Focus Check
Focus Check is a weekly podcast from the CineD newsroom that covers the latest in filmmaking technology. Hosted by Nino Leitner and Johnnie Behiri, each episode delivers news, reviews, education, insights, opinions, and ideas about cine tech. New episodes are released every Thursday.
Episodes
ep130 - YouTube's New View Count | Artlist's $500 'Unlimited' AI Deal Lasted a Week – CineD Focus Check
Artlist sold a year of unlimited AI video generation with Seedance 2.5 for $500, paid up front. Days later, it was gone. This is not a company blindsided by success – this is a company that knew exactly what was going to happen and did it anyway. Our recommendation: do not give Artlist your money up front, because they cannot be trusted. And that wasn't even the week's biggest shakeup. YouTube jus
ep129 - RED's RAW Patent Falls in Japan + Every Camera Maker's Numbers – CineD Focus Check
For almost two decades, one patent decided which cameras could record RAW internally. This week it fell in Japan – and the company that brought it down is the last one you'd guess. On top of that, every major camera manufacturer reported numbers within days of each other: FUJIFILM's Imaging Division is now the group's biggest earner, Panasonic posted its best quarter in 41 years without any help f
ep128 - Sony FX5 Poll Results & Delivery Delays + Sony's Bid to Buy Tamron – CineD Focus Check
Sony is warning that FX5 orders have outstripped its own expectations, and at the same time the company has put a non-binding offer on the table to buy Tamron outright. We extensively cover the FX5, and also talk about the FCC pressure on XTRA in the US, a major Nexus G1 update, Christopher Nolan's fully analogue IMAX production of The Odyssey, and a long run of lens, accessory and software releas
ep127 - DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Beats the ALEXA 35, Insta360 Luna Ultra Fails – Focus Check
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4P just did something no camera has done in more than 70 CineD lab tests. Nino Leitner sits down with Gunther Machu to go through the full lab results for both new gimbal cameras – the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P with its new LOFIC sensor, and the Insta360 Luna Ultra. One of them delivered the highest dynamic range figure we have ever measured. The other delivered the lowest exposure la
ep126 - FX5 In-Depth with Philip Bloom: Finally a True Cinema Line Compact? – CineD Focus Check
The Sony FX5 is here – and this week’s episode is largely dedicated to it. Nino is joined live from Tokyo by Johnnie and by special guest Philip Bloom from London, both of whom spent a week shooting with Sony’s newly announced compact cinema camera.
Beyond the FX5 deep dive, the trio covers A24’s controversial $75M Google DeepMind deal, ByteDance’s Seedance 2.5 API, the EBU’s new camera guidelines
ep125 - ARRI Sells Its Rental Business | DJI 'Front Companies' Fined | Sony RX10 V – CineD Focus Check
ARRI is selling its global rental business – we break down the management buy-out backed by H2 Equity Partners and what it means for rental-exclusive cameras and lenses. Also this week: the FCC fines alleged DJI "front companies", Sony announces the RX10 V after nine years plus the LYTIA L910 LOFIC smartphone sensor, firmware news for the VENICE 2 and GFX ETERNA 55, new gear from SmallRig, Tilta,
ep124 - Best & Worst Camera Brands for Battery Longevity | Steadicam Inventor Doc – CineD Focus Check
We settle a question every filmmaker has cursed at some point: which camera brands actually let your batteries last — and which strand you the moment you upgrade? Nino goes brand by brand, ranking the best and worst for battery longevity, from Canon's decade-proof LP-E6 to the fragmentation that leaves Insta360 owners buying new cells with every generation.
Then: the man who invented the stabiliz
ep123 - DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: 17 Stops of Dynamic Range? | Leica SL3-P Video Review | Apple Price Hike - CineD Focus Check
Nino reports back from DJI's Malta press event with first impressions of the Osmo Pocket 4P, Johnnie's Leica SL3-P video review goes live, and Apple has a mixed week – raising MacBook and iPad prices while also shipping a meaningful Creator Studio update for Final Cut Pro.
We also cover Adobe's planned acquisition of Topaz Labs, MultiDyne stepping in to save the MRMC motion-control brand, a new s
ep122 - New Leica SL3-P Review and Lab Test + What's Next for the DJI Ronin 4D? - CineD Focus Check
We dig into the new Leica SL3-P with a full review and Lab Test, share the results of our DJI Ronin 4D successor poll, go behind the scenes on an immersive BBC Proms production for Apple Vision Pro, and run through a wave of new on-set apps and gear – plus SMPTE opening its standards catalog, two pieces of FUJIFILM news, new DZOFILM adapters, and CVP’s Warranty+.
