Focus Check

This week, we celebrate the 100th episode of the CineD Focus Check show—a perfect opportunity to look back at the episodes that stood out and became truly special over time.

It is also the right moment to thank our community. Your continued support, engagement, and passion for the show mean a great deal to us. We are genuinely grateful to have such a strong audience that shares our enthusiasm for filmmaking and the content we produce every week.

In this milestone episode, we also cover a long-anticipated review. Johnnie shares his experience shooting with the FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55, along with insights and footage from a recent mini-documentary he shot using the camera.

As always, Nino rounds things out with the latest weekly gear news.

So hit play and enjoy our 100th episode of CineD Focus Check.

 

Chapters and Articles in This Episode

(00:00) - Intro

 

(00:43) - Celebration of the 100th Episode and Recap

 

(30:27) - FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 – First-Look Review & Mini Documentary

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-gfx-eterna-55-first-look-review-mini-documentary/

 

(58:03) - Behringer FLOW 4V – Compact Audio Mixer and Recorder for Filmmakers

https://www.cined.com/behringer-flow-4v-compact-audio-mixer-and-recorder-for-filmmakers/

 

(01:02:22) - PrimeLight Design VoxBox Pro MK3 Announced – Support for Wide Lenses and Integrated Filtration

https://www.cined.com/primelight-design-voxbox-pro-mk3-announced-support-for-wide-lenses-and-integrated-filtration/

 

(01:08:01) - Tilta Boulder Camera Cart XL Introduced – Carries up to 500kg of Gear

https://www.cined.com/tilta-boulder-camera-cart-xl-introduced-carries-up-to-500kg-of-gear/

 

(01:11:48) - Call to Adventure in Different Films and How Characters Refuse to Hear It

https://www.cined.com/call-to-adventure-in-different-films-and-how-characters-refuse-to-hear-it/

 

(01:14:11) - CINELUX REDUXA R2 Introduced – Focal Reducer for RED DSMC2 Cameras

https://www.cined.com/cinelux-reduxa-r2-introduced-focal-reducer-for-red-dsmc2-cameras/

 

(01:20:01) - Google Veo 3.1 Ingredients to Video Update Adds Native Vertical Format, 4K Upscaling, and Enhanced Character Consistency

https://www.cined.com/google-veo-3-1-ingredients-to-video-update-adds-native-vertical-format-4k-upscaling-and-enhanced-character-consistency/

 

 (01:23:10) - Godox KNOWLED P600R Hard P4 and P1200R Hard P8 Announced – High-Output LED Panels with Multi-Zone Pixel Control

 

https://www.cined.com/godox-knowled-p600r-hard-p4-and-p1200r-hard-p8-announced-high-output-led-panels-with-multi-zone-pixel-control/

 

(01:26:40) - PolarPro CineFlow Filter Introduced – Adds Motion Effects In-Camera

https://www.cined.com/polarpro-cineflow-filter-introduced-adds-motion-effects-in-camera/

 

(01:28:18) - Ruko U11MINI 4K Pocket-Sized Drone Introduced – Under 249 Grams, Dedicated Touchscreen Controller

https://www.cined.com/ruko-u11mini-4k-pocket-sized-drone-introduced-under-249-grams-dedicated-touchscreen-controller/

 

(01:30:03) - Viltrox NexusFocus F1 Crowdfunding Campaign Launching Today – AI Autofocus for PL-Mount Lenses

https://www.cined.com/viltrox-nexusfocus-f1-crowdfunding-campaign-launching-today-ai-autofocus-for-pl-mount-lenses/

 

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

This week’s episode dives into Apple’s newly announced Creator Studio – now offered as a subscription model. Johnnie and Nino also take a closer look at the rise and fall of Vimeo, discussing what changed over the years on this once filmmaker-focused platform. Plus, FUJIFILM has announced a… let’s say, very unique cinema camera.

So don’t miss out on the latest updates from the world of cine tech!

Chapters and Articles in This Episode

(00:00) - Intro

(01:37) - Recent Podcast Episode:

https://www.cined.com/podcast/

(07:35) - Episode topics overview

(12:30)- Apple Creator Studio Announced – Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro & More Subscription Bundle With AI Editing and Generative Tools

https://www.cined.com/apple-creator-studio-announced-final-cut-pro-logic-pro-pixelmator-pro-more-subscription-bundle-with-ai-editing-and-generative-tools/

Apple Creator Studio: CineD Exclusive Interview Reveals the Future of Pro Apps & Licensing

https://www.cined.com/apple-creator-studio-cined-exclusive-interview-reveals-the-future-of-pro-apps-licensing/

(36:56) - How Vimeo Betrayed the Filmmakers Who Built It

https://www.cined.com/how-vimeo-betrayed-the-filmmakers-who-built-it/

(49:24) - GOA – An Indian Wildlife Documentary – Shot on PIXBOOM Spark and LUMIX Cameras

https://www.cined.com/goa-an-indian-wildlife-documentary-shot-on-pixboom-spark-and-lumix-cameras/

