Focus Check

After more than a decade of complaining on this podcast about the lack of innovation in lighting, we finally had to put our own name on something. The OrBrella is a 60W bi-colour umbrella softlight we developed with SmallRig: eight LED ribs fire inward into a 47cm white dome for the softest possible source, then flip around on their USB-C connectors when you need more punch. It collapses into a camera bag, runs more than two hours on a 99Wh V-mount, and if you are heading to IBC 2026, make sure to stop by the booth and check it out!

This Episode is Sponsored by Hollyland. Check it out at (00:15:55)

► Check out the Pyro S wireless video transmitter: http://cined.co/nImvmn

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:04) The SmallRig x CineD OrBrella Light

(00:20:45) DaVinci Resolve 21.1 Released – AI Assistant Integration via MCP, Individual HDR Trims, and Python Scripting Moves to Studio https://www.cined.com/davinci-resolve-21-1-released-ai-assistant-integration-via-mcp-individual-hdr-trims-and-python-scripting-moves-to-studio/

(00:29:32) Blackmagic Cuts Full-Frame 6K Camera Prices – Cinema Camera 6K Now $1,755, PYXIS 6K From $2,245, and More https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-cuts-full-frame-6k-camera-prices-cinema-camera-6k-now-1755-pyxis-6k-from-2245-and-more/

(00:36:11) Nikon ZR Firmware Update V2.00 & NIKKOR Z CINEMA VV Lenses Development Announced https://www.cined.com/nikon-zr-firmware-update-v2-00-nikkor-z-cinema-vv-lenses-development-announced/

(00:44:25) Lab Test of the iPhone 17 Pro – Rolling Shutter, Dynamic Range Trials and Exposure Challenges https://www.cined.com/lab-test-of-the-iphone-17-pro-rolling-shutter-dynamic-range-trials-and-exposure-challenges/

(00:50:58) GoPro Says the Cameras Are Staying – Reading Nick Woodman’s Post-Merger Letter https://www.cined.com/gopro-says-the-cameras-are-staying-reading-nick-woodmans-post-merger-letter/

(00:53:57) Sony DP7 and DP5 Announced – Camera Control Monitors for the FX5, FX3, FX2, and FX30 https://www.cined.com/sony-dp7-and-dp5-announced-camera-control-monitors-for-the-fx5-fx3-fx2-and-fx30/

(01:00:02) Tilta Adds EVF Extension Support to Its Sony FX5 Cage – Dedicated Cable and Multi-Directional Bracket for the DVF-EL1 https://www.cined.com/tilta-adds-evf-extension-support-to-its-sony-fx5-cage-dedicated-cable-and-multi-directional-bracket-for-the-dvf-el1/

(01:02:17) Sony DWX Gen 4 Announced – DWT-B40 Bodypack with 32-Bit Float Recording, DWR-R40Q 4-Channel Receiver https://www.cined.com/sony-dwx-gen-4-announced-dwt-b40-bodypack-with-32-bit-float-recording-dwr-r40q-4-channel-receiver/

(01:05:57) FUJIFILM VF-GFXC2 Viewfinder for the GFX ETERNA 55 Announced – 0.64-inch 4:3 OLED, 2048 x 1536, 1,000 Nits, 370g https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-vf-gfxc2-viewfinder-for-the-gfx-eterna-55-announced-0-64-inch-43-oled-2048-x-1536-1000-nits-370g/

(01:08:42) FUJIFILM ETERNA ProRemote App Announced – iOS Remote Control, Live View, and Four-Camera Setups for the GFX ETERNA 55 https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-eterna-proremote-app-announced-ios-remote-control-live-view-and-four-camera-setups-for-the-gfx-eterna-55/

(01:10:37) DJI Osmo 360 II Launched – 8K60 360° Video, Replaceable Lenses, and a 14.5-Stop Dynamic Range Claim https://www.cined.com/dji-osmo-360-ii-launched-8k60-360-video-replaceable-lenses-and-a-14-5-stop-dynamic-range-claim/

(01:17:20) Hohem Eyepic Announced – World’s First 2-in-1 Pocket Gimbal Camera With Native Vertical 4K https://www.cined.com/hohem-eyepic-announced-worlds-first-2-in-1-pocket-gimbal-camera-with-native-vertical-4k/

