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 lesson in the “Ethical AI Video for Filmmakers” course exploring Higgsfield AI, the newly introduced RØDECaster Video Core with long-awaited EDL export for the entire range, GoPro’s new GP3 AI processor, Leica’s US price increase, and the 40th ASC Awards winners with Oscars just around the corner. We have a lot to unpack, so sit back, relax, and tune in!

 

Chapters & Articles:

(00:00) Intro

(05:35) DJI RS 5 Review - A Decade of Ronin Evolution Culminates in the Most Capable Single-Operator Gimbal Yet

https://www.cined.com/dji-rs-5-review-a-decade-of-ronin-evolution-culminates-in-the-most-capable-single-operator-gimbal-yet/

(23:07) Blazar Viper 1.5X Full Frame Anamorphic Lenses Officially Introduced

https://www.cined.com/blazar-viper-1-5x-full-frame-anamorphic-lenses-officially-introduced/

(27:06) FUJIFILM “Focus on Glass – Untold Stories”: 14 X Mount Lens Concepts Revealed, Community Vote Now Open

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-focus-on-glass-untold-stories-14-x-mount-lens-concepts-revealed-community-vote-now-open/

(36:53) Vivo X300 Ultra Introduces 400mm Zeiss Telephoto Lens Kit

https://www.cined.com/vivo-x300-ultra-introduces-400-mm-zeiss-telephoto-lens-kit/

(42:32) TECNO Showcases Experiential Phone With Over Ten Concept Devices

https://www.cined.com/tecno-showcases-experiential-phone-with-over-ten-concept-devices/

(47:46) Exploring Higgsfield AI - New Lesson in 'Ethical AI Video for Filmmakers' is Live

https://www.cined.com/exploring-higgsfield-ai-new-lesson-in-ethical-ai-video-for-filmmakers-is-live/

(54:01) RØDECaster Video Core Introduced With RØDECaster Sync - EDL Export Comes to the Entire Range

https://www.cined.com/rodecaster-video-core-introduced-with-rodecaster-sync-edl-export-comes-to-the-entire-range/

(01:04:10) GoPro GP3 Processor Unveiled – AI-Powered 5nm Chip to Drive Push Into “Ultra-Premium End of the Imaging Market”

https://www.cined.com/gopro-gp3-processor-unveiled-ai-powered-5nm-chip-to-drive-push-into-ultra-premium-end-of-the-imaging-market/

(01:09:40) Leica US Price Increase Confirmed - M-System Leads the Way, SL3 and SL3-S Bodies Unaffected

https://www.cined.com/leica-us-price-increase-confirmed-m-system-leads-the-way-sl3-and-sl3-s-bodies-unaffected/

(01:12:08) 40th ASC Awards Winners: Michael Bauman Takes Top Prize for One Battle After Another

https://www.cined.com/40th-asc-awards-winners-michael-bauman-takes-top-prize-for-one-battle-after-another/

(01:17:32) Making of Vampires in 'Sinners' - Behind Cinematography and Prosthetics

https://www.cined.com/making-of-vampires-in-sinners-behind-cinematography-and-prosthetics/

 

We hope you enjoyed this episode!
Do you have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at [email protected]

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 microphone switch. Timestamps and links to all articles are below.

(00:00) - Intro

(04:42) - CP+ 2026 – Industry Trends, Highlights, and Everything in Between
 https://www.cined.com/cp-2026-industry-trends-highlights-and-everything-in-between/

(21:20) - Panasonic LUMIX Interview – S1H Successor, Cinema Cameras, MFT Commitment, and More
 https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-interview-s1h-successor-cinema-cameras-mft-commitment-and-more/

(32:19) - Panasonic LUMIX DMW-DMS1 Digital Shotgun Microphone Introduced with Different Pickup Patterns
 https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-dmw-dms1-digital-shotgun-microphone-introduced-with-different-pickup-patterns/

(36:56) - Angelbird on AI, Memory Shortages, the State of Camera Innovation and More
 https://www.cined.com/angelbird-on-ai-memory-shortages-the-state-of-camera-innovation-and-more/

(43:24) - Harlowe Omni 360 2W Introduced – A Dedicated Light for 360 Cameras
 https://www.cined.com/harlowe-omni-360-2w-introduced-a-dedicated-light-for-360-cameras/

(46:16) - Apple MacBook Pro With M5 Pro and M5 Max Announced Alongside New Studio Display and Studio Display XDR
 https://www.cined.com/apple-macbook-pro-with-m5-pro-and-m5-max-announced-alongside-new-studio-display-and-studio-display-xdr/

(57:52) - ARRI and HONOR Announce Strategic Technical Collaboration – ARRI Image Science Comes to Smartphones for the First Time
 https://www.cined.com/arri-and-honor-announce-strategic-technical-collaboration-arri-image-science-comes-to-smartphones-for-the-first-time/

(01:08:25) - ClouZen OFFLOADER 16X Review – Copying Footage With Peace of Mind and Extreme Flexibility
 https://www.cined.com/clouzen-offloader-16x-review-copying-footage-with-peace-of-mind-and-extreme-flexibility/

