ALEXA 35

36 threads in the archive

Based on 40 threads · 26 cited

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Power is where the ALEXA 35 bites first, so switch your Steadicam® sled to 24 V and use a cable wired for 24 V 1 2. A 12 V cable, like many Mini cables, won't start the camera 3 4. Then spec the ARRI SAM-6 plate as your baseline, and keep the rig low and light on a rigid plate 11 15.

The questions 7

How do I power an ALEXA 35 from my Steadicam® sled?7 threads · latest 2023

In short

Switch the sled to 24 V and run a cable wired for 24 V 1 2. A cable wired for 12 V, like many Mini cables, won't start an ALEXA 35 3 4.

How the pros do it

Set the sled to 24 V mode 2. On the M2 the 24 V switch sits on the side or the back of the sled 5.
Use a cable wired for the 24 V pin 1. Correct wiring puts camera pins 2, 3, 4 on ground and pins 6, 7, 8 on the sled's 24 V output 3. A cable carries 12 V or 24 V, never both, so stock both variants 1.
Check an unknown cable before the shoot 4. Unscrew the coupling nut on the 3-pin connector and look at the pins, meter it, or read the voltage on the camera display 4.
Plan your batteries for 24 V 3. Tiffen M1/M2 rigs need at least three batteries 3. One operator ran three 12 V Gold Mount batteries in series on a Steadicam® PRO sled with reliable results 2.
Take a dedicated 24 V camera cable over a battery eliminator fed with 24 V 1. Use a right-angle connector, because the ALEXA 35 power socket is angled 3.
Think about a backup 1. If a sled battery fails you lose camera power, so an onboard battery adds redundancy at the cost of head weight and setup time 1. The ALEXA 35 is light enough to run from an onboard battery alone 3.

Caution

A Gold-mount-to-XLR battery eliminator fed with a 24 V cable puts 24 V on the P-Tap and 12 V accessory outlets, which can destroy attached equipment 1. A wrong cable on the camera itself just won't start it 3.

Opinions differ here

Operators disagree on runtime versus voltage 5 2. One thread reports that switching a battery from 24 V to 12 V can give longer operating time, though the participants never resolved why 5. Another says two 12 V batteries in series outlast the same pair in parallel because current draw is halved 2. A third notes that sled batteries discharge faster when supplying 24 V 1.

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Why does my ALEXA 35 lose power on Trinity?5 threads · latest 2026

In short

Most often the Trinity motors spike the current under load and two batteries can't keep up, so the system and camera power down 6. Sled battery swaps, thin batteries, cables and firmware can also cause it 7 8 9.

How the pros do it

Run three 12 V batteries or BeBob 24 V batteries rated 20 A per unit, because two Gold Mount batteries kept causing intermittent shutdowns regardless of brand, age or charge 6.
If you use V-Lock, pick batteries rated 8 A or higher, since anything below 8 A gave about 40% dropout when switching to a depleted unit 7.
Go B-Mount if the rental house has it, because it skips the power conversion in the battery module 7. Operators also add a B-Mount battery as a second supply to cure the dropout 6.
Before you swap a sled battery, disconnect the sled power supply or camera cable, because the voltage falls from 24 V to 12 V and trips the camera's undervoltage cutoff 8. Set onboard battery priority in the camera menu and swap around 25 V 8.
If power still fails, check the pin assignment of the camera cable and compare against a second original ARRI cable 9.
Watch for jolts at the mechanical stops, at the gimbal limits or from light cable contact at the outer ring, because those are the moments the power drops 7 6. One operator went back to SUP1.5 and had a stable year, and SUP 4.0 is in development for the Trinity 2 cut-outs 7 10.

Opinions differ here

Operators disagree on how big the load really is 6. One calculation puts the draw at about 6.25 A at 24 V, or 10-12 A with 14.4 V batteries 6. Others observed spikes into the high teens of amperes when the motors hit a stop 6.

What changed

Earlier in 2025 the cut-outs were pinned on a defective camera regulator or on firmware awaiting SUP 4.0 9 10, today in 2026 operators point to current spikes from the Trinity motors that two batteries can't supply 6.

