Focus Check

ep120 - Cine Gear 2026 Round Up: ZEISS Horizon Anamorphic, Sony RIALTO 65, Kinefinity VISTA – CineD Focus Check

This week's episode is all about Cine Gear, which took place at the beginning of the month in Los Angeles. We discuss what brands and new products Johnnie covered at the show — from the ZEISS Horizon Anamorphic lens to the Sony RIALTO 65 sensor block. Further, we talk about the Kinefinity VISTA pricing, Apple Immersive Video updates at WWDC26, the ARRI Eurovision documentary, and GoPro's going concern warning.
(00:00) Intro
(06:00) ZEISS Horizon Anamorphic First Look – 2x Full-Frame Lenses With Internal Motors
https://www.cined.com/zeiss-horizon-anamorphic-first-look-2x-full-frame-lenses-with-internal-motors/ 
(15:04) ZEISS Panoptes 65 Unveiled – Ten Large-Format Primes at T2.2 with LPL Mount and 59.9mm Image Circle
https://www.cined.com/zeiss-panoptes-65-unveiled-ten-large-format-primes-at-t2-2-with-lpl-mount-and-59-9mm-image-circle/ 
(25:36) Sony RIALTO 65 in Development – 65mm Sensor Block for the VENICE 2, Remote Operation, Multiple Recording Modes
https://www.cined.com/sony-rialto-65-in-development-65mm-sensor-block-for-the-venice-2-remote-operation-multiple-recording-modes/ 
(30:41) Cinelux Project SIXTEEN Hybrid Film and Digital Super 16 Camera – First Look
https://www.cined.com/cinelux-project-sixteen-hybrid-film-and-digital-super-16-camera-first-look/
(40:30) Bosma Vega H2 First Look – 6K Full-Frame Camera With HVS
https://www.cined.com/bosma-vega-h2-first-look-6k-full-frame-camera-with-hvs/ 
(49:42) SmallRig Steps Into Bags With a 25L Backpack Designed to Secure Your Gear
https://www.cined.com/smallrig-steps-into-bags-with-a-25l-backpack-designed-to-secure-your-gear/ 
(51:15) SmallRig Enters the Storage Market With a Phone-Mounted SSD
https://www.cined.com/smallrig-enters-the-storage-market-with-a-phone-mounted-ssd/ 
(55:02) Why Profoto Is Betting on High-End Cinema Lighting – The Thinking Behind the ProPanel 3×2
https://www.cined.com/why-profoto-is-betting-on-high-end-cinema-lighting-the-thinking-behind-the-propanel-3x2/ 
(57:20) Strada 2 First Look – Local Drives, Remote Editing
https://www.cined.com/strada-2-first-look-local-drives-remote-editing/ 
(01:02:47) NANLUX Matrix 2500B and Matrix 2500C – First Look
https://www.cined.com/nanlux-matrix-2500b-and-matrix-2500c-first-look/ 
(01:05:18) Eddie AI's Shamir Allibhai on Building an AI Teammate for Editors
https://www.cined.com/eddie-ais-shamir-allibhai-on-building-an-ai-teammate-for-editors/ 
(01:08:45) Tilta Illusion Magnetic Filters Introduced – Modular Polarization and VND
https://www.cined.com/tilta-introduces-the-illusion-magnetic-filters-modular-polarization-and-vnd/ 
(01:10:49) SIRUI IronStar 100mm Anamorphic Macro Lens – A Close Focus First for the Series
https://www.cined.com/sirui-ironstar-100mm-anamorphic-macro-lens-a-close-focus-first-for-the-series/
(01:17:20) Cadrage Studio Launches in Early Access – Pre-Production Suite from the Director's Viewfinder Team
https://www.cined.com/cadrage-studio-launches-in-early-access-pre-production-suite-from-the-directors-viewfinder-team/ 
(01:21:42) Kinefinity VISTA Confirmed at $2,499 – Full-Frame 6K Open Gate, 220GB Built-In SSD, 610g Body
https://www.cined.com/kinefinity-vista-confirmed-at-2499-full-frame-6k-open-gate-220gb-built-in-ssd-610g-body/ 
(01:25:00) Apple Immersive Video Gets Live Formats, iPhone Playback, and Static Foveation Streaming at WWDC26
https://www.cined.com/apple-immersive-video-gets-live-formats-iphone-playback-and-static-foveation-streaming-at-wwdc26/ 
(01:31:40) ARRI, 12 Points – How Eurovision 2026 Was Shot on 24 ALEXA 35 Live Cameras
https://www.cined.com/arri-12-points-how-eurovision-2026-was-shot-on-24-alexa-35-live-cameras/ 
(01:33:19) GoPro Warns It May Not Survive the Year as Auditor Flags Going Concern Doubt
https://www.cined.com/gopro-warns-it-may-not-survive-the-year-as-auditor-flags-going-concern-doubt/ 
(01:35:12) The Chronos Project's Edge Bets on Real Cameras Where Most Long-Term Remote Timelapse Rigs Use Action Cams
https://www.cined.com/the-chronos-projects-edge-bets-on-real-cameras-where-most-long-term-remote-timelapse-rigs-use-action-cams/ 
📬 Email us: podcast@cined.com

