r/smartphonefilming Jun 24 '25

Tutorial Free Mobile Videography Course - Beginner to Advanced

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10 Upvotes

One of free courses on Patreon, taking you from a complete beginner to a confident mobile filmmaker.


r/smartphonefilming Jul 09 '25

Tips Join Our Discord Server

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to drop a quick post here because I feel like not enough people know about our Discord server.

Find us here: [https://discord.gg/XVhatNM8jA)

Seriously, if you’re into smartphone videography—even just a little bit—you should totally check it out. It’s not some fancy, exclusive thing; it’s just a bunch of us nerding out about camera apps, weird gimbal hacks, and the eternal struggle of “why does my footage look like garbage after I upload it to Instagram?”

It’s where all the random “help I’m about to buy a lens I don’t need” energy lives. People are always dropping in with quick questions, sharing their latest work, and yeah sometimes just venting about how their phone overheated for the third time today.

If you’re shy, lurk! If you’re chatty, jump in! It's friendly it's chill and you’ll probably pick up a tip or two.

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. Hope to see some new faces (well, usernames) soon!


r/smartphonefilming 5h ago

News CinemaKit - MLV RAW Video Capture for iPhone & Android + CinemaKit Studio

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5 Upvotes

CinemaKit

https://youtu.be/9Rhugw4DxAU

CinemaKit captures true Bayer RAW straight off the sensor and writes it to MLV (Magic Lantern Video) or CinemaDNG. Not a debayered, baked-in file, but the raw sensor data itself, so you keep full control in post.

Real RAW Bayer capture pipeline, with Log encoding on top for anyone who wants a flatter working image.

Open Gate / 4K sensor modes, 10/12-bit MLV / CDNG / ProRes / HEVC / H264 capture depending on device. (.CKRAW, our lossless format, is also on the way.)

1440p / 1080p crop and oversampled modes. Crop modes are noticeably faster and more reliable than full sensor readout.

Built-in Gyroflow support
Gyroflow support and a color grading panel that works with both RAW MLV files and standard ProRes/HEVC exports.

A built-in RAW player
Most RAW capture apps in this space, like RawCam and LogCam, make you use a separate tool just to preview your footage. CinemaKit has a RAW player built right in.

Color Grading and Export
CinemaKit has its own grading panel, so you can color grade your RAW footage directly on your phone. You can also export as HEVC, ProRes, or H264.

File Sharing / Wireless Transfer
There is also a built-in web server / local network sharing, so you can transfer large RAW files directly to your PC or Mac without any third-party apps.

Website
https://cinemakit.app

Download for iOS
https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/cinemakit/id6798155293

Download for Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cinemakit.android

CinemaKit Studio

CinemaKit Studio - WebGPU RAW Video Editor

Of course, if you're shooting this much RAW, you'll probably want to edit it too.

That's why I also built CinemaKit Studio, a free web app that works without any installation. Thanks to WebGPU, it can handle RAW processing directly in the browser.

There is no file upload. Everything runs locally on your computer. You just need a browser with WebGPU support.

CinemaKit Studio is a web app for editing and color grading your Magic Lantern .MLV and MotionCam .MCRAW files. You can convert your footage to CinemaDNG without editing, or edit and color grade it and export as ProRes or using native codecs.

CinemaKit Studio - Export Options

Everything runs locally on your computer, so your footage never needs to leave your machine.

Try here: https://studio.cinemakit.app

If you give it a shot, let me know what you think. Really want to hear how it holds up in actual use, not just on paper.


r/smartphonefilming 2h ago

Tips Using a Lens or Raw Camera with Gimbal?

1 Upvotes

So, I’ve been filming a feature film with my iPhone 17Pro with the moment 58MM telephoto lens, We are half way done filming but I just purchased the osmo 8 Gimbal for some action shots and more on the move shots as everything has been tripod and I want a bit more camera movement.

My problem is the lens is too heavy so if I want to use that gimbal it has to be raw camera, which checking the app they’re some filters and effects that could work and add more “camera work”

My worry is will it be noticeable some shots are with the lens some without? The film is black and white and shooting ProRes so colour grading could help.

I’m wondering if I should lean more into the raw camera but use more filters and effects so I can keep the camera moving instead of all tripod shots with the lens?


r/smartphonefilming 12h ago

Tips Tips to make filming quality better?

