Shows
The Lensrentals PodcastShooting the Sh!t: Pay Transparency, PA Work, and BS ReviewsIt's the season finale of The Lensrentals Podcast! This week we're keeping it very informal. Joey, Roger, and Ryan are each bringing in a topic we haven't yet had time to cover in depth on the podcast before. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Joshua Richardson, and Philip Robertson. Thanks to Jacques Granger for our theme song. Submit a top...
2022-08-0431 minThe Lensrentals PodcastFrom Concert Photography to Commercial Videography w/Nathan Armstrong and Will EvansNathan Armstrong and Will Evans are co-workers at NLA Projects, a Memphis-area production company that specializes in both photography and videography. Nahan started as a concert photographer before Will joined as his Production Manager and helped guide their work more toward commercial video. Here, they discuss how they went about making that transition and what skills they're able to apply to both types of work. Check out examples of their work here. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, J...
2022-07-2144 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Test Your Gear at HomeWe’ve all had it happen before, you just wrapped a great photoshoot, and you get home, excited to look through the photos, only to find that all the images are a hair soft. This can be for a number of reasons, but one of the first things to diagnose will likely be to see if your lens is suddenly back focusing or front focusing a bit. Fortunately, with recent iterations of digital cameras, you no longer need to send this gear to the manufacturer and can do a lot of these tests at home. While of co...
2022-07-0741 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Lens Inspection, Filters, and Repair ReliabilityIn this week's episode, we sit down with Roger and Joey as they answer some of our listener's questions. And they cover a lot, from how Speedboosters work, to the benefits of various lens filters, and even touch on what the inspection process is when we receive a lens returned from a rental.Roger and Joey are among the most knowledgable on staff when it comes to optics, and the Lensrentals process, so we're excited to have them back in the studio to answer your questions. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala...
2022-06-2332 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Oops! All VideoMuch like the ongoing production error at the Captain Crunch factory, causing them to overproduce berries, this episode is entitled 'Oops! All Video'. Enjoy as video experts Ryan, Ally, and Dom sit down and answer all of your video-centric questions, from the importance of reliable memory, to whether you should even bother shooting in RAW. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Joshua Richardson...
2022-06-0935 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Buy a Used CameraIn this week's episode of the Lensrentals Podcast, Ryan is joined by Roger and Joey as they go through all you need to know when buying a used camera system. From craigslist, to KEH, to even Lensrental's own storefront, there are plenty of places to find used gear at a discounted price, but the process of buying can be overwhelming. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock...
2022-05-2638 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow the Canon 5.2mm Dual Fisheye Could Change VROn today's episode of the Lensrentals Podcast, we're doing something a little different and talking about a single piece of gear - the Canon RF 5.2 Dual Fisheye lens for VR applications. We've decided to give a full episode on this lens for a couple of different reasons - one, there is a lot to cover in both the lens itself as well as the VR workflow associated with it. Secondly, it's a groundbreaking product in a new and emerging market, and we want to highlight the innovation and gusto needed to create such a product. Try out an R...
2022-05-1235 minThe Lensrentals PodcastWhy You Can't Trust Weather Sealing w/ Chris Gampat of The PhoblographerThis week on the Lensrentals podcast, we touch on a topic that Roger has discussed for a number of years here on the blog - Why You Can't Trust Weather Sealing. And to help bring the point home, we're joined with The Phoblographer's own, Chris Gampat. Check out the great gear reviews and features at The Phoblographer. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Jo...
2022-04-2849 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBattle of the Flagships: R3 vs. Z9 vs. A1The Lensrentals Podcast is finally back, and today we're tackling questions that many people have been wondering about - comparing the three latest flagships from the Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Join Ryan Hill, Joey Miller, and Zach Sutton as they walk through all the features of each camera, to determine which one is best for each use case. Though the Canon R3 was released in late November, the Nikon Z9 was released in December, and the Sony A1 was released in early 2021, supply has been incredibly limited on all three systems. As such, many people haven't had the opportunity to...
2022-04-1443 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How Lensrentals Reached a Million OrdersIn 2006 Roger went on an Alaskan cruise and had to pay big bucks for a lens he knew wouldn’t be very useful to him after he came home. Thus an idea was born, and now 13 years later Lensrentals has fulfilled over 1 million orders! Watch our video celebrating our millionth order. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Joshua Richardson, an...
2022-03-3147 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How to Make the Most of a Small CrewJem Schofield is a producer, DP and educator and the founder of theC47, a full-service production company that focuses on video production, filmmaking, consulting & education. Jem spends most of his time producing content, educating others and joins Ryan to discuss how to prepare for small to no crew productions, the essential roles that need to be filled, and when to hire out for specialists. Check out Jem’s YouTube channel, LinkedIn Group, and website theC47.com. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sa...
2022-03-1738 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How David Carson Won a Pulitzer Covering Ferguson David Carson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carson’s images are featured extensively in the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography that was awarded to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch photo staff. In 2008, his multimedia project “Reporting for Duty” won a regional Emmy award for Advanced Media – Interactivity. We talk with David about his experience covering Ferguson, and how much of his team’s previous work prepared them to better understanding the issues that were front and center. David shares his take on newsrooms that have lost photojournalist, the future of staff photographers and why they matter eve...
