This time on LensVid Talk we take a look at two recently released product reviews that we published, the first is of the SmallRig RT25 tube light and the second is of the Falcam TreeRoot travel tripod. There has been a long list of lenses announced around the time of this podcast including the Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3, AstrHori 28mm rotating probe lens, DZO Film Arles line of FF Cine lenses, Sirui Sniper 16mm and 75mm f/1.2 AF lenses, Ulanzi DD02 HD Video Switcher, SmallRig RC220 PRO LED with V-mount holder built in and AD-120 Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit, Atomos Shinobi II with camera control, Aputure LS 600c Pro II COB and Kodak is back… in Japan.
This episode of LensVid Talk was recorded about two weeks before IBC 2024 in September.
SmallRig RT25 tube light review (00:31)
The SmallRig RT25 is the company’s first attempt at a tube light with some interesting features including a separate battery, metal construction, barn doors, and more.
You can read/watch the full review of the SmallRig RT25 here on LensVid.
You can purchase the SmallRig RT25 on Amazon.
SmallRig RT25 – from our review of the tube light
Falcam TreeRoot travel tripod review (02:32)
If you are looking for a high-quality, feature-rich compact travel tripod, you should take a look at the Falcam Treeroot. This tripod includes several innovative features and a very advanced and useful build-in head with a leveling base as well as a quick-release Arca and much more.
You can read/watch our full review of the Falcam Treeroot here.
The Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock Travel Tripod can be found on Amazon for $500.
The Falcam tree root in action from our review
Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD (01:00)
If you are looking for a long telephoto zoom for travel for your Sony E-mount camera, you might be interested in the new Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3. This full-frame stabilized lens might not be the most compact in the world (it also extends quite a bit at 300mm) and is not very wide (so you might need another lens to cover the wide side) but it does cover most of the relevant zoom range for travel and is relatively affordable, has 1:2 macro magnification at 50mm and a weight of only 665g (23.5 oz).
The Tamron 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3 sells for under $800.
An official Tamron video of the 50-300mm F/4.5-6.3
AstrHori 28mm F13 Upgraded Version (09:18)
While AstrHori had their 28mm F13 problem lens style for a while, the new version can be purchased with a rotating base that allows the user to turn the periscope lens on its side creating a very unique footage in video.
This is not the first time that we have seen this concept (Laowa who was the first to introduce a periscope lens had the same concept).
You can get the new lens for under $950.
The AstrHori 28mm F13 with rotating base video
DZO Film Arles (12:33)
DZO introduced a high-end Cine line of lenses called Arles. This line will include 10 different focal lengths including 14 mm, 21mm, 25mm, 35mm, 40mm 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 135mm, and 180 mm (the 25-100mm are all T1.4).
All lenses are designed for PL and EF mounts with FF/Vista Vision with 16-blade iris.
Each lens sells for around $2150.
Official DZO Film Arles video
Sirui Sniper 16mm and 75mm (15:32)
Sirui announced two lenses, the 16mm and 75mm APS-C AF f/1.2 lenses. These join the 23/33/56mm lenses from this line with the same ultra-fast aperture (you can also choose to buy these lenses in black, white, or silver colors).
Pricing for each of these lenses is set at $320.
Official Sirui Sniper 16mm and 75mm video
Ulanzi DD02 HD Video Switcher for Live Streaming (16:18)
Ulanzi released a surprising product – the DD02 HD Video Switcher. This ATEM mini-like device is designed to be a beginner-friendly switcher but with pro-level live streaming features. It can connect up to 4 cameras via HDMI. Maybe its most distinct feature is its 2-in-1 magnetic detachable design that allows it to be carried and stored easily. It can be powered by either USB-C PD or DC and has customizable transitions, PiP functionality, and precise audio control.
Pricing of the Ulanzi DD02 HD is set at $300.
Official Ulanzi DD02 HD Video
SmallRig RC220 PRO LED (17:22)
We have tested, used, and reviewed the original SmallRig RC220 in the studio (two units are actually used as the main lights for our podcast setup) and the new PRO version is significantly smaller with a built-in V-mount in the back and a small nice color monitor with controls on the size.
The unit comes with an interesting back V-mount-like battery in either daylight or Bi-Color.
You can purchase the RC220 PRO for $370 (bi-Color).
Official SmallRIg RC220 PRO video
SmallRig Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit AD-120 (18:39)
SmallRig has been expanding its line of tripods with light travel units as well as heavy-duty ones. During IBC we had a chance to look at several of them including the SmallRig x Potato Jet Tribex Hydraulic Carbon Fiber Tripod.
The Tribex is certainly innovative but it’s by no means a heavy-duty video tripod (more of an all-around unit). Instead, SmallRig has the AD-120 – 77″ tall legs with top locks and a capacity of 8kg/17.6 lbs. This unit comes as a kit with a heavy-duty fluid head with 6 levels of counterbalance with a self-weight of under 2kg.
The SmallRig AD-120 kit sells for $560.
Official SmallRig video of the AD-120 and the new head
Atomos Shinobi II (19:52)
Atomos finally announced a new monitor – the updated Shinobi. Version II of this monitor is lighter and narrower, with higher brightness and some other improvements including support for camera control for specific cameras using a USB-C cable. At this point, the number of cameras supported is still pretty limited but talking to the company in IBC we were promised that they are working on that and planning to add more in the future.
You can check out our coverage of the Shinobi II at IBC 2024 here.
The Atomos Shinobi II sells for just under $350.
The Shinobi II at IBC 2024
Aputure LS 600c Pro II (22:28)
Aputure released a new 600W light in the form of the LS 600c Pro II that delivers exceptional brightness – 21610 lux at 1m at 5600K, 35% higher than the previous generation. The light also comes with a new reflector that can help the light push 91500 lux at 1m, an 82% improvement over the LS 600c Pro with its original reflector.
You can buy the Aputure LS 600c Pro II RGB for $2500.
Aputure LS 600c Pro II video
Kodak is back (in Japan) (24:52)
Finally, and this one is probably one of the strangest news that we heard in a long time, Kodak now leads the digital camera market in Japan according to April 2024 sales data from BCN (see report by SonyAlphaRumors). What cameras do Kodak sell in Japan in large quantities you ask, well the answer is inexpensive tiny compact cameras.
We all thought that they were mostly gone but apparently, like Vinyl records and film, the low-end compact camera market in Japan is thriving. Japan has always been “unique” when it comes to setting trends and this one is definitely out there.
If you are curious about the specific models then the FZ-55 is the top seller in Japan with a price tag (on Amazon) of around $120.
The Kodak FZ55 – big in Japan
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Iddo Genuth 
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