Arri Alexa xt breakdown and DJI focus system. Dzofilm Arles lens Codex. Sxs arrivraw

A complete guide to the ARRI ALEXA XT — covering how the camera works, how to build and rig it, power it, mount lenses and accessories, manage recording media, and integrate a modern DJI LiDAR autofocus / follow focus system with this legendary cinema camera. The ARRI ALEXA XT may be an older-generation digital cinema camera, but its image quality, colour science, dynamic range and overall cinematic look are still exceptional. In this video, I go through my ARRI ALEXA XT setup from the ground up, explaining the different components, connections and accessories and showing how everything fits together in a practical shooting configuration. We look at the physical camera build, including the ARRI BP-12 bridge plate, 19mm rods, dovetail mounting system, EVF-1 electronic viewfinder, lens support and matte box setup. I explain how the various ARRI components connect together and how the camera can be configured for tripod, handheld and other shooting setups. I also cover powering the ARRI ALEXA XT, including V-Mount batteries, battery plates, external DC power and mains power. We look at what happens when external power and a V-Mount battery are connected at the same time, battery consumption, practical battery choices and the significant power requirements of a fully rigged ALEXA XT. One of the most interesting parts of the build is integrating a modern DJI LiDAR focusing system with the ARRI ALEXA XT. I explain how the DJI LiDAR rangefinder, focus motor and follow focus system can be mounted and connected to a traditional cinema lens setup, allowing modern LiDAR-assisted focusing technology to be used with an older ARRI cinema camera. The video also covers PL-mount cinema lenses, lens changes, focus motors, 15mm/19mm rod mounting, matte boxes, filters and IR/ND filtration. I discuss how IR filters and IRND filters affect the ALEXA, when you might want them in the matte box, and considerations for daylight, night shooting, reflections and flare. We also take a look at the ALEXA XT recording workflow, including ProRes and ARRIRAW, the camera’s recording media, Codex recording system, Codex Capture Drive / SxS workflow, media insertion and removal, transferring footage to a computer and some of the practical realities of working with an older professional digital cinema camera today. Other topics include camera menus and controls, ISO/EI, shutter angle, frame rates, white balance, exposure, T-stops, monitoring, the EVF, high-speed recording, ARRIRAW, external monitoring, camera connections and building a complete production-ready ALEXA XT rig. If you’ve recently bought an ARRI ALEXA XT, are considering buying a used ALEXA, or have always wondered what it is actually like to own and operate one of these cameras outside a major film production, this video should give you a detailed introduction. The aim is to show how everything on the ARRI ALEXA XT actually works together — from the camera body itself to lenses, bridge plates, rods, batteries, power supplies, recording media, Codex, matte boxes, filters, follow focus systems and modern accessories such as DJI LiDAR. Despite its age, the original ALEXA generation remains an important part of digital cinema history and can still produce extraordinary images. With used ARRI ALEXA cameras becoming increasingly affordable, they are now accessible to independent filmmakers and cinematographers who would never have been able to own one when these cameras were current. This is my practical guide to owning, rigging etc Topics covered: • ARRI ALEXA XT setup and overview • How to use an ARRI ALEXA XT • Building an ALEXA XT camera rig • ARRI BP-12 bridge plate and dovetail system • 19mm rods and cinema camera accessories • PL mount lenses and cinema lenses • DJI LiDAR autofocus on ARRI ALEXA • DJI LiDAR rangefinder setup • DJI Focus / follow focus motor setup • Manual cinema lens autofocus • V-Mount batteries and battery plates • External DC and mains power • ALEXA XT battery life and power consumption • ARRI EVF-1 viewfinder • Matte boxes, ND, IR and IRND filters • ProRes recording • ARRIRAW recording • Codex Capture Drive and media workflow • SxS media • High-speed recording and frame rates • ISO / Exposure Index and shutter angle • White balance and exposure • T-stops and cinema lenses • Tripod and support systems • Used ARRI ALEXA cameras in 2026 • ALEXA XT for independent filmmaking • ARRI colour science and dynamic range • Complete cinema camera rig walkthrough If you’re interested in ARRI cameras, cinematography, cinema lenses, filmmaking, DJI LiDAR, professional camera equipment, ARRIRAW, colour grading or building a professional cinema camera rig, subscribe for more practical videos as I continue experimenting with and building out the ALEXA XT system. #ARRI #ARRIALEXA #AlexaXT #Cinematography #Filmmaking #CinemaCamera #DJILiDAR #FollowFocus #ARRIRAW #ProRes #CinemaLenses #PLMount #CameraRig #DirectorOfPhotography #Cinematographer