Focus Check

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 cameras, and what it means for this in...

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 own.

T...

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 new lens announcements, including af...

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 what features filmmakers are reall...

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 high-speed action like this, and h...

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 the end!

Sponsor: This episode is ...

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 test, and revisit a discussion we’ve...

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 core of sto...

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 and immersive elements, offering a co...

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...