Focus ramping: when T-stops go bad
Years ago, while assisting on a sitcom, I helped the director of photography shoot exposure tests on all of...
The secret life of behind-the-lens nets
“What’s with the pattern in the headlights?” I asked the first camera assistant, as I looked through “B” camera...
Four lenses: a visual comparison, part 2
It’s time to name names. I’m going to tell you what lenses you’ve been looking at for the last...
Four lenses: a visual comparison, part 1
We live in an age of lens choice. Because of this, we also live in an age of lens...
Behind-the-lens nets: a lost art makes a comeback
I’ve always been a little different. That’s the only explanation I have for cutting gels out of Rosco and...
Chromatic aberration: hard edges, hue shifts, and storytelling
Accidents yield interesting truths. This is especially true in lens and camera tests, where it’s hard to know what...
Three lenses: a look at bokeh, depth of field and geometry
Some people take time off during the holidays. I borrow a half million dollars worth of camera and lenses...
Lens dynamic range: coatings, contrast and color
There was a time in the distant past when I thought of lenses as transparent glass. Film and digital...
Lens coverage, sensor size, and pushing the limits
Sensors and lenses don’t always get along. In the HDR and UHD world, it’s important to test, test, test....
Signature Primes vs. Ultra Primes: The Pixel-Peeper’s Guide
For nine months I’ve been working periodically as a trainer for the ARRI Academy. Recently we added an Alexa...
