Focused under pressure

Justus Stewart is a Tennessee‑based filmmaker who runs a small production company called Not Just Media. Most of his work focuses on documentary‑style storytelling, creating interviews, brand films, and testimonial pieces that highlight people and their stories. “I also spend a lot of time in the live‑event world with ShowTech, a visual production company, producing conferences and large‑scale events,” he says. “That part of my job is a lot more dynamic and unpredictable, so I’m often switching between controlled interview environments and run‑and‑gun shooting.”

The fast‑paced side of his work often pushes his gear to the limit, so Justus keeps his setup simple and reliable. His main camera is the Sony FX3, with the Atomos Ninja mounted on top as his primary monitor. “I shot a documentary called Run As One for CompTrain,” he says. “It was a 24‑hour ultra marathon, and my crew and I told the stories of three runners fighting for 100 miles. The Ninja stayed on my camera through multiple interviews and many laps around the course.”

Because his projects shift between calm, sit‑down interviews and high-energy event coverage, Ninja plays a different role depending on the environment. “For interviews, it’s where I check exposure and focus before I start rolling,” he explains. “When I’m shooting events or sports‑style environments, the Ninja is where I quickly confirm everything is dialled in before committing to the shot.”

Using an external monitor gives Justus a larger, clearer view of what he’s capturing, and the Ninja’s bright, 5‑inch 1000‑nit touchscreen quickly becomes his go-to reference on set. “The biggest thing was simply being able to trust what I’m seeing. Camera screens are small, and when you’re shooting quickly it’s easy to miss minor exposure or focus issues. The Ninja gives me an accurate sense of the image and the tools to verify things fast. It’s one of those pieces of gear that just removes a lot of second‑guessing.”

Ninja’s monitoring and exposure tools help Justus stay on top of things when he’s filming athletes in high‑intensity fitness competitions, where the environment can change in an instant. “Lighting changes constantly and the athletes are moving fast, so you don’t get many second chances,” he says. “Being able to glance down and quickly confirm exposure and focus gives me a lot more confidence in those moments.”

“The Ninja gives me an accurate sense of the image and the tools to verify things fast.”