Chapters & Articles Mentioned
ep121 - Pocket Wars: DJI vs. Insta360, Paramount–Warner Bros. Approved, MRMC Liquidation & New Blazar Anamorphic Zoom & Angénieux EZ 65 Lenses – CineD Focus Check
In this week's Focus Check, Nino and Johnnie tackle an industry in a tumultuous, consolidation-heavy phase. They open with the escalating Insta360 vs. DJI patent war over the Luna Ultra, then move through Artlist's layoffs, the US approval of Paramount's Warner Bros. merger, and MRMC's surprise liquidation just weeks after Nikon sold it off. From there the episode shifts into new gear: the budget
ep120 - Cine Gear 2026 Round Up: ZEISS Horizon Anamorphic, Sony RIALTO 65, Kinefinity VISTA – CineD Focus Check
This week's episode is all about Cine Gear, which took place at the beginning of the month in Los Angeles. We discuss what brands and new products Johnnie covered at the show — from the ZEISS Horizon Anamorphic lens to the Sony RIALTO 65 sensor block. Further, we talk about the Kinefinity VISTA pricing, Apple Immersive Video updates at WWDC26, the ARRI Eurovision documentary, and GoPro's going con
ep119 - High-End Anamorphics From Filmmakers: Inside Glaswerk's Lenses – CineD Focus Check
In this special episode of Focus Check, Johnnie sits down with our guests David Kellermann and Viola Evang, the co-founders of Glaswerk Optics – a German lens manufacturer developing high-end 2x anamorphic cinema lenses. Tune in to this candid conversation about their seven-year journey: from a client arriving with a box of old projection lenses, to engineering some of the most meticulously design
ep118 - From an $8M Exit to a Virtual Production Studio: Inside Biro Florin's New Course – CineD Focus Check
In this episode of Focus Check, Nino speaks with Biro Florin — entrepreneur, misfit, and founder of Masterwork Films — about his unconventional path from cosmetics and software to running a green screen virtual production studio in Brighton, UK. They also dive deep into the new Virtual Production for Beginners course now available on MZed, which Biro co-created to help filmmakers, studio owners, a
ep117 - Insta360 Mic Pro, Profoto ProPanel & ASUS OLED Monitor Review | ARRI Omnibar | Focus Check
Nino shares what it was like to be embedded in the ARRI ALEXA 35 broadcast deployment at Eurovision 2026, followed by discussions of the newly released Insta360 Mic Pro, Graham’s review of the Profoto ProPanel 3×2 LED soft panel, two ASUS ProArt OLED monitor reviews, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone, a Sony a7 V firmware update, the Thypoch Voyager 24–50mm f/2.8 lens, the ARRI Omnibar LED bars, t
ep116 - Canon EOS R6 V, Sony a7R VI & Panasonic LUMIX L10 | ARRI ALEXA 35 Live at Eurovision Song Contest - Behind-the-Scenes with CineD
This week on Focus Check: three major camera announcements (Canon EOS R6 V, Sony Alpha 7R VI, Panasonic LUMIX L10), the first same-day lab test for the a7R VI, a DJI Osmo Pocket 4P teaser, Sony's landmark TSMC joint venture, and what the new global battery rules mean for filmmakers flying with gear. Plus: Nino shares what it's been like filming behind the scenes at Eurovision with 24 ARRI Alexa 35
ep115 - I'm Back Founders: Why a Digital Sensor for Your Film Camera Hit $1M – CineD Focus Check
I'm Back Roll APS-C on Kickstarter: https://i-m-back-gmbh.kckb.me/8c61e3bd
Samuel and Filippo, the two founders of I'm Back, join Nino to talk about their latest Kickstarter campaign: the I'm Back Roll APS-C — a self-contained digital sensor that replaces the pressure plate inside any analog 35mm camera. Nearly $1 million raised, 1,400+ backers, and two significant mid-campaign updates later, we
ep114 - NAB 2026 Best of Show: Kinefinity Vista, GoPro Mission 1, iodyne & more – CineD Focus Check
Episode 114 of Focus Check is our full NAB 2026 Best of Show breakdown — 11 categories, 12 winners — covering cameras, lenses, lights, monitors, intercoms, power, storage, and post-production tools. Plus non-NAB releases from DJI and ARRI.
This episode is sponsored by Nanlite. Check it out at 27:58
(00:00) Intro & overview
(03:31) Kinefinity Vista Teased at NAB 2026 – Sub-$3,000 Full-Fra
ep113 - NAB 2026 Wrap-Up: Biggest Trends, Camera News & Hard Truths About the Industry ft. Michael Cioni - CineD Focus Check
Live from NAB 2026 — Nino Leitner, Johnnie Behiri, Graham Sheldon, and Michael Cioni break down four packed days on the show floor.
AI is finally landing inside tools you actually use, a new wave of affordable Chinese cameras is threatening Japan's dominance, and the ARRI acquisition raises big questions about the future of cinema cameras. We also get into the GoPro effect, the sunk-cost fallacy k
ep112 - From Rockets to Light Meters: Marko Pirc Built the LIT DUO 1 – CineD Focus Check
In this episode of Focus Check, host Johnnie sits down with Marko Pirc, founder of LIT Systems and the creator of the LIT DUO 1 light meter. It is a rare, candid conversation about what it really takes to build a professional hardware product from scratch in Europe: the failures, the crowdfunding mechanics, the supply chain reality, and the product decisions that led to one of the most distinctive
ep111 - Apple's 50 Years in Filmmaking | I'm Back Roll APS-C | Videndum's Financial Crisis - CineD Focus Check
The I'm Back Roll goes APS-C on Kickstarter, Videndum's near-bankruptcy and what it means for Teradek, SmallHD, and Manfrotto, Apple's 50-year impact on filmmaking, why camera batteries fail, CVP expanding into the DACH region, the AutoCut 2.0 Premiere Pro plugin, and a new AI pre-production lesson on MZed.