ep119 - High-End Anamorphics From Filmmakers: Inside Glaswerk's Lenses – CineD Focus Check

In this special episode of Focus Check, Johnnie sits down with our guests David Kellermann and Viola Evang, the co-founders of Glaswerk Optics – a German lens manufacturer developing high-end 2x anamorphic cinema lenses. Tune in to this candid conversation about their seven-year journey: from a client arriving with a box of old projection lenses, to engineering some of the most meticulously designed anamorphic glass currently in development. The Glaswerk ONE and ONE+ prime sets are on the verge of shipping, and the story behind them is anything but straightforward.
 
(00:00) Introduction
(00:45) Meet David and Viola – filmmakers turned lens makers
(05:30) The moment a client's box of projection lenses changed everything
(09:37) Going full frame and funding the project
(13:08) The decision to go high-end: no compromises
(16:36) First prototype at Cine Gear LA 2019 – the last-screw story
(20:19) The development team: optical designers, mechanics, electronics
(24:48) The ONE and ONE+: lens design, weight, and bokeh
(29:24) Flares, coatings, and customisation
(34:00) Why so long? Perfectionism, COVID, and metadata
(35:52) Clients, pricing, and who buys these lenses
(37:12) DCS metadata: why Glaswerk chose a different standard
(44:31) Simulating lenses in 3D: Lens Sim plugin and Hübner Photonics
(43:01) Final thoughts on the ONE / ONE+ before launch
(44:31) Shipping a cinema lens in 2026: the market has changed
(49:17) Could Glaswerk make lower-end lenses one day?
(52:37) Wrap-up
➡ Visit Glaswerk's website: https://glaswerk-optics.de/
📬 Email us: podcast@cined.com

ep118 - From an $8M Exit to a Virtual Production Studio: Inside Biro Florin's New Course – CineD Focus Check

In this episode of Focus Check, Nino speaks with Biro Florin — entrepreneur, misfit, and founder of Masterwork Films — about his unconventional path from cosmetics and software to running a green screen virtual production studio in Brighton, UK. They also dive deep into the new Virtual Production for Beginners course now available on MZed, which Biro co-created to help filmmakers, studio owners, and virtual production engineers build their own VP setups from scratch — without the budget of a Hollywood LED volume.
🎓 Virtual Production for Beginners course on MZed:
https://www.mzed.com/courses/virtual-production-for-beginners
Chapters and Articles in This Episode
(01:19) Meet Biro Florin
(03:26) From Romania to the UK: cosmetics, software, and an $8M exit
(07:01) The "Misfit" mindset: Jexo, Masterwork Films, and entering industries sideways
(17:13) Raising investment: finding ethical investors and protecting creative control
(22:32) AI in filmmaking: the commercial shift, Cannes AI features, and what's defensible
(46:10) Pivoting to filmmaking and founding Masterwork Films
(50:55) Building a green screen VP studio on a budget
(01:05:14) Why Blackmagic cameras work best for real-time keying
(01:12:36) Blackmagic UltraKey, dynamic range, and getting a clean key
(01:12:55) Unreal Engine workflows: compositing inside vs. outside the engine
(01:15:49) Course structure, the 100-page workbook, and upcoming chapters
(01:17:40) Understanding business
🎓 Virtual Production for Beginners course on MZed:
https://www.mzed.com/courses/virtual-production-for-beginners
📖 Course overview on CineD:
https://www.cined.com/virtual-production-for-beginners-new-mzed-course-on-green-screen-stages-unreal-engine-and-real-time-compositing/ 
📬 Email us: podcast@cined.com

