ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

9 years, 3 months ago - Tony Franks

Hi Lee, I too am interested in this field, and will sneak a peak at what responses you get (I'm also curious about good sliders that are a match for the iPhone's light weight).
Here's a couple of links I've gathered -
http://www.moondoglabs.com/store/#!/BACKORDERED-1-33X-Anamorphic-Adapter-Lens-for-iPhone-6-6S/p/48398187/category=8525657
And a little out-of-date:
http://www.thesmalls.com/7-must-haves-iphone-filmmakers
Web chatter about this (budget) stabiliser seem positive:
- Polaroid Steady Video Action Stabilizer System For GoPro, Smartphones

9 years, 3 months ago - John Lubran

I'm curious as to why you want to film on an iPhone?

There may be good reasons to record on an iPhone or indeed other equally good Android telephones. However, reasons such that it's cutting edge or provides some new experimental insight I imagine are now passé?

A reason that might have purpose is that the camera person might enjoy some degree of relative anonymity or a low profile.

There might be some cost saving reasons but it should be considered that where an iPhone filmed production has achieved any real success a very considerable amount of post production processing has had to be done.

It seems to me that there are significant qualitative differentials between telephone cameras and even some base line semi-pro video cameras. The lenses and imaging chips on 'phones remain significantly inferior to them. There is no lens adapter or attachment that can improve quality. They can change perspective and mitigate exposure latitude shortcomings, but often at a cost to other quality factors. Audio is also an issue that phone cameras struggle with. The cost of addressing these things can significantly reduce the cost differentials between a cameraphone and a superior full function camera?

Manufactures resolution figures ought to be put into the context of all the specifications that define quality eg;

EBU/BBC 1K HD Standards
Minimums
1080 x 1920 (interlaced or progressive)
50mbps
3 x 1/2” CCD's or CMOS chips or 35mm full frame sensor.

4K requires a minimum of 100mbps

As it happens these specs are being frequently breached by both BBC and others by them allowing the use of some cameras that don't quite meet the above but that have proven to provide as near as damn it. In any event there are currently no telephones, whether or not they boast 4k or HD that come near to those specs. Clearly, regardless of hype, the quality issue is an empirical fact?​

9 years, 3 months ago - Lee Squires

Thanks for question John. Some good facts here, and I 100% agree with you.

The main reason I want to shoot on my phone is to be mobile. Excuse the pun. What I'll be shooting will be intended for the web, and I won't want to be drawing (too much) attention to myself, or having to lug equipment bags around with me. I will definitely still be hiring film cameras on professional shoots, where picture quality doesn't need to be compromised.

9 years, 3 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Lee, do a search on "Tangerine". It was shot on an iPhone, and is really impressive. The filmmaker used a certain app to get a better look out of the image. Sorry I don't remember which, but you can find out tons about shooting on an iPhone by a google search of this film.

9 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

May be useful to remember that Apple phones are technologically mid-market devices with a premium pricetag, and there are very likely better options available.

For instance, look at the flagship Android LG phones which have truly excellent cameras, as do some Sony units and Nokia had a WinMo device with an incredible camera. You may also get mileage from different camera software for the device - the LG preinstalled software has 3 modes for instance - simple, intermediate, and full - and in full mode you control the ISO, aperture, EV compensation, white balance, etc.

9 years, 3 months ago - Nicholas Vince

As Dan has mentioned, 'Tangerine' was shot on iPhone 5S. Link below on the details.

The app used was FilmicPro, however, it doesn't yet support 4K on the iPhone SE.. I contacted their support, who told me the up date to the app is with Apple for review.

http://nofilmschool.com/2015/07/tangerine-sundance-iphone-5s-sean-baker-radium-cheung-interview

9 years, 3 months ago - John Lubran

What is reaffirmed here is just how paramount content is over technical quality. Award winning features have been shot on SD DV 540 lines. Again these winning films shot on low grade kit mostly required high grade finishing before commercial distribution. It's always better to use the highest quality equipment one can afford, which these days doesn't mean mega bucks, with as near as damn it EBU 4K cameras being as cheap as £1,700 plus VAT.

I'd also also affirm what Paddy says about Apple technology riding on the hype of effective marketing that belies the fact that Android and PC technology has left Apple struggling to catch up. it's a choice of price over quality or quality over price.

9 years, 3 months ago - Karel Bata

Don't forget sound. Always the poor boy in these tech debates. You may pull a decent image out of whatever you use, but if your sound is crap...

With run-and gun filming on the 600D you can plonk a cheap but decent Rhode mic on top, at a stretch use a radio mic, or a clip-on.

With a phone that will be much more difficult, and the sound is rubbish whatever you do. I've not looked at Tangerine closely but I know they had a budget of 100,000 and would definitely have used a separate sound recordist with their own recording gear. And boarded every shot.

Batteries. How long will your phone last? For the 600D you can buy cheap Duracells (better than the Canon originals) at £10 a pop on Amazon. And how long can you record for? Will you need to offload regularly? How long will that take? And how?

I would think your best option is to stick with your 600D and buy a phone that does the biz. Then use whichever is appropriate at the time. And buy a decent compact zoom for the 600D - the one that's bundled is a bit nasty. Take a look at the Magic Lantern hack (I've loaded it onto at least twenty Canon 600Ds with no probs) which will give you decent control over sound, and a LOT more.

Your material may be going on the net, but the better the quality you capture initially the better it will look. But hey, I watch everything in HD if it's available, so I will see the difference. Your core market may watch on their phones, but what will the people that give you money be watching on? How will they react? Maybe worth bearing in mind.

9 years, 3 months ago - Lee Squires

Thanks Karel, lots to think about here.

Sound: I'd normally only getting a guide track from any onboard microphone, but worth considering still.

Battery: While filming, iPhones drain pretty quickly, so I'd need to get a portable charger.

9 years, 3 months ago - Karel Bata

Be careful of modern 'intelligent' USB battery packs. Once they detect your phone is fully charged they switch off leaving you potentially thinking you've still got that extra power. I've bought a pile of discounted old ones that don't aren't so smart and just stay on.

9 years, 3 months ago - Karel Bata

Damn typos.