The CineTraits Roadmap
Where we are, where we're going, and what we're building for the cinematography community.
Launch Beta
The initial phase of CineTraits acts like a pilot — launching at competitive pricing while delivering a strong foundational proof of concept, allowing us to start gathering the community's thoughts and opinions on what it is we're building.
Growing the Database
The first key goal for CineTraits is to simply add more lenses. Optics can appear dynamically on the platform almost weekly, and our priority is to continuously expand the library — increasing the value and breadth of what we offer.
During this time we're also taking on a huge amount of feedback based on what kind of physical visual tests people want to see — your input directly shapes our testing priorities.
Feature Set at Launch
Current status of each core platform feature.
Done — still implementing the traits per lens.
Implemented and done — awaiting test data that utilises this correctly.
Mostly done, needs testing — awaiting test data.
Mostly done, needs testing — awaiting test data.
Visual Tests at Launch
Current status of each visual test.
Pretty much there — still adding test data.
Pretty much there — still adding test data.
Ready for testing — awaiting lenses and a refined shot methodology.
Ready for testing — awaiting lenses and a refined shot methodology.
Ready for testing — awaiting lenses and a refined shot methodology.
Ready for testing — awaiting lenses and a refined shot methodology.
Ready for testing — awaiting lenses and a refined shot methodology.
Note on Pricing
Pricing may change in the future as the database grows. Pay yearly today and your rate is locked in forever — even as prices increase.
Expansion and Development Mid–Late Beta
Hopefully reaching mid to late beta stage — expanding the database, refining tests, and building out major new features while continuing to fix bugs and improve stability.
New Feature Development
Lens Combo system — further development beyond early preview, allowing users to pair lenses with detuners and optical modifiers such as Blazar Nero and Aviascope to explore new visual outcomes with full comparison support.
Launch DeTune kits for Canon FDn lenses, enabling filmmakers to physically modify and customize their lenses.
Downloadable EXIF correction data for distortion and vignetting — allowing users to apply lens-specific corrections directly in post-production.
Simulated backgrounds overlayable beneath flare tests — giving a creative real-world example of how a lens's flare character may look in an actual shooting scenario.
Filtration & Optical Adapter Testing
Launch filtration testing directly on the database — allowing users to explore how different filters affect lens character and optical performance.
Launch optical adapter testing directly on the database — dedicated test data for rear and front adapters, including squeeze factors and optical quality impact.
We're hoping to revisit B4 zoom lenses during this phase — this time pairing them with different optical adapters to explore how they behave across various configurations.
Overview & Deep Dive Videos
We have our overview deep dive video functionality all built in, but this phase affords more time to produce deeper creative representations of the lenses — going beyond raw data to showcase each optic's unique character through cinematic content.
Long-Term Ambition Post-Beta
Leaving beta — by this stage most features should be refined and working as expected. The focus shifts to advanced analysis, deeper content, and long-term platform growth.
Advanced Lens Analysis
Expand beyond optical character into full technical evaluations.
Include detailed spec-driven insights such as autofocus performance, focus throw, and focus system behavior.
Deeper Review Systems
Develop advanced benchmarking approaches inspired by industry standards such as DXOMARK-style analysis.
Provide detailed comparisons across:
Autofocus speed
Manual focus behavior, including linear versus non-linear response
Drive-by-wire systems
Long-term usability and reliability
Pricing Outlook — Estimated
Estimated pricing based on database size, community response, and overall platform growth. Final figures may vary.
By the end of Phase 3, estimated settled pricing reflecting the platform's matured value:
Indie — estimated increase, TBC
Hollywood — estimated increase, TBC
Pricing will be a steady increase based on database growth — not a sudden jump. As the lens library expands, subscription prices rise gradually to reflect the platform's growing value.
Early adopters on yearly billing keep their original rate locked in permanently — regardless of future increases.
Broader Content Opportunities
Introduce long-form editorial and review content.
Explore podcast-style discussions featuring DOPs, cinematographers, and photographers, focusing on real-world lens choices and production workflows.
Shape the future of CineTraits
Have ideas, feature requests, or lenses you'd like to see tested? Head over to the Public Hub and let us know. Your input directly shapes this roadmap.
Contact UsSmallHD Flash Sale!
Grab up to 30%+ off on SmallHD