Sponsor of this episode is NANLITE. Check out the section at 20:40
Chapters and Articles in
ep110 - CineD Database Update, DJI vs. Insta360 Patent War, Sony Memory Card Shortage & More - CineD Focus Check
Episode 110 of the CineD Focus Check is a packed news week. Nino and Johnny cover a major update to the CineD Camera Databases, an escalating patent dispute between DJI and Insta360, Sony's dramatic suspension of nearly all memory card sales, a new shot listing course on MZed, the Panasonic LUMIX TZ300 compact camera, a new affordable pancake lens from SG Image, DNG becoming an ISO standard, a Fuj
ep109 - DJI Avata 360 vs Antigravity A1, Sora is DEAD, GoPro Patent Loss & 18 More Stories – CineD Focus Check
In this week's episode of the Focus Check podcast, Nino and Johnnie cover a remarkably packed week of filmmaking news. They dig into the brand-new DJI Avata 360 drone, which arrived at the CineD office literally the day before recording, discuss OpenAI's surprise decision to shut down the Sora app and the collapse of its Disney deal, break down what GoPro's patent case against Insta360 actually re
ep108 - Passion, Design & Global Business: Meet the Woman Behind Harlowe Lighting - CineD Focus Check
In this episode, we sit down with Helena, founder of Harlowe (previously Hobolite) and CEO of AEC Lighting Solutions, calling in from her Shanghai office fresh off a trip through Europe. Helena’s story is anything but ordinary: raised in the Chinese countryside, self-taught in art from age five, trained as a mechanical engineer, and now running a globally recognized premium lighting brand with 26
ep107 - DJI RS 5 Review, GoPro GP3 Chip, RØDECaster Video Core with EDL Export & ASC Awards – CineD Focus Check
In this week’s episode of Focus Check, Nino and Johnnie cover a packed week of filmmaking news. The headlines include an in-depth DJI RS 5 review tracing a decade of Ronin evolution, new Blazar Viper 1.5x full-frame anamorphic lenses, Fujifilm’s community-voted X-mount lens concepts, smartphone camera highlights from Mobile World Congress 2026 (Vivo X300 Ultra and TECNO concept devices), a new les
ep106 - ARRI x HONOR Partnership, CP+ 2026, AI Memory Crisis & Sony a7 V Lab Test – CineD Focus Check
Nino and Johnnie reunite after Johnnie's trip to CP+ 2026 in Yokohama. This week's episode is one of the busiest of the year so far — covering Japan's biggest photo show, a candid Panasonic executive interview, an ARRI smartphone partnership nobody saw coming, the new Apple MacBook Pro M5 lineup, Sony a7 V lab results, a raft of Sigma announcements (including rice), a field offloader review, and a
ep105 - Is AI Video Already Undetectable — Or Are We Just Fooling Ourselves? - CineD Focus Check
AI video has gone from novelty to noise — and Jeremy Carrasco has been watching every step of it. In episode 105 of CineD Focus Check, the live streaming veteran turned AI video educator walks us through what the latest generation of diffusion models can and can't do, why every model still has a detectable fingerprint, and why the bigger threat isn't fake videos fooling people — it's real videos b
ep104 - Insights from BSC Expo | Camera at the Winter Olympics | AI in Video Production - CineD Focus Check
In this week’s Focus Check episode, Johnnie and Nino celebrate two years of the podcast, discuss their recent experiences at BSC in London, and engage with their community through poll results on content preferences. They delve into the impact of AI on filmmaking, networking within the industry, and the latest camera technologies showcased at the Winter Olympics.
The episode also covers Bla
ep103 - 'All Cameras Look the Same' — David Bross on Digilog App, DIY Camera Building & Escaping the Digital Look – Focus Check Podcast
In this conversation, David Bross shares his unique journey from being a director of photography to woodworking and app development. He discusses the creation of his free iPhone app Digilog, which simulates Kodak film looks, and his philosophy of open-source software and teaching the next generation of filmmakers.
David walks us through the technical challenges behind the Digilog app (free in the
ep102 - YouTube Paid $100 Billion to Creators | Hohem iSteady MT3 | DJI RS 5 | Astera QuikBeam – CineD Focus Check
Imagine this: YouTube has paid over $100 billion to creators in the last four years. That’s an enormous sum — far more than most TV networks spend on content today. In this episode, we take a closer look at what that means for creators and the platform as a whole.