(01:21:39) DZOFILM Arles Zoom 25-75mm and 65-180mm T2.6 Announced – Constant Aperture, Parfocal, Under 1.8kg https://www.cined.com/dzofilm-arles-zoom-25-75mm-and-65-180mm-t2-6-announced-constant-aperture-parfocal-under-1-8kg/

(01:23:26) Libec Q30B and Q50B Tripods Announced – Quick-Deploy System, 45kg Payload, Under 3kg https://www.cined.com/libec-q30b-and-q50b-tripods-announced-quick-deploy-system-45kg-payload-under-3kg/

(01:27:01) NANLITE FC-1200B and FC-1200C Released – 1350W Rated Power, Bowens Mount, All-in-One Design https://www.cined.com/nanlite-fc-1200b-and-fc-1200c-released-1350w-rated-power-bowens-mount-all-in-one-design/

(01:28:38) Hollyland Pyro 7 Ultra Released – Calman-Calibrated 7-Inch Wireless Monitor with 4K60 and 20ms Latency https://www.cined.com/hollyland-pyro-7-ultra-released-calman-calibrated-7-inch-wireless-monitor-with-4k60-and-20ms-latency/

(01:31:15) CAME-TV KUMINIK8 PRO Now Shipping – 30-Hour Runtime, 518m Range, and $128 per Headset https://www.cined.com/came-tv-kuminik8-pro-now-shipping-30-hour-runtime-518m-range-and-128-per-headset/

(01:35:52) CODEX CFexpress Cards Announced – Type A and Type B, VPG1600, and a USB4 Reader https://www.cined.com/codex-cfexpress-cards-announced-type-a-and-type-b-vpg1600-and-a-usb4-reader/

(01:39:23) CineDream Releases Native Plug-Ins for Premiere Pro, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve https://www.cined.com/cinedream-releases-native-plug-ins-for-premiere-pro-after-effects-final-cut-pro-and-davinci-resolve-on-image-grading-with-aces-2-0-color-management/

(01:41:13) Caira Adds Generative Video Editing – Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash, Runway Aleph 2.0, and 720p or 1080p Output https://www.cined.com/caira-adds-generative-video-editing-gemini-omni-1-1-flash-runway-aleph-2-0-and-720p-or-1080p-output/

(01:47:29) Chasing the Glow – Understanding Halation and Why Filmmakers Keep Coming Back to It https://www.cined.com/chasing-the-glow-understanding-halation-and-why-filmmakers-keep-coming-back-to-it/

Let us know what you think about the OrBrella in the comments, write to us at podcast@cined.com, and subscribe for the IBC coverage coming over the next two weeks.

A YouTuber became GoPro’s largest single shareholder on Sunday. And on Tuesday, GoPro announced it is being sold – to Starman Optical, an optical-photonics company that builds transceivers for AI data centres, for $285 million. Nino’s read: this is a move into defence, robotics and aerospace, and continued support for cameras is not the same as continued investment. Same week, Miller – the Australian company that invented the fluid head in 1946 – is closing its doors, and Sony, Tilta, Samsung, Apple and Sigma all raised prices. And Samsung’s launch campaign for SSDs aimed at filmmakers appears to contain not a single real frame.

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

Markiplier becomes GoPro’s largest shareholder

GoPro to merge with Starman Optical

LIT DUO 1 review

Sony Cinema Line price increases in Japan

Tilta raises prices on September 1

Samsung P9 and P7 portable SSDs

Apple refreshes Mac Studio and Mac mini

Welcome to Lollywood

 PYXIS 12K face-detect autofocus beta

 Phantom LUTs for Nikon ZR

 DJI Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P firmware update

 Open Pocket Cine

 Avid Media Composer 2026.8

Sigma Cine Prime line extension

Bilibili goes global

Digital de-aging and the uncanny valley

Ethical AI filmmaking course – Seedance 2.5 lesson

Let us know what you think in the comments below or on YouTube, and email us at podcast@cined.com if there is something you want us to discuss on the show.