2022-03-0351 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How to Make Money Shooting Portraits (Or When the Art of Photography Meets the Business of Photography)Zach Sutton is a Los Angeles Photographer specializing in headshot, beauty, and portrait photography. He is also our blog editor! Sarah and Joey talk with Zach about how he built his brand, grew his network, and has become a thriving photographer. He shares why he thinks you should always test shoot, SEO tips, and addresses the ever difficult issue of how to price yourself. Follow Zach on Website Instagram Facebook Equipment mentioned: Alien Bees Innovativ Production Cart Profoto The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by...
2022-02-1745 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: Women's Weekend Film Challenge (Or How a Short Film Contest is Attempting to Change the Industry)Ally is joined by Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre who are the executive co-directors of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge which is a women-in-film initiative that places professional filmmakers on crews that write, shoot and edit a short film in just one weekend. Through the WWFC, they have produced 24 films to date with more than 500 professional female filmmakers in New York City. These films have already been selected for 60 film festivals and counting, including the HBO Women in Comedy Festival and Fantasia Film Festival. Women's Weekend Film Challenge Website WWFC Instagram WWFC Twitter WWFC Facebook WWFC LinkedIn
2022-02-0335 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How to Break a Camera (Or Why Saltwater Will Destroy Everything You've Ever Loved)Impact damage, sensor scratches, and shutter failure, oh my! Lensrentals Founder Roger Cicala is once again joined by Repair Manager Aaron Cloz and Senior Photo Tech Joey Miller and this time they’re talking about all the ways you can break a camera, what can be fixed, and what is always a kiss of death. Resources Mentioned: Video on how to clean your camera sensor Blog post on how to clean your camera sensor The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McA...
2022-01-2041 minThe Lensrentals PodcastBEST OF: How to Break a Lens (Or How the Lensrentals Camera Repair Department Has Fixed So Many Lenses)Roger is joined by our Repair Manager Aaron and Senior Photo Tech Joey to discuss broken lenses, the types of repairs they’ve encountered, what they think can be attempted at home, and how to prevent repairs from being needed in the first place! They dish on which repair center takes the longest to get the gear back from, what environments they can count on to break a lens and advise the best gear for shooting in the rain. In this talk, they reference PhotoTech which is an authorized service center for Sony and Nikon they enjoy working with.
2022-01-0643 minThe Lensrentals Podcast2021 Wrap Party: Photo Industry ReviewIt’s our year-end review of photography. Host Ryan Hill is talking with Lensrentals Quality Control Manager Joey Miller and Blog Editor Zach Sutton about their favorite gear of the year, what they’re looking forward to next year, and what photographers inspired them. Before first, Lensrentals Founder Roger Cicala wasn’t able to join for the full conversation so he recorded a kind of annual report sharing his insights on the year in optics. Mentioned in this episode: Fuji GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Fuji X-T4 Fotodiox Pro Fusion Smart Autofocus Canon EF to Fuji GFX Canon RF 5.2m...
2021-12-2346 minThe Lensrentals Podcast2021 Wrap Party: Video Industry ReviewThis week we’re wrapping up the year from a video perspective. Lensrentals Product Development Supervisor Ally Aycock Patterson and LensProToGo Video Producer Dom Boisvert join host Ryan Hill to discuss their favorite products of the year, the state of the industry today, and what each person hopes to see in the future. Mentioned in the episode: Sony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G Deity Deluxe 2-Person Wireless Omni Lavalier Mic System Tentacle Sync E Timecode Generator DJI Ronin 4D ARRI Orbiter ARRI L5-C LED Fresnel 3-Light Studio Kit Canon EOS R3 Nikon Z 9 Canon EOS R5 Can...
2021-12-0938 minThe Lensrentals PodcastPhoto Gear Rodeo: 100S, R3, and Z9, oh my!Yeehaw, it’s a photo gear rodeo y’all! Ryan, Joey, and Zach host our first return guest, Barney Britton, Senior Editor at DPReview. We're talking about several new and upcoming releases from Canon, Sony, Fuji, and yes, Nikon too! Mentioned in this episode: Canon 5.2mm f/2.8 dual fisheye Canon 8-15mm f/4L Canon 85mm f/1.2L DS Fuji GFX 50S II Fuji GFX 100S Canon EOS R3 Canon 1DX Mark III Sony A9 Mark II Sony A1 Nikon Z9 Resources: Canon Official 5.2mm D...
2021-11-2556 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Time Limits, Thicc Primes, and Third Party LensesWelcome back to one of our favorite types of episodes where we’re answering more of your questions about all things relating to photography and cinematography. Ryan is joined by Joey, who will be answering photo questions and for all things video we’ve got one of our video producers here too, Dom is back! We’ll cover everything from the history of Lensrentals, to why it’s so hard to find a decent video camera that shoots decent stills. Resources mentioned Indie Film Lab Firefly Electric Lensrentals Podcast episode: How Indie Film Lab Keeps Film Alive Lensrentals Podcast e...