Further in this episode, we talk about plenty of other highlights, including two brand-new Hohem gimbals (which Nino reviewed), a range
ep101 - Canon EOS C50 Lab Test discussed | Nikon ZR Firmware Update | Vimeo Layoffs | Leica Sale Soon? | CineD Focus Check
In this episode, we break down our Canon EOS C50 Lab Test results and explore the gap between specs and real-world performance. We also cover the Nikon ZR firmware update, Vimeo's mass layoffs under Bending Spoons, rumors of a potential Leica sale, SmallHD and Iodyne product updates, this year's Oscar cinematography nominees, and Google's $2 million partnership with Sundance to train filmmakers on
ep100 – Episode 100 Special: A Look Back & A Look Forward | We Tested FUJIFILM's GFX Eterna 55 and Have Opinions
This week, we celebrate the 100th episode of the CineD Focus Check show—a perfect opportunity to look back at the episodes that stood out and became truly special over time.
It is also the right moment to thank our community. Your continued support, engagement, and passion for the show mean a great deal to us. We are genuinely grateful to have such a strong audience that shares our enthusiasm for
ep99 - Apple Creator Studio | Rise and fall of Vimeo | FUJIFILM Instax Mini Evo Cinema - CineD Focus Check
This week’s episode dives into Apple’s newly announced Creator Studio – now offered as a subscription model. Johnnie and Nino also take a closer look at the rise and fall of Vimeo, discussing what changed over the years on this once filmmaker-focused platform. Plus, FUJIFILM has announced a… let’s say, very unique cinema camera.
So don’t miss out on the latest updates from the world of cine tech!
ep98 - "The Creator" DP Oren Soffer vs. AI Hype - CineD Focus Check
This week on CineD Focus Check, CineD's Nino Leitner sits down with cinematographer Oren Soffer, co-cinematographer on Gareth Edwards’ The Creator—the $70M sci-fi feature that sparked industry conversation for its minimal, agile approach to big-scale filmmaking.
But this episode is not about camera specs. It’s an honest, wide-ranging discussion about generative AI and what it’s doing to culture, t
ep97 - Discussion of all Lab Tests of 2025, Annual Lab Test Breakdown - CineD Focus Check
In this episode, we break down all the camera lab tests of 2025 and give you a clear overview of which cameras stood out — and which ones fell a bit short.
Nino and Gunther go through all seven cameras we tested, sharing key insights, surprises, and takeaways from this year’s results.
Hit play and join us for a deep dive into the cameras that shaped 2025.
Chapters and Articles in This Episode
ep96 - Why Roger Deakins Is Right About AI (And Everyone's Missing It) with Tal Lazar - CineD Focus Check
In this special episode of the CineD FocusCheck Podcast, host Nino welcomes back filmmaker, educator, and author Tal Lazar for a wide-ranging conversation about what cinematography really is — and what it needs to become in an age of rapidly evolving technology.
Tal’s new book, Cinematography: Beyond Technique, challenges a long-standing assumption in filmmaking: that mastering cameras, lenses, an
ep95 - Nexus G1 Explained, A Conversation with the Camera’s Creators : The Most Ambitious Cinema Camera Yet? CineD Focus Check
For this week's episode on the CineD Focus Check podcast, Nino speaks with special guests Timothy and Thomas Boland from Nexus Camera about how the Nexus G1 came to life — and what it’s trying to solve for solo operators and small crews.
They share their background in industrial design and filmmaking, why rigging and workflow friction pushed them toward building their own camera, and how they appr
ep94 - Netflix vs. Paramount Bidding War, Sony’s 200MP Sensor, Tilta AF Adapter & The Steve Jobs Story Behind the "Ken Burns Effect"
As many of you have probably heard, two giants in Hollywood are now competing to merge with one another. Netflix is attempting to acquire Warner Bros., while Paramount has also submitted its own bid for the company. But what does this actually mean, especially for filmmakers? Nino and Johnnie break it down in detail in this episode, along with a range of other compelling topics.
Chapters and Art
ep93 - Sony a7 V Announced | Poll: Camera of the Year 2025 | ARRI Cuts 150 Jobs | CineD Focus Check
As the year slowly comes to an end, so do the camera releases—but there was one last long-awaited announcement that just hit the market. Sony has officially unveiled the newest successor in the Alpha 7 series: the Sony A7 Mark V.
Nino and Johnnie take a closer look at this newly announced camera, and alongside the news, they dive into a discussion about what might become the Camera of the Year 202
ep92 - MZed Pro Black Friday Deal | LUMIX Firmware Updates | Nexus G1 Footage Released | CineD Focus Check
Exciting news at the CineD Newsroom! This week, we’re talking about some rare, once-a-year offers on our MZed platform, and Nino and Johnnie share why now is the perfect time to grab an MZed subscription.
We also take a look at the latest updates on the Nexus G1, including new sample footage. Another big topic in this episode is LUMIX: the company has just released firmware updates claiming to add
ep91 - DJI OSMO Action 6 | Inter BEE 2025 | ARRI Film Lab | CineD Focus Check
This week, another DJI product has landed in the studio — the brand-new DJI Osmo Action 6. Johnnie joins us live from Inter BEE in Japan, sharing his first impressions from the show and what's new on the ground.