Imagine putting on a headset and seven minutes later feeling like you have actually flown a light aircraft over the Grand Canyon. That is the pitch behind the Cirrus app for Apple Vision Pro, and it might be the most convincing case yet for Apple Immersive Video as a commercial format. This week's Focus Check is a special one – not a news episode, but a long-form interview. Nino talks to Anthony Bottini, Director of Media at Cirrus Aircraft, who had to sell this project internally, and to John "JR" Racine of Rogue Labs, who shot and finished it. Five days over the Arizona desert, three Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive cameras, the Top Gun: Maverick aerial team, 25 to 30 terabytes for two hours of footage – and people taking the headset off in tears.

 

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

 

(00:00:00) Cold open: flying the Grand Canyon in a headset

(00:01:06) Why Cirrus built an Apple Vision Pro app

(00:01:51) Meet John "JR" Racine (Rogue Labs) and Anthony Bottini (Cirrus)

(00:03:40) Selling immersive internally: Vision Pros for the global sales team

(00:06:10) Five days in the desert: Page, Arizona and the weather

(00:06:28) Who did what: Cirrus, Rogue Labs, Blackmagic and XBrand

(00:07:59) The weather day that snow-dusted the Grand Canyon

(00:09:11) Air-to-air with a fixed 180° lens

(00:09:30) Kevin LaRosa, Michael FitzMaurice and the Piper Aerostar camera ship

(00:11:23) Rigging and vibration: why nothing was stabilised in post

(00:12:11) Why the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive made this possible

(00:13:17) The limits of the medium: shooting inside a cockpit

(00:15:30) One BRAW file per shot: the DaVinci Resolve workflow

(00:16:16) Fixed focus from the factory

(00:17:40) Lens borrowing: winning back 5 to 10 degrees of field of view

(00:19:15) Directing the viewer's gaze

(00:21:05) 16K, 25 to 30 terabytes and the post pipeline

(00:22:33) From a December shoot to a January demo

(00:23:32) "A good spatial edit is 50% of the experience"

(00:26:52) Measuring success without a big installed base

(00:29:35) "I've seen people cry" and the 100% scale aircraft models

(00:32:13) One-off, or the start of an immersive programme?

(00:34:54) Outro

Artlist sold a year of unlimited AI video generation with Seedance 2.5 for $500, paid up front. Days later, it was gone. This is not a company blindsided by success – this is a company that knew exactly what was going to happen and did it anyway. Our recommendation: do not give Artlist your money up front, because they cannot be trusted. And that wasn't even the week's biggest shakeup. YouTube just moved the goalposts for every creator on the platform: from August 24, a view registers from the moment playback starts – first frame, no minimum watch time. Drones are about to get 25% more expensive in the US, and Kodak just posted its best numbers in years on film stock.

 

This Episode is Sponsored by Hollyland. Check it out at (00:15:55)

Learn more: http://cined.co/VRLOCb

 

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:25) YouTube Changes How Views Are Counted – No Minimum Watch Time, All Formats, From August 24 https://www.cined.com/youtube-changes-how-views-are-counted-no-minimum-watch-time-all-formats-from-august-24/

(00:08:16) YouTube Makes Monetization Harder – New Partner Program Rules Explained https://www.cined.com/youtube-makes-monetization-harder-new-partner-program-rules-explained/

(00:16:45) Nikon ZR Owners Are Still Waiting – Where Is the Big Firmware Update? https://www.cined.com/nikon-zr-owners-are-still-waiting-where-is-the-big-firmware-update/

(00:23:08) US Drone Tariffs Hit on September 3 – 25% More Expensive, and DJI Is Still Banned https://www.cined.com/us-drone-tariffs-hit-on-september-3-25-more-expensive-and-dji-is-still-banned/

(00:29:20) Artlist Sold a Year of Unlimited Seedance 2.5 for $500 and Delivered a Week https://www.cined.com/artlist-sold-a-year-of-unlimited-seedance-2-5-for-500-and-delivered-a-week/

(00:37:22) HONOR Robot Phone Launches – ARRI LogC3, Wide Gamut 3, and a Motorized Titanium Gimbal Camera https://www.cined.com/honor-robot-phone-launches-arri-logc3-wide-gamut-3-and-a-motorized-titanium-gimbal-camera/

(00:41:55) RocXZoom Heading to Kickstarter – Robotic 50x Zoom Camera With AI Subject Tracking From Ex-DJI Engineers https://www.cined.com/rocxzoom-heading-to-kickstarter-robotic-50x-zoom-camera-with-ai-subject-tracking-from-ex-dji-engineers/

