Filmmaking cameras
Film cameras and Lenses used for
'The White Lotus'
DP Xavier Grobet selected the Arri Alexa Mini and Panavision Primo lenses. "I love the feel of the Alexa Mini in conjunction with the Primo lenses. I got the film look and feel, which differs from the digital world, that was most to my liking."
After testing several camera options for pool and ocean scenes, he opted for a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, set to 4K capture, and 16-35mm and 24-70mm Canon EF zooms.
CAMERAS
Arri Alexa Mini
Compact, lightweight, and self-contained - ARRI ALEXA Mini is the small and versatile allrounder in the ARRI camera family. The symmetrical design permits filming in any orientation, including upside-down and in portrait mode, while multiple accessory points enable highly creative mounting solutions. In addition, ALEXA Mini comes with a series of interchangeable lens mount, allowing the use of B4 video, EF mount stills lenses, or with the even ARRI Signature Primes with the LPL mount for ALEXA Mini.
Sony A7 III
Featuring a back-illuminated design, the full-frame CMOS sensor offers high-resolution stills and video while minimizing noise and improving speed. The A7 III features internal UHD 4K video recording with a wide dynamic range using the full width of the full-frame sensor.
15-stop dynamic range at low sensitivity values.
With customizable color and gamma controls, the a7 III allows users to adjust the gamma, black level, knee, color level, and more. It uses the same S-Log2 Gamma Curve that is found on high end Sony Cinema cameras that squeezes up to 1300% more dynamic range into the video signal then traditional REC709, for increased post-production flexibility.
Packed into the robust a7 III is a 5-stop effective 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization system that compensates for five different types of camera shake encountered during handheld shooting of stills and video.
Blackmagic Pocket Cine 6K
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has professional features allowing you to create the same "look" as Hollywood feature films. The combination of high dynamic range, great low light performance and Blackmagic RAW gives you feature film images with precise skin tones and gorgeous organic colors.
You get advanced features such as 4K, 6K G2 or 6K Pro models, large 5" LCD for easy focus, SD card and CFast media, external USB-C media disk recording, EF or MFT lens mounts and more. DaVinci Resolve Studio is also included for editing, color correction, audio post and VFX.
Made from lightweight carbon fiber polycarbonate composite, the camera features a multifunction handgrip with all controls for recording, ISO, WB and shutter angle right at your fingertips. Because it's an advanced digital film camera, the sensor is designed to reduce thermal noise allowing cleaner shadows and higher ISO. Plus the large 5 inch LCD makes it possible to get perfect focus at 4K and 6K resolutions. You also get a removable battery door, 4 shock proof microphones, heavy duty lens mount and built in speaker.
The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro includes more pro features such as built in 2, 4 and 6 stop motorized ND filters with selectable ND, stop reduction or fraction settings shown on the display. As well as a super bright 1500 nit HDR screen making it ideal for use in bright sunlight.
LENSES
Panavision Primo
Panavision Primo V lenses have been specifically designed for use with 35mm-format digital cameras, delivering the classic Primo look for modern digital sensors.
Canon EF 24-70mm
Spanning a popular and versatile range of focal lengths, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM is a Canon L-series zoom commonly thought of as the workhorse of lenses. Ranging from wide-angle to portrait length, this lens is also distinguished by its constant f/2.8 maximum aperture to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions and to afford greater control over depth of field. The lens is also characterized by its sophisticated optical design, which includes one Super UD element and two UD elements, which reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to realize a high degree of color accuracy and clarity. Three aspherical elements are also featured, and minimize distortion and spherical aberrations for improved sharpness. Additionally, a Super Spectra coating has been applied to individual elements to control flare and ghosting for high contrast and neutral color fidelity.
Canon EF 16-35mm
Characterized by a revamped optical design, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM from Canon is a workhorse wide-angle zoom and member of the well-regarded L-series of lenses. Featuring a series of specialized elements, this lens utilizes a trio of aspherical elements and two ultra-low dispersion glass elements to control a variety of aberrations for high sharpness and clarity. Both SWC and ASC coatings have also been applied to the elements in order to reduce lens flare and ghosting for increased contrast and color accuracy.