Albion Hockney

basically what you got here is soft top light. the first example is one soft light over head and a little frontal. The 2nd example is like a more complicated version of the first. in the 2nd wide shot you have a big bright source coming from the rear right side of frame edging everyone + a soft top light. that bright source from the rear right is something bigger then the lights you have. Maybe a 1200D instead of 120d could do it. The top light you would need to cover a set this big would be large - that many people I'd prob build and overhead 12x softbox. you could try finding a way to rig the 8x overhead and bounce light into it.

Are using the M-LUT in camera. for the FX9 you need to turn M-LUT on to see the changes as far as I know. if that doesn't work then there might be another setting causing the issue or less likely an issue with the camera. Sony menus are difficult. just keep messing with it. are you using an external monitor or do you have an SDI monitor you can try as well?

I've use the emotimo system before which works directly with Dana Dolly products. Worked well, though it is a bit "prosumer" feeling and can just barley handle a striped down alexa mini. I know Kessler has a similar product too now.

Lol. so funny how things work out. I've heard of pristine MKIII's closer to 100k. meanwhile Ultra primes are not looking so good these days.

I think it is standard across systems. Dana dolly is the original. Most people use speed rail to run them

Red is a brand not really designed to target people who want reliability and a proper professional product. They built the brand on hype and social media influence. I agree it would be nice for that to change and have another legit player in the marketplace

Yea I think this is a very long term game and is clearly just business stuff. That said I think in the longer term it could add more competition that could be interesting. Maybe a more fully featured red komodo for under 10k for example. This is a hard space to get into though and only getting harder as tech improves even with the RED brand and tech it might just not happen for Nikon. Panasonic hasn't been able to crack the code even with pretty good camera tech (ie the varicam and varicam LT).

Nikon is a huge company with way more resources then RED. Maybe Nikon will create some interesting cameras —or maybe the whole thing will be mismanaged, But can't be much worse then RED. I see less and Red's on set these days other then the komodo. Atleast they finally got ND filters in the things. Hopefully Nikon can take the base of what Red is doing and improve upon it, they could become a major player in the next 5 years if so.

this might of interest -https://www.keslowcamera.com/gear/film-cameras/35mm-mos/arriflex-35-iic-hand-crank-modification/

I have no idea how they actually did it, but it looks like a handcranked effect to me. Also I think this spot is 35mm. I'm not sure about this, but isn't there something you can get for some some arri 35 camera to do handcranking?

I’d just get a fisheye converter - they make them at .3x magnification or even wider. In post you can distort it back to rectilinear, though the grain might look a bit weird. or shoot on 16mm

The stabilization might get funky I’d test that if you want to try it. This is. It stabilization in camera and looks great

There are always lots of ways to accomplish this look the specifics of the type of diffusion or bounce vs direct will have to do with many factors you need to work out with your gaffer. that said these shots are quiet wide and require more lights then you mention. In the first still facing the teacher from the back of the classroom. I'm guessing there are lights coming through every window on the left side of the classroom. so 3-4 lights. the light on the teacher looks like its pretty hard so. its likely something like a 4k or bigger through light diffusion. but there also appears to be soft ambiance from the window which could be another softer light or just natural ambiance. Yes also appears to be a large light coming through the rear window of the classroom again probably a 4k or bigger. I'd say this scene has at least 4-5x lights around 4k or larger. also appears to be ceiling lights providing some fill at a slightly cooler temp which helps make the sunlight feel warmer. Unbleached Muslim is very inefficient way to bounce light. if you just want warmer light I would put on 1/4 cto and bounce off ultra bounce.

Only thing I would add is that most people who do succeed on a high level either have incredible safety nets (ie independent wealthy or connected families) or at some point do take some big risks. There's no free lunch. If you love it enough you go for broke, but that's not right for everyone or honestly even a smart/healthy thing to do in most cases. Sounds like you have a great mindset though and a solid plan B. Wish you the best of luck!

super speeds are all really soft wide open. you are using only the the center of the lens though. If your ok with a softer more halated look then your fine, but if you want it to be tack sharp you want something more modern. you can use anything....even something like the Sigmas or Tokina's would work well. the 16mm will give the picture enough interest that totally clean sharp modern glass will still look great.