ep117 - Insta360 Mic Pro, Profoto ProPanel & ASUS OLED Monitor Review | ARRI Omnibar | Focus Check

Nino shares what it was like to be embedded in the ARRI ALEXA 35 broadcast deployment at Eurovision 2026, followed by discussions of the newly released Insta360 Mic Pro, Graham’s review of the Profoto ProPanel 3×2 LED soft panel, two ASUS ProArt OLED monitor reviews, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra smartphone, a Sony a7 V firmware update, the Thypoch Voyager 24–50mm f/2.8 lens, the ARRI Omnibar LED bars, the NANLUX Matrix 2500 series, the Godox RS100R/Bi, a recap of the our MZed storytelling webinar, and an educational deep-dive into the SnorriCam.
00:00 Intro & topic outlook
1:00 ARRI ALEXA 35 Live at Eurovision 2026 – CineD Goes Behind the Scenes of the Biggest Broadcast Deployment in ARRI History
https://www.cined.com/arri-alexa-35-live-at-eurovision-2026-cined-goes-behind-the-scenes-of-the-biggest-broadcast-deployment-in-arri-history/
33:10 Insta360 Mic Pro Released – E-Ink Display, 32-Bit Float Recording, Adjustable Pickup Pattern
https://www.cined.com/insta360-mic-pro-released-e-ink-display-32-bit-float-recording-adjustable-pickup-pattern/
18:30 Profoto ProPanel 3×2 Review – The World's Brightest LED Soft Panel?
https://www.cined.com/profoto-propanel-3x2-the-worlds-brightest-led-soft-panel-light/
28:15 ASUS ProArt OLED PA27USD Review – On-Set 4K OLED with 12G-SDI and Built-In Colorimeter
https://www.cined.com/asus-proart-oled-pa27usd-review-on-set-4k-oled-with-12g-sdi-and-built-in-colorimeter/
33:10 ASUS ProArt Display OLED PA32USD Announced – 31.5-Inch 4K QD-OLED with Dual 12G-SDI and 1000-Nit HDR
https://www.cined.com/asus-proart-display-oled-pa32usd-announced-31-5-inch-4k-qd-oled-with-dual-12g-sdi-and-1000-nit-hdr/
36:36 OPPO Find X9 Ultra Coming Soon – 8K Log Recording, 4K 120fps Dolby Vision, and an ACES-Certified Color Pipeline
https://www.cined.com/oppo-find-x9-ultra-coming-soon-8k-log-recording-4k-120fps-dolby-vision-and-an-aces-certified-color-pipeline/
44:00 Sony a7 V Firmware v2.00 Adds 32-Bit Float Audio With Adapter, Preset Focus, and More
https://www.cined.com/sony-a7-v-firmware-v2-00-adds-32-bit-float-audio-with-adapter-preset-focus-and-more/
49:41 Thypoch Voyager 24-50mm f/2.8 – Brand's First Autofocus Zoom Arrives for Sony E-Mount
https://www.cined.com/thypoch-voyager-24-50mm-f-2-8-brands-first-autofocus-zoom-arrives-for-sony-e-mount/
53:24 ARRI Omnibar LED Bars Unveiled – RGBAM Color, IP65 Build, and Magnetic Optics
https://www.cined.com/arri-omnibar-led-bars-unveiled-rgbam-color-ip65-build-and-magnetic-optics/
01:02:27 NANLUX Matrix 2500B and Matrix 2500C Announced – 2500W Fixtures for Lighting Arrays
https://www.cined.com/nanlux-matrix-2500b-and-matrix-2500c-announced-2500w-fixtures-for-lighting-arrays/
01:08:29 Godox RS100R/Bi Introduced – High-Output for Mobile Production, and Versatile Accessory System
https://www.cined.com/godox-rs100r-bi-introduced-high-output-for-mobile-production-and-versatile-accessory-system/
01:10:59 A Mighty Cut and How it Drives the Story – Free Storytelling Sessions Webinar on May 19th
https://www.cined.com/a-mighty-cut-and-how-it-drives-the-story-new-storytelling-sessions-webinar-on-may-13th/
01:12:54 The Visceral Subjectivity of the SnorriCam – Capturing Internal Turmoil with Body-Mounted Rigs
https://www.cined.com/the-visceral-subjectivity-of-the-snorricam-capturing-internal-turmoil-with-body-mounted-rigs/
Have feedback on this episode? Email us at podcast@cined.com.