(00:46:40) Sony and TSMC Definitive Sensor Deal Signed – 747 Billion Yen, New Kumamoto Fab, and Volume Production in 2029 https://www.cined.com/sony-and-tsmc-definitive-sensor-deal-signed-747-billion-yen-new-kumamoto-fab-and-volume-production-in-2029/

(00:52:45) Kodak Posts a Fourth Straight Quarter of Growth – And Film Is Doing the Heavy Lifting https://www.cined.com/kodak-posts-a-fourth-straight-quarter-of-growth-and-film-is-doing-the-heavy-lifting/

(00:56:50) Fränk Film Processor – Develop Super 8, Double 8, and 16mm at Home https://www.cined.com/frank-film-processor-develop-super-8-double-8-and-16mm-at-home/

(01:00:51) Your Mac Can Finally Make DCP Delivery Drives – INT DCP Baker Costs Just $20 https://www.cined.com/your-mac-can-finally-make-dcp-delivery-drives-int-dcp-baker-costs-just-20/

(01:04:50) amaran Mic Released – 30mm Dynamic Capsule, On-Board AI Noise Reduction, and 2.4GHz Wireless https://www.cined.com/amaran-mic-released-30mm-dynamic-capsule-on-board-ai-noise-reduction-and-2-4ghz-wireless/

(01:07:51) FAMILIARITÉ – Isabelle Huppert Stars in a Short Film Shot Entirely on the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P https://www.cined.com/familiarite-isabelle-huppert-stars-in-a-short-film-shot-entirely-on-the-dji-osmo-pocket-4p/

(01:10:17) Steadicam Elite Announced – For Hybrid Cinema and Live-Production Work https://www.cined.com/steadicam-elite-announced-for-hybrid-cinema-and-live-production-work/

(01:11:43) Point-of-View Perspective in Film – Controlling Tension, Immersion, and Empathy https://www.cined.com/point-of-view-perspective-in-film-controlling-tension-immersion-and-empathy/

 

Let us know what you think in the comments below or on YouTube, and email us at podcast@cined.com if there is something you want us to discuss on the show. Don't forget to subscribe on your favourite podcasting platform – Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

For almost two decades, one patent decided which cameras could record RAW internally. This week it fell in Japan – and the company that brought it down is the last one you'd guess. On top of that, every major camera manufacturer reported numbers within days of each other: FUJIFILM's Imaging Division is now the group's biggest earner, Panasonic posted its best quarter in 41 years without any help from cameras, and GoPro is down to $27 million in cash while it looks for a buyer. Winners, losers, and a power shift nobody saw coming.

 

This Episode is Sponsored by Hollyland. Check it out at (00:12:47): http://cined.co/VRLOCb

Topics and Chapters in this Episode:

 

(00:00:00) Intro

 

(00:01:58) CIPA First-Half 2026 Numbers – Compact Cameras Keep Booming While the Market Shifts to Pricier Gear https://www.cined.com/cipa-first-half-2026-numbers-compact-cameras-keep-booming-while-the-market-shifts-to-pricier-gear/

 

(00:13:36) Canon's Cameras Are Printing Money Again – And Compacts Are Leading the Charge https://www.cined.com/canons-cameras-are-printing-money-again-and-compacts-are-leading-the-charge/

 

(00:18:10) FUJIFILM Cameras Are Selling Like Never Before – Imaging Is Now the Group's Biggest Earner https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-cameras-are-selling-like-never-before-imaging-is-now-the-groups-biggest-earner/

 

(00:25:00) Nikon Misses the Industry Party – Camera Sales Slip in China While Memory Prices Eat Into Profits https://www.cined.com/nikon-misses-the-industry-party-camera-sales-slip-in-china-while-memory-prices-eat-into-profits/

 

(00:33:34) Panasonic Posted Its Best Quarter in 41 Years – and Cameras Have Nothing to Do With It https://www.cined.com/panasonic-posted-its-best-quarter-in-41-years-and-cameras-have-nothing-to-do-with-it/

 

(00:38:51) Sony's Money Is in the Sensor – Quarterly Numbers, the Tamron Bid, and the Kumamoto Question https://www.cined.com/sony-q1-fy2026-financial-results-image-sensors-shine-outlook-raised-and-tamron-bid-confirmed/