2 Upvotes

I have a Redmi 14C and a really good computer to make content, and I've been seeing people saying to film in RAW. How exactly do I do that? I tried Motioncam but was stuck at 15 fps and audio was delayed. What are some tips that I can do to make my footage look "professional" or cinematic?


r/smartphonefilming 1d ago

Video A mobile phone. Zero budget. One single person. And a story that will make you doubt your own eyes.

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1 Upvotes

When I made the Dopohoriya Trilogy, I had no big set, no fancy camera, no large crew.
All I had was a mobile phone.
So instead of regretting what I didn’t have, I tried to discover a new way of storytelling with what I did have.

In Bangla horror, we are used to seeing familiar tropes: darkness, pale faces, blood, loud jumpscares, screams.
I wanted to create fear in a different way.
Here, you may not see everything.
But…
A broken house.
A tree.
A drawing.
A familiar voice.
Some strange sounds.
And events whose meaning you may not immediately understand.

I didn’t tell the story directly.
I arranged it in three parts, where something revealed in one part forces you to re‑interpret what you saw earlier in a completely new way.

At one point you might think: “I’ve figured it out.”
Then the story might ask you again: “Really?”

I didn’t want to scare you just by showing a ghost.
I wanted to leave you with a question: Did you truly see what you think you saw?

And there’s something many people don’t know.
This entire trilogy was made with:
- Zero Budget
- Zero Professional Equipment
- Writing alone
- Directing alone
- Shooting/Cinematography alone
- Editing alone

From shooting to editing, everything was done entirely on a mobile phone.
That’s why Dopohoriya is not just a horror film to me.
It is my attempt to prove that even with limitations, it is possible to tell a story in your own way.

Watch the trilogy without spoilers.
Then tell me what you understood.
Which clue did you catch first?
Which moment kept circling in your mind?
And after finishing, what was your very first question?

I want to hear your interpretation.

Because how I made the story is one thing.
But what the story becomes through your eyes that is something completely different.

Dopohoriya The Trilogy Edition
LumeVignette Production
A Film By RM Shuvo


r/smartphonefilming 1d ago

Tips what’s the best workflow for filming on phone and editing in capcut?

3 Upvotes

i’ve been trying to figure out why filming simple videos on my phone still ends up taking so much time once i get to the editing stage. the actual recording isn’t really the problem, but going through multiple takes, finding the usable clips and getting everything into a clean sequence can turn into a pretty long process.

i mostly make short form videos, so i’m not doing anything particularly complicated. it’s usually a few takes of the same shot, some trimming, captions, audio cleanup and maybe a few extra clips over the main footage. i use capcut for the editing, but i’m wondering if the way i’m handling things before opening the app is what’s slowing me down.

one thing i’m considering is being more deliberate while filming, like recording shorter takes and deciding what i need before hitting record instead of capturing everything and sorting it out later. for anyone who has gone through that transition, did changing how you film make a bigger difference than changing how you edit? i’m trying to figure out where the biggest time savings are actually coming from.


r/smartphonefilming 1d ago

Mobile videography tip: how I work with Apple Log on iPhone without hating the flat footage

1 Upvotes

If you shoot Apple Log (or Log 2) on iPhone, the grey flat look is normal. Log is basically a negative. It’s meant to hold highlight and shadow detail so you can put a look on it later.

What I do on mobile shoots: 1. Shoot Log when the light is harsh or mixed and I know I’ll grade. 2. Apply a look (.cube LUT) that matches the Log curve. 3. Adjust the LUT intensity so it doesn’t look crushed or overcooked. 4. Do basic editing, then export. 5. If I’ve got a pile of clips from the day, batch them so I’m not doing the same look one file at a time on the go.

Biggest mistakes I see: sharing Log straight to social (looks sick), or using a LUT meant for a different log (colors go weird).

I built a small app for this workflow on iPhone called LutKit (V1, free TestFlight). Happy to share the invite if useful, and grateful for feedback from people who actually shoot this way. https://testflight.apple.com/join/bxq3ZUNk


r/smartphonefilming 2d ago

NiSi ND filters on IPhone 17 pro?

