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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

Cine Gear Expo 2025

Expo Dates & Times:
Friday, June 6              11:00am – 7:00pm | Exhibits & Seminars
Saturday, June 7         10:00am – 5:00pm | Exhibits & Seminars read more…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

SIGMA BF Camera

BF. Beautifully Fun. Best Friend. Brilliantly Fast Camera from SIGMA.

SIGMA Corporation CEO Kazuto Yamaki explained that the name BF stands for Beautiful Foolishness. It comes from The Book of Tea, A Japanese Harmony of Art, Culture, and the Simple Life, written by Okakura Kakuzō in 1906.

The context of “foolishness” here is not negative. In juxtaposing Beautiful with Foolishness, both Kakuzo and Kazuto are elevating something that is normally functional to a level that is artistic, stylish, interesting and perhaps seeking perfection in imperfection.

This is not your father’s mirrorless camera. The SIGMA BF has 4 buttons and a dial. You operate these with your thumb to control the five things that matter the most: shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure compensation and look. The shutter release / record start-stop is on top.

February 24, 2025. 9 AM. The new SIGMA BF camera premiered at SIGMA Corporation’s worldwide headquarters in Kawasaki, Kanagawa. It’s an hour ride from Roppongi Hills—west, direction Mt. Fuji. read more…

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BSC Expo 2025 Slideshow

BSC Expo 2025 was the location for the latest working pre-release Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K 65 and a FUJIFLM ETERNA 65 under glass. Dominick Aiello got measurements and had Wooden Camera accessories ready for the yet-unreleased camera. So did Vocas.

Cooke showed a prototype Panchro/i 65 prime. Leitz rebranded THALIA to THALIA 65 and had a super wide 20mm prime. Geck0-Cam also had a hot-off the assembly bench 65mm Ayana prime.

RED DIGITAL CINEMA showed V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras with Nikon Z Mount and the new cinematized Z Mount NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ.

Nanlux premiered their incredibly bright new EVOKE 5000B (5K COB LED).

And lots more… read more…

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FDT at BSC

Film and Digital Times February 2025 Worldwide Edition goes online at 9am EST February 12. Print editions are in the mail.

A Special BSC Expo Print Edition will be distributed at BSC Expo London.

See you there — at BSC Expo 2025 in Battersea Evolution, London. Lots to see. Register now.

Friday 14 Feb 10am to 7pm.
Saturday 15 Feb 10am to 5pm.
Many new products to see. More than 160 exhibitors.  Bigger Picture cameras and lenses. Panel discussions and demos. As always, this is one of the best shows of the year. read more…

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ALEXA 35 Base Model with Flexible Licenses

The ALEXA 35 is now available from ARRI as one of two models. The existing ALEXA 35 (with the black jogwheel) has been renamed “ALEXA 35 with Premium License” and the new model  (identified by a blue jogwheel) is called “ALEXA 35 with Base License.” The new, lower-cost ALEXA 35 Base model has the same hardware and sensor as the Premium model, but has a reduced feature set that can be upgraded with several licenses. read more…

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Johanna Coelho, Cinematographer of THE PITT

THE PITT is a 15-episode series about a 15-hour shift in a Pittsburgh hospital emergency room. It is airing now on MAX. They call it “a realistic examination of the challenges facing healthcare workers in today’s America as seen through the lens of the frontline heroes working in a modern-day hospital.” THE PITT comes from ER and West Wing executive producer John Wells, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh. It may remind you of ER with West Wing brilliant dialog.

Johanna Coelho is the cinematographer of THE PITT. They were still filming in January when we discussed her work on the series. read more…

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