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Which camera plates do I need for ALEXA 35 on Steadicam®?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

Spec the ARRI SAM-6 plate as your baseline for the ALEXA 35 11. If you need a lower profile, the Apex plate is the other main option 12 13.

How the pros do it

Ask for the SAM-6 plate when you spec a Trinity for the ALEXA 35 11. The longer SAM-6 gives you more balance travel for lenses of different weights 12.
For a lower camera, screw-mount the SAM-6 to a Steadicam® or Apex plate 12. That saves roughly 1/8 to 3/8 inch in height 12.
On a Flyer, the Apex plate in the cage system saves about 1.5-2 inches compared to stacking a SAM plate with a Trinity dovetail 13. A Level plate is a lighter option, about 0.5 cm flatter than the standard ARRI plate 13.
All ARRI SAM plates have 3/8-inch threads on the underside and stack directly 13. The SAM-8 is noted as compatible 13.
If you need lower rods, look at the Panavision and Keslow solutions 12. The Keslow one accepts older mini dovetail plates, so you can change the setup without rebuilding 12.
Carry several plate types, including longer dovetails and spacer plates, because rental houses may not have spares 14. Use prep days to find out which plates you need and pick them up 14.

Caution

One operator reported broken yoke forks on the gimbal under heavy camera loads on the Flyer 13. Inspect it regularly when you run heavy cameras on it 13.

Opinions differ here

Operators split on the Apex plate 11 13. One side says it saves height, about 1.5-2 inches in the cage compared to a stacked SAM plate and Trinity dovetail 13. The other side says Apex with a SAM-0 instead of a SAM-6 adds about 1/4 inch and risks clearance problems with focus scale markings and side rod brackets 11. That side adds that the camera must sit exactly centered in the head, and that ARRI plates are preferred because Trinity ring tolerances are critical 11.

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How do I balance and mount an ALEXA 35 on a Steadicam®?4 threads · latest 2026

In short

Keep the rig low and light, and mount the camera on a rigid plate, ideally one that bypasses the ARRI dovetail 15. Balance with heavy batteries low, the post fully extended and a longplate if you run a long lens 16.

How the pros do it

Power the camera from the sled with a 24 V cable instead of an onboard battery to save weight 16. Ask your dealer whether the Mini/Mini LF cable, marked 12 V, works on the A35 16.
For a long zoom like the Cooke Varotal 18-100, use a third-party longplate under an Apex 35 or ARRI plate 16. Attach the camera by its dovetail directly to the longplate and integrate the lens support into the same plate 16.
To balance, put heavier batteries low and extend the post fully 16. One operator swapped the SAM-7 plate for a CBP-5 with 19 mm rods to fit the lens length 16.
For minimal height, the Octamas ALEXA 35 bottom plate with integrated 15-mm rods and ARRI dovetail clamp weighs about 262 g and is described as the lightest and flattest option 17. An LMS-4 top plate under the camera with UAP-3 plus LWS-6 also gives a flat base with centered rods, but you lose the rear attachment point 17.
If you see vibration, check the ARRI dovetail for wear, because worn plates show play that shakes during zooming 15. Options that avoid it are the small ARRI front plate K2.0034179 under the camera, a BUD plate if the camera has a BUD clamp, a 3/8-inch gimbal base plate, or the cam-jam railway plate system 15.
Don't expect nodal alignment on a Steadicam® T2 head with SAM-2 or SAM-6 plates, because the ALEXA 35 is too tall to move closer to the nodal point 18. Shims under the top stage only fill the gap between dub and head and do not fix nodal alignment 18.

Caution

An experienced operator cautions that every extra accessory, such as sync box, large cage or heavy zoom, adds physical strain over a career 16. Prioritize lighter options 16.

Opinions differ here

One side says the clamp pressure can make the focus ring stiff 17. The other side reports that most MKIII Super Speeds tolerate a clip-on if you calibrate focus first and tighten the clamp to only about 75 percent 17.