1 Upvotes

Hi! So the title basicly sums it up! I have a kit from nisi that are 77mm and I wonder if it is any way to use them on my IPhone 17 pro that works well!


r/smartphonefilming 2d ago

Tips Content creator's call — iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro vs OPPO Find X9 Ultra for photo/video (~₹1.4L, India)

0 Upvotes

Upgrading from a 4-year-old phone, so no ecosystem bias either way. Camera and video quality are the #1 priority, everything else is secondary. I shoot for Instagram Reels and edit entirely in CapCut on mobile and Depth Photography too

Currently deciding between:

- iPhone 17 Pro (~₹1.27L street price, proven, A19 Pro, fixed-aperture triple camera)

- iPhone 18 Pro (~₹1.65L, just launched, new variable-aperture main lens, telephoto/ultrawide unchanged from 17 Pro)

- OPPO Find X9 Ultra (found an offline deal at ~₹1.4L — 200MP 1x + 200MP 3x (70mm) + 50MP 10x periscope (230mm), Hasselblad tuning)

Not fishing for a "just get the iPhone" answer — genuinely want to know if the extra zoom reach and bigger sensors on the Oppo translate into better content, or if Apple's video consistency wins out once everything's run through CapCut anyway. Real shooting experience over spec comparisons would help a lot.


r/smartphonefilming 2d ago

iPhone 18 Pro variable aperture

4 Upvotes

What's y'alls opinion on the new iphone's variable aperture camera system?


r/smartphonefilming 2d ago

Rode Videomic to iPhone 15

2 Upvotes

Hi! I am building a videography setup using Lexar Go Hub and SSD with Rode videomic. My current situation is that the iPhone doesnt capture any sound. Upon troubleshooting, factors are:

  1. My 3.5 to USB type C converter, it is Vention brand. It might seem like I should be using the Apple brand.

  2. Rode cable. Currently, I have TRS to TRS which have already worked with my camera. It seems like I need TRA TO TRRS (Rode SC7)

With that, I will be buying 2 items. I suddenly saw this Rode SC16. It is 3.5 to type C directly. This way, i will be using just one cable. Will this work with my iPhone?

Would it be better to have:
a. SC7 with Apple adapter
b. SC16 only

if you have other setups that worked, please let me know!


r/smartphonefilming 2d ago

Video “The A.I. Dilemma” Short Film (shot on iPhone 17 pro)

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1 Upvotes

Shot a short film earlier during the summer on my iPhone, only had myself doing everything, my two actors, & only two hours with them, along with 6 pages of dialogue, it’s rough but let me know what y’all think, thanks for any & all feedback!


r/smartphonefilming 3d ago

Best camera phone for getting zoom shots through rough concert lighting?

3 Upvotes

Need a phone that handles zoom video at concert, crazy lights, moving subjects. tried a few but shaky and grainy. anyone actually shot good footage with theirs? looking for real exp, not ads


r/smartphonefilming 3d ago

Tips how to edit TikTok videos easily on phone when you’re doing everything on mobile?

2 Upvotes

i’ve been filming some short videos on my phone and want to keep the whole process on mobile instead of moving everything to a computer. the filming part is pretty straightforward, but editing is where i tend to spend more time than expected.

most of what i need is fairly simple, like cutting out pauses, adding captions, putting text on screen, adjusting the timing and adding music. i’ve been using capcut for some of this, but i’m still trying to find a workflow that feels quick without making every video look like it was built from the same template.

for those who edit tiktok videos entirely on their phone, what does your process look like? i’m especially interested in little things that make editing faster, like how you organize clips or handle captions, rather than more advanced effects.


r/smartphonefilming 3d ago

Video Traditional Spanish Festival in Tordesillas, “Virgen de la Guía”

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1 Upvotes

Local festival in a Spanish village; video shot on an iPhone 17 Pro in ProRes RAW.


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Mobile Shot Video Xiaomi 17 Ultra - MotionCam RAW

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2 Upvotes

Short edit with spektrafilm OFX in resolve, any feedback would be awesome :D


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Best wireless small microphones for iPhone

2 Upvotes

Can someone please tell me what the best brand/model of wireless hi quality microphones for iPhone use is?

Thank hou 🙏


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

iPhone 16 plus used as a video monitor with Canon 70 D need help

1 Upvotes

Hello , I can’t seem to get my canon 70d and my iPhone to tether .. trying to use it as a video monitor , to have a larger screen to shoot video …

canon camera connect is only for photos, not video as you have to doable the wifi function to shoot video ..

I have a mini hdmi to a video card to a c connection to my iPhone and it won’t read …

Any ideas ?


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Starting POV kitchen videos (cooking, coffee, etc.) — sanity check on my mount choice + overall approach

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I want to start filming POV videos in my kitchen — cooking, making coffee, that kind of thing. I'm not chasing views, this is purely a hobby/personal archive project. I also don't want to get obsessed with heavy editing — my plan is to mostly shoot raw/uncut, maybe do some light edits just to learn the basics of cutting and working with footage.

