Oscars 2023 – Cameras and Lenses Used in Nominated Films

Award

by Jürgen MoorsFebruary 2^nd, 2023

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The wait is over: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally announced the nominations for the 95th Academy Awards. No more shortlists or speculation, we know all the Oscars 2023 nominees and the winners will be announced on March 12th, 2023, at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood during this year’s ceremony. But as always, we are interested in the gear the nominated films used. So keep reading to find out more!

The glamorous Oscars ceremony will air live on ABC and will be broadcasted live in over 200 countries around the world. But before the iconic words “and the Oscar goes to…” are spoken, let’s take a closer look at the cameras and lenses behind the 2023 Academy Award-nominated films.

As you’re aware, there are numerous categories for the highly esteemed Oscars. Here, we’ll concentrate only on the Best Motion Picture and Best Cinematography categories. However, we extend our admiration and respect to all nominees in all categories!

And the Oscar goes to: ARRI !

Nobody ever got fired for choosing ARRI! You may have heard this phrase about ARRI cameras before, but the outcome remains consistent over the years. If a DOP of a major Hollywood motion picture is given the freedom to choose their preferred camera system, 5 out of 5 DOPs would choose ARRI cameras. Why compromise on the quality of a film when you can afford an ARRI camera?

Of the 13 nominated films, 9 used ARRI cameras, 4 of which were the digital 65mm Cinema Camera. The ARRI Alexa 65 with its large 54mm x 25mm sensor was used two times in combination with the ARRI Alexa Mini LF, while the ARRI Alexa Mini LF was used as the main camera four times.

Sony’s CineAlta Venice (IMAX), Panavision’s analog Panaflex Millennium XL2, and digital Millennium DXL2 with RED Monstro Sensor share second place with two films each. As for RED cameras, the Gemini 5K and Helium 8K were used in only one film in combination with the ARRI Alexa Mini LF.

So, of all the 13 nominated Hollywood motion pictures, only one was shot on analog film. And it’s quite easy to guess which film it is because legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg himself recounts his own journey into the magical world of film, and of course, this had to be captured on analog film.

Oscars 2023 DOP nominees for “Best Cinematography”

All Quiet on the Western Front
DOP: James Friend

• Arri Alexa 65
• Arri Prime 65S Lenses
• Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Prime DNA, Tribe7 Blackwing7 and Zeiss Compact Prime CP.3 lenses
• Red Weapon Monstro, Arri Prime DNA Lenses (visual effects plates)
• Sony CineAlta Venice, Arri Prime DNA Lenses (some scenes)

Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
DOP: Darius Khondji

• Arri Alexa 65
• Panavision 65 Vintage
• Tribe7 Blackwing7 and Canon FD-L Lenses

Elvis
DOP: Mandy Walker

• Arri Alexa 65, Panavision Primo, Sphero 65, T-Series “Elvis” and Petzval Lenses
• Arri Alexa Mini LF, Panavision Sphero 65 and T-Series “Elvis” Lenses (some shots)

Empire of Light
DOP: Roger Deakins

• Arri Alexa Mini LF
• Arri Signature Prime Lenses, Cooke S7/i

Tár
DOP: Florian Hoffmeister

• Arri Alexa 65, Arri Signature Prime Lenses
• Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Signature Prime Lenses
  

While we wish all nominated DOPs an amazing evening and good luck, I’d like to especially mention Mandy Walker and her fantastic work in “Elvis,” which has earned her a nomination for Best Cinematography. Following the footsteps of nominees Rachel Morrison for “Mudbound” (2017) and Ari Wegner for “The Power of the Dog” (2022), she could make history as the first woman to actually win this prestigious award.