Meanwhile, there are fresh updates from ARRI and ASUS, and Nino dives into the results of a recently released IMAGO study that sparked some interesting conversations. So hit that play butt
ep90 - DJI Neo 2 Announced | SIRUI Astra Lenses | Sony FX2 Lab Test Results | CineD Focus Check
In this week’s episode, there's a lot to talk about! DJI just released the successor to its smallest drone – the DJI Neo 2. But the excitement is mixed with concern, as there's growing talk about a potential DJI ban in the US. Join the discussion to hear all the details and what this could mean for filmmakers.
Meanwhile, Johnnie gives us a first look at the brand-new lens series from SIRUI and div
ep89 - Custom optics with a social mission with Peppe Badalamenti from LVX - CineD Focus Check Podcast
In this episode, Johnnie talks with filmmaker and lens creator Peppe Badalamenti, joining from Guatemala. Peppe has built something very personal: a small lens brand shaped by his own journey, his heritage, and his love for cinema.
What makes his work special isn’t just the image, but the intention. Every lens he produces supports real people and real stories — from care homes in his community to
ep88 - Adobe Max | Vimeo Updates | Tilta Mini PD V-Mount Battery Plate | CineD - Focus Check
This week’s episode is hosted by Nino, as Johnnie is currently in LA attending the Adobe MAX conference. Nino gives us a preview of what’s being announced there, along with updates from Vimeo and yet another wake-up call for Hollywood, as the numbers continue to decline. We’re also covering new gear updates from Tilta, SWIT, and FilmConvert.
So, as always, hit that play button and enjoy your weekl
ep87 - Nikon ZR Review and Lab Test | Pixboom Spark Review | ASUS ProArt Display Review | Apple M5 MacBook Pro, iPad Pro and Vision Pro
A week full of reviews! In this episode of Focus Check, we dive into some long-awaited camera and gear reviews. Johnnie shares his hands-on experience with the Nikon ZR, a camera he’s been testing extensively over the past few weeks, and we cover our review of the Pixboom camera. Plus, we finally published the Lab Test for the ZR, revealing some interesting details about its RAW handling capabilit
ep86 - Is internal RAW Video Recording on Cameras Essential? | K&F CONCEPT Video Tripod Review | Elgato Prompter XL
In this week’s episode, we’re asking: Is internal RAW recording in cameras a real necessity or just hype? We also take a closer look at K&F’s newly released tripod and cover some of the latest gear updates from the week.
As always, tune in for your weekly dose of cine tech news and insights!
Chapters and Articles in This Episode
(00:00) – Intro
(02:49) - Camera Internal RAW Recording for Vid
ep85 - Tilta Nucleus-M II Review | Ethical AI Video Course | DJI Mavic 4 Pro Firmware Update | Apple Immersive Workshop in Cupertino
Another week, another podcast episode!
This week, we’re diving deep into an intensive review of the Tilta Nucleus-M II, a wireless follow focus system, and tackling the never-ending and often divisive topic of AI for filmmakers.
Nino and Johnnie discuss the new MZed Ethical AI Video Course, what it’s all about, and why now is the perfect time to start learning how to use these powerful tools respo
ep84 - Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra Review | Portable Editing Set-up | OpenAI Sora 2 | Sony FE 100mm Macro Lens
This week’s episode covers a wide range of topics. First, we dive into Nino’s recent review of the Hohem iSteady Gimbal, followed by Johnnie’s go-to mobile editing setup, where he explains why it’s such a practical choice for creators on the move. We also discuss the latest shifts in the cine tech industry, including the closure of several companies, as well as exciting news about newly released l
ep83 - DJI Osmo Nano | New GoPros | Oren Soffer Shooting FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 | Premiere Pro 25.5 | Saramonic Air
Another week, another new DJI product! This time, DJI has released the brand-new DJI Osmo Nano – a compact, modular action camera that Nino got his hands on right away. He tested it so thoroughly, he almost lost track of time and showed up late to this episode!
Alongside new action cameras, we’re also covering the latest Adobe Premiere Pro updates, plus a few lingering highlights from IBC.
So, as
ep82 - DJI Mini 5 Pro | IBC Highlights: Pixboom Spark, Canon EOS C50, Nikon ZR, FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55, Viltrox AF Adapter & Much More
Right after IBC, DJI unveiled a brand-new drone that we got to test in our studio. But that’s not all – IBC 2025 was packed with exciting announcements, and we’ve got plenty to talk about!
In this episode, we go through the most important highlights, share what really caught our attention, and reveal the winners of our IBC Best of Show Awards.
If you couldn’t make it to the show, this episode is t
ep81 - The Week of New Cine Cams! | Canon EOS C50 | Nikon ZR | RED V-RAPTOR XE | FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 | iPhone 17 Pro
This week isn’t about two new cameras—or even four. We’ve got six brand-new cameras hitting the market, most of them from major manufacturers. It looks like everyone wants to reveal their latest gear just before IBC, which means this year’s show is shaping up to be an exciting one.