2021-11-1137 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Shoot Your First Short Film with Juli JacksonThis week we’re talking with director, animator, and cinematographer Juli Jackson. Over the last 15 years, Juli has done everything from PA work to directing her own feature, 45RPM. Ryan worked as a camera assistant on Juli’s upcoming short film Delta this summer. They talk about what low-budget, small-crew filmmakers should keep in mind when shooting their own short films. Juli's website Juli’s films: 45RPM Delta Gear mentioned in this episode: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew C...
2021-10-2839 minThe Lensrentals PodcastWhat is Nightscape Photography? With Matthew SavilleRyan and Joey are joined by nightscape photographer Matthew Saville today. Nightscape photography is the art of shooting landscapes at night with particular emphasis on stars. It’s separate from the more scientific astrophotography but shares many of the same challenges such as extremely low light and very long exposure times. Optically it’s one of the most demanding types of photography imaginable. Just about any flaw in a lens is going to be more noticeable when shooting nightscapes so we’ll be covering Matthew’s go-to gear, how he decides what to take on a shoot, and his favorite techniqu...
2021-10-1442 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Filters, Finances, and the FutureRyan, Roger, and Joey are back with more of your questions, and some of our own too. Ranging from where to eat when visiting New Orleans to what cameras and lenses and optical arts will look like 50 years from now, we’re coving a wide range of topics with mostly questions about lenses in the middle. Mentioned on the episode: Turkey and the Wolf Blog posts about filters: Front Element Lens Protection Revisited Yet Another Post Aout My Issues With UV Filters The Glass In Front Of Your Glass: All About Filters Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6...
2021-09-3030 minThe Lensrentals PodcastRoger Cicala Explains MTF TestingIf you’ve read more than one or two articles on our blog you’ve likely seen images of MTF charts and heard us discuss testing lenses on the optical bench. But what on earth does that mean, and why do we do it? We’re breaking it down with the best people possible, Roger, Aaron, and our audience surrogate, Ryan. Mentioned this episode: Imatest See the MTF bench in action! In this older article, you can see an example of a single slice of MTF, combining 4 quadrants to an average, and developing a range. General MTF tra...
2021-09-1640 minThe Lensrentals PodcastNew Gear Rodeo: Video AccessoriesGather round y’all, it’s time for another gear rodeo where we shoot the you-know-what talking about our experiences with gear from our inventory. Today Ryan is talking to the Lensrentals Onboarding Supervisor, Ally Aycock Patterson, and LensProToGo’s Dom Boisvert about which of our newest video products we’re excited about. We nerd out about products that may be a little more unexpected too, like switchers, gimbals, and even batteries if you can believe it. Videos mentioned: Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme ISO: Overview and Live Demo Live Demo: ATEM Mini HDMI Switcher by Blackmagic Design Gear mentione...
2021-09-0241 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Gear, Geysers, and the Future is VideoRyan, Joey, and Roger are back in the studio and excited to answer your questions! Today questions range from what’s the best camera and lens combination, to how our Black Friday sale can help those looking to buy gear, to what simple items we recommend keeping in your camera bag. Getting Started Podcasting resources: Beyond the 5 W's What Should You Ask Before Starting A Story NPR Guide to Starting Your Podcast Lessons Learned from Selling Podcast Ads Submitting Your Podcast to iTunes Gear and Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Shure MV7 Podcast Microphone Podcast gea...
2021-08-1936 minThe Lensrentals PodcastKomodo 101Today is all about the RED Komodo! Workflows, pros and cons, accessories, Ryan, Dom, and Ally stop just short of writing a full love letter to this camera. Dom and Ally each spent some time using the Komodo to discuss for this episode and spoiler, both of them were sad when it was time to return their rentals. Mentioned in this episode: Dom's Komodo video RED KOMODO Brain RED KOMODO 6K Special Edition RED RAVEN Brain RED RANGER Monstro 8K Vista Vision Production Camera DJI RS2 gimbal with a focus motor DJI RS 2 Gimba...
2021-08-0545 minThe Lensrentals PodcastEngineering the Shot with Nat Geo’s Tom O’BrienEver fantasized about working for National Geographic as a photographer? Tom O'Brien is the Photo Engineer who engineers the solutions needed so NatGeo photographers can get the shots they want. Trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Tom has been tasked with figuring out how to record video from half a mile up a cliff face, how to get a remote camera into a robotic paper mâché sage grouse, and even how to design a case that can’t be destroyed by elephants. Find Tom O’Brien on: National Geographic The National Geographic Podcast Instagram Gear mentioned...
2021-07-2245 minThe Lensrentals PodcastSummer Break TimeWe're taking a little break to work on upcoming episodes. Stay subscribed because we'll be back! The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Joshua Richardson, and Philip Robertson. Thanks to Jacques Granger for our theme song. Submit a topic idea, question or comment, leave us a voicemail at 901-609-LENS, or send us an email at podcast@lensrentals.com.
