A look back at Cine Gear 2024 in Los Angeles

I walked the Warner alleys with Pascal Lebègue AFC, and cross path with some of our associates members from Leitz, K5600, DMG / Rosco, Turtle Max, Emit.

Walking thru you meet in the same energy students and all generations of DPs.
A chance to chat with everybody and share our passion about light, camera and grips.
Under the californian sun...

I have had a few "coup de coeur"

Diferents brands had modular small telescopique jibs to mount on dollies. Good to have several options and sizes.

Cineflares is a flare database website documenting and comparing different lenses flares.
I personally love flares and optical distortions and Markus Forderer, ASC and Julie Shalekanova did an incredible work on shooting motion controlled flares all timecoded to put together side by side different lenses in sync.
The list of lenses already tested is huge and keep expending. Plus new feature coming up.
It always help opening a discussion (with directors) when you have a concret exemple to refer to.

Second Reef Coral anamorphic lenses. A new anamorphic x1.5 set of lenses not copying any existing type of lenses. A real "new kid on the block" They achieve an anamorphic look with the combination of X1.5 anamorphosis and an elliptical blades T-stop, great close focus and all the modern needs ( /I technology, modern housing compact and lightweight, covering Full Frame sensors...) Had a chance to chat briefly with James Bouchie & Alexander Schwarz from Second Reef (the builders)
Alexander " We had in mind to pleased the cinematographers with a look as well as the Acs with reliable mechanic and the rentals to be able to easily service the lenses...and all this to be futur proof..."
James " ...We get to X1.5 squeeze factor to maximise the sensor area used and built the elliptical stop to achieve the X2 anamorphic bokeh and get the best of both world without compromises..."

Nicolas Bluff a danish DP based now in Brazil created colored bounce in different colors to "get more texture and realistic light colored bounce..."
There is 4 combinaison of colors for now. It soften the harsh of the reflection and looks nice.

A bit more technical I’ve met Bill Bennett, ASC (incredibly nice gentleman) who ran me thru a great optical viewfinder system.
Optica Magnus
That s a regular sized optical viewfinder with modular blocks so it can cover FF, S35, Open gate, anamorphic x1.3 to 1.5 and x1.8 to 2. With smart and compact modules and rodoid print so you don’t need to change the ground glass for each format but just print the one you need for your show.
The company also created expenders for every specific format and customized and converted Arri Master anamorphic to Full frame.

Nodo that is known for wireless Wheel system creates a small remote / fluid 3 axis head stabilized. A modular system where you can used the roll on a regular head or combine 2 axis or 3. It’s smart and compact and you can release the mechanic and just move the head freely as a "no gravity" a tiny weather steadman kind of head.

While checking Nodo with Pascal Lebegue we both agreed on another interesting system : the Blkbird Mantis
It’s a benji support that can be used on speed-rails as well as added to easyrig, ready rig etc...the tension is smooth and sturdy. Light and compact.

There was a lot more obviously. Looking forward to use and tests those new tools.