ep116 - Canon EOS R6 V, Sony a7R VI & Panasonic LUMIX L10 | ARRI ALEXA 35 Live at Eurovision Song Contest - Behind-the-Scenes with CineD

This week on Focus Check: three major camera announcements (Canon EOS R6 V, Sony Alpha 7R VI, Panasonic LUMIX L10), the first same-day lab test for the a7R VI, a DJI Osmo Pocket 4P teaser, Sony's landmark TSMC joint venture, and what the new global battery rules mean for filmmakers flying with gear. Plus: Nino shares what it's been like filming behind the scenes at Eurovision with 24 ARRI Alexa 35 Live cameras.  
Sponsor of this Episode is NANLITE: Check out the section at: 14:07
 
Topics and Chapters in this Episode:
0:00 Intro — Intro & topic outlook
 
04:05 - Canon EOS R6 V Unveiled – 7K Full-Frame Video Hybrid with IBIS, Active Cooling, and No EVF
https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-r6-v-unveiled-7k-full-frame-video-hybrid-with-ibis-active-cooling-and-no-evf/
 
15:08 - Sony Alpha 7R VI Announced – 66.8MP Stacked Sensor, 8K 30p, 4K 120p and Sensor-Level Dual Gain
Sony Alpha 7R VI Announced – 66.8MP Stacked Sensor, 8K 30p, 4K 120p and Sensor-Level Dual Gain
 
35:24 - Sony a7R VI Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude
https://www.cined.com/sony-a7r-vi-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/
 
43:23 - Panasonic LUMIX L10 Announced – Leica 10.9-34mm F1.7-2.8 Zoom, 5.6K 30p Video, V-Log, and More
https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-l10-announced-leica-24-75mm-f1-7-2-8-zoom-5-6k-30p-video-v-log-and-more/
 
49:15 - DJI Osmo Pocket 4P Teaser Shows New Two-Camera Pro Version
https://www.cined.com/dji-osmo-pocket-4p-teaser-shows-the-new-two-camera-pro-version/
 
51:28 - Eurovision Song Contest with 24 x ARRI ALEXA 35 Live - about CineD's behind-the-scenes cooperation, embedded into the production
 
01:04:32 - Sony Hands Image Sensor Manufacturing to TSMC in Landmark Joint Venture, Marking the End of Its Fully In-House Era
https://www.cined.com/sony-hands-image-sensor-manufacturing-to-tsmc-in-landmark-joint-venture-marking-the-end-of-its-fully-in-house-era/
 
01:10:52 - Flying with Batteries in 2026 – What the New Global Power Bank Rules Mean for Filmmakers
https://www.cined.com/flying-with-batteries-in-2026-what-the-new-global-power-bank-rules-mean-for-filmmakers/
 

ep115 - I'm Back Founders: Why a Digital Sensor for Your Film Camera Hit $1M – CineD Focus Check

