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 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...

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 always – hit that play button and e...

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 the perfect way to catch up on all t...

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 updates. Tune in to get the full picture ...

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 more.

So hit that play button and j...

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 the forefront of experimenting with i...

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 updates!

Chapters & Articles Men...

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 & Articles Mentioned in This Epi...

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 filmmakers in practice. There’s a lot ...

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...