On LensVid Talk 27, we check out two recent reviews including the Orca OR 16 rolling camera bag, and the Hollyland Pyro H wireless HDMI system as well as a long list of news starting from a discussion on Sony’s latest A1 II flagship camera and 28-70 f/2 lens, GoPro Hero 13 and DJI Osmo 5 Pro as well as the new tiny Neo drone. We also discuss the recent Cooke 18mm T2.4 lens, SmallRig’s latest wireless mic and matte box and the Rodecaster Video as well as the latest Tamron 90mm lens, and finally the first Anamorphic AF lens from Sirui.
This LensVid Talk was recorded in mid-December 2024 and includes a discussion about products released since September this year.
Orca OR 16 rolling camera bag Review (01:19)
Earlier this year we reviewed the Orca OR 16 rolling bag. We used this bag in IBC 2024 for the show and it was a great test for the bag, it performed admirably. It is spacious, yet can fit well on most airliners, has a USB on the front and backpack and back support system that is tucked in the back of the bag with zippers and can be used if you need to climb stairs for example.
You can check out Lew’s full review of the OR 16 here. The OR-16 is currently available on B&H’s website for $422.
The Orca OR 16 rolling camera bag
Hollyland Pyro H wireless HDMI system Review (07:41)
We have been using the Hollyland Pyro H wireless HDMI system for a few months now and it is the 4th wireless system from the company that we have been reviewing. It works very well, has almost 400m of range and in our test, it also performed very well indoors and between walls and doors. It has dual frequencies (2.4GHz & 5GHz) and support for UVC that allows users to connect to a computer and view a feed from the camera without a capture card (great for OBS and other streaming software).
You can check out our full review here.
Pricing for the Pyro H is very attractive and it currently sells for between $370-$400 for a TX/RX kit.
The Pyro H wireless transmitter
Sony A1 II and Sony 28-70mm f/2 lens (12:26)
The Sony A1 successor has been in the works (and on rumors sites) for a very long time. It brings several important changes like the AI chip and improved AF, a new monitor (similar to that of the A9 III/A7R IV), a larger buffer, higher refresh EVF, and ergonomics that are very much in line with the A9 III, improved IBIS (up to 8.5 stops) and many software improvements including pre-capture option.
From our perspective though the camera, which is supposed to be Sony’s mirrorless flagship, lacks any true hardware innovation. Unlike the original A1 which brought to the market many totally new technologies, the A1 II feels like an incremental improvement over the original model (maybe it should have been called A1s instead) but nothing really innovative that we have not seen before on the Sony lineup.
Sony also introduced a new fast zoom lens – the 28-70mm f/2 GM. This is the first f/2 zoom lens by the company (and the fastest in its line). It is lighter than the equivalent Canon model but is still almost 1kg in weight and pretty substantial in size.
You can buy the Sony A1 II for $6500 and the Sony 28-70mm f/2 for $2900.
Sony A1 II official video
Sony 28-70 f/2.8 GM official video
GoPro Hero 13 (21:58)
GoPro introduced in the second half of the year the Hero 13 with interchangeable lenses including ultra-wide, macro, and anamorphic as well as ND filters and for the first time a feature where the camera can let you know which ND filter is needed for a specific lighting situation.
The GoPro Hero 13 sells for $300.
Official GoPro Hero 13 video
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (27:54)
The new action camera from DJI has a new 1/1.3″ sensor with improved dynamic range and better low-light performance. it has subject tracking and dual OLED screens (with touch capability) and built-in 47GB of memory as well as a new battery and improved stabilization.
The DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro sells for $350.
Official DJI Osmo Action Pro video
DJI Neo drone (30:12)
Even before the new Osmo Action, DJI released a tiny (135-gram) 4K drone in the form of the Neo. We have seen it in IBC 2024 and it is really cute. It can be controlled via voice, has 18m flight time AI subject tracking and work through WIFI, and lift off and land on your hand.
Pricing is super attractive at just under $200.
Official DJI Neo drone video
Cooke 18mm T.24 (33:42)
Cooke added a wide-angle lens to its SP3 line of mirrorless lenses. The 18mm T2.4 is the latest lens in the line which includes 25mm, 32mm, 50mm, 75mm, and 100mm all at T2.4. The lens has 9 aperture blades and it comes in E-mount, Canon RF-mount, and optional Leica L and M mounts.