I'm Back Roll APS-C on Kickstarter: https://i-m-back-gmbh.kckb.me/8c61e3bdSamuel and Filippo, the two founders of I'm Back, join Nino to talk about their latest Kickstarter campaign: the I'm Back Roll APS-C — a self-contained digital sensor that replaces the pressure plate inside any analog 35mm camera. Nearly $1 million raised, 1,400+ backers, and two significant mid-campaign updates later, we dig into the engineering, the philosophy, and the honest unknowns.
This episode is sponsored by NANLITE. Learn more at (24:43).
CHAPTERS
(00:00) Introduction & What's I'm Back
(01:57) How Samuel and Filippo met & founded I'm Back
(03:02) Samuel's original idea and first prototype
(06:36) The Roll APS-C: how it works and what's inside
(09:42) Kickstarter response: nearly $1 million and two campaign updates
(14:34) Why the Roll is I'm Back's original idea — and why it took 10 years
(25:46) Camera compatibility and the 4mm thickness challenge
(28:20) Which cameras will and won't fit
(29:35) Mid-campaign update 1: the 2.5" OLED touchscreen
(34:17) Mid-campaign update 2: the wired sync shutter button
(37:57) Video capabilities — what's known and what isn't yet
(43:22) Thermal concerns and overheating in video mode
(47:53) Addressing unfair reviews and how to properly compare results
(57:17) Looking for a bigger partner — an open call from I'm Back
(01:00:10) Past delays, COVID, and the August 2027 delivery target
(01:07:03) Kickstarter used right — developing from scratch vs. pre-built products
(01:08:42) Gadget or tool? The honest case for the Roll APS-CHave feedback on this episode? Email us at podcast@cined.com.

ep114 - NAB 2026 Best of Show: Kinefinity Vista, GoPro Mission 1, iodyne & more – CineD Focus Check

Episode 114 of Focus Check is our full NAB 2026 Best of Show breakdown — 11 categories, 12 winners — covering cameras, lenses, lights, monitors, intercoms, power, storage, and post-production tools. Plus non-NAB releases from DJI and ARRI.
 
This episode is sponsored by Nanlite. Check it out at 27:58
 
(00:00) Intro & overview
 
(03:31) Kinefinity Vista Teased at NAB 2026 – Sub-$3,000 Full-Frame 6K Open Gate in a Palm-Sized Body
https://www.cined.com/kinefinity-vista-teased-at-nab-2026-sub-3000-full-frame-6k-open-gate-in-a-palm-sized-body/
 
 
(14:07) GoPro MISSION 1 Series at NAB 2026 – On the 1-Inch Sensor, GP3 Processor, and an MFT Mount
https://www.cined.com/gopro-mission-1-series-at-nab-2026-on-the-1-inch-sensor-gp3-processor-and-an-mft-mount/
 
 
(28:59) Radiant Images Combines 24 iPhones with Gaussian Splatting for Next-Gen Bullet Time
https://www.cined.com/radiant-images-combines-24-iphones-with-gaussian-splatting-for-next-gen-bullet-time/
 
 
(35:06) FUJINON GF 32-90mm T3.5 PZ OIS WR Lens Announced – Purpose-Built for GFX ETERNA 55
https://www.cined.com/fujinon-gf-32-90mm-t3-5-pz-ois-wr-lens-announced-purpose-built-for-gfx-eterna-55/
 
 
(39:19) DZOFILM Arcana Anamorphic Prime Lenses – Hands-On With the 1.5x Hybrid Trio
https://www.cined.com/dzofilm-arcana-anamorphic-prime-lenses-hands-on-with-the-1-5x-hybrid-trio/
 
 
(40:47) NANLUX Evoke 5C Detailed – Pocket Point Source with IP67 and a New HSIW Mode
https://www.cined.com/nanlux-evoke-5c-detailed-pocket-point-source-with-ip67-and-a-new-hsiw-mode/
 
 
(44:45) Atomos CEO Peter Barber on the Sumo PRO-19, Rebuilding the Brand, and Acquiring Flanders Scientific
https://www.cined.com/atomos-ceo-peter-barber-on-the-sumo-pro-19-rebuilding-the-brand-and-acquiring-flanders-scientific/
 
 
(52:49) Hollyland SolidCom H1 – Enterprise Wireless Intercom
https://www.cined.com/hollyland-pyro-ultra-wireless-transmission-system-launches-with-4k60-and-1-5km-range/
 