2021-04-2200 minThe Lensrentals PodcastSolving Film Emulation with FilmConvertToday our guest is Sam Wiles, a Color Engineer at FilmConvert. Since the very beginning of digital cinema, people have been trying to get video to look like film, and that’s a very difficult thing to get right, at least at a professional level. It’s not a matter of applying a color filter, response curve, dynamic range, highlight roll-off, grain, and so many other traits of a film image have to be taken into consideration too. FilmConvert is trying to simplify this process by designing film looks tailored to specific digital sensors and log profiles, which entails a to...
2021-04-0826 minThe Lensrentals PodcastTime Tested GearToday Ryan is joined by Roger and Joey, who are part of our in-house repair team, and they are among those who know the most about which photo gear breaks down more frequently and which are “bulletproof”. Lensrentals receives and inspects around 20,000 items a week and as careful as we and our customers try to be, it’s inevitable some of those items are going to break down. Today we’re recommending time-tested photo gear, and get to the bottom of why some products hold up better than others. Gear Mentioned Canon 5D Mark IV Canon 5D III Nikon D75...
2021-03-2531 minThe Lensrentals PodcastWhat Makes a Cinematic Image with Art Adams of ARRIHow do we describe what we want our cinematic images to look like without an agreed-upon definition of what “cinematic” means? Art Adams is a Cinema Lens Specialist at ARRI, and a large part of his job is to translate the characteristics of lens design from the language of engineering to the language of cinema. Ryan is talking with Art about this issue today along with the way film and digital interpret color, the evolution of lens design, and much more! Art graciously told us we could share his email with our audience, so if you have a qu...
2021-03-1137 minThe Lensrentals PodcastThe Mysterious Future of the Photography Industry with Barney Britton of DPReviewIn this episode, Roger and Ryan are speaking with Barney Britton from DPReview about where the industry is going, what was predicted to change that hasn’t, what products have stood out as surprises over the last few years, and what kinds of changes the future may bring. Mentioned in this episode: Leica SL2 Leica’s app Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R Canon EOS R5 Sony Alpha a7S III Fuji GFX 100 Medium Format Mirrorless Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Dre...
2021-02-2541 minThe Lensrentals PodcastAsk Lensrentals: Lenses, Sensor Cleaning, and Sharpness TestingWhen you should worry about scuff market on a lens? Can you clean your own camera’s sensor? When the heck did third party lenses actually start to get good? Find out the answers to these queries and more in today’s episode when Ryan is joined by Roger, the founder of Lensrentals and all-around optical nerd extraordinaire to answer your questions! Gear and Resources Mentioned: (Video) How to Clean a Camera Sensor (Article) Guide to Cleaning a Camera Sensor (Article) A Reasonably Non-Geeky Guide to Lens Tests and Reviews Image Test Chart Canon...
2021-02-1135 minThe Lensrentals Podcast10 Essential Pieces of Video Gear for BeginnersAlly and Ryan are breaking down the first 10 pieces of video gear you should add to your inventory. We have several bonus mentions in our list as well, so be sure to listen all the way through! Mentioned in this episode: Canon 5D Mark II Canon 24-70 Parfocal lenses XLR cables and accessories Mixers The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, All...
2021-01-2839 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Utilize Drones in Any Field with Women Who DroneThese are the drones you are looking for! Today we are talking to four different licensed commercial drone operators who illustrate the variety of roles drones can play across all kinds of industries. Each guest is also a member of Women Who Drone, founded by Elena Buenrostro who is our first guest. Next, we have photographer and videographer Catherine Aeppel, followed by Buzz My Property owner Emily Hines, and Educators Who Drone founder, Dr. Heather Monthie. Referenced in this episode: Free FAA resources Drone Blocks Drone Seed Guests: Elena Buenrostro Instagram Twitter Women Who Drone Catherine Aep...
2021-01-141h 08The Lensrentals Podcast2020 Gear in Review: Bests and BustsSee ya later 2020! Ryan, Roger, Ally, and Zach reflect on the best and worst gear they interacted with from 2020. Both video and photo gear are covered along with lighting, VR, mics and more! We cover a lot of ground ranging from delightfully intuitive design to the item that made Roger say, “Why did you bother? No one cares.” Mentioned in this episode Atomos Neon Nikon Z-Series Nikon Z 58mm f/.95 Lens Oculus Quest 2 Canon t8i Fuji X-T2 Fuji X-T3 Canon Cine-Servo 50-1000mm T5.0-8.9 Sirui Anamorphic Lenses Vazen lenses Canon R5 Arri Master Anamorphic Lens...
2020-12-3153 minThe Lensrentals PodcastNikon’s Evolution from Film to MirrorlessRoger and Joey are talking with Steve Heiner today. He is the Senior Technical Manager at Nikon, and has been with the company since 1985. They discuss how Nikon has grown from the film era, into DSLR’s, and most recently, to embracing mirrorless with the Z system which launched 2 years ago. The conversation ranges from collecting rare lenses, to how much the industry has changed over Steve’s 36 years with Nikon, to Roger asking Steve to pinpoint what Nikon does best. Mentioned in this episode: Steve on the Nikon blog 58mm f/1.2 Noct Nikkor Nikon D5 Nikon D6 Niko...