(01:17:09) - Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG II Art Announced – Smaller, Lighter, and Optically Superior 
https://www.cined.com/sigma-35mm-f1-4-dg-ii-art-announced-smaller-lighter-and-optically-superior/

(01:19:25) - Sigma 85mm F1.2 DG Art Development Announced – Completing the F1.2 Portrait Prime Trio
 https://www.cined.com/sigma-85mm-f1-2-dg-art-development-announced-completing-the-f1-2-portrait-prime-trio/

(01:21:48) - Sigma 15mm F/1.4 DC Contemporary APS-C Lens Released
 https://www.cined.com/sigma-15mm-f-1-4-dc-contemporary-aps-c-lens-released/

(01:21:47) - Sigma AF CINE LINE 28–105mm T3 – Full-Frame Autofocus Cine Zoom Launches April 16
 https://www.cined.com/sigma-af-cine-line-28-105mm-t3-full-frame-autofocus-cine-zoom-launches-april-16/

(01:23:25) - Sigma's Latest Product Isn't a Lens, It's … Rice. And That's Genuinely Amazing.
 https://www.cined.com/sigmas-latest-product-isnt-a-lens-its-rice-and-thats-genuinely-amazing/

(01:27:18) - PDMOVIE SMART FUSION Teased – Native Sony E-Mount Smart Adapter Combines Camera AF and LiDAR Autofocus
 https://www.cined.com/pdmovie-smart-fusion-teased-native-sony-e-mount-smart-adapter-combines-camera-af-and-lidar-autofocus/

(01:29:36) - Sony a7 V Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude
 https://www.cined.com/sony-a7-v-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

(01:32:12) - Hello LEWITT RAY, Goodbye RØDE PodMic — Why We Switched Microphones for the Focus Check Podcast
 https://www.cined.com/hello-lewitt-ray-goodbye-rode-podmic-why-we-switched-microphones-for-the-focus-check-podcast/

(01:37:32) - Atomos Ninja RAW Announced – ProRes RAW Recording, Camera Control, and a 1500-Nit Display for $699
 https://www.cined.com/atomos-ninja-raw-announced-prores-raw-recording-camera-control-and-a-1500-nit-display-for-699/

We hope you enjoyed this episode! You have feedback, comments, or suggestions?
Write us at [email protected]

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 being dismissed as fake. From the "AI accent" in synthetic speech to the slot-machine frustration of using these tools professionally, Carrasco pulls no punches.

With models like Seedance 2.0 and Kling 3 going viral for near-convincing results, the conversation also gets philosophical: is undetectable AI video even desirable, and what happens to filmmaking when spectacle becomes free? Carrasco's answer might surprise you — he sees a coming backlash against AI-saturated feeds and a real opportunity for human-centred storytelling to regain its edge. The advice for filmmakers? Stop trying to out-prompt AI, and double down on the thing machines can't replace: relationships.

Chapters and Articles in This Episode
(00:00) Introduction & Jeremy's Background
(05:30) How Jeremy Got Started Spotting AI Video
(08:19) Veo 3 — The Inflection Point for AI Video
(15:32) Every AI Model Has a Fingerprint
(21:47) The Real Problem: Doubting Real Footage
(27:30) Computational Photography & Smartphone Images
(33:00) AI Video vs. Professional Camera Workflows
(38:30) The Creator Economy Under Pressure
(44:00) C2PA & Content Provenance — Does It Actually Help?
(51:00) VFX, Extras & Where Jobs Will Really Go
(57:00) The "AI Accent" & Why Audio Is Still a Giveaway
(01:03:00) Is There a Legitimate Creative Space for AI?
(01:09:00) AI, Social Media & The Coming Backlash
(01:16:00) How Filmmakers Can Stay Irreplaceable
(01:20:24) Looking 3-4 Years Ahead
(01:26:18) Where to Find Jeremy & Wrap-Up

We hope you enjoyed this episode!
You have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at [email protected]

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 Blackmagic’s recall of PYXIS 12K cameras, Sony firmware updates, and new lighting innovations from NANLITE and DoPchoice. Additionally, they explore rehoused vintage lenses from IronGlass, high-end offerings from ZEISS, and the launch of the YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro. They conclude with discussions on the Profoto L600C lighting review and the Tilta Nucleus Autofocus Adapter, while reflecting on the future of AI in filmmaking.

 

Chapters:

(00:00) - Intro

(07:13) - Poll: What Kind of Content Do You Want to See More of on CineD? https://www.cined.com/poll-what-kind-of-content-do-you-want-to-see-more-of-on-cined/

(20:08) - Milano Cortina 2026 Camera Technology – 810+ Cameras, Cinematic Live Workflow, AI Replays, and FPV Drones Redefine Olympic Broadcasting https://www.cined.com/milano-cortina-2026-camera-technology-810-cameras-cinematic-live-workflow-ai-replays-and-fpv-drones-redefine-olympic-broadcasting/

(27:24) - Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Recall – Early Production Units Get Free Sensor Board Upgrade https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-pyxis-12k-recall-early-production-units-get-free-sensor-board-upgrade/