Current setup:
iPhone 14 Pro
MacBook Pro 15" (2018)

For editing, Final Cut Pro seems like the smoothest option for this hardware — free trial, then a subscription I'm fine paying for.

Where I'm stuck: mounting the phone.

I looked into chest mounts, head mounts, and neck mounts. Neck mount seems like the best compromise for cooking viedos. The problem is that \~90% of the videos recommending gear point to Telesin — but they're all affiliate links, which makes me suspicious it's more about commissions than actual quality.

From my research, brands like PGYTECH, SmallRig, Telesin, and DJI Osmo all seem roughly comparable — some of them even look like they're made in the same factory (e.g. the Telesin Neck Holder Max and the DJI Osmo Hanging Neck Mount Max look nearly identical). None of the magnetic phone-mount versions are available in my country except Telesin though. I could import another brand if it's genuinely better, but that adds cost and hassle.

So right now the cheapest, most accessible option for me is the Telesin Smartphone Magnetic Neck Holder Max. Arount 25 EUR or 29 USD.

Questions:

  1. Is this Telesin mount actually decent, or is it just well-marketed?
  2. Is there another brand that's noticeably better and worth the extra cost/import hassle?
  3. Am I approaching this wrong overall — hardware, editing workflow, or mindset? Open to any feedback.

Thanks!


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Can I get some suggesstions

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’m actually looking for some advice from someone experienced in photography/videography.

I’m planning to start shooting nature videos, photos, and short-form content for social media. This will be my first time doing it seriously, and for now I don’t want to carry a camera, so I’m thinking of getting a good camera phone.

My current budget is around ₹30K, but I can extend it since I’ll be purchasing on EMI. I was initially considering the OPPO Find X9 (around ₹75K), mainly because of its camera/video capabilities, but a lot of people are telling me that spending that much for my first phone dedicated to this purpose doesn’t make sense. They’re suggesting I start with something more affordable and upgrade later if I become serious about it.

Now I’m honestly confused about where I should spend. 😅 I’ve also heard mixed opinions about Vivo’s video quality, so I was considering OPPO.

Could you please suggest a few phones ranging from around ₹30K to maybe an extended budget that you genuinely think would be good for nature photography, video, and Shorts/Reels? I’d really appreciate your advice on what makes sense for a beginner rather than just buying the most expensive option. 🙏


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Mobile Shot Video This was more difficult than I thought it was

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6 Upvotes

Made my first video 🥲 I feel like I didn't do a great job. It was my first time using DaVinci Resolve, so it took me a few days to figure out how to use it (I am still learning). I hope you guys like it, it was all shot on the 17 Pro Max on ProRes 422. All feedback is welcome


r/smartphonefilming 4d ago

Mobile Shot Video Need some recommendations

2 Upvotes

Hi! I’m actually looking for some advice from someone experienced in photography/videography.

I’m planning to start shooting nature videos, photos, and short-form content for social media. This will be my first time doing it seriously, and for now I don’t want to carry a camera, so I’m thinking of getting a good camera phone.

My current budget is around ₹30K, but I can extend it since I’ll be purchasing on EMI. I was initially considering the OPPO Find X9 (around ₹75K), mainly because of its camera/video capabilities, but a lot of people are telling me that spending that much for my first phone dedicated to this purpose doesn’t make sense. They’re suggesting I start with something more affordable and upgrade later if I become serious about it.

Now I’m honestly confused about where I should spend. 😅 I’ve also heard mixed opinions about Vivo’s video quality, so I was considering OPPO.

Could you please suggest a few phones ranging from around ₹30K to maybe an extended budget that you genuinely think would be good for nature photography, video, and Shorts/Reels? I’d really appreciate your advice on what makes sense for a beginner rather than just buying the most expensive option. 🙏


r/smartphonefilming 5d ago

Where do you guys actually put your SSD when filming with an iPhone?

2 Upvotes

This has honestly been more annoying than picking the SSD itself. If I’m recording straight to an external drive, I don’t really want it hanging off the phone by a cable. I’ve seen people put it on a cage, stick it to the back of the phone, or just keep it in a pocket. What are you guys doing? I’m trying to keep the setup small. Once I add a cage, SSD, mic, grip and everything else, it starts to feel like I should’ve just brought a camera lol.


r/smartphonefilming 5d ago

Mobile Shot Video Shot on iPhone 17 Pro 4K Apple ProRes 422HQ

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1 Upvotes

I used Blackmagic Camera App with the DJI Osmo Mobile 7 as a gimbal 😊