(54:38) - FUJIFILM Instax Mini Evo Cinema Launched with Built-in Printer

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-launches-the-instax-mini-evo-cinema-camera-with-built-in-printer/

(01:01:43) - Poll: Mobile Filmmaking – What Would It Take for You to Move From iPhone to Android Device?

https://www.cined.com/poll-mobile-filmmaking-what-would-it-take-for-you-to-move-from-iphone-to-android-device/

(01:13:50) - MID49 Direct Connect XLR Module for FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 – Lower Profile, Two-Channel Balanced Audio

https://www.cined.com/mid49-direct-connect-xlr-module-for-fujifilm-gfx-eterna-55-lower-profile-two-channel-balanced-audio/

(01:17:54) - GoPro and ASUS Launch Co-Branded Creator Laptop – Workflow Integration or Marketing Exercise?

https://www.cined.com/gopro-and-asus-launch-co-branded-creator-laptop-workflow-integration-or-marketing-exercise/

(01:24:30) - ARRI Reaffirms Commitment to Lighting and Camera Systems – Full Roadmap for 2026, Munich Consolidation Underway

https://www.cined.com/arri-reaffirms-commitment-to-lighting-and-camera-systems-full-roadmap-for-2026-munich-consolidation-underway/

(01:27:31) - Hohem iSteady MT3 Gimbal Series & Company’s First Portable SSD-001 Released

https://www.cined.com/hohem-isteady-mt3-gimbal-series-companys-first-portable-ssd-001-released/

(01:32:44) - Talking About “Lens Character”, Finding the Right Words – a Video Series by Tito Ferradans

https://www.cined.com/talking-about-lens-character-finding-the-right-words-a-video-series-by-tito-ferradans/

(01:35:08) - Extreme Wide Shots for Impactful Storytelling – With Film Examples

https://www.cined.com/extreme-wide-shots-for-impactful-storytelling-with-film-examples/

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

This week on CineD Focus Check, CineD's Nino Leitner sits down with cinematographer Oren Soffer, co-cinematographer on Gareth Edwards’ The Creator—the $70M sci-fi feature that sparked industry conversation for its minimal, agile approach to big-scale filmmaking.

But this episode is not about camera specs. It’s an honest, wide-ranging discussion about generative AI and what it’s doing to culture, trust, and creative work. Oren shares why he believes public generative video models (like Sora) are fundamentally harmful—flooding feeds with “slop,” accelerating misinformation, and eroding shared reality. At the same time, he outlines a pragmatic middle ground: bespoke, closed-loop models trained on your own data, and specific use cases where AI could speed up workflows (without cutting artists out).

We also cover:

Why Hollywood struggles to adopt proven “lean production” methods—even when they work

The state of theatrical cinema, what’s actually changing, and what still brings audiences back

Why the AI hype cycle may be approaching a breaking point—and what “the last one standing” could look like

The core belief underneath it all: humans still seek connection with other humans

If you’re worried about the future of human creativity—or trying to navigate what’s real versus synthetic—this conversation is essential.

 

(00:00) — Why This Conversation Matters
Why this episode goes beyond gear and into culture, trust, and creativity.

(01:24) — Introducing Oren Soffer
Cinematographer of The Creator and why this conversation exists.

(03:00) — How Oren Got Into Filmmaking
Early influences, film school, and learning through doing.

(06:45) — The DSLR Revolution Changed Everything
Affordable cameras and the democratization of cinema.

(09:15) — Small Cameras, Big Movies
Why size stopped mattering and flexibility won.

(11:40) — Breaking Into Hollywood
Oren Soffer’s path to large-scale narrative work.

(13:10) — Shooting The Creator Differently
Minimal crews, real locations, and a radical production mindset.

(15:20) — Why Studios Won’t Take the Same Risk
Institutional fear, IP pressure, and Hollywood inertia.

(18:00) — Hollywood’s Structural Crisis
Budgets, streaming, and fewer films being made.

(21:20) — The Reality of Movie Theaters Today
Why attendance and output don’t tell the same story.

(24:30) — How Generative AI Entered Filmmaking
Tech culture vs. film culture.

(27:30) — Three Camps Reacting to AI
Rejection, blind adoption, and cautious pragmatism.

(31:40) — Why Public Video AI Is “Ontologically Evil”
Slop, misinformation, and the collapse of trust.

(36:40) — Ethical vs. Unethical AI Use
Closed-loop systems and filmmaker-controlled tools.

(42:40) — Why Black-and-White Thinking Fails
AI isn’t yes-or-no — and never was.

(46:00) — Will AI Kill Jobs or Reshape Them?
Historical parallels and uncomfortable realities.

(49:30) — Practical AI Use Cases in Filmmaking
Storyboards, previs, and speeding up iteration.

(56:20) — The McDonald’s AI Ad Backlash
Why audiences instantly rejected synthetic people.

