri in 2008 to replace their earlier generation Arriflex D-20.- Overview :...
was introduced.
Overview
The D-20 uses a single CMOS sensor the width of a Super 35 film gateFilm gate
The film gate is the rectangular opening in the front of a motion picture camera where the film is exposed to light. The film gate can be seen by removing the lens and rotating the shutter out of the way...
aperture. Effectively the D-20, when used with current 35 mm PL mount motion picture lenses, yields the same field of view
Field of view
The field of view is the extent of the observable world that is seen at any given moment....
and depth of field
Depth of field
In optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image...
as Super 35 mm film
35 mm film
35 mm film is the film gauge most commonly used for chemical still photography and motion pictures. The name of the gauge refers to the width of the photographic film, which consists of strips 35 millimeters in width...
motion picture cameras
Movie camera
The movie camera is a type of photographic camera which takes a rapid sequence of photographs on strips of film which was very popular for private use in the last century until its successor, the video camera, replaced it...
.
The D-20 captures images in two main modes.
- In Data mode the sensor uses 2880x2160 active pixels generating RAW BayerBayer filterA Bayer filter mosaic is a color filter array for arranging RGB color filters on a square grid of photosensors. Its particular arrangement of color filters is used in most single-chip digital image sensors used in digital cameras, camcorders, and scanners to create a color image...
-data at 12 bitColor depthIn computer graphics, color depth or bit depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel in a bitmapped image or video frame buffer. This concept is also known as bits per pixel , particularly when specified along with the number of bits used...
in a 4:3Aspect ratio (image)The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of the width of the image to its height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. That is, for an x:y aspect ratio, no matter how big or small the image is, if the width is divided into x units of equal length and the height is measured using this...
aspect ratio. The RAW data then needs to be processed outboard to generate a full color image. A delivery aspect ratio for theatrical release, commonly 1.85:1Aspect ratio (image)The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of the width of the image to its height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. That is, for an x:y aspect ratio, no matter how big or small the image is, if the width is divided into x units of equal length and the height is measured using this...
, is achieved by cropping from the original image, similar to the cropping necessary when shooting 35 mm film. In Data mode the sensor size also allows for the use of anamorphic lenses, producing the 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio from the full sensor height. Captured data is recorded to either flash or hard drives, notably the sTwo data recorder.
In HD mode the sensor uses 2880x1620 active pixels to generate an image with a 16:9
Aspect ratio (image)
The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of the width of the image to its height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. That is, for an x:y aspect ratio, no matter how big or small the image is, if the width is divided into x units of equal length and the height is measured using this...
aspect ratio downsampled to 1920x1080 pixels in either YUV 4:2:2 10 bit
Color depth
In computer graphics, color depth or bit depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel in a bitmapped image or video frame buffer. This concept is also known as bits per pixel , particularly when specified along with the number of bits used...
(via single link HD-SDI) or RGB 4:4:4 10 bit
Color depth
In computer graphics, color depth or bit depth is the number of bits used to represent the color of a single pixel in a bitmapped image or video frame buffer. This concept is also known as bits per pixel , particularly when specified along with the number of bits used...
(via dual link HD-SDI). Typically, the D-20 is tethered to a Sony HDCamSR recorder. Other recording options exist, including the Grass Valley
Grass Valley (company)
Grass Valley, previously known as Grass Valley Group, is a privately held company based in California, USA. Grass Valley produces technology for the video and broadcast industry. On January 29, 2009, Thomson announced its intention to sell the Grass Valley business unit...
flash mag which provides untethered recording of up to 15 minutes per "mag" in RGB 4:4:4.
Following recording formats are possible:
Data Mode:
- 2880 x 2160 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 23.976p, 24p, 25p
- 2880 x 1620 RAW 12 bit Bayer data @ 29.97p, 30p
HD Mode – HD-SDI (SMPTE 292M):
- 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 bit @ 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 PsF
HD Mode – dual link HD-SDI (SMPTE 372M):
- 1920 x 1080 4:4:4 RGB 10 bit @ 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 PsF
- 1920 x 1080 4:2:2 YCbCr 10 bit @ 48, 50, 59.94, 60PsF*
The D-20 has a mechanical shutter, variable from 11.2° to 180° or an electronic shutter that simulates a 270° mechanical shutter at 24frame/s. The camera is capable of running at speeds from 1 to 60frame/s. Numerous components of the camera were borrowed from Arri film camera models (most notably the 435ES
Arriflex 435
The Arriflex 435 is a movie camera product line created by Arri in 1995 to replace the Arriflex 35III line. The number reflects its position as a successor camera to the Arri III and the fact that it is designed for 35 mm film. The 435 cameras are specifically designed as MOS cameras, which means...
), assuring compatibility with Arri film camera accessories and support equipment.
Though the D-20 system is capable of variable speeds from 1 to 60 frames per second, in RAW Data mode these are currently limited to 23.976 frame/s, 24 frame/s, 25 frame/s, 29.97 frame/s & 30 frame/s per second.
The sensitivity of the D-20 in video mode is regulated by the application of LUTs
Lookup table
In computer science, a lookup table is a data structure, usually an array or associative array, often used to replace a runtime computation with a simpler array indexing operation. The savings in terms of processing time can be significant, since retrieving a value from memory is often faster than...