 
(55:50) Core SWX x Mondobytes PowerVault Introduced – Modular, Multi-Format Charging in One Case
https://www.cined.com/core-swx-x-mondobytes-powervault-introduced-modular-multi-format-charging-in-one-case/
 
 
(59:27) iodyne Pro Mini Starts Shipping – Digital Label, Passkey Unlock, and RAID-6 in a Pocket SSD
https://www.cined.com/iodyne-pro-mini-starts-shipping-digital-label-passkey-unlock-and-raid-6-in-a-pocket-ssd/
 
 
(01:05:15) XLCS Killdozer Cage – Weatherproof CNC Cage System
 
(01:06:37) Adobe Reinvents Color Grading in Premiere, Expands Firefly with Kling 3.0, and Debuts Frame.io Drive
https://www.cined.com/adobe-reinvents-color-grading-in-premiere-expands-firefly-with-kling-3-0-and-debuts-frame-io-drive/
 
 
(01:09:51) Pixboom Spark Ships in May: 12-Bit RAW and ProRes RAW Coming Next
https://www.cined.com/pixboom-spark-ships-in-may-12-bit-raw-and-prores-raw-coming-next/
 
 
(01:15:33) NiSi 50mm T1 Cine Prime Unveiled – LPL Mount and Large-Format Coverage
https://www.cined.com/nisi-50mm-t1-cine-prime-unveiled-lpl-mount-and-large-format-coverage/
 
 
(01:20:47) OWC Express 4M2 Ultra Announced – DIY Thunderbolt 5 NVMe RAID up to 6,622 MB/s
https://www.cined.com/owc-express-4m2-ultra-announced-diy-thunderbolt-5-nvme-raid-up-to-6622-mb-s/
 
 
(01:22:53) DJI Mic Mini 2 Released – 11g Transmitter, Three Voice Tone Presets, and Mic 3 Cross-Compatibility
https://www.cined.com/dji-mic-mini-2-released-11g-transmitter-three-voice-tone-presets-and-mic-3-cross-compatibility/
 
 
(01:25:17) DJI Lito X1 and Lito 1 Launched – Aimed at First-Time Aerial Creators
https://www.cined.com/dji-lito-x1-and-lito-1-launched-aimed-at-first-time-aerial-creators/
 
 
(01:27:18) DJI Power 1000 Mini Released – Compact 1kWh Power Station with Retractable USB-C and 58-Minute Recharge
https://www.cined.com/dji-power-1000-mini-released-compact-1kwh-power-station-with-retractable-usb-c-and-58-minute-recharge/
 
 
(01:28:41) ARRI cforce MAX Replaces the cforce plus – Twice as Fast, 15% Smaller, and With an Onboard Touchscreen
https://www.cined.com/arri-cforce-max-replaces-the-cforce-plus-twice-as-fast-15-smaller-and-with-an-onboard-touchscreen/
 
Have feedback on this episode? Email us at podcast@cined.com or leave a comment below.

ep113 - NAB 2026 Wrap-Up: Biggest Trends, Camera News & Hard Truths About the Industry ft. Michael Cioni - CineD Focus Check

