Focus Check

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 the usual gear updates for the week...

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 FUJIFILM. Check it out at (24:38)

Ch...

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: This episode is sponsored by FUJIFI...

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 usual gear updates in this week’s episo...

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) - Poll: Filmmakers, Are You Taking C...

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 out at 21:27

Chapters & Articles ...

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 it out at (34:36)

Chapters & Ar...

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 it out at 38:19.

Also big shoutout...

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 when storytelling is the goal? And...

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 innovative production techniques beh...

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 GFX100RF Introduced

https://www.cin...

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 sponsored by FUJIFILM. Check it out at ...

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, resulting i...

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 tuned until the end for all the valu...

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. Beyond this exciting announcement, ...

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)

(00:00) - Intro & Overview

(06:18) - Feedback from last week’s Ep...

It seems that several manufacturers are finding creative ways to reduce prices for their cameras. Following ARRI’s announcement last week, Blackmagic has now announced a price reduction for the URSA Cine 12K to $7,000. Given the strong engagement from the CineD community in the comments on ARRI’s announcement, it’s worth discussing and sharing different perspectives on cameras and the high-end cinema market.

Sponsor: This episode i...

A new ARRI announcement has likely caught the attention of many in the film industry. They have introduced the new ARRI ALEXA 35 Base Model, which comes at a lower price than the original (now called “ARRI ALEXA 35 Premium Model”) version but lacks some features that can be licensed and purchased separately. Nino and Johnny discuss this new pricing model and share their thoughts on why ARRI might be taking this approach. Additional...

This week, Johnnie and Nino dare a long, hard look into the crystal ball to speculate and ponder about the cameras and lenses that they expect to be released in 2025. What are the big news we expect from Blackmagic Design, Canon, DJI, FUJIFILM, Nikon/RED, Panasonic, Sigma and Sony?

As you might now, CineD rarely speculates about unannounced products, but the beginning of the year is a good excuse to make an exception to that rule: ...