(Look Up Tables) prior to output. With sensitivity settings ranging from ISO 100 to ISO 800 with linear responses, the D-20 also offers log curve options designed to mimic the response of film negative. Unlike some other digital cameras, the D-20 does not offer gain boost, instead relying on the advantages of adding gain in the post production process. The sensitivity of the camera in Data mode is regulated by applying LUTs
Lookup table
In computer science, a lookup table is a data structure, usually an array or associative array, often used to replace a runtime computation with a simpler array indexing operation. The savings in terms of processing time can be significant, since retrieving a value from memory is often faster than...
in the outboard processing of the image.
Distinctive characteristics
Of the currently available high resolution digital motion picture cameras, the DalsaDalsa
Teledyne DALSA is a Canadian company specializing in the design and manufacture of specialized electronic cameras.The company was founded in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada in 1980 by imaging pioneer Dr. Savvas Chamberlain, a former Professor in Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo...
Origin
Dalsa Origin
The Dalsa Origin was the first camera designed and built by Dalsa Corporation to be used specifically for digital cinematography.- Overview :...
, the SI 2K and the D-20 feature detachable optical viewfinders.
Some advantages of an optical over purely electronic viewing systems include:
- extremely high viewfinder resolution, with the option to zoom in on the image to check critical focus
- ability to set camera framing without need of a power supply
Some disadvantages an optical viewing introduces to a camera system:
- loss of light and sensitivity, as light has to go to the viewfinder instead of the sensor
- no monitoring of what is recorded on the sensor, only what appears in front of the sensor.
Electronic viewing options can be added to the camera. Typically, an additional monitor is used to both view and evaluate images for the camera.
The D-20 also accepts a traditional film style video assist system, sharing the image available through the optical viewfinder. This can be useful in Steadicam and remote crane applications where visibility outside the sensor capture area is preferable.
Like Arri mechanical cameras, the D-20 is modularly constructed so that both the mechanical and electronic components are upgradable over time, the camera however was discontinued in 2008 and the D-21 was introduced.
Films shot with Arriflex D-20
- The Bank JobThe Bank JobThe Bank Job is a 2008 British crime film written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, directed by Roger Donaldson, and starring Jason Statham, based on the 1971 Baker Street robbery in central London, from which the money and valuables stolen were never recovered...
- RocknRollaRocknRollaRocknRolla is a 2008 British crime film written and directed by Guy Ritchie, and starring Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Strong, Toby Kebbell, Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Karel Roden, and Thandie Newton...
- The Andromeda StrainThe Andromeda Strain (2008 miniseries)The Andromeda Strain is a 2008 science fiction miniseries, based on the novel published in 1969 by Michael Crichton about a team of scientists who investigate a deadly disease of extraterrestrial origin. The miniseries is more of a "reimagining" of the original Michael Crichton novel than an...
- Uncertainty Uncertainty (film)Uncertainty is a 2008 indie drama and thriller film, written, produced, and directed by American independent filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel, and starring Lynn Collins and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It was first released at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.Distribution rights were...
- Captain Abu RaedCaptain Abu RaedCaptain Abu Raed is a 2007 Jordanian Film directed and written by Amin Matalqa. It was the first feature film produced in Jordan in more than 50 years. The Royal Film Commission of Jordan endorsed Captain Abu Raed to be submitted to the 81st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, the...
Similar cameras
Other single-chip Super 35 mm filmSuper 35 mm film
Super 35 is a motion picture film format that uses exactly the same film stock as standard 35 mm film, but puts a larger image frame on that stock by using the negative space normally reserved for the optical analog sound track.Super 35 was revived from a similar Superscope variant known as...
-sized digital motion picture cameras directly in competition with the D-20 include the Panavision
Panavision
Panavision is an American motion picture equipment company specializing in cameras and lenses, based in Woodland Hills, California. Formed by Robert Gottschalk as a small partnership to create anamorphic projection lenses during the widescreen boom in the 1950s, Panavision expanded its product...
Genesis
Genesis (Panavision)
The Genesis is Panavision's high-end digital movie camera, which uses a proprietary, full frame 35mm-width, 1.78:1 aspect ratio, 12.4-megapixel, RGB filtered CCD. It was first used by a feature crew to shoot Bryan Singer's Superman Returns and was shortly followed up thereafter by the World War I...
camera, the Sony F35 camera and the Red One camera.
External links
- Official site
- More detailed information can be found on the D-20 page in the Movie Making Manual WikiBook.
- Eric Fletcher's (SOCSociety of Operating CameramenFounded in 1978 under the name Society of Operating Cameramen, the SOC was incorporated in 1981 in the state of California as a nonprofit organization. Its primary mission is to advance the art, craft and creative contribution of the camera operator in the motion picture and television industries...
) experience with the D-20. - Indie filmmaker reviews Arriflex D-20
- CSC News Article Arriflex D20
- Anthem VFX works with footage from Arriflex D20 on the Mini Series "Tin Man" Studio Daily
- The Arriflex D20 officially landed in South Africa, rental only (04 Feb 2008) Media Film Service