(58:50) — Why Replacing Everyone Is the Wrong Goal
Efficiency myths and worse results at higher cost.

(01:02:00) — The Growing Backlash Against AI Content
From curiosity to open hostility.

(01:07:20) — Creatives Are Not in the Driver’s Seat
The real problem with AI adoption.

(01:12:40) — Why This Moment Still Gives Hope
Community, craft, and shared values.

(01:17:30) — The AI Business Model Problem
Why most AI companies may not survive.

(01:22:00) — The Illusion of Intelligence
Why current models don’t actually “understand.”

(01:27:30) — What Real Intelligence Would Require
Vision, meaning, and embodiment.

(01:32:30) — Why Synthetic Experiences Fall Short
Cinema, concerts, and human presence.

(01:38:00) — Advice to Young Filmmakers
Ignore the noise. Focus on making.

(01:54:55) — Final Thoughts: Creativity Won’t Disappear
Why humans will always need to create and tell stories.

In this episode, we break down all the camera lab tests of 2025 and give you a clear overview of which cameras stood out — and which ones fell a bit short.

Nino and Gunther go through all seven cameras we tested, sharing key insights, surprises, and takeaways from this year’s results.

Hit play and join us for a deep dive into the cameras that shaped 2025.

Chapters and Articles in This Episode

(00:00) - Intro

 

(03:18) - Evolution vs Revolution in 2025 Camera Tests

 

(08:40) - Canon EOS C400 Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-c400-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(13:14) - Canon EOS R5 Mark II Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-r5-mark-ii-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(17:17) - Canon EOS R1 Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/canon-eos-r1-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(20.44) - Panasonic LUMIX S1II Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range, and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/panasonic-lumix-s1ii-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(34:08) - Nikon ZR Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range, and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/nikon-zr-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(45:35) - Sony FX2 Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/sony-fx2-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

 

(53:38) - Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Lab Test – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range and Exposure Latitude

https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-pyxis-12k-lab-test-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-and-exposure-latitude/

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

In this special episode of the CineD FocusCheck Podcast, host Nino welcomes back filmmaker, educator, and author Tal Lazar for a wide-ranging conversation about what cinematography really is — and what it needs to become in an age of rapidly evolving technology.

Tal’s new book, Cinematography: Beyond Technique, challenges a long-standing assumption in filmmaking: that mastering cameras, lenses, and lighting is enough. Drawing on over 15 years of teaching at institutions such as AFI, Sundance, and FilmLab, Tal argues that cinematography lives in the space between intention and execution — not in technology itself.

Together, Nino and Tal explore:

Why great images don’t automatically make great films

How directors and cinematographers often talk past each other on set

What blocking rehearsals reveal about hidden gaps in film education

Why lenses, lighting, and framing are storytelling tools — not technical checklists

And how AI forces filmmakers to re-examine creative intention, not just workflow

The conversation also tackles one of today’s most controversial topics: AI in filmmaking. Referencing recent statements by Roger Deakins and drawing parallels to the Canon 5D revolution, Tal explains why resisting new tools outright is rarely productive — but why giving up creative intention is far more dangerous.

This episode is not about choosing sides between “traditional” and “modern” filmmaking. It’s about understanding the language of images deeply enough to make deliberate, meaningful choices — regardless of the tools involved.

Whether you’re a director, cinematographer, producer, or educator, this episode offers a thoughtful, practical perspective on collaboration, visual storytelling, and the future of the craft.

Chapters and Articles in This Episode

(00:00:57) – Welcome & Introduction
Nino welcomes viewers to the special episode and introduces Tal Lazar and the topic of his new book.

(00:02:06) – Tal Lazar, Cinematography Beyond Technique & Teaching Background
Tal’s background as a filmmaker and educator and how the book grew out of 15 years of teaching.

(00:05:35) – Visual Storytelling, “The Reading,” and Cinematic Intention
Using painting and visual examples to explain how audiences identify story and main characters.

(00:09:02) – What Makes a Great Cinematographer
Technical skill, clarity of intention, communication, and common misunderstandings on set.

(00:14:13) – Directors, DPs, and Collaboration on Set
Blocking rehearsals, overlapping responsibilities, and why collaboration improves films.

(00:20:45) – How Directors and Cinematographers Should Communicate
What productive creative conversations sound like versus ineffective ones.

(00:25:31) – Lighting and Lenses as Storytelling Tools
Lighting as observation and language; lenses, perspective, intimacy, and emotional distance.

(00:38:19) – AI, Roger Deakins, and Creative Intention
AI as a tool versus a threat, and what reactions reveal about how cinematography is understood.

(00:49:45) – Lessons from the Canon 5D Era & the Future of AI
Parallels between past camera revolutions and today’s AI-driven changes.

(01:13:51) – Practical Advice & Key Takeaways
How filmmakers should embrace technology without sacrificing intention; final thoughts and wrap-up.

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