2020-12-1732 minThe Lensrentals Podcast10 Essential Pieces of Photo Gear for BeginnersToday Joey Miller and Sarah McAlexander discuss the ten pieces of photo gear that all photographers should purchase. Lenses, camera bodies, accessories, they walk through all the things you should know when jumping onto B&H Photo for the first time. Along with recommending individual products, Sarah and Joey also walk you through all of the intricacies of sensor size, ISO, resolution, and even brands. All of these areas can and have been argued ad nauseam on internet forums, so the team walks us through which of these technicals matter, and which don't. Gear and Resources Mentioned C...
2020-12-0348 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Buy a Used LensThis episode originally aired 4.2.2020 and has been one of our most popular, so with Black Friday around the corner we thought it would be a good time to brush up on what to look for when buying a used lens. After 2 years in rental rotation, we sell a good deal of our inventory at our sister site, LensAuthority.com. Roger talks with Connie who runs LensAuthority, and Joey, our Senior Photo Tech about what to look out for when buying a used lens, and when not to buy used gear. They discuss some of their favorite lenses...
2020-11-2645 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow NASA Photographers Capture HistoryToday on the podcast, Roger and Ryan sit down with Norah Moran and Josh Valcarcel, two photographers who work for the NASA photography team. Josh and Norah talk about their experiences working for NASA, from routine portraits of astronauts to photographing unique training events as NASA plans for their next space launch. Josh and Norah also discuss their backgrounds, both in photography as well as in education and how they were able to use that to land what many would consider a dream job. Gear mentioned in this episode: Nikon D5 Follow Josh's and N...
2020-11-1243 minThe Lensrentals PodcastGear Horror StoriesGather 'round the imaginary campfire as Roger, Joey, and Ryan tell us the horrors some of our gear has endured. From creepy crawlies, to bear attacks, to eclipse damage and even Chaos Theory, the guys are passing the imaginary flashlight to each other while swapping stories about the absolute worst things that have happened to our gear while out on a rental. Mentioned in this episode: Lensrentals Blog Posts The Lens that Came Back with a Fly In It The Apocalypse of Lens Dust The Bear Attack Guide to Photographing The Solar Eclipse Rental Camera Gear...
2020-10-2931 minThe Lensrentals PodcastSony on the A7SIII and Emerging TechnologyRoger Cicala, Lensrentals fearless founder along with our Blog Editor, Zach Sutton talk with Mark Weir, Senior Manager in Technology and Marketing at Sony about three newly released cameras, the A7SIII, A7C, and ZV-1. Roger actually gets excited to see what’s different when Sony releases updated versions of gear, because there are actually differences, not just new coats of paint. Sony has taken full advantage of being a vertically integrated company when making their cameras and lenses. This shows up in how they mold specialty glass when a lens needs it, to making their own sensors, to hav...
2020-10-1533 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Lensrentals Picks New GearVideo Product Development Supervisor Ally Aycock Patterson, Product Page Supervisor Josh Richardson, and Photo and Lighting Product Supervisor Bryce Robins explain the process we follow when considering new products to add to our rental inventory. Follow the journey a suggestion takes on its path to becoming a rentable item. And if there’s anything you want us to cary, give us a shout at support@lensrentals.com. The more info you can provide on an item the better! Gear Mentioned: Drones Outsight Creamsource Lights 1TB SD Card Venus Optics Laowa 24mm Probe Lens Impact Sand...
2020-10-0134 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Get Started Live StreamingLive streaming has gone from fairly niche to vitally necessary very quickly over the past few months. Ryan is joined by Josh and Ally to get specific on how to begin live streaming if you’re new to the game, and some advanced options for those more versed in video. Gear mentioned in this episode: Remote Presentation Live Streaming Kit - Basic Remote Presentation Live Streaming Kit - Advanced SDI cables Belden 150ft Cat 6A Ethernet Cable Sling Studio Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro ISO HDMI Livestream Switcher Manufacturers who are turning their own cameras into we...
2020-09-1736 minThe Lensrentals PodcastMaking Retouching More Accessible with Sef McCulloughLensrentals Blog Editor, Zach Sutton is speaking with the incredible Retoucher, Sef McCullough today! Sef is passionately working to make a career in retouching accessible to a wider and more diverse audience. Sef realized the privilege he was afforded isn’t given to everyone, so he’s doing something about it by providing free tutorials and very in-depth breakdowns of his processes. Enjoy this deep dive into the world of retouching and digital art! Find Sef at his website Frequency Separation Behance Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Resources, tools, and gear mentioned in this episode: Photo...
2020-09-0335 minThe Lensrentals PodcastCanon on the R5 and Lens DevelopmentRoger Cicala, Lensrentals founder, is joined by Zach Sutton, Lensrentals Blog Editor and Drew MacCallum, a Technical Information Advisor with Canon USA. They discuss everything involving the newly released R5, from launching it virtually due to the pandemic to tech specs and where it fits as a companion to a primary cinema camera, to how they’ve addressed overheating issues. They also discuss how the entire RF line has evolved so quickly, where it’s headed, and what prompted Roger to finally buy into mirrorless. Canon R5 Overview and Sample Footage 8k Gear Mentioned in thi...
