In Episode 34 of LensVid Talk, we bring you an interview we recently conducted with the Spanish manufacturer Noxon about their upcoming affordable robotic arm, OBSBOT Tail 2 PTZ smart camera upcoming review, Profoto’s first high-end LED, Manfrotto’s new (old) tripod kits, Frame Voyager look behind the scenes virtual effects of the CONCLAVE (2024), Atomos Shinobi Go affordable 5″ monitor, Sekonic C4000 spectrometer with app support, WD 26TB RED Pro drives, KipperTie LCminiND Electronic ND Drop-in Filter and a number of new Godox LEDs from 100W to 1000W.
Noxon Interview
We recently had a chance to conduct an interview with Alfredo Rojas Salinas, the Marketing Director of Noxon, about their upcoming robotic arm.
1. Can you tell me a little about Noxon – who is behind the company, when was it created, and what have you been working on in the past?
Noxon was founded in 2016 by Pablo Goñi. It is a Spanish company that develops, manufactures, and sells motion control systems for filmmakers.
2. How did the robotic arm project start, and what is your goal with it?
We know that motion control and repeatability are crucial in filmmaking, especially for complex projects. Over the years, we have developed different systems such as Dollies, Sliders, Cablecams, Custom Motor Systems, and a Jib.
We initially tried to implement this level of complexity with the Jib, but we faced too many limitations. Our philosophy has always been to keep products affordable, but what we aimed to achieve with the Jib was too ambitious.
So, we shifted our focus to the Arm with the goal of keeping it under €10,000. We want to eliminate the idea that you have to “sell your soul” to get a professional motion control system, and that’s what we’re working towards.
3. Is it based on an existing commercial/industrial arm? How fast can it move?
No. Obviously, we understand the mechanics, and a robotic arm is mostly a replication of human anatomy, so existing arms like Thor, Bolt, or industrial robotic arms served as reference points, not in terms of how to build it, but rather in terms of identifying what people actually need.
Regarding speed, we know this is a crucial question. We still have four months before launch, and we intend to use that time to push performance as much as possible. It’s obvious that you won’t get a Bolt-like high-speed experience, and the Noxon Arm wasn’t designed for that, but for under €10,000, you’ll have a very useful speed range for different types of work.
4. The specs of the arm seem pretty impressive on paper – it has a reach of 1.5m and a 6 kg payload – is that number true for the maximum reach of the arm?
The actual reach is 1.3m with a 6kg payload. And yes, it’s true.
5. The control of the arm is one of the most important aspects of a robotic arm – what software is going to be shipped with the robot, and will there be PC/MAC support for the software?
We don’t plan to use proprietary software. We believe it’s an unnecessary expense. The Noxon Arm can be controlled via Joystick and Knob, commands from our Open Library, ROS, Dragonframe, and Unreal Engine (although Unreal Engine integration is still in development and won’t be available at launch).
Users won’t have to control it through individual articulations like “Joint 1,” “Joint 2,” etc. Instead, they will be able to move the Noxon Arm using a Jib-like approach, controlling the “Camera” directly in 3D space. The main control principles will be Spin, Lift, and Expand, with an imaginary line between the camera (mounted on the arm) and the base of the arm.
6. You also have a turntable – do you plan to integrate it and maybe other accessories with the robot to operate simultaneously?
Simultaneous control is an open challenge. Right now, we don’t have that functionality.
7. Having experience with robotic arm we know how critical a heavy duty base is especially when you have a long reach with a heavier payload – in your demo video you can see the arm on a tripod – from our experience unless the tripod is well over 60kg this is not going to be a stable solution have you been looking into other options such as a heavy duty stand with weights for example?
On paper, it may seem difficult to achieve stability, but with a good support system, you should be able to work without issues.
In our render video, the mount appears as a single screw, but in the final design, we have four mounting points.
We developed the arm using this tripod: Proaim Heavy Duty 150mm Tripod Stand with Spreader.