In this special episode, we dive into all the fresh announcements: new cameras, lenses, and even some software update
ep80 - New Anamorphic Podcast Studio | Insta360 GO Ultra | DJI Mic 3 | NIKKOR Z 24-70mm – Focus Check
After 79 episodes, we finally found the time to give our weekly studio setup a refresh!
We’ve upgraded to a brand-new look featuring a multi-camera anamorphic setup — and as far as we know, it’s the first anamorphic video podcast setup out there.
But that’s not all! With IBC just around the corner, we’re diving into some exciting new gear announcements — from compact action cams to new drones and
ep79 - AI Video Generation tools and tricks with Drew Geraci – CineD Focus Check
Drew Geraci, best known for his iconic work on the intro sequence of “House of Cards” and his stunning high-end timelapse cinematography he also teaches a fantastic course on MZed that you can check out.
But today, it’s all about AI video generation. Yes, AI again — and it’s here to stay! More and more filmmakers and creators are adopting AI as a powerful tool in their workflows, and Drew is at th
ep78 - Are Film & TV Jobs Shrinking in 2025? I Antigravity A1 I New SIGMA Lenses | Why the hate for the Sony FX2? | Eurocine moves to Budapest
It’s summer, and most camera manufacturers are holding back their new releases until fall, when the trade show season kicks off again. But that gives us the perfect opportunity to dive into the results of our recent community poll, where we asked if job opportunities in the industry are shrinking—and why that might be the case.
Tune in for the discussion, insights, and of course, the latest gear u
ep77 - Kodak is in Trouble & What's ARRI's Future? | ASUS ProArt 32" Monitor Review I US DJI Drone Ban Looms
This episode starts with some fresh Monitor updates from ASUS and followed from the potential upcoming ban for DJI drones in the US as well as some troubling news from Kodak, alongside ARRI's rumored plans to sell their business.
We also discuss our new poll, in which we ask whether you think this year has more or less job opportunities than before. Enjoy the conversation and join in!
Chapters &
ep76 - Deep Dive: ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme Tech & Codec I SWISS RIG srRAW 1.2 I Strada Direct Camera-to-Editor – CineD Focus Check
ARRI still leads the pack when it comes to dynamic range in cameras — a fact confirmed once again by our CineD Lab Tests. That’s why it’s big news in the cine tech community when ARRI releases an upgrade to their flagship Alexa 35: the new Alexa 35 Xtreme.
In this week’s episode, we dive into all the key updates: what exactly is new, how the ARRI Core Codec is evolving, and what that means for fil
ep75 - DJI Goes 360 and Insta360 Goes Drone! I BLAZAR Mantis Review | Angelbird Performance Reader CFexpress B Review
This week’s episode brings some surprising news from a few major players in the camera world.
First off: We unfortunately didn't receive the information about the ALEXA 35 Xtreme in time for recording of this podcast. If you want to learn about ARRI's new high-speed beast, check out our detailed article or tune in to next week's episode where we will dive into all the capabilities of their new cam
ep74 - From Refugee Camp to Reinventing Vintage Glass: Guest Ron Sim from Simmod Lens
Ron Sim’s journey from a Cambodian refugee camp to becoming the founder of Simmod Lens is anything but typical. In this heartfelt and revealing conversation with Johnnie, Ron opens up about his early years, his love for cinematography, and how financial pressure during his wife’s medical school years sparked the creation of Simmod Lens. Now, he’s not just modifying vintage lenses—he’s building his
ep73 - LUMIX S1II Rivals ALEXA Mini LF in Dynamic Range! | Sony RX1R III Announced
Join this week’s episode of Focus Check as we dive into the updated Lab Test results of the LUMIX S1II — and explore how this camera is getting surprisingly close to high-end cinema cameras when it comes to dynamic range.
Plus, Sony just dropped a new camera, joining the growing trend of lifestyle-focused cameras alongside brands like FUJIFILM and SIGMA.
We’re also taking a look at some exciting n
ep72 - What are the ultimate mirrorless camera features? I DJI Power 2000 Introduced I Saramonic TC-NEO
What feature would you most like to see in the next generation of mirrorless cameras?
In this episode, Nino dives into the results of our latest community poll and discusses some of the most interesting suggestions and ideas shared by our listeners.
Of course, we also cover this week’s gear announcements—including DJI’s new Power Stations and the Saramonic TC-Neo timecode box.
Tune in to find out
ep71 - F1: The Movie Used a Custom Sony Compact Cameras & iPhone Cameras I Saramonic Air I Adobe Firefly Sound Generator
Sometimes, new films demand such unique technical requirements that they end up pushing the boundaries of camera technology. The upcoming F1 movie is a perfect example—two tech giants, Sony and Apple, developed custom cameras specifically for capturing the extreme conditions of Formula 1 racing, with cars reaching speeds of up to 375 km/h.
This week, we take a closer look at what it takes to shoot
ep70 - A CineD Camera Bag?! I How prevalent is Camera-to-Cloud? | Peak Design Pro Tripod I Laowa 8-15mm Lens
Join this week's discussion with Johnnie and Nino! While there haven’t been any major camera announcements, we’re working on something exciting—our very own CineD Camera Bag. We’re sharing the journey behind the project and exploring what's possible.