2020-08-2041 minThe Lensrentals PodcastNew Gear Rodeo: Summer 2020It’s been an unusual past few months, to say the least, but there is still new gear coming out, and we still have opinions to share. In light of the NAB show being canceled in April, many new product announcements for both photo and video received less attention than usual. So in this episode Ryan Hill, Ally Aycock Patterson, and Zach Sutton discuss their takes on several new video and photo items, explain what DMX lighting is and why it’s useful, and the difference between rolling versus global shutter. Gear mentioned in this episode: Canon EOS...
2020-08-0629 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Disinfect Camera Equipment and SpacesBefore Roger Cicala founded Lensrentals he was a physician and as such he knows a lot about disinfecting environments and keeping yourself protected. Roger speaks with Joey and Ryan expanding on the article he wrote about how to disinfect your gear and not damaging it in the process. Bet you never look at dryer sheets the same way! Note: Best practices are evolving very quickly, so this information is subject to change. If after this podcast is published the CDC says something different from what we’re saying today, go with the CDCs recommendation. Referenced in thi...
2020-04-0931 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Buy a Used LensAfter 2 years in rental rotation, we sell a good deal of our inventory at our sister site, LensAuthority.com. Roger talks with Connie who runs LensAuthority, and Joey, our Senior Photo Tech about what to look out for when buying a used lens, and when not to buy used gear. They discuss some of their favorite lenses that hold up well over time, valuable resources to reference before and after you’ve purchased a used lens, and share their opinions on if glass scratches and dust are considerations you should worry about. Referenced in this episode: Tamron 35 f...
2020-04-0244 minThe Lensrentals PodcastNew Gear Rodeo: What We Think of the Latest Camera BodiesNew gear alert! Ryan is joined by our blog editor Zach and Senior Photo Tech Joey for a chat about the latest new camera bodies that have been announced. Their conversation ranges from positing the EOS R is the easiest mirrorless system to pick up and use, to being nonplused by Nikon’s latest offerings, to waxing poetic about their love of Fuji, and different positions on the ever polarizing Leica. Mentioned in this episode: Canon EOS R5 Canon 1DX Mk III Nikon D780 Nikon Z6 Nikon FTZ Mount Adaptor Fuji X-T4 Leica M10 Monochrome
2020-03-2634 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Make the Most of a Small CrewJem Schofield is a producer, DP and educator and the founder of theC47, a full-service production company that focuses on video production, filmmaking, consulting & education. Jem spends most of his time producing content, educating others and joins Ryan to discuss how to prepare for small to no crew productions, the essential roles that need to be filled, and when to hire out for specialists. Mentioned in this episode: Frame.io Westcott theC47 Scrim Jim Cine DP Kit The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff...
2020-03-1936 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Make Money Shooting PortraitsZach Sutton is a Los Angeles Photographer specializing in headshot, beauty, and portrait photography. He is also our blog editor! Sarah and Joey talk with Zach about how he built his brand, grew his connections, and has become a thriving photographer. He shares why he thinks you should always test shoot, SEO tips, and addresses the ever difficult issue of how to price yourself. Follow Zach on Website Instagram Facebook Equipment mentioned: Alien Bees Innovativ Production Cart Profoto The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by R...
2020-03-1244 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Lensrentals Reached a Million OrdersIn 2006 Roger went on an Alaskan cruise and had to pay big bucks for a lens he knew wouldn’t be very useful to him after he came home. Thus an idea was born, and now 13 years later Lensrentals has fulfilled over 1 million orders! Watch our video celebrating our millionth order. Enter our millionth order giveaway. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Ci...
2020-03-0246 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Break a Video CameraIf you’ve ever called our video department for help, you’ve likely talked to either Ryan, Ally, or Kris. Today they discuss the many different ways they’ve seen video cameras put through the wringer, tips on troubleshooting, how to best prepare for a shoot, and more. Right to Repair https://repair.org/stand-up The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patter...
2020-02-2038 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Rick Sammon Creates Killer Travel ImagesRick Sammon, a Canon Explorer of Light, joins Ryan and Joey to discuss his photo tour travels around the world, why you should be able to adjust your own camera in the dark, and why emotional intelligence is so important for photographers to possess. Rick was introduced to photography at a young age and has never lost interest in it. Between creating images, leading photo workshops, and making personal appearances, his enthusiasm for digital imaging is contagious. Never one to be bored he also teaches guitar and has written over 40 books. Follow Rick: Twitter Facebook Instagram YouTube Ge...