We already know what could be improved, so we will provide recommendations to customers on how to achieve the best setup.
8. What follow focus system will the arm work with? How does the lens calibration procedure work?
Follow focus is a real challenge. We believe that with a good number of keyframes, you can compensate for focus shifts based on the object’s distance and work creatively. This won’t be an issue if you have a clear idea of the distances involved and how you plan to move around the subject.
9. How are you able to keep the pricing so low compared to most of the competition?
If you compare the Noxon Arm to a Bolt, the differences are obvious. But when compared to arms in the €20k, €30k, or even €60k range, we don’t believe we have sacrificed much.
One major factor is margin—we are definitely sacrificing some profit, but we believe we will make up for it in sales volume. Another factor is software; we see this as an advantage rather than a drawback, as it allows for better workflow flexibility. And finally, speed—given the motors and stabilization systems available at this price point, achieving Bolt-like performance is simply not possible.
10. Do you have plans for rails to allow the robot arm to move?
Yes! We have plans, but we’re taking things step by step. Our first priority is to deliver a solid product, listen to customer feedback, make improvements if necessary, and then move forward with complementary solutions like rails.
Noxon Robot arm video
OBSBOT Tail 2 PTZ smart camera
We recently got a unit of the new OBSBOT Tail 2 for review. This small PTZ camera system really surprised us. We typically have very little interest in PTZ cameras, but being so small and having a long built-in battery and an AI-based tracking system piqued our interest as a product that we can use for behind-the-scenes videos.
We already tested it on 3 different productions and it worked very well. More on an upcoming full review.
The OBSBOT Tail 2 sells for $1200.
Official OBSBOT Tail 2 video
Profoto L1600D
Profoto finally decided to enter the professional high-end cinema lighting game. The Profoto L1600D is a high-output continuous LED light designed for professional cinematography and broadcast applications. The fixture boasts a maximum light output of up to 57,000 lumens and a color temperature range of 2800K to 6500K with high color accuracy (CRI/TLCI up to 96). It features both Bowens mount for compatibility and Profoto’s own mount with an extensive range of light shaping tools as well as versatile control options including DMX, Bluetooth via the Profoto Control app, and optional wireless DMX via LumenRadio CRMX. The L1600D is passively cooled, ensuring silent operation, and is designed with a robust build for demanding production environments.
The Profoto L1600D sells for $9000.
Profoto L1600D video
Manfrotto new tripods
Manfrotto has released new versions of their 055 and 190 series tripods, catering to both photographers and videographers. The 055 series features a 4-section carbon fiber model with a 71.5″ maximum height and a 33.1 lb payload capacity, and a 3-section aluminum video tripod kit with a fluid head, supporting 10 lb. Both 055 models include Arca-Swiss compatibility. The 190X3 is a 3-section aluminum tripod kit with a 496 ball head, also Arca-Swiss compatible, reaching a maximum height of 67.6″ and supporting up to 22 lb. Both series boast a new stealth black design and improved leg locks for enhanced rigidity.
The Manfrotto 190X AS, 3-Section Aluminum Camera Tripod, Photo-Kit with Arca Ball Head sells for $300.
The Manfrotto 055 4-Section Carbon Fiber Tripod with Horizontal Column sells for $450.
The Manfrotto 055 legacy
CONCLAVE (2024) VFX Behind the Scenes
The YouTube channel Frame Voyager looked at some of the behind-the-scenes, unique VFX involved in the production of the recent Conclave movie. Many of the scenes had to be augmented by VFX as shooting in the Vatican itself was not possible or extremely challenging, and there were also some interesting surprises when it comes to using VFX to fix some mistakes in the original shooting.
You can watch the full Frame Voyager CONCLAVE (2024) here.
Atomos Shinobi Go
We reviewed the Atomos Shinobi II a few months ago, and recently the company came up with a new and more basic (and even more affordable) version of the monitor called Shinobi Go. The new monitor is essentially the same, minus the camera control and the touch-to-focus capabilities, as well as the EL-Zone.