Live from NAB 2026 — Nino Leitner, Johnnie Behiri, Graham Sheldon, and Michael Cioni break down four packed days on the show floor.
AI is finally landing inside tools you actually use, a new wave of affordable Chinese cameras is threatening Japan's dominance, and the ARRI acquisition raises big questions about the future of cinema cameras. We also get into the GoPro effect, the sunk-cost fallacy killing established brands, and why NAB itself might be at a dangerous inflection point.
Plus our show floor favorites: 4D video & Gaussian Splatting, Profoto 3x2, NanoLux 5C, Kinefinity Vista, and the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive.
📍 Recorded at NAB 2026, Las Vegas — B&H boothTopics and chapters in this episode:
(0:00) Intro — NAB 2026 special episode(0:06) Welcome & meet the guests(1:30) Overview: 50 videos, staggered releases(2:19) Michael Cioni: AI integrating into real tools (Resolve 20.1)https://www.cined.com/davinci-resolve-21-hands-on-at-nab-2026-photo-page-intellisearch-and-cinefocus-in-action/(4:36) AI assisting editors, not replacing them(5:00) Graham: cinema glass, anamorphics & T1 primes(6:39) Johnnie: Chinese cameras challenging Japanese dominance(8:00) Kinefinity & Bosma — affordable full-frame cinema camerashttps://www.cined.com/kinefinity-vista-teased-at-nab-2026-sub-3000-full-frame-6k-open-gate-in-a-palm-sized-body/(10:21) DJI, Insta360 & finding niche markets(11:31) PixBoom high-speed camera — making slow-mo accessible(13:00) Japanese companies: conservative culture vs. fast-moving rivals(14:00) GoPro as a cautionary tale — fads, trends & standards(16:00) Why companies stop listening to customers(17:00) How to synthesize real user feedback(19:00) Steve Jobs on why sales culture kills innovation(20:09) Marvel sequels, peak TV & the overbuilding problem(21:40) The ARRI acquisition — who bought it & why it mattershttps://www.cined.com/arris-new-owner-thomas-riedel-with-chris-richter-and-david-bermbach-exclusive-nab-2026-interview/(25:00) ARRI's decline: writer's strike, peak TV & the ZERP era(27:44) Alexa 35 pre-orders, layoffs & the lighting division(29:04) Thomas Riedel — a safe pair of hands?(31:00) Why private equity would have been the worst outcome(33:31) Red sold to Nikon — smart exit or low price?(34:09) Should ARRI have built a consumer camera?(35:20) Adobe's multi-front war — Canva, CapCut & Evoto(38:00) ARRI's Germanic perfectionism vs. iterative releases(40:10) Canon in the high-end: lessons learned(40:32) Sony Venice — succeeding where others haven't(41:01) ARRI pivots to broadcast — collision course with Sony?(42:12) Alexa 35 Live at Eurovision 2026 — CineD media partnership(45:19) Is broadcast the new lifeline for cinema camera makers?(47:10) Blackmagic Design — going all-in on ethernet & broadcast(49:31) Small HD, Evoto & attacking one vulnerability at a time(51:31) Michael Cioni on building Strada in public(53:20) Sunk-cost fallacy — knowing when to change course(55:00) Tiny product teams & the power of iteration(57:12) NAB show floor highlights — what inspired us(57:39) Graham: GoPro's Hail Mary & entrepreneurs taking risks(1:00:43) Michael: quality of NAB attendees is up, numbers are down(1:02:44) Nino: fewer international visitors, missing creators(1:04:04) Johnnie's red flag — is NAB heading for an inflection point?(1:06:00) Michael: NAB needs to find its ideal customer profile(1:08:14) The great American mall analogy — cascading effect(1:09:38) IBC, South Hall & the shrinking show floor(1:11:30) Streamers buying live sports rights — what it means(1:12:01) Blackmagic immersive camera & the Vision Pro(1:13:37) Nino's favorite: 4D video & Gaussian Splatting studios(1:18:00) Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive — 16K for VR(1:19:20) DaVinci Resolve 20.1 photo page — bad news for Adobe(1:20:00) Michael's favorite: Suno AI music composition(1:28:46) AI as a creative superpower, not a replacement(1:31:33) Graham's favorites: Profoto 3x2 & NanoLux 5C(1:33:02) Johnnie's favorites: small capable tools & Kinefinity Vista(1:34:38) Wrap-up & goodbye from NAB 2026
We hope you enjoyed this episode! You have feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us at podcast@cined.com

ep112 - From Rockets to Light Meters: Marko Pirc Built the LIT DUO 1 – CineD Focus Check

