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

by Felix TappeinerFebruary 12^th, 2026

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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.

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Episode 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

We hope you enjoyed this episode!
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