Inside the Nexus G1 Camera: A Conversation with the Camera’s Creators & the U-Mount Reveal – CineD Focus Check Episode 95

December 18^th, 20256

by Felix TappeinerDecember 18^th, 2025

For this week’s episode on the CineD Focus Check podcast, Nino speaks with special guests Timothy and Thomas Boland from Nexus Camera about how the Nexus G1 came to life — and what it’s trying to solve for solo operators and small crews.

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If you have been following the indie camera development scene, you have likely heard of the Nexus G1. The project promises to solve the “rigging nightmare” of modern cinema cameras by integrating everything a solo operator needs into a single, compact body.

But can a two-man team from Australia really deliver a camera that out-designs the major manufacturers? Here is everything we learned from our interview with the Nexus Camera founders, Thomas and Timothy Boland.

The Origin: “Designed by Filmmakers for Filmmakers

The Boland brothers aren’t just engineers; they are industrial designers with over a decade of experience and a background in high-end commercial filmmaking. The Nexus G1 was born out of frustration. They loved the image quality of Blackmagic cameras but hated the “deficiencies” that required endless rigging – external batteries, struggling with ND filters, and managing cables.

“We realized we couldn’t use fixed NDs. They’re too limiting,” the team explained. Their goal was simple but lofty: visualize the perfect cinema camera where you focus on creativity, not the gear.

The Nexus G1 camera in use. Image credit: Nexus Camera

The “Organ Transplant”: A Unique Partnership with Blackmagic

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the Nexus G1 is its heart. The camera is effectively a “transplant,” utilizing the sensor and mainboard from a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K.

Contrary to initial speculation that this is a “hack,” the Bolands once again confirmed they have an official relationship with Blackmagic Design. “They made us a Blackmagic dealer for that purpose, so that we can get all the hardware to make the Nexuses,” Thomas Boland explained. They purchase the cameras, disassemble them, and re-house the technology into their custom chassis.

When asked about warranty concerns regarding this modification, the team assured that the warranty falls entirely on Nexus Cameras. They offer a 12-month repair or return warranty and are setting up service agents on every continent to handle repairs locally.

Exclusive Announcement on CineD: The Nexus “U-Mount”

The biggest news from the podcast was the reveal of a completely new lens mount system. While the camera was originally announced with an EF mount and an optional Micro Four Thirds mount, the team unveiled the Nexus U-Mount (Universal Mount).

This new system features an extremely short 15mm flange distance with a large throat diameter, allowing the camera to adapt to virtually any lens mount on the market.

The Nexus U-mount is a universal mount, and the Boland brothers call it “the most versatile mount system in the world,” which is able to accommodate all lenses in existence. Here we see the E-mount clipped into the positive-lock mechanism of the U-mount. Image credit: CineD – do not reproduce without permission!

Key U-Mount Features:

Universal Compatibility: Can adapt to E-mount, L-mount, RF mount, PL, EF, and more.
Positive Lock: A push-button release with a rock-solid locking mechanism.
Anamorphic Ready: The mount allows users to rotate and lock lenses in 45-degree increments, perfect for open-gate vertical filming or specific anamorphic alignments.
Future Proof: “Basically any lens you can imagine can go on the Nexus G1 now,” the founders claimed.

Technical Deep Dive: NDs, Power, and Build

Beyond the mount, the Nexus G1 specs remain impressive.

Internal Electronic ND: The camera uses a liquid crystal electronic ND module (2 to 7 stops) that is 100% continuous with no X-pattern artifacts or color cast. Crucially, the module can physically move out of the way for a clear path when not in use, ensuring no light loss.

Materials: The body is built from magnesium alloy and carbon fiber. The magnesium undergoes plasma electrolytic oxidation, creating a ceramic-like finish that is incredibly durable and resistant to chipping.

Power Efficiency: The camera features a recessed Mini V-Mount slot. Unlike standard Blackmagic builds, the Nexus G1 is highly power-efficient and can “shoot all day on a single battery” (specifically a 99Wh battery).

Integrated FIZ Control: Three USB-C ports on the front can power and control lens motors (like the Tilta Nano 2) directly from the camera interface, eliminating the need for external control boxes.

Nexus OS operating system running on the Nexus G1 camera. Image credit: Nexus Camera

Storage: The Nexus Max Drive

To combat the overheating and cost issues of CFast 2.0 cards, Nexus developed the Max Drive. It is a 1TB SSD housed in a magnesium casing that thermally conducts heat into the camera body. It is faster and significantly cheaper than CFast, though the camera retains a standard CFast slot for compatibility.

Timeline and Manufacturing Updates

The team acknowledged delays, pushing the shipping target to Q1 2026. The delay stems from a strategic shift: instead of using contract manufacturers, Nexus is bringing assembly in-house to a new 26,000-square-foot facility in Australia to ensure quality control.

“We could have rushed out a product… but we’re not into that,” the team stated. “It’s got to be perfect”.

Summary

The Nexus G1 is shaping up to be one of the most innovative camera projects we have seen. By combining the beloved image science of Blackmagic RAW with a chassis that addresses every ergonomic complaint of the original Pocket cameras—plus the new versatility of the U-Mount—Nexus is aiming for the sweet spot between cinema quality and run-and-gun efficiency.

Watch the full episode of Focus Check for more details on the cooling system, the “Zero Dust” assembly lab, and future LiDAR integration plans.