In this episode of Focus Check, host Johnnie sits down with Marko Pirc, founder of LIT Systems and the creator of the LIT DUO 1 light meter. It is a rare, candid conversation about what it really takes to build a professional hardware product from scratch in Europe: the failures, the crowdfunding mechanics, the supply chain reality, and the product decisions that led to one of the most distinctive instruments the cinema lighting world has seen in years.
Read more: https://www.cined.com/building-the-lit-duo-1-from-physics-to-light-meters-kickstarter-strategy-building-in-europe-focus-check-ep112/
Sponsor of this episode is NANLITE. Check out the section at 31:55
First off: We are aware this is an unusual week to publish an "evergreen epsiode", given the huge amount of news coming out ahead of NAB. Truth is that we are about to fly out to Vegas, and with some of the team out (shooting / paternity leave), we couldn't produce a news episode this week. But that means that next week - Focus Check from NAB - will be even more interesting! Nevertheless, this episode with Marko Pirc, the maker of the LIT DUO 1 light meter, ROCKS. So give it a watch/listen, and let us know below what you think!
 
Chapters in this Episode:
(00:00) Introduction & Meet Marko Pirc
(01:15) Growing up in Slovenia – RC models, rockets & a glider license at 16
(04:10) Background and studies
(08:35) First business – underwater light shaping for world championship photography
(15:07) The Sekonic article that sparked the Lumo light meter
(18:10) Lit Flash, patents & landing at Profoto in Stockholm
(20:24) Kickstarter reality – building the audience before the launch
(35:07) Building the LIT DUO 1 – from 5 am sketches to Kickstarter success
(42:57) What is a light meter, and why should you use one?
(42:57) The LIT DUO 1 – design, flicker measurement & 0.03% fault rate
(01:01:08) Selling points and who is it for
(01:08:37) Manufacturing in Europe & supply chain pressures in 2025
(01:11:42) What's next – firmware 2.1, third-party app collaboration & games
Have feedback on this episode? Email us at podcast@cined.com or leave a comment below. Subscribe to the CineD newsletter and the monthly Database Update newsletter to stay in the loop.

ep111 - Apple's 50 Years in Filmmaking | I'm Back Roll APS-C | Videndum's Financial Crisis - CineD Focus Check

The I'm Back Roll goes APS-C on Kickstarter, Videndum's near-bankruptcy and what it means for Teradek, SmallHD, and Manfrotto, Apple's 50-year impact on filmmaking, why camera batteries fail, CVP expanding into the DACH region, the AutoCut 2.0 Premiere Pro plugin, and a new AI pre-production lesson on MZed.
Sponsor of this episode is NANLITE. Check out the section at 20:40
Chapters and Articles in this Episode:
(00:00) Intro & overview
(04:38) I'm Back Roll APS-C Now On Kickstarter – Digital Film Cartridge Moves to APS-C Sensor https://www.cined.com/im-back-roll-aps-c-now-on-kickstarter-digital-film-cartridge-moves-to-aps-c-sensor/
(21:42) Videndum Posts Third Straight Year of Losses as £85 Million Refinancing Reshapes the Future of Teradek, SmallHD, and Manfrotto https://www.cined.com/videndum-posts-third-straight-year-of-losses-as-85-million-refinancing-reshapes-the-future-of-teradek-smallhd-and-manfrotto/
(46:11) Apple 50 Years Anniversary Link coming soon
(01:10:41) Why Camera Batteries Fail: Core SWX CEO Ross Kanarek Explains Watt Hours, Voltage, and Amps https://www.cined.com/why-camera-batteries-fail-core-swx-ceo-ross-kanarek-explains-watt-hours-voltage-and-amps/
(01:14:13) CVP Expands Into Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with Dedicated Local Team https://www.cined.com/cvp-expands-into-germany-austria-and-switzerland-with-dedicated-local-team/
(01:16:51) AutoCut Plugin Now Integrates AI Directly Into Premiere Pro to Automatically Handle Time-Consuming Tasks https://www.cined.com/autocut-plugin-now-integrates-ai-directly-into-premiere-pro-to-automatically-handle-time-consuming-tasks/
(01:20:06) Using AI for Pre-Production Mood Boards and Look Development – New Lesson in "Directing the Future" on MZed https://www.cined.com/using-ai-for-pre-production-mood-boards-and-look-development-new-lesson-in-directing-the-future-on-mzed/
📬 Feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us podcast@cined.com