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 [email protected] or leave a comment below. Subscribe to the CineD newsletter and the monthly Database Update newsletter to stay in the loop.

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 [email protected]

Episode 110 of the CineD Focus Check is a packed news week. Nino and Johnny cover a major update to the CineD Camera Databases, an escalating patent dispute between DJI and Insta360, Sony's dramatic suspension of nearly all memory card sales, a new shot listing course on MZed, the Panasonic LUMIX TZ300 compact camera, a new affordable pancake lens from SG Image, DNG becoming an ISO standard, a Fujifilm GFX100 II firmware update, new Sony NP-F batteries with USB-C and D-Tap from ZGCINE, the European Vimeo alternative "Rushes," and the IronGlass Canon FD AIR rehousing announcement. A lot to get through – let's go.

 

Sponsor of this episode are NANLITE, who supplied the lighting for the podcast studio.

Check out the section at (17:05) 

 

(00:00) Intro & overview

(03:56) CineD Camera Database Update – Improved Rankings, Better Accessibility, and More
https://www.cined.com/cined-camera-database-update-improved-rankings-better-accessibility-and-more/

(18:07) DJI Sues Insta360 for Patent Infringement as 360 Drone and Action Camera Rivalry Escalates
https://www.cined.com/dji-sues-insta360-for-patent-infringement-as-360-drone-and-action-camera-rivalry-escalates/

(28:10) Sony Suspends Nearly All Memory Card Sales as Global Flash Shortage Hits Filmmakers
https://www.cined.com/sony-suspends-nearly-all-memory-card-sales-as-global-flash-shortage-hits-filmmakers/

(34:02) Shot Listing Essentials – New Course Launched on MZed
https://www.cined.com/shot-listing-essentials-new-course-launched-on-mzed/

(39:31) Panasonic LUMIX TZ300 (ZS300) Announced – Compact Camera with 1″ Sensor and 15x Zoom
https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-tz300-zs300-announced-compact-camera-with-1-sensor-and-15x-zoom/

(48:19) SG-image AF 35mm f/2.2 Lens – Combines Pancake Design, Fast Aperture, and Autofocus
https://www.cined.com/sg-image-af-35mm-f-2-2-lens-combines-pancake-design-fast-aperture-and-autofocus/

(51:49) DNG Is Now an International ISO Standard – What It Means for Filmmakers and RAW Workflows
https://www.cined.com/dng-is-now-an-international-iso-standard-what-it-means-for-filmmakers-and-raw-workflows/

(57:32) FUJIFILM GFX100 II Firmware 2.50 Released – Now Compatible With FUJINON GF 32-90mm Power Zoom Lens
https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-gfx100-ii-firmware-2-50-released-now-compatible-with-fujinon-gf-32-90mm-power-zoom-lens/

(59:11) ZGCINE BT-NPF970 Sony NP-F Battery with USB-C and D-Tap Ports Introduced
https://www.cined.com/zgcine-bt-npf970-sony-np-f-battery-with-usb-c-and-d-tap-ports-introduced/

(01:01:05) Rushes Video Platform Launched – A European Alternative to Vimeo
https://www.cined.com/rushes-video-platform-launched-a-european-alternative-to-vimeo/

(01:07:07) IronGlass Canon FD AIR Rehousing Announced – Vintage Character, Compact Package
https://www.cined.com/ironglass-canon-fd-air-rehousing-announced-vintage-character-compact-package/

In this week's episode of the Focus Check podcast, Nino and Johnnie cover a remarkably packed week of filmmaking news. They dig into the brand-new DJI Avata 360 drone, which arrived at the CineD office literally the day before recording, discuss OpenAI's surprise decision to shut down the Sora app and the collapse of its Disney deal, break down what GoPro's patent case against Insta360 actually resulted in, and touch on the strange state of LA's sound stage market. Along the way, there's new audio gear, anamorphic lenses, firmware updates, autofocus breakthroughs, and some of the biggest business stories in the industry right now.

(00:00) Intro & Overview

(07:27) DJI Avata 360 – First 360° Drone from DJI vs. Antigravity A1
Article coming soon

(26:08) OpenAI Shuts Down Sora as Disney Exits $1 Billion AI Video Deal
https://www.cined.com/openai-shuts-down-sora-as-disney-exits-1-billion-ai-video-deal/

(34:54) GoPro Loses $93.5M and Its Patent Case Against Insta360
https://www.cined.com/gopro-loses-93-5-million-and-its-patent-case-against-insta360-but-bets-everything-on-a-2026-comeback/

(40:44) LA Is Building More Stages Than Ever – So Why Are They Empty?
https://www.cined.com/la-is-building-more-stages-than-ever-so-why-are-they-empty-filmla-sound-stage-report/

(44:59) CineD Best-of-Show Awards at NAB 2026 – Submissions Open!
https://www.cined.com/cined-best-of-show-awards-at-nab-2026-manufacturers-submit-your-product-now/