Pricing, just like the rest of the line is around $5000.
B&H video of the Cooke SP3 line and the new 18mm T2.4 lens
SmallRig S60 wireless mic system (37:35)
SmallRig has been expanding into more and more product segments in recent years and one of them is audio. The S60 is the company’s first wireless mic system for smartphones (they also have the W60 system for cameras that has a 16-bit sample rate). The S60 is tiny and round with two transmitting units and one receiver with a USB-C connection and a 24-bit sample rate.
The S60 has a very competitive price of under $90.
Official SmallRig S60 video
SmallRig Matte Box (38:45)
SmallRig also released a new version of its matte box. We tested the original SmallRig matte box back in 2022. We are not 100% sure what has changed in the new version but here is what SmallRig had to sat about the new Matte box:
- Adjustable Clamp Design: Features a 67-82mm adjustable clamp design with a three-point locking system for quick and reliable attachment and detachment.
- CPL+VND Dual-Filter Functionality: Equipped with CPL+VND dual-filter functionality, allowing for fast and secure magnetic attachment of multiple filters.
- Innovative Technologies: Utilizes hard stop and light transmission limit technologies to eliminate the VND X-pattern effect, ensuring high-quality imaging.
- High Definition and Color Reproduction: Delivers high definition across the entire focal range, exceptional color reproduction in the 350-700nm wavelength range, and minimal color distortion.
- Dust Protection Design: Includes a dustproof cap and lens cover as standard accessories, featuring a meticulous dust protection design.
- Vignette-Free Performance: Offers vignette-free performance across focal lengths equal to or greater than 16mm, ensuring clear and unobstructed images.
Pricing for a kit with VND is set at around $180.
RØDECaster Video (39:52)
If there is one type of device that we have been waiting for in 2024 it is an advanced multi XLR/HDMI recording unit. The battle between BlackMagic with their ATEM HDMI series and Rode with their caster XLR series was on and it seems that Rode has been the one to release the first type of prosumer level device of this type to the market with its RØDECaster Video.
This unit has a huge list of features (so many actually that one of the biggest complaints are that the learning curve for this unit is pretty high, even for seasoned pros). While you can use it on its own, the small screen makes using it, especially for more advanced tasks much easier when connected to a computer.
It has 4 HDMI inputs and two XLR inputs (we would have really liked to see 4, but you can connect the Rodecaster Pro II and add its XLR connectors if you need more). It can also connect wireless Rode GO units directly and do all sorts of crazy things like switch between speakers automatically and record ISO and much more.
It does have some limitations of course like maxing out at 1080p 60p (yes no 4K recording for this unit) and at this time it doesn’t seem to be able to “communicate” with NLEs like Premiere Pro or Resolve (although this is a highly requested feature for a future firmware update).
And then you have the price. The unit currently sells for around $1200. This can be considered a lot if you look at pricing for things like the ATEM series (although it lacks quality audio and preamps as well as some of the other features of this unit), or fairly affordable, looking at some of the high-end options on the market.
Official Rodecaster video video
Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro (47:05)
Tamron introduced a new 90mm FF macro lens for Sony and Nikon cameras. It has new AF motors, support for the Tamron utility via USB on the lens, BBAR-G2 coating, and focus limiter, and is dust and moisture-resistant. The only thing that is missing is a built-in optical stabilizer.
Pricing is set at $700.
Official Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro video
Sirui 40mm T1.8 Anamorphic AF lens (49:58)
In IBC 2024 we saw a prototype of the Blazer 35 and 50mm anamorphic AF lenses. Since that time the lenses reached the market (we hope to test one of them soon in 2025) but now there is competition coming from Sirui in the form of a 40mm T1.8 anamorphic AF lens.
Both the Blazer and the Sirui are APS-C (super 35mm) lenses with 1.33x and both provide an AF/MF switch with the Sirui also providing a de-click switch for the aperture.
Pricing for the Sirui is set at $640 (at least for early birds).
Sirui official 40mm T1.8 anamorphic AF lens video
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Iddo Genuth 
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