Oscars 2023 Nominees for “Best Motion Picture”

All Quiet on the Western Front
director: Edward Berger
DOP: James Friend
producer: Malte Grunert

• Arri Alexa 65
• Arri Prime 65S Lenses
• Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Prime DNA, Tribe7 Blackwing7 and Zeiss Compact Prime CP.3 lenses
• Red Weapon Monstro, Arri Prime DNA Lenses (visual effects plates)
• Sony CineAlta Venice, Arri Prime DNA Lenses (some scenes)

Avatar: The Way of Water
director: James Cameron
DOP: Russell Carpenter
producer: James Cameron und Jon Landau

• Sony CineAlta Venice Rialto 3D, Fujinon MK and Premier Cabrio Lenses
• Sony PXW-Z450 (some shots)

The Banshees of Inisherin
director: Martin McDonagh
DOP: Ben Davis
producer: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin und Martin McDonagh

• ARRI Alexa Mini LF
• ARRI Signature Prime

Elvis
director: Baz Luhrmann
DOP: Mandy Walker
producer: Baz Luhrmann, Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick und Schuyler Weiss

• Arri Alexa 65, Panavision Primo, Sphero 65, T-Series “Elvis” and Petzval Lenses
• ARRI ALEXA LF, Panavision Sphero 65 and T-Series “Elvis” Lenses  (some shots)

Everything Everywhere All at Once
director: The Daniels
DOP: Larkin Seiple
producer: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert und Jonathan Wang

• Arri Alexa Mini
• Atlas Orion, Scorpiolens, Todd-AO and Zeiss Master Prime Lenses

The Fabelmans
director: Steven Spielberg
DOP: Janusz Kaminski
producer: Kristie Macosko Krieger, Steven Spielberg und Tony Kushner

• Panavision Panaflex Millennium XL2
• Panavision Primo and PVintage Lenses
• Arriflex 16 ST, Panavision Primo Lenses
• Arriflex 416, Panavision Primo Lenses

Tár
director: Todd Field
DOP: Florian Hoffmeister
producer: Sebastian Fahr-Brix, Todd Field, Phil Hunt, Stephen Kelliher, Scott Lambert, Francesca Lentini, Marcus Loges, Chris Lowenstein, Alexandra Milchan, Compton Ross, David Schiff, Uwe Schott, Nigel Wooll

• Arri Alexa 65, Arri Signature Prime Lenses
• Arri Alexa Mini LF, Arri Signature Prime Lenses

Top Gun: Maverick
director: Joseph Kosinski
DOP: Claudio Miranda
producer: Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuARRIe, David Ellison und Jerry Bruckheimer

• Sony CineAlta Venice IMAX
• Zeiss Master Prime, Loxia, Sigma FF High Speed, Voigtländer and Fujinon Premier Lenses  (Sony)
• Sony CineAlta Venice Rialto IMAX
• Zeiss Master Prime, Loxia, Sigma FF High Speed and Voigtländer Lenses (Sony)

Triangle of Sadness
director: Ruben Östlund
DOP: Fredrik Wenzel
producer: Erik Hemmendorff und Philippe Bober

• ARRI ALEXA LF, Zeiss Supreme Prime Lenses
• Red Gemini 5K, Zeiss Supreme Prime Lenses
• Red Helium 8K, Zeiss Supreme Prime Lenses

Women Talking
director: Sarah Polley
DOP: Luc Montpellier
producer: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner und Frances McDormand

• Panavision Millennium DXL2
• Panavision Primo and Ultra Vista Lenses

Would you have chosen these films to get nominated for this year’s Oscars? Let us know in the comments below! If you disagree, you may want to consider becoming an Academy member yourself. It sounds like a good idea, however, memberships are not open to application, but rather candidates must be sponsored by two current Academy members.

When it comes to actually winning an Oscar, maybe you’re wondering, if all you have to do is buy the ARRI Alexa 65 and you’re set. However, ARRI is so proud of the digital 65mm Alexa that the camera is not for sale at all. If you want to use it, you will have to rent it at ARRI Rentals.

So what do you think of the Oscars 2023 nominated films? Have you gotten a chance to watch any of them? Do you have a favorite film, DOP or film look this year? Who do YOU think will win this year? Let us know in the comments below!