Author Archives: Jon Fauer
ALEXA 35 Xtreme on Extreme Sailing
Elias Maria, BVK filmed NATURE OF SPEED with ARRI’s new ALEXA 35 Xtreme slow-motion cameras, that “crank” up to 660 fps, on 69F foiling carbon fiber monohulls that sail up to 65 km/h. That caught the attention of this obsessed fast sailor who wanted to hear more from Elias and Henning Rädlein, ARRI Group VP Product Marketing. Here’s the interview. read more…
ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme
ARRI’s new ALEXA 35 Xtreme will replace the regular ALEXA 35. It will cost the same. But it goes extremely fast, with slow motion speeds up to 660 fps. On the outside, the 35 Xtreme looks the same as ALEXA 35, except for the extremely Xtreme graphic on the camera right side and taller antennas. ALEXA 35 Xtreme has a new processor, more efficient cooling and some new electronics. The sensor, body, controls, buttons, finder, menu and accessories remain the same. read more…
FUJIFILM GFX100RF
While waiting for GFX ETERNA, get ready for “More than Full Frame” imaging with the new 102 megapixel FUJIFLM GFX100RF camera. While FDT was calling it “Larger Format,” and others referred to it as “Medium Format,” Fujifilm trademarked “More than Full Frame.”
Tags: FUJIFILM GFX100RF
AJA KUMO 6464-12G
Is your current router starting to get overwhelmed as you work with more and more high resolution, high dynamic range signals? With 64x 12G-SDI inputs and 64x 12G-SDI outputs, AJA KUMO 6464-12G has you covered, offering high bandwidth and cost-effective signal routing. read more…
Tags: AJA KUMO 6464-12G
RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X Z Mount
RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X now come with a choice of locking Nikon Z mounts or locking RF mounts. The Nikon Z Mount has a Flange Focal Depth of a mere 16 mm from lens mount to sensor. Inside diameter of the mount is 55 mm. read more…
Nanlux Evoke 5000B – 5,000 Watt LED
NANLUX introduced the Evoke 5000B on February 12, 2025 in London. Powerful, IP66 weatherproof, this 5000 Watt LED fixture approaches the brightness of a 9kW HMI or 24kW tungsten light.
“B” is for bi-color: color temperature adjusts from 2700K-6500K with Green/Magenta correction. read more…
Tags: Nanlux Evoke 5000B
Sony OCELLUS Camera Tracking System
OCELLUS is the new camera tracking system from Sony. It consists of 3 parts: a sensor unit that sits on top of the camera, a processing box to calculate data, and lens encoders.
OCELLUS is marker-free. It recognizes objects on set and on location, so you do not have to attach targets on ceilings, walls or the ground. read more…
ALEXA 265 – 65mm Format Camera
The ARRI ALEXA 265 launched in December 2024. Here are some camera views from our FDTimes February 2025 article. read more…
Claudio Miranda ASC, Dan Ming, Nobu Takahashi and Sony Team on F1
This is an in-depth discussion about the making of F1—with the following cast of characters:
Claudio Miranda, ASC, Cinematographer on F1; Dan Ming, First Camera Assistant / Systems Engineer on F1; Nobu Takahashi, Head of Sony’s Cinema Line Division; Tanya Lyon, Sony Cinema Line Marketing North America; Shunjiro Nishi, Sony Mechanical Engineer; Koji Morioka, Sony Mechanical Engineer; Kenji Sasaki, Sony Mechanical Engineer and F1 Camera Support; Kohei Suganuma, Sony Electrical Engineer; Keita Yasui, Sony Public Relations. read more…
Preston and RED Talk to Each Other
Preston Cinema Systems and RED Digital Cinema cameras now talk to each other.
RED has added a new communication protocol in Firmware 2.0 that allows for even more devices to communicate with the camera using the existing RCP2 (RED Command Protocol). Serial devices can communicate with the camera—as long as they can parse the language RCP2 uses. Previously, it was an entirely network-oriented protocol. read more…
DJI RS 4 Mini
The new DJI RS 4 Mini Gimbal Stabilizer is an excellent choice for almost any camera system up to 4.4 lb. Here’s looking at you Sigma BF, fp L, Sony a7 series, FX3, LUMIX S1RII, Canon R series, Fujifilm X series, Leica SL3-S—even with zoom lenses.
Although missing some of the high-end features of DJI’s RS 4 Pro (10 lb payload, LiDAR focus, etc), the RS 4 Mini costs about $500 less and is extremely capable.
The DJI RS 4 Mini is a lightweight (2 lb) gimbal stabilizer that you can operate with one hand. Sure, feel free to use two hands as well. read more…
Tags: DJI, DJI RS 4 Mini
20th Anniversary of FDTimes
The very first edition of Film and Digital Times appeared at Cine Gear Expo 2005. It was a 16-page newsletter at the beginning of the digital age of film with a 235 camera on the cover.
