Summary of The Cameras and Lenses used by Great Cinematographers

In this video, Cerise from Akron discusses the cameras and lenses used by 20 renowned cinematographers over their last three to five films. The focus is on the specific equipment they have recently utilized, rather than their all-time favorites or other projects like commercials or music videos.

Key Points:

Cinematographers Featured:
- Roger Deakins: Airy Alexa (Alexa Mini LF for Empire of Light), prefers Airy lenses.
- Caleb Deschanel: Airy Alexa (Alexa 65 for The Lion King), uses various lenses (Zeiss, Panavision).
- Rodrigo Prieto: Sony Venice for Arnor.
- Robert Richardson: Used Airy Alexa for Venom and RED cameras for Emancipation.
- Emmanuel Lubezki: Airy Alexa, prefers Airy lenses.
- Hoyte van Hoytema: Shoots with IMAX and Kodak stock, uses Airy Alexa 65 for digital.
- Christopher Doyle: Transitioned to digital with Airy Alexa for Love After Love.
- Matthew Libatique: Airy Alexa, Sony Venice for The Whale.
- Dion Beebe: Predominantly Airy Alexa and its variants.
- Mandy Walker: Airy Alexa 65 for last three films, uses Panavision lenses.
- Janusz Kamiński: Shoots on film with Kodak stock, uses Panavision lenses, Alexa 65 for The Call of the Wild.
- Vittorio Storaro: Recent work with Sony F65.
- Darius Khondji: Transitioned to Airy Alexa 65 for Bardo.
- Edward Lachman: Airy Alexa Mini, various lenses.
- Robert Elswit: Mixed four different cameras, mostly Panavision lenses.
- Bill Pope: Airy Alexa, Panavision lenses.
- Linus Sandgren: Shoots on film with Kodak stock, various lenses.
- Claudio Miranda: Sony Venice and previously Sony F65.

Artistic Techniques and Concepts:

Camera Preferences: Most cinematographers favor the Airy Alexa series, with some opting for the Sony Venice.
Lens Variety: Many cinematographers utilize a mix of lenses from different manufacturers, including Panavision and Zeiss, depending on the project.
Film vs. Digital: A blend of traditional film (Kodak stock) and modern digital formats is evident, with some still preferring film for its aesthetic.

Conclusion:

The video highlights the dominance of the Airy Alexa and the Sony Venice among top cinematographers, while also noting the limited use of RED cameras in high-profile films. The discussion emphasizes the importance of selecting the right equipment for specific cinematic needs.

Contributors:

Cerise (host) from Akron.

Notable Quotes

— 05:36 — « Now what have we learned in this video? It looks like it's an area Lexus show and Sony Venice has some firm Believers. »

— 05:43 — « Curiously the number of great cinematographers who use red cameras is too few at least on their films. It makes no sense unless they're just not a fan of the look or the cameras. »

— 06:10 — « However they're all pretty much the same sensor which is a miracle to know. »