Why is filming with an iPhone a bad idea?

[kerrigan]

Isn't this really just a training course to teach experienced shooters how to get the most from shooting with an iPhone when/if they choose to use an iPhone. I wouldn't even call them "students" in this context. They seem more like clients who have hired you to provide specific training on a certain piece of gear -- their phone. Nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure there is a market for it. But why focus on the negatives of the iPhone? As experienced professionals with a phone in their pocket, they must already know the negatives. Why not just focus on best practices and how to squeeze whatever you can from the phone? Isn't that what they hired you for?

At this stage, I'm teaching for free with experienced friends or friends of friends. They ask the hard questions which makes me aware of what I need to learn. In the fall I hope to have the depth to give courses at colleges.

 

[kerrigan]

The reason I'm for asking the negatives... is that people keep sending me links similar to this, and I want to counter with reality.

 

[rob norton]

At this stage, I'm teaching for free with experienced friends or friends of friends. They ask the hard questions which makes me aware of what I need to learn. In the fall I hope to have the depth to give courses at colleges.

Does this course actually have legs? There are already countless pages and articles featuring pros and cons of using a phone. If the students have already chosen the tool, why does it matter if it's a bad idea or not?

 

[Peter C.]

Now a days all the information you could possibly want about video gear tech is already out there.

For me it would be far more interesting listening to professionals who actually work in the field and can share real world experiences about the creative process of filmmaking. Pros and Cons of gear is the fodder for Youtube content creators.

Most people now a days are no longer interested in making films, they want to create their own podcast, youtube channel or become some sort on influencer/social media personality.

 

[morgan_moore]

We go to the football in the UK. (he introduces randomly)

Great characters watching the match.. photograph them with an iphone. Wonderful.

The 28-35 fov of an iphone is a natural place to see people from. The images are great.

BUT if you want to record and broadcast the action.. you probably need a $200k box lens on a $50k camera, maybe six.

Neither is a bad thing.

So its all about understanding the job and the tool.

I think folk who are anti iphone per-se need a little self examination.

I also like to use mine for calls and email.. which means a second camera, even another iphone is handy.

 

[kerrigan]

Does this course actually have legs? There are already countless pages and articles featuring pros and cons of using a phone. If the students have already chosen the tool, why does it matter if it's a bad idea or not?

In this course, I'll discuss the practicalities of using a phone for filmmaking, including its advantages and limitations. While students may have already chosen this tool, understanding its drawbacks can help them prepare for potential issues. Additionally, we'll explore alternatives for larger projects to expand our filmmaking skills. Does it have legs? When I ride the metro and look down the aisle and see every single person looking at their phone... I think there will be interest.

 

[kerrigan]

We go to the football in the UK. (he introduces randomly)

Great characters watching the match.. photograph them with an iphone. Wonderful.

The 28-35 fov of an iphone is a natural place to see people from. The images are great.

BUT if you want to record and broadcast the action.. you probably need a $200k box lens on a $50k camera, maybe six.

Neither is a bad thing.

So its all about understanding the job and the tool.

I think folk who are anti iphone per-se need a little self examination.

I also like to use mine for calls and email.. which means a second camera, even another iphone is handy.

I didn't plan to promote the use of the iPhone here... I just want to make a list of the drawbacks of using it as a video camera. But I will add this fact: Apple used 40 iPhones during the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show and the backstage making-of documentary.

 

[kerrigan]

Now a days all the information you could possibly want about video gear tech is already out there.

For me it would be far more interesting listening to professionals who actually work in the field and can share real world experiences about the creative process of filmmaking. Pros and Cons of gear is the fodder for Youtube content creators.

Most people now a days are no longer interested in making films, they want to create their own podcast, youtube channel or become some sort on influencer/social media personality.

While it's true that there's plenty of info out there about video gear, I believe hearing from pros with hands-on experience is invaluable. With 50 years as a DP in 40 countries, I've seen it all – documentaries, dramas, commercials. I'll share why I've chosen to use the iPhone and the real-world challenges I've faced. Despite the hype around podcasts and influencers, there's still a big interest in filmmaking. My filmmaker friends teaching students confirm this.