2020-02-1329 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow a Weekend Challenge is Changing the Film IndustryAlly is joined by Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre who are the executive co-directors of the Women's Weekend Film Challenge which is a women-in-film initiative that places professional filmmakers on crews that write, shoot and edit a short film in just one weekend. Through the WWFC, they have produced 24 films to date with more than 500 professional female filmmakers in New York City. These films have already been selected for 60 film festivals and counting, including the HBO Women in Comedy Festival and Fantasia Film Festival. Women's Weekend Film Challenge Website WWFC Instagram WWFC Twitter WWFC Facebook WWFC LinkedIn
2020-02-0634 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Lighting is Evolving with No Film School’s Charles HaineCharles Haine is the Acting Director of the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema at Brooklyn College and writes for NoFilmSchool.com. Charles joins Ryan and discusses how consumers can help shape the future of sustainable lighting, apps with UX/UI worth your time, and certain lighting apps he considers to be “total screaming garbage.” Charles has been a filmmaker and entrepreneur working in the motion picture industry since 1999, founded the Academy Award-nominated production company Dirty Robber in 2008 and was part of the inception of Cinleicious.tv. He also hosts the “Week In Film Tech” podcast and co-hosts the “NoFilmSchool” podcast. Follo...
2020-01-3040 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Break a CameraImpact damage, sensor scratches, and shutter failure, oh my! Roger, Aaron, and Joey are back and this time they’re talking about all the ways you can break a camera, what can be fixed and what is always a kiss of death. The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff includes Drew Cicala, Ryan Hill, Sarah McAlexander, SJ Smith, Julian Harper, John Tucker, and Zach Sutton. Other contributors include Roger Cicala, Joey Miller, Ally Aycock Patterson, Joshua Richardson, and Philip Robertson. Thanks to Jacques Granger for our them...
2020-01-2340 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to do Everything with Scott KelbyYou know Scott Kelby. Ok maybe you’ve never met him but chances are you’ve read one of his books, taken a course on his educational site KelbyOne.com, seen him speak at a trade show, read an article of his in Photoshop User magazine, or been on one of his photo walks. This isn’t your typical interview with Scott Kelby though. This is what happens when Roger Cicala gets a chance to interview Scott Kelby. Spoiler: Scott said this is the best, most fun interview. Listen to find out why! Mentioned in the episod...
2020-01-1652 minThe Lensrentals Podcast2019 Gear in Review: Bests and BustsWe’re sharing our picks for best and worst photo and video equipment from 2019. Roger, Ally, Ryan, and Joey share their top two favorite pics from 2019, and one piece of gear that for whatever reason just missed the mark. Favorite gear mentioned in this episode: Easy rig cinema flex vest The L-mount consortium Profoto Connect Alexa Mini LF B4 system Tamron 35mm f/1.4 Fuji GFX 100 Tentacle Sync E Spotlight on Lensrentals employee Lynn Green. Lynn is a customer service tech who recommends and troubleshoots gear. Outside of his da...
2020-01-0953 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Post-Processing BeganDavid Horan is back in the studio with Roger discussing photography pioneers, Oscar Rejlander and Henry Peach Robinson. Both of these men grappled with many of the questions debated online to this day: What is photography? What is technique? And what is science? Hear how they thought through the stances they took on realism vs staged productions. Referenced in the episode: Two Ways of Life An Apology for Art-Photography by Oscar Rejlander Poor Boy Ginx’s Baby Rejlander Introducing Rejlander The Lensrentals Podcast is a production of Lensrentals, founded by Roger Cicala. Our production staff in...
2019-12-1921 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow David Carson Won a Pulitzer Covering FergusonDavid Carson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Carson’s images are featured extensively in the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography that was awarded to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch photo staff. In 2008, his multimedia project “Reporting for Duty” won a regional Emmy award for Advanced Media – Interactivity. We talk with David about his experience covering Ferguson, and how much of his team’s previous work prepared them to better understanding the issues that were front and center. David shares his take on newsrooms that have lost photojournalists, the future of staff photographers and why they matte...
2019-12-1250 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Get Started in VRJim Geduldick found his way into immersive video via skateboarding and a desire to emulate the tricks he saw captured in skate videos. He’s now a VR Cinematographer, Creative Technologist, director, and visual effects artist. He has created projects for Intel, Epic Games, Google, GoPro, Red Bull, Hulu and many more. His career path led him to work on projects with Ridley Scott, Michael Bay, and Spike Jonze. Ally and Ryan talked with Jim about the current state of VR and all the different technologies that are encompassed under that term, how ongoing education is key, and some co...
2019-12-0541 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow to Break a LensRoger is joined by our Repair Manager Aaron Cloz and Senior Photo Tech Joey Miller to discuss broken lenses, the types of repairs they’ve encountered, what they think can be attempted at home, and how to prevent repairs from being needed in the first place! They dish on which repair center takes the longest to get gear back from, what environments they can count on to break a lens and advise the best gear for shooting in the rain. In this talk, they reference enjoying working with PhotoTech which is an authorized service center for Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fu...
