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 of innovat...

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 AI tools. Plus: why Adobe's 20% st...

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 filmmaking and the content we produ...

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!

Chapters and Articles in This Episo...

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, trust, and creative work. Oren share...

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

(00:00) - Intro

(03:18) - Evolut...

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, and lighting is enough. Drawing on ov...

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 approached key features such as a modul...

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 Articles in This Episode

(00:00) - In...

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 2025—plus many more exciting topics.

S...

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 address the overheating issues in the ...

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 button and enjoy your weekly dose of ci...

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 dives into the latest CineD Lab Test r...

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 children who deserve better chances...

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 weekly dose of Focus Check!

Chapters and...

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 capabilities.

Also in this episode: Gunther ...

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 Video – Hype or Important for Your Wor...

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 responsibly.

Tune in for your weekly dos...

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 lenses, AI-driven generative video u...