ep103 - 'All Cameras Look the Same' — David Bross on Digilog App, DIY Camera Building & Escaping the Digital Look – Focus Check Podcast

In this conversation, David Bross shares his unique journey from being a director of photography to woodworking and app development. He discusses the creation of his free iPhone app Digilog, which simulates Kodak film looks, and his philosophy of open-source software and teaching the next generation of filmmakers. David walks us through the technical challenges behind the Digilog app (free in the App Store here), from translating his DaVinci Resolve color grading workflow into code, to navigating Apple's app review process which rejected the app 15 times before approval. He also talks about sourcing rare Kodak CCD sensors to revisit the Digital Bolex project, not as a revival but as a stepping stone toward something bigger: building custom, artisanal cameras shaped by personal needs rather than the technological race. Along the way, he shares a candid take on why he believes modern cameras have reached a point of visual uniformity — and why that's a problem worth solving. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to David Bross and His Journey (03:15) Transition from Filmmaking to Woodworking (04:26) The Creation of Digilog App (06:35) Technical Challenges and Unique Features of Digilog (09:01) OpenGate Recording and Real-Time Processing (10:39) Audio Issues and User Experience (12:45) Film Stocks and Recording Formats (15:02) Anamorphic Lenses and Future Plans (17:54) Community Feedback and Open Source Philosophy (18:53) The Decision to Offer Digilog for Free (20:07) Educating the Next Generation of Filmmakers (21:30) Navigating Technology and Filmmaking Aspirations (23:49) The Changing Landscape of Cinematography (25:48) Reviving the Bolex Project (30:00) Creating Custom Cameras for Personal Needs (34:50) The Quest for Unique Camera Aesthetics (39:12) Harnessing Computational Power in Filmmaking