 

[Takumarr]

It seems that you are determined to edit your new book,
good luck

 

[Imamacuser]

I think some of those cinema cameras versus phone comparisons grade the cinema camera down to match the best they can get out of the phone, rather than grading for the best out of each camera, but misleading people is a great way to boost phone affiliate link sales.

A cinema camera will deliver excellent results with minimal lighting and grading, but a phone will take more effort to attain a similar result.

Remember the 2012 Zacuto camera shootout? They had to add a ton of light on set and lots of power windows in the grade to get something usable off the iPhone. I know phones have improved significantly in the last 12 years, but so have cinema cameras, so I think we should relegate phones to locations that don't permit big cameras, and remote-inaccessible locations where it's not practical to bring a big camera and lens kit.

With the advent of Blackmagic's camera app, an iPhone is a great starting point for a beginner who knows nothing, but as they progress, they'll be frustrated by the limitations, and look to upgrade to a more video centric camera.

 

[kerrigan]

Thank you all. With your posts and a few points of my own, I used AI to generate a rough list which I will take the time to refine during the weekend.

Why is shooting a film or documentary with an iPhone a bad idea?

1. **Sensor Size and Quality**: The sensor size of an iPhone is significantly smaller compared to professional cameras, resulting in inferior low-light performance, reduced dynamic range, and increased noise levels, especially in challenging lighting conditions such as low light or high contrast scenes.

2. **Lens Quality and Flexibility**: While iPhones have improved their lens quality over the years, they still lack the optical quality, versatility, and control offered by professional-grade lenses. The fixed focal length and limited aperture range of iPhone lenses restrict creative choices such as depth of field control and focal length options.

3. **Audio Limitations**: The built-in microphone of an iPhone may not capture high-quality audio suitable for professional productions, lacking features such as directional pickup patterns, wind noise reduction, and XLR inputs found in dedicated audio recording equipment used with traditional cameras.

4. **Stability and Smoothness**: Handheld filming with an iPhone can result in shaky footage due to its lightweight design and lack of built-in stabilization mechanisms commonly found in professional cameras or stabilizing rigs. This can negatively impact the overall visual quality and viewer experience of the final film.

5. **Workflow Challenges**: Integrating iPhone footage into professional post-production workflows may present challenges such as limited codec options, file compatibility issues, and the need for specialized software or plugins to achieve desired editing, colour grading, and visual effects results.

6. **Professionalism and Perception**: While iPhones offer convenience and accessibility, using them as the primary camera for a film production may be perceived as amateurish or unprofessional by industry peers, clients, and audiences, potentially impacting the credibility and marketability of the final product.

7. **Security and Data Protection**: Filming with an iPhone raises concerns about the security and protection of sensitive footage, as smartphones are more susceptible to hacking, data breaches, and loss or theft compared to dedicated camera systems with encrypted storage and robust backup solutions.

8. **Regulatory Compliance**: Depending on the nature of the production and its intended distribution channels, using iPhones for filming may raise legal and regulatory issues regarding content licensing, and compliance with industry standards and guidelines for audiovisual content creation.

9. **Adaptability and Future-Proofing**: Investing in professional camera equipment offers greater adaptability and future-proofing for filmmakers, allowing for modular upgrades, interchangeable components, and compatibility with evolving industry standards and technologies over time.

10. **Creative Limitations**: Despite the advancements in smartphone filmmaking technology, relying solely on an iPhone for filming may limit the creative vision and storytelling possibilities of filmmakers, restricting them to the inherent constraints and limitations of consumer-grade mobile devices.

11. **Limited Ergonomics**: The ergonomic design of iPhones is optimized for general use rather than prolonged filming sessions, leading to discomfort and fatigue for filmmakers holding the device for extended periods, especially without the support of ergonomic grips or handles available with professional cameras.

12. **Durability and Reliability**: iPhones are not designed to withstand the rigours of continuous filming in demanding environments, increasing the risk of mechanical failures, overheating, and operational glitches that can disrupt the shooting process and compromise the integrity of the footage.

13. **Lack of Manual Control**: While iPhones offer some manual control over exposure and focus, the absence of physical dials and buttons commonly found on professional cameras makes it cumbersome to adjust settings on the fly, leading to slower production workflows and missed creative opportunities.