Visit FDTimes for the 20th time! We are in Stage 30 at Cine Gear Expo 2025: Booth S3039-3. @cine_gear_expo read more…
Cine Gear Expo LA 2025
6/6/25 – 6/7/25
Cine Gear Expo LA: June 6 - 7 at Universal Studios Lot
Film and Digital Times will be at Cine Gear Expo LA 2025 inside Stage 30, Booth S3039-3.
Expo Dates & Times:
Friday, June 6 11:00am – 7:00pm | Exhibits & Seminars
Saturday, June 7 10:00am – 5:00pm | Exhibits & Seminars read more…
Tags: Cine Gear Expo LA 2025
Sigma BF Beautifully Foolish, Brilliantly Fun
BF is the new camera from Sigma. The name BF, from Beautiful Foolishness, was inspired by The Book of Tea, A Japanese Harmony of Art, Culture, and the Simple Life, written by Okakura Kakuzō in 1906. This is an in-depth article about the camera, “reprinted” from FDTimes April Issue #130. read more…
Angenieux honors Dion Beebe at Cannes
For the 12th year in a row, Angénieux honored a prominent cinematographer at the Cannes Film Festival. Dion Beebe, ASC, ACS received the Pierre Angénieux Tribute on Friday, May 23, 2025 in the Buñuel Theatre of the Palais des Festivals. Dion’s credits include: “Memoirs of a Geisha” (Best Cinematography Oscar and a BAFTA in 2006), “Chicago, “Collateral,” “Miami Vice” “The Little Mermaid,” etc. We spoke about film, style, career, Cannes, cameras and lenses. read more…
FDTimes April 2025 & NAB Editions
Film and Digital Times will be at NAB Show 2025.
Get a free copy of the FDTimes NAB Edition at our booth N1372 in the North Hall, or in the FDTimes Publication Bin near the North Hall entrance, or at many booths throughout NAB Show 2025 in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Meanwhile, download a free online PDF edition.
Subscribers, your high-res printable PDF is also here.
And worldwide print editions will be in the mail. (They are the same as the NAB Edition.)
See you soon! read more…
Sony RIALTO Mini
Sony shrunk RIALTO by 70%.
The new VENICE Extension System Mini (aka RIALTO Mini) is a wonderful new tethered sensor/lens mount block that is shorter than an iPhone.
The VENICE Extension System Mini (CBK-3621XS) is Sony’s latest addition to the CineAlta line. It attaches directly to the VENICE 2 cinema camera.
RIALTO Mini has a VENICE 2 8K sensor. It is about 70% smaller than the original RIALTO, is significantly lighter and fits in the palm of your hand. It has a Sony E-mount with a PL Mount Attachment.
Picture these setups: mounted in places you wouldn’t have dreamed of or made much easier, handheld, stunts, skiing, sailing, rigged. To paraphrase Peter O’Toole in The Stunt Man, “If you could have done the tricks this camera can do, you’d be a happy person.” read more…
CP+ 2025 Imaging Show Japan
CP+ 2025 (International Camera and Photo Imaging Show) ran from Feb 27 – March 2 on Yokohama’s waterfront in the beautiful Pacifico convention center. It is described as “the world’s largest photo, camera and imaging equipment show.” Organized by the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) of Japan, 125 companies exhibited and more than 50,000 visitors attended. New product launches and announcements included SIGMA, Panasonic LUMIX, Fujifilm, Petzval, RED, ZEISS, Cosina, and many more. read more…
GFX ETERNA 65mm Open Gate
Fujifilm’s 65mm format GFX ETERNA evolves. The latest working prototype appeared under glass at CP+ Expo in Yokohama from February 27 to March 2.
There are major updates and innovations. Above all, it records Open Gate (full width and full height) — the entire sensor (43.8mm wide x 32.9mm high). This is the tallest sensor in the 65mm format family. With an image diagonal of 54.78 mm Ø), it is approximately 1.7 times larger than Full Frame (36 x 24 mm, 43.3 mm Ø). read more…
SIGMA BF Beautiful Fun
BF stands for Beautiful Foolishness. The new SIGMA BF is also Beautifully Fun, Beneficially Fast, Bellissima Fashionista, Bravely Functional.
But in Italy, I am also called a BF. Buona Forchetta. The Good Fork. Someone who likes to wield a big fork over a fine meal. So named by Jacques Lipkau Goyard and Elisabetta Cartoni.
Here in Japan, Masako Misako calls me Film and Delicious Times. And so, BF the person takes BF the camera for a day of street and restaurant photography in Tokyo. read more…