2019-11-2148 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Early Photographers Turned Silver Into GoldWe’re looking at the history of photography covering 1840-1870 with David Horan, Professor of Photography and Art History at the University of Memphis. David and Roger discuss the importance of postmortem portraits, how one American president credited the carte de visite with helping him win his election and dispel some of the preconceived notions about the early days of photography. Next time we talk to David we’ll dive into the debate that began in the 1800s and continues to this day: Is photography art? Spotlight on Naima Aiesha Overton who goes by Naima is a Fulfillment Asso...
2019-11-1424 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Zero Point Zero Wrangles GearEmma Huckstadt started as a Production Assistant at Zero Point Zero in 2014 and quickly got promoted to Manager of Production Equipment, responsible for trouble-shooting questions and inspecting their gear before it goes into the field. Zero Point Zero produces shows such as Parts Unknown, Mind of a Chef, and Elvis Goes There and has won 15 Primetime Emmy’s, 5 James Beard Awards and a Peabody Award. Emma and Ryan’s discussion ranges from reminiscing about crappy PA postings on set to solving logistical nightmares that pop up when planning for overseas shoots, to what Zero Point Zero has on their hori...
2019-11-0742 minThe Lensrentals Podcast10 Horror Movies Every Filmmaker Should SeeGet in the Halloween spirit by counting down the top 10 horror movies we think filmmakers should see with our own Ryan Hill, Kendall Richardson, and Jimmie Harvey. 10- Pontypool 9- Eyes Without a Face 8- Frankenstein 7- Midsommar 6- Don’t Look Now 5- Evil Dead 2 4- One Cut of the Dead 3- Suspiria 2- Trick ’r Treat 1- Halloween Spotlight on Jason Rawlings Jason is a Video Tech here at Lensrentals meaning he takes troubleshooting and compatibility phone calls (you’ve probably talked to him!) and inspects equipment before it goes out to customers. Jason has made s...
2019-10-3140 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Canon Rumors Gets the ScoopCraig Blair founded CanonRumors.com in 2008 and today it’s a top destination for keeping up with the latest news and gear chatter around what the manufacturer is likely working on. Craig ran Lens Rentals Canada for several years and talked with Roger and Drew about where he gets his information, the future of SLR cameras as well as the dedication of EOS-R. We make a few predictions we still haven’t seen play out and ask Craig for his hot take on which manufacturer won’t be around in the next few years. It’s getting spicy on the pod today...
2019-10-2428 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Lensrentals Uses 3D PrintingWe used to dream of all the things we could and should 3D print and today we’re actually making them! Kris Steward joins Roger Cicala to discuss how a 3D printer he bought from Kickstarter lead to a room full of printers here at Lensrentals. He tells us the items he’s making, from beefing up battery doors to figuring out workarounds and bringing new items for Lensrentals into existence. It started with making our own gaskets and we’re currently printing 67 unique items. They range from things for products we couldn’t source for repair purposes, we’d make to...
2019-10-1733 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Indie Film Lab Keeps Film AliveJosh Moates, founder of Indie Film Lab talks with Joey Miller and Sarah McAlexander about getting started with film, printing your work, film’s future, and more. Josh believes film has soul and that no digital preset can do what film can. He started Indie Film Lab because he believes the revival of film is strong and understands that when you shoot film, it can be hard to find a lab that processes your work the way you want them to. Finding the right lab is like finding a partner to help you accomplish your vision. As Josh beg...
2019-10-1045 min
The Lensrentals PodcastHow to Shoot Your First Wedding Joey Miller, Senior Photo Technician joins Roger Cicala, Lensrentals founder to discuss wedding photography. Episode highlights: Second shooting is a great entry point to see if wedding photography is for you. Second shoot for multiple photographers so you are exposed to several different styles and preferences. Negotiating your duties as a second shooter and what you’ll be expected to cover, especially during the reception, are also very important details to work out ahead of time, along with, of course, your fee. Gear: all-important gear questions! ALL current DSLR bodies and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras will do...
2019-10-0335 min
The Lensrentals PodcastHow Indie Memphis Runs a Film FestivalRyan talks to Indie Memphis Executive Director Ryan Watt & Director of Operations Brighid Wheeler about what it takes to run a film festival, the many considerations involved when deciding what gets programmed, and more. The Indie Memphis Film Festival started in 1998 and is currently a 7-day festival that takes place in the heart of Memphis across multiple locations, engaging both the local community and those who’ve traveled far and wide to participate. With over 275+ films shown last year alone, Indie Memphis Film Festival has been named one of the top 25 coolest film festivals by MovieMaker Magazine. The festival br...
2019-09-2639 minThe Lensrentals PodcastHow Matthew Duclos Modifies LensesFounder Roger Cicala sits down with Matthew Duclos, Chief Operating Officer at Duclos Lenses. Duclos Lenses is a full-service cinema lens repair, retail, and modification company based in Los Angeles, CA. Co-founder of Duclos Lenses along with his father and sister, Matthew’s career as a lens tech spans decades and includes factory training from some of the most recognizable names in lens manufacturing. As the COO of Duclos Lenses, Matthew spends most of his time evaluating, testing, tuning, and de-tuning motion picture lenses. Matthew also manages all of the product design, engineering, and manufacturing at Duclos Lenses. An av...
2019-09-1954 min