Plus, there are a few new camera updates, a fresh lens release, and some new tripods worth talking about.
As always, tune in and stick around until t
ep69 - BILD Expo 2025, Canon R1 Lab Test, New MZed Course & Disney / Universal vs. Midjourney
Right after CineGear, the next big event is already underway. Nino joins in directly from New York to share insights from the BILD Expo, a growing industry trade show hosted by B&H. Now in its second year, the event is quickly gaining recognition across the filmmaking community.
But that’s not all—this episode is packed with topics! We dive into the impressive results of the Canon EOS R1 lab t
ep68 - Cine Gear 2025 Wrap-Up with Markus Förderer, ASC: Lenses, Metadata & The Human Touch - CineD Focus Check Ep68
In this Cine Gear 2025 wrap-up episode of CineD Focus Check, Johnnie is joined by acclaimed cinematographer Markus Förderer, ASC (Red Notice, I Origins, Stowaway) for a rich and thoughtful conversation. Set against the cinematic backdrop of the Universal Studios lot, the two dive deep into the current state of lens technology, digital cinematography, and the importance of preserving the emotional
ep67 - D-Day: The Camera Soldier — Filming for Apple Vision Pro
In this episode, we were fortunate to be connected through Blackmagic Design with Victor from TARGO, a Paris-based production company that has been pushing the boundaries of immersive storytelling from the very beginning. Their latest project, “D-Day: The Camera Soldier”, is a groundbreaking documentary created specifically for the Apple Vision Pro. It blends historical footage with interactive an
ep66 - Sony FX2 | Google DeepMind Veo 3 | Adobe Stock = AI | Hollyland LARK MAX 2 | BILD Expo
Finally, the long-anticipated new Sony FX2 cinema camera has arrived at the CineD headquarters for a full stress test — and that’s exactly what we did. Johnnie has already spent some time with the camera, produced a short documentary, and shares insights on what worked for him and what didn’t. Additionally, we cover new updates on the latest version of Google’s AI video generator, Neo, along with
ep65 - Half the Sensor, Twice the Buzz – FUJIFILM X half Camera | Sony Camera Sales | Rolux Ronin 4D V-Mount Plate
A camera that shoots half-images? Sounds unusual—but that's exactly what FUJIFILM's newly released X-Half brings to the table with its unique feature set.
Join Johnnie and Nino as they dive into what makes this mysterious new camera stand out, and as always, catch up on the latest gear updates and industry news from the week.
Tune in and enjoy the episode!
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by F
ep64 - DJI Mavic 4 Pro Review & Panasonic LUMIX S1II Review, Lab Test | LUMIX S1IIE | LUMIX S 24-60mm f/2.8 Lens
DJI’s new Mavic 4 Pro brings true D-Log to all three cameras and a 360° rotating gimbal – but is it enough to replace your camera? Nino and Johnnie also dive into Panasonic’s LUMIX S1II and S1IIE, covering ProRes RAW, a stacked sensor, and CineD’s lab test results.
Brought to you by CineD.com – your source for filmmaking tech news, reviews, and education.
Tune in and get all the details!
Sponsor:
ep63 - Vertical Video, Aspect Ratios & Virtual Lenses | 100% US Tariff on Foreign Films | TTArtisan 35mm T2.1 Cine Lens
In recent years, the rise of vertical video shooting has grown significantly. We recently conducted a poll asking our community how they handle this during their productions. Do people tend to crop into horizontal videos, or are they flipping the cameras to shoot dedicated vertical shots?
What needs to be considered when shooting vertical? We dive into this topic and, of course, bring you the usua
ep62 - Insta360 X5 | K&F Concept KF-V99 Pro | Sony a7S III FW 4.0 | Productivity MZed Courses for "The Efficient Filmmaker"
Join this week’s episode of Focus Check for an exclusive glimpse at an exciting new MZed course coming soon. Plus, we’ve got your regular dose of weekly updates on lights, lenses, and cameras. Tune in and stay until the end—you won’t want to miss it!
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check it out at (27:14)
Chapters & Articles Mentioned in This Episode:
(00:00) - Intro
(01:40) -
ep61 - Recipes in Focus: Fuel for Filmmakers - CineD Focus Check
Fellow filmmakers, are you taking good care of yourselves? In a recent poll we ran, many of you said health matters, but finding the time to take that extra step is tough. So, we picked up the glove. In this week’s Focus Check episode, Johnnie invites you into his home kitchen sharing three quick and easy healthy recipes for you to enjoy.
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check it ou
ep60 - NAB 2025 Highlights – Blackmagic PYXIS 12K, URSA Cine Immersive, DaVinci 20, FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA, and LOTS More...
So many new gear updates have dropped recently due to NAB Show 2025—it’s almost overwhelming to keep track! But don’t worry—sit back, relax, and check out this week’s episode of FocusCheck for all the highlights and key updates. From cameras and lenses to lighting and software, we’ve got everything covered in one easy-to-digest episode. Enjoy!