(30:46) - Sony Firmware Updates for BURANO, FX6, VENICE 2, FR7 and a7S III Announced https://www.cined.com/sony-firmware-updates-for-burano-fx6-venice-2-fr7-and-a7s-iii-announced/

(34:24) - NANLITE PavoSlim 360C Introduced – 4×2 RGB Panel with 27,000 Lux Output https://www.cined.com/nanlite-pavoslim-360c-introduced-4x2-rgb-panel-with-27000-lux-output/

(37:52) - DoPchoice SNAP RABBIT Introduced – Magnet-Assisted Quick-Open Softbox System https://www.cined.com/dopchoice-snap-rabbit-introduced-magnet-assisted-quick-open-softbox-system/

(39:43) - IronGlass AIR Lenses Available for Preorder at CVP – Compact Rehoused Vintage Glass for Mirrorless Systems https://www.cined.com/ironglass-air-lenses-available-for-preorder-at-cvp-compact-rehoused-vintage-glass-for-mirrorless-systems/

(47:03) - ZEISS Aatma T1.5 Full-Frame Cinema Lenses Released https://www.cined.com/zeiss-aatma-t1-5-full-frame-cinema-lenses-released/

(54:06) - Astera QuikBeam Now Shipping – Compact, Battery-Powered Fresnel https://www.cined.com/astera-quikbeam-now-shipping-compact-battery-powered-fresnel/

(57:16) - Accsoon CineView M7 Series Updates Explained – New HDMI-Only Model, Expanded Camera Control, and More https://www.cined.com/accsoon-cineview-m7-series-updates-explained-new-hdmi-only-model-expanded-camera-control-and-more/

(59:42) - SWIT FM, BMU, and BMH Series Monitors Introduce Built-In, Near-Zero Latency Mode https://www.cined.com/swit-fm-bmu-and-bmh-series-monitors-introduce-built-in-near-zero-latency-mode/

(01:01:17) - Cartoni MIXO 21 Fluid Head and Ragno Pod Tripod Riser – Hands-On Interview https://www.cined.com/cartoni-mixo-21-fluid-head-and-ragno-pod-tripod-riser-hands-on-interview/

(01:05:47) - Panasonic LUMIX S1II Gets Free ARRI LogC3 Software Key With Purchase in the US – Save $249.99 https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-s1ii-gets-free-arri-logc3-software-key-with-purchase-in-the-us-save-249-99/

(01:08:29) - CP+ 2026 Returns at Its Largest Scale Ever With a Record 149 Exhibitors https://www.cined.com/cp-2026-returns-at-its-largest-scale-ever-with-a-record-149-exhibitors/

(01:10:46) - YouTube Launches Dedicated App for Apple Vision Pro – 3D, VR180, 360-Degree, and 8K Playback https://www.cined.com/youtube-launches-dedicated-app-for-apple-vision-pro-3d-vr180-360-degree-and-8k-playback/

(01:16:34) - Profoto L600C Lighting Review – Does Profoto Gear Belong in a DP's Kit? https://www.cined.com/profoto-l600c-lighting-review-does-profoto-gear-belong-in-a-dps-kit/

(01:20:30) - Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter Launched – Adds Autofocus to Manual PL Lenses via Sony E-Mount https://www.cined.com/tilta-nucleus-auto-focus-adapter-launched-adds-autofocus-to-manual-pl-lenses-via-sony-e-mount/

(01:24:07) - Viral AI Fight Between 'Tom Cruise' and 'Brad Pitt' Triggers Hollywood-Wide Backlash Against ByteDance's Seedance 2.0 https://www.cined.com/viral-ai-fight-between-tom-cruise-and-brad-pitt-triggers-hollywood-wide-backlash-against-bytedances-seedance-2-0/

We hope you enjoyed this episode! You have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at [email protected]

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 App Store here), from translating his DaVinci Resolve color grading workflow into code, to navigating Apple's app review process which rejected the app 15 times before approval. He also talks about sourcing rare Kodak CCD sensors to revisit the Digital Bolex project, not as a revival but as a stepping stone toward something bigger: building custom, artisanal cameras shaped by personal needs rather than the technological race. Along the way, he shares a candid take on why he believes modern cameras have reached a point of visual uniformity — and why that's a problem worth solving.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to David Bross and His Journey

(03:15) Transition from Filmmaking to Woodworking

(04:26) The Creation of Digilog App

(06:35) Technical Challenges and Unique Features of Digilog

(09:01) OpenGate Recording and Real-Time Processing

(10:39) Audio Issues and User Experience

(12:45) Film Stocks and Recording Formats

(15:02) Anamorphic Lenses and Future Plans

(17:54) Community Feedback and Open Source Philosophy

(18:53) The Decision to Offer Digilog for Free

(20:07) Educating the Next Generation of Filmmakers

(21:30) Navigating Technology and Filmmaking Aspirations

(23:49) The Changing Landscape of Cinematography

(25:48) Reviving the Bolex Project

(30:00) Creating Custom Cameras for Personal Needs

(34:50) The Quest for Unique Camera Aesthetics

(39:12) Harnessing Computational Power in Filmmaking