What changed

Earlier in 2023, operators mounted the ALEXA 35 through ARRI dovetail longplates and clamps 17 16, today in 2026 they report worn dovetails causing vibration and move to rigid plates that bypass the dovetail 15.

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Which Steadicam® rigs can safely carry an ALEXA 35?4 threads · latest 2025

In short

Don't put it on an entry-level vest system, because those aren't built for ALEXA 35 loads 19. The Aero 30 is borderline at best: the camera package lands at or above its 20 lb recommended weight 20. A used professional rig is the better route 19.

How the pros do it

Skip entry-level vests for this camera, because their metal parts can't support heavy rigs and wear out within months 19.
Look for a used professional rig, since the secondhand market has good deals and specialist forums are worth checking regularly 19.
Make sure the setup has a back post and plastic shells, which entry-level systems lack 19.
If you are looking at an Aero 30, add up the weight first: the ALEXA 35 body is about 7-8 lb, Atlas Orion anamorphics are 5-7 lb each, and you need an onboard battery for 24 V 20.
Keep in mind the Aero 30 is recommended at 20 lb for the whole package and maxes out at 30 lb 20.
Weigh the complete rigged package before production 20.
If you are on an ARRI Trinity, the standard-body ALEXA 35 Live fits, but the classic fibre-return module does not, except possibly in Omega mode 21.

Caution

The gimbal, bolts and bearings on smaller rigs like the Aero 30 are proportionally smaller and more vulnerable, so keep one hand ready to catch the rig if something fails 20. Metal parts in budget systems wear out within months under heavy rigs 19.

Opinions differ here

On the Zephyr vest, some operators say they flew Alexa Mini, LF, SXT and rigs around 35 lb on it for years without issues 22. Others found it uncomfortable under full load and wouldn't trust it with heavy cameras 22. A later thread says budget vests can't carry ALEXA 35 loads at all 19.

What changed

Earlier, in 2022, operators reported flying Alexa Mini, LF and SXT cameras on the Zephyr vest for years 22, today, in 2025, the advice is that entry-level vests aren't designed for ALEXA 35 or Venice loads 19.

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Where do I mount motors and receivers on an ALEXA 35 on Trinity?2 threads · latest 2026

In short

Put the focus motor as far back as you can so it counterweights the sensor and lens 23. Put the RIA-1 receiver on the rear top of the camera body or on a B-Mount cheeseplate 24.

How the pros do it

Mount the Preston MDR4 as far back as possible, so it acts as a counterweight to the sensor and lens 23.
Try a compact motor mount like the Heden DM5, which has similar weight and helps balance the rig 23.
Mount the RIA-1 receiver on the rear top of the camera body 24.
Or attach the RIA-1 to a B-Mount cheeseplate that clips into the ALEXA 35 battery plate 24.
Use a third-party B-Mount cheeseplate if you need one 24.
Put the video wireless transmitter at the rear of the sled foot (tail), not on the camera, to reduce load on the gimbal head 23.

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How do I flip the ALEXA 35 image for low mode?2 threads · latest 2026

In short

Map sensor rotation or H/V flip to a User button on the ALEXA 35, so one press flips the image 25 26. Confirm in prep that your body and firmware allow it 26.

How the pros do it

Low mode turns the camera upside down, so the image has to be flipped in the camera 26.
Assign sensor rotation or H/V flip to a User button on the ALEXA 35, so you skip the menu during Low Mode transitions 25.
Check before the job that your specific camera and firmware allow the flip on a user button, and have it assigned during prep with the assistant 26.
Establish which device does the flipping, because if the camera flips, everything downstream sees the flipped signal 26.
If the camera does not flip, some monitors can flip their own display, but the recorded file stays upside down 26.

What changed

Earlier, in 2022, the image had to be rotated through the menu at every High/Low switch, which risked clients rotating their monitors instead 25, today, in 2026, the flip sits on a user button and takes one press 26.

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Sources 26

All 26 sources

What operators found

Still argued about

Often in the same threads

Trinity 27, Top Stage6, Artemis3, Base Plate3, Dovetail Plate3, Low Mode3, MDR3, Volt2, Trinity 14, CineLive2

All threads

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