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check
ep59 - NAB 2025 Wrap-Up & Announcements | Industry in Crisis? | Why Blackmagic Gets it Right | with Michael Cioni
Live from NAB 2025 in Las Vegas, with special guest Michael Cioni. Nino and Johnnie are recapping the show and trying to identify this year’s trends. They also discuss the different approaches of camera manufacturers and wonder if a new platform for narrative video content might be just around the corner. Stick around until the end and enjoy!
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check
ep58 - From Home Depot to Hollywood: How Storytelling Trumps Tech - with Tal Lazar
In this special episode of Focus Check, Nino Leitner is joined by cinematographer and educator Tal Lazar, known for his work with AFI, Columbia University, Sundance, and MZed. Together, they dive deep into what it really takes to become a visual storyteller in today’s rapidly changing film industry.
Can cinematography truly be taught? Is film school still worth the cost? Why do we obsess over gear
ep57 - Sony VENICE Extension System Mini, Canon R50 V & Powershot V1 | How Netflix’s Adolescence Was Made
Major camera announcements from leading manufacturers Sony and Canon happened this week - the Sony VENICE Extension System Mini as well as the Canon Powershot V1 and R50 V. In addition to that, we talk about Johnnie's experience transforming the FUJIFILM GFX100RF into an anamorphic camera via adapter. We're also diving into a wide range of topics, including the creator economy vs. Hollywood, the i
ep56 - FUJIFILM GFX100RF Discussed - Large Format with Fixed Lens | Tilta Tripods Review | Eddie AI Assistant Video Editor 2.0 | Peak Design Roller Pro
A new camera announcement from FUJIFILM: the GFX100RF, a large-format camera with a fixed 35mm f/4 lens. It seems that many manufacturers are jumping on the trend of lifestyle cameras. Join the conversation to discover all the details about this new camera and other industry updates this week!
Chapters & Articles Mentioned in This Episode:
(00:00) - Intro & Overview
(01:04) - FUJIFILM
ep55 - A DJI Camera?? Angelbird SSD 2GO Review | Canon EOS R5 Mark II Lab Test - CineD Focus Check
This episode covers a variety of topics, but a few stand out. What could happen if DJI were to release a mirrorless camera? And are smartphones starting to compete with professional DSLM cameras?
Find out the answers to these questions by hitting play and tuning in to this week's conversation between Nino and Johnnie as they discuss the latest industry updates. Enjoy!
Sponsor: This episode is spon
ep54 - Is Reflected Light Better Light? | Hierarchy & Attitudes on Film Sets | How the Film Industry is Changing with Jakob Ballinger from Lightbridge
In this episode, we are honored to welcome a distinguished guest: Jakob Ballinger, founder and CEO of Lightbridge. With over a decade of experience as a Gaffer alongside Director of Photography Christian Berger, Jakob co-developed the innovative CRLS – Cine Reflectors – introduced in 2017. This groundbreaking approach to lighting emphasizes the use of reflected light to create naturalistic moods,
ep53 - Panasonic LUMIX S1RII I SIGMA BF I News from CP+ - CineD Focus Check
Panasonic LUMIX S1RII I SIGMA BF I News from CP+ - CineD Focus Check Ep 53
The season of new camera releases has begun, bringing two exciting new models—one from Panasonic and a particularly special one from Sigma. Join us as we dive into the rolling shutter performance of the Panasonic S1R II and get exclusive updates from CP+ in Japan, where Johnnie shares the latest on FUJIFILM Eterna. Stay t
ep52- RED with Nikon Z Mount I K&F Concept Mini Matte Box I DJI Osmo Mobile 7- CineD Focus Check
This marks the 52nd episode of Focus Check, meaning a full year has passed since the very first episode! Interestingly, one of our initial topics was Nikon's acquisition of RED, and now, a year later, we’re finally seeing the first results of that deal.
Join Nino and Johnnie as they dive into what this means for filmmakers and explore which lenses are now adaptable to the new Z-Mount RED cameras.
ep51 - Raw or Not to Raw? I Camera Storage Speeds | Angelbird 4TB CFexpress Type B I Nikon COOLPIX P1100
There are still some great gear updates and valuable feedback from the CineD community worth discussing. So don’t miss out! Tune in to this week’s episode of our cine tech podcast to stay up to date with the latest happenings in our industry.
Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check it out at (28:10)
Chapters & articles mentioned in this episode:
(00:00) - Intro & Overview
(06
Recommended
Everyday AI Made Simple - AI For Everyday Tasks
FemTech Focus
Not Too Sensitive - Empowering Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) To Own Their Sensitivity
Mother Daughter Relationship Show
Skin Deep MDs with Dr. Mamina Turegano, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Jenny Liu
girl talk 🎧🫧
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah
Classical Christian Education
Veritas Vox - The Voice of Classical Christian Education
Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management
Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show - Family Motivation, Business Boss Babies, Inspirational Speakers and Healthy fun food