 

(00:46:10) GoPro Says Its Sale Process Is in the Later Stages – Camera Sales Fall 38%, Cash Down to $27 Million https://www.cined.com/gopro-says-its-sale-process-is-in-the-later-stages-camera-sales-fall-38-cash-down-to-27-million/

 

(00:54:35) Videndum H1 2026 Results – Cine Brands Outperform While the Going-Concern Warning Stays https://www.cined.com/videndum-h1-2026-results-cine-brands-outperform-while-the-going-concern-warning-stays/

 

(01:05:44) Sony FX5 IBIS Lock Service Targeted for December – Sony Answers Our Open Questions https://www.cined.com/sony-fx5-ibis-lock-service-targeted-for-december-sony-answers-our-open-questions/

 

(01:14:24) The Drone in Your Kit Could Be Next – US FCC Proposal Targets Thermal and LiDAR Models Already Approved for Sale https://www.cined.com/the-drone-in-your-kit-could-be-next-us-fcc-proposal-targets-thermal-and-lidar-models-already-approved-for-sale/

 

(01:17:44) RED's Compressed RAW Patent Invalidated in Japan – Nikon Loses Defending the Patent It Once Fought https://www.cined.com/reds-compressed-raw-patent-invalidated-in-japan-nikon-loses-defending-the-patent-it-once-fought/

 

(01:24:45) Welcome Back, EVF – We've Missed You! https://www.cined.com/welcome-back-evf-weve-missed-you/

 

(01:31:27) Atlas Mercury Anamorphic Lens Price Drop – New Lower Pricing Across All Nine Focal Lengths https://www.cined.com/atlas-mercury-anamorphic-lens-price-drop-new-lower-pricing-across-all-nine-focal-lengths/

 

(01:34:55) Blackmagic Camera 10.2.2 Released – Cinema Camera 6K Gains Phase-Detect Autofocus, Cloud Streaming, and 10-Minute Pre-Record https://www.cined.com/blackmagic-camera-10-2-2-released-cinema-camera-6k-gains-phase-detect-autofocus-cloud-streaming-and-10-minute-pre-record/

 

(01:37:32) DJI Mic Mini 2S Released – 32-Bit Float Internal Recording, 14.5GB Storage, and Four-Transmitter Support https://www.cined.com/dji-mic-mini-2s-released-32-bit-float-internal-recording-14-5gb-storage-and-four-transmitter-support/

 

(01:43:32) Saramonic K9 XTX Released – Plug-On UHF Transmitter With 32-Bit Float Recording, Timecode, and 48V Phantom Power https://www.cined.com/saramonic-k9-xtx-released-plug-on-uhf-transmitter-with-32-bit-float-recording-timecode-and-48v-phantom-power/

 

(01:45:24) CP+ 2027 Announced – Four Days in Yokohama, Exhibitor Applications Open, and a New Early Bird Plan https://www.cined.com/cp-2027-announced-four-days-in-yokohama-exhibitor-applications-open-and-a-new-early-bird-plan/

 

(01:47:00) Strada 2.0 Now Available – Mounts Remote Storage as a Virtual Drive, and More https://www.cined.com/strada-2-0-now-available-mounts-remote-storage-as-a-virtual-drive-and-more/

 

(01:48:01) HOVERAir VERSA – Pocket Camera Gimbal and Drone in One: Pro Gear or Gimmick? https://www.cined.com/hoverair-versa-pocket-camera-gimbal-and-drone-in-one-pro-gear-or-gimmick/

 

(01:50:58) Brevidy for Adobe Premiere Pro – AI Captions, Automatic Social Clips, and Vertical Reframing in One Panel https://www.cined.com/brevidy-for-adobe-premiere-pro-ai-captions-automatic-social-clips-and-vertical-reframing-in-one-panel/

 

(01:53:32) Unlocking Performance – Actor-Director Collaboration, Uncanny Choices, and On-Set Immersion https://www.cined.com/unlocking-performance-actor-director-collaboration-uncanny-choices-and-on-set-immersion/

 

Leave a comment on the CineD article for this podcast or on the YouTube video, or email us at podcast@cined.com.