14. **Limited Accessory Support**: While there are accessories available to enhance iPhone filmmaking, such as lens attachments and stabilizers, the ecosystem of compatible accessories is smaller compared to that of professional camera systems, limiting customization and versatility on set.

15. **Inconsistent Performance**: The performance of iPhones, particularly in terms of battery life, processing power, and thermal management, can vary between models and usage conditions, making it difficult to predict and maintain consistent results throughout a shoot, especially in challenging shooting environments.

16. **Dependency on Software Updates**: iPhones rely heavily on software updates to optimize performance and address bugs and vulnerabilities, which can introduce compatibility issues with filmmaking apps, accessories, and post-production software, requiring additional time and resources for troubleshooting and adaptation.

17. **Social and Distraction Factors**: Filming with an iPhone may be subject to interruptions and distractions from incoming calls, messages, notifications, and social media apps, affecting concentration and focus on set and potentially disrupting the creative flow and productivity of the filmmaking process.

18. **Depreciation and Resale Value**: The rapid depreciation of iPhones compared to professional camera equipment can result in a higher total cost of ownership over time, as filmmakers may need to upgrade to newer models more frequently to maintain compatibility with evolving filmmaking standards and technologies.

 

[CharlesPapert]

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

 

[Peter C.]

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

lol.

If only I knew the down sides to using my phone to film a feature film

 

[morgan_moore]

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

What is the point of the thread? There are some reasons to use a phone are there not?

Mainly access, low profile and getting a user generated/influenza look.

Today I took a photo in a store with my phone.. a big cam would have drawn attention.

My local director spent quite a long time trying to do moves with an alexa that the grown ups (commissioners) had found on tik tok and wanted replicated. Now he just uses his phone to create phone like footage.

(and this is quite serious brands and budgets)

He suggests a phone is better for making phone like footage than an alexa.

==

personally thing thing that upsets me most is when 'cheap' films are made on phones.. sitting on $100k chapman dollies!

 

[CharlesPapert]

What is the point of the thread? There are some reasons to use a phone are there not?

Mainly access, low profile and getting a user generated/influenza look.

......

He suggests a phone is better for making phone like footage than an alexa.

==

Well, of course. That's why I spent a ton of time developing the Phonemitter (zgrents.com/phonemitter) because I had been shooting iPhones for iPhone material for years and annoyed by the lack of good monitoring possibilities. Sadly for me, the 15 pretty much did away with the need for this as it has enough computing power to shoot at full resolution and stream via Airplay reliably, which the older phones did not. But yes, I thought the look of the phone footage would be silly to duplicate any other way. However, the cameras are getting too good for this and pretty soon we'll have to start degrading the look of phone footage so that it looks more like phone footage...

 

[rob norton]

What about the flashing red dot with "REC" overlay, still clearly on the main production cam, barely even attempting to create a phone look?

 

[ahalpert]

pretty soon we'll have to start degrading the look of phone footage so that it looks more like phone footage...

But not in the long term, right? Because the idea of "crappy phone footage" will fade away once nobody remembers a time when phone cameras weren't great. Like in 10-20 years. Although the footage could still be distinguished from the primary footage by an overlay, as Rob suggests, or possibly by camera movement

Wow, the mods just changed my signature to "No politics. Final warning." I thought my last signature was thoroughly apolitical and more of a general philosophical statement that was unimpeachably positive... Remarkable. Like threatening a ban for saying, "I like puppies."

 

[Peter C.]

I heard Arri is developing a smart phone. It will be made out of cast iron, weigh 30lbs, doesn't include a battery, display, lenses, or storage. It all has to be rigged out.

 

[CharlesPapert]

But not in the long term, right? Because the idea of "crappy phone footage" will fade away once nobody remembers a time when phone cameras weren't great. Like in 10-20 years. Although the footage could still be distinguished from the primary footage by an overlay, as Rob suggests, or possibly by camera movement

That is definitely true. Although there does tend to be a long legacy of dumb overlays to indicate "home video" in whatever format, as Rob said. Those will last a good long while. But ten years from now, who knows what our associations will be.

 

[Zachadoodle]

I don't see the problem with it. The only issues I could see is getting the data off of the phone. I wouldn't worry so much about phone videography going out of style anytime soon too, as with BLM protests being recorded on the streets sent to news stations, iPhones are definitely still gonna be used for video.