The Shinobi Go sells for $250.
Official Shinobi Go video
Sekonic C4000
The Sekonic C4000 is a compact and portable spectrometer designed for lighting designers and technicians. It measures color temperature from 1,600K to 40,000K and provides light quality information including CRI (Ra), TM-30 (Rf, Rg), Δuv, illuminance (lux/fc), and chromaticity coordinates (x, y). The device features a 2.7″ color touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity for use with the Sekonic LD app for remote control and data visualization on smartphones or tablets, USB-C for firmware updates, and can store up to 99 measurements. It offers both single and continuous measurement modes and is powered by two AA batteries or USB bus power.
The main limitation is the 10K lux max output that it is capable of measuring. We would really like to see a version designed for video/cinema work with USB-C and app support.
The C4000 sells for $1200.
Sekonic C4000 video
Western Digital 26TB RED pro HHD
Western Digital released a 26TB Red Pro HDD 3.5-inch internal hard drive designed for NAS (Network Attached Storage) environments. It features a 7200 RPM spindle speed, a SATA 6 Gb/s interface, and a 512MB cache. Utilizing Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) technology, it offers a maximum data transfer rate of 287 MB/s and is rated for a workload of up to 550TB per year with a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 2.5 million hours. The drive incorporates OptiNAND technology, multi-axis shock sensors, and Rotation Vibration (RV) sensors for enhanced reliability and performance in multi-bay NAS systems.
Western Digital 26TB RED Pro HHD sells for $560.
KipperTie LCminiND Electronic ND Drop-in Filter
The KipperTie LCminiND is an electronic Neutral Density (ND) drop-in filter designed for Canon’s RF-to-EF Mount Adapter and compatible third-party adapters. Utilizing LC-Tec’s liquid crystal technology, it offers an infinitely variable ND range from 0.6 to 2.1 (2 to 7 stops) with minimal color shift and polarization artifacts. The filter features a tactile rotating control wheel for precise adjustments, an OLED display for information, and Bluetooth control via a dedicated iOS app. It is internally powered via USB-C with a minimum 24-hour runtime and is constructed from CNC-machined aluminum.
The unit will start shipping in July for around 700 Euros.
New Godox LEDs
Several new Godox LEDs have been announced recently, including the ML100R, M1000R, and Litemons LA600R.
The Godox ML100R is a compact and portable 100W full-color RGB LED light with a color temperature range of 1800K-10000K and a CRI/TLCI of approximately 95. 1 It features Bluetooth app control, onboard controls, and 14 built-in FX effects. 2 The light uses the Godox mount for accessories and offers versatile power options including AC adapter and battery solutions.
Pricing for the Godox ML100R – $230.
Godox ML100R video
The Godox M1000R is a powerful 1000W IP54 weatherproof RGB LED monolight with a color temperature range of 1800K-10000K and CRI/TLCI ratings of 95/94. It offers multiple control options, including DMX512, CRMX, Ethernet (Art-Net & sACN), Bluetooth app (up to 60m), and onboard controls. The fixture has a Bowens S-Type mount and includes 14 FX modes
Pricing Godox M1000R – $2800.
Godox M1000R video
The Godox Litemons LA600R is a 600W RGB LED monolight with an adjustable color temperature range of 1800K-10000K and CRI/TLCI ratings of ≥95. It features multiple color modes (HSI/RGBW/GEL/FX), green/magenta adjustment, and 14 built-in FX effects. Control options include wired DMX, Bluetooth app (up to 60m), and onboard controls. It has a Flat Bowens S-Type mount and can be powered via AC/DC.
Pricing Godox Litemons LA600R – $920.
Godox Litemons LA600R video
You can check out all of the LensVid Talk videos here. If you want us to cover any specific topics or products in our upcoming LensVid talks, please let us know in the comments or on our YT or Facebook pages.
Iddo Genuth 
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