Wooden Camera Elite Accessory System for ARRI ALEXA 35 Announced

Camera Accessories

by Jakub HanJuly 4^th, 2023

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Wooden Camera Elite Accessory System for ARRI ALEXA 35 includes a 3-piece modular Top Plate, two Side Plates, an ARCA Baseplate, as well a Top Handle, and more. For $2,612, the system promises to provide many useful mounting points and design features.

I think the ARRI ALEXA 35 is one of the most exciting new cinema cameras announced in the recent past. Unveiled roughly a year ago, it features a brand new ALEV 4 image sensor with 4.6K resolution. At the time of the release, we published a thorough 45-minute-long interview with ARRI’s product manager, Sean Dooley who went through all the vital features and specs.

Shortly after that, we received a unit to review at our CineD office, and my colleague Gunther put the camera through its paces in our lab and in the real world, too. Not surprisingly, the ALEXA 35 became a new leader of the pack in terms of dynamic range.

To increase the ergonomics of the ARRI ALEXA 35 on set, the camera can be rigged with various accessories. In addition to ARRI’s own range of accessories, numerous third-party manufacturers have also developed accessories. One of the companies that recently presented an accessory system for the ALEXA 35 is the US-based company, Wooden Camera. Let’s take a look at the details.

Wooden Camera Elite Accessory System for ARRI ALEXA 35

The main three components of the so-called Elite Accessory System from Wooden Camera are the Top Plate, Side Plates, and Baseplate. We previously published an interview video about the Wooden Camera Elite Accessory System for the Sony VENICE 2 and Rialto 2 from NAB, where you can also see how what the system looks like with its rugged design.

The Top Plate features a modular 3-piece design that allows for multiple configurations with ARRI or third-party accessories. The thread pattern of the plate allows rod brackets and other accessories to be mounted anywhere on top of the camera body. The plate also features precise cut-outs for the camera’s fan.

The two Side Rails mount directly onto the sides of the ALEXA 35. Each Side Plate features a DLC-coated stainless steel rosette, a low profile forward-facing 3/8″-16 mounting point, a sensor plane mark with swing-out tape hook (for distance measurements and/or precise Focusbug mounting), a few additional mounting threads, and more.

The ARCA Baseplate is compatible with any bridge plate and has a lens-centered and low-profile design. Thanks to its registration click system, the camera lands at the same balanced spot every time it is re-mounted.

Furthermore, Wooden Camera includes a Top Handle featuring an extra-long curved design to provide more grip as well as additional mounting possibilities. The grip also features colored rings that can help with quick identification of the camera (i.e. red rings for A-CAM, green for B-CAM, etc.).

Price and availability

The whole Elite Accessory System for ALEXA 35 is available now. The price for the set is $2,612 (around €2,500 plus VAT in Europe) and it includes the following components:

• Base Plate System (ALEXA 35)
• Side Rail System (ALEXA 35)
• Top Plate System (ALEXA 35)
• Handle Adaptor Kit for CCH-5
• Accessory Kit for PDM-1
• Ultra Handle System (Universal 3/8″-16)
• Antenna Relocation Bracket

The components are also available separately. For instance, the Baseplate or the Top Plate is available for $548 each, and the Side Plates are selling for $269 (a pair of L+R).

Do you rig your cameras every time you shoot? What is your favorite cage or plate for a camera? What do you think about the Wooden Camera Accessory System for ALEXA 35? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section underneath the article.