(48:34) Saramonic Air SE – 5g Wireless Mic with AI Noise Cancellation Under $50
https://www.cined.com/saramonic-air-se-wireless-microphone-introduced-5-grams-ai-noise-cancellation-starting-at-under-50/

(54:30) DSC Labs Revived Under New Ownership, Relocates to LA
https://www.cined.com/dsc-labs-revived-under-new-ownership-relocates-to-los-angeles/

(56:38) DZOFILM Arcana 1.5X Anamorphic T2.1 Full-Frame Lenses Introduced
https://www.cined.com/dzofilm-arcana-1-5x-anamorphic-t2-1-full-frame-lenses-introduced-pre-orders-now-open/

(01:01:29) Alister Chapman Breaks Down Sony's Cine EI for Maximum Image Quality
https://www.cined.com/alister-chapman-breaks-down-sonys-cine-ei-to-help-maximise-image-quality-dynamic-range/

(01:03:32) FUJIFILM Focus on Glass Voting Results – XF 16-80mm F2.8 Wins
https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-focus-on-glass-voting-results-xf16-80mmf2-8-wins/

(01:07:07) Blackmagic PYXIS 6K Gets Autofocus – Face Detection & Object Tracking
https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-pyxis-6k-autofocus-introduced-via-new-test-build-face-detection-object-tracking-and-resizable-focus-box/

(01:12:42) Dockcase Selfix – AMOLED Touchscreen for Your iPhone 17 Pro's Rear Camera
https://www.cined.com/your-iphone-17-pros-best-cameras-now-for-selfies-dockcase-selfix-adds-rear-amoled-touchscreen/

(01:19:26) Viltrox NexusFocus F1 Review – Autofocus for PL Lenses
https://www.cined.com/viltrox-nexusfocus-f1-review-autofocus-for-pl-lenses-put-to-the-test/

(01:27:29) Audio-Technica ATV-SG1 & SG1LE On-Camera Shotgun Mics Introduced
https://www.cined.com/audio-technica-atv-sg1-and-atv-sg1le-on-camera-shotgun-microphones-introduced/

(01:32:56) Sony FX6 Firmware 6.00 – BIG6 Interface & External Blackmagic RAW
https://www.cined.com/sony-fx6-firmware-version-6-00-released-big6-interface-external-blackmagic-raw-af-improvements-and-more/

(01:35:09) Nikon Technical Service Advisory for Z6III, Z5II & ZR Cameras
https://www.cined.com/nikon-issues-technical-service-advisory-for-z6iii-z5ii-and-zr-cameras/

(01:37:14) AnamorphicTool – Two OFX Plugins for DaVinci Resolve
https://www.cined.com/anamorphictool-launched-two-ofx-plugins-for-davinci-resolve-fixing-optical-issues-and-adding-anamorphic-lens-characteristics/

(01:40:13) Apple Acquires MotionVFX – What It Means for Final Cut & Competing NLEs
https://www.cined.com/apple-acquires-motionvfx-what-this-could-mean-for-final-cut-pro-creator-studio-and-competing-nles/

(01:44:03) YouTube Is Now the World's Largest Media Company & Home of the Oscars
https://www.cined.com/youtube-is-now-the-worlds-largest-media-company-and-soon-the-home-of-the-oscars/

(01:51:25) Adobe Settles DOJ Lawsuit Over Subscription Cancellation Practices
https://www.cined.com/the-150-million-price-of-cancel-adobe-settles-doj-lawsuit-over-subscription-practices-every-filmmaker-knows-too-well/

📬 Feedback, comments, or suggestions? Write us [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Helena, founder of Harlowe (previously Hobolite) and CEO of AEC Lighting Solutions, calling in from her Shanghai office fresh off a trip through Europe. Helena’s story is anything but ordinary: raised in the Chinese countryside, self-taught in art from age five, trained as a mechanical engineer, and now running a globally recognized premium lighting brand with 26 years of manufacturing heritage behind it.

 

To learn more about Harlowe, head on over to their website.

(00:24) - Introduction
(01:08) - What is Harlow? The Brand Story
(04:41) - Helena's Childhood & Falling in Love with Art
(07:46) - Breaking Down the Business: Engineering Meets Design
(08:44) - Women Leading Companies in China
(10:59) - Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
(12:41) - The Design Philosophy Behind Harlow
(15:12) - Competing Against the Big Players
(17:52) - Behind the Scenes: Where Ideas Come From
(21:35)  - Win-Win Collaborations & Business Model
(22:22) - Patents: Are They Worth It?
(24:40) - Global Tariffs & Running an International Business
(26:59) - The Future of Content Creation & AI
(31:22) - Balancing Family Life as a Single Mom & CEO
(34:33) - Will Her Son Take Over the Business?
(36:02) - Hobbies: Painting, Calligraphy & Neuroscience
(37:02) - Helena Turns the Tables – Questions for Johnnie

 

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