How to Create a Smartphone Video Production Kit
The next generation of Galaxy
How to Create a Smartphone Video Production Kit
As the demand for businesses to create new video content keeps growing, it can feel daunting for small businesses trying to keep up. It just isn’t practical for most small businesses to run out and hire a video crew every time they want to make a new piece of content, while investing in an expensive and complicated camera can create more challenges than it resolves.
Fortunately, if you have a new smartphone with a pro-grade camera like the Galaxy Note10 or Note10+, you really don’t need a separate camera to create quality videos for your business. By adding a few of the right tools to your kit, your smartphone videos can quickly go from pretty good to professional. The best part is you can learn to do it all yourself without being a tech wiz or videography expert.
With so many smartphone gadgets on the market it might be hard to figure out which ones you actually need. There are plenty of different videography accessories you can experiment with, but here are some of the essentials to consider when building your video production kit.
As the demand for businesses to create new video content keeps growing, it can feel daunting for small businesses trying to keep up. It just isn’t practical for most small businesses to run out and hire a video crew every time they want to make a new piece of content, while investing in an expensive and complicated camera can create more challenges than it resolves.
Fortunately, if you have a new smartphone with a pro-grade camera like the Galaxy Note10 or Note10+, you really don’t need a separate camera to create quality videos for your business. By adding a few of the right tools to your kit, your smartphone videos can quickly go from pretty good to professional. The best part is you can learn to do it all yourself without being a tech wiz or videography expert.
With so many smartphone gadgets on the market it might be hard to figure out which ones you actually need. There are plenty of different videography accessories you can experiment with, but here are some of the essentials to consider when building your video production kit.
Stabilization
Whether you’re filming from a fixed position or in motion, it’s super important to stabilize your smartphone so that your camera angle stays straight and the motion is steady.
Smartphone Video Rig
The video rig is like a multitasking assistant: It’s there to hold all your gear and adaptable to all kinds of shooting situations. This helpful device holds your smartphone and accessories and makes it easy to travel with and set up. Look for one with “shoe mounts” to which you can securely affix portable lights, microphones and other accessories.
Even if you’re not using lights or audio equipment, the handles on both sides of the rig make for a much steadier grip than trying to hold your phone in your hand while filming. Most rigs will also easily screw onto a standard tripod or other stabilization device.
Whether you’re filming from a fixed position or in motion, it’s super important to stabilize your smartphone so that your camera angle stays straight and the motion is steady.
Smartphone Video Rig
The video rig is like a multitasking assistant: It’s there to hold all your gear and adaptable to all kinds of shooting situations. This helpful device holds your smartphone and accessories and makes it easy to travel with and set up. Look for one with “shoe mounts” to which you can securely affix portable lights, microphones and other accessories.
Even if you’re not using lights or audio equipment, the handles on both sides of the rig make for a much steadier grip than trying to hold your phone in your hand while filming. Most rigs will also easily screw onto a standard tripod or other stabilization device.
Go Mobile-Only With DeX
WHITE PAPER
Your comprehensive guide to rolling out a mobile-only solution for your workers. Download Now
Rigs can range in price quite a bit. Lower-cost options are made of plastic and may only have a couple of mounts for attachments, while more expensive rigs are typically made of sturdier material, like metal, with ergonomic grips and more mounts for additional lights and accessories. Rigs vary in size, as well, so measure your smartphone to make sure it will fit.
Tripod
If you already have a tripod for a camera at home, chances are you can also use it with your phone by adding an inexpensive smartphone adapter. Some newer models actually come with an adapter. A mini tripod can be helpful if you’re doing tabletop or countertop filming for close-ups of food prep or crafting, for example, and is also a great portable option to throw in your bag.
Gimbal
If you like to film action videos, like skateboarding and other sports, or you plan to film while in motion (e.g., walking, running or from a car window), you should invest in a gimbal. A gimbal is a filmmaker’s best friend when it comes to action shots. The motorized sensors will help you with things like tracking a moving person or object and keeping the horizon line straight even when you’re in motion.
A gimbal can also serve as a selfie stick if you do a lot of solo on-the-street or field reporting. The handle provides a little more distance between you and the camera and will allow you to maintain a smooth shot while speaking into the camera.
WHITE PAPER
Your comprehensive guide to rolling out a mobile-only solution for your workers. Download Now
Rigs can range in price quite a bit. Lower-cost options are made of plastic and may only have a couple of mounts for attachments, while more expensive rigs are typically made of sturdier material, like metal, with ergonomic grips and more mounts for additional lights and accessories. Rigs vary in size, as well, so measure your smartphone to make sure it will fit.
Tripod
If you already have a tripod for a camera at home, chances are you can also use it with your phone by adding an inexpensive smartphone adapter. Some newer models actually come with an adapter. A mini tripod can be helpful if you’re doing tabletop or countertop filming for close-ups of food prep or crafting, for example, and is also a great portable option to throw in your bag.
Gimbal
If you like to film action videos, like skateboarding and other sports, or you plan to film while in motion (e.g., walking, running or from a car window), you should invest in a gimbal. A gimbal is a filmmaker’s best friend when it comes to action shots. The motorized sensors will help you with things like tracking a moving person or object and keeping the horizon line straight even when you’re in motion.
A gimbal can also serve as a selfie stick if you do a lot of solo on-the-street or field reporting. The handle provides a little more distance between you and the camera and will allow you to maintain a smooth shot while speaking into the camera.
Lighting
Even if you’re filming in ideal lighting conditions, there’s a good chance your subject could be a little brighter. Our eyes see light differently than a camera sensor does, so what might look fine to the naked eye can look much darker through the lens.
LED Video Lights
These lights are compact and portable, but they can really get the job done. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The smaller square type works well for mounting to your video rig (see above) and you can usually combine two or more of them to add as much or little light as you need.
Most models are also programmed with several color temperature options so you can go warmer or cooler depending on the light conditions you’re shooting in or the mood you want to evoke.
Ring Light
Ring lights are popular for portrait lighting as they give off bright but diffused light and minimize shadows. These lights are a favorite among beauty bloggers and are a great addition to your production kit if you like to film yourself or interview other people. The round shape creates flattering catch lights in the eyes, too.
Ring lights come in a range of sizes, from a 6-in. diameter up to several feet. It’s a good idea to get one that’s at least big enough to go around your phone so you can mount it in the center and create the most even lighting on yourself or your subject.
Even if you’re filming in ideal lighting conditions, there’s a good chance your subject could be a little brighter. Our eyes see light differently than a camera sensor does, so what might look fine to the naked eye can look much darker through the lens.
LED Video Lights
These lights are compact and portable, but they can really get the job done. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The smaller square type works well for mounting to your video rig (see above) and you can usually combine two or more of them to add as much or little light as you need.
Most models are also programmed with several color temperature options so you can go warmer or cooler depending on the light conditions you’re shooting in or the mood you want to evoke.
Ring Light
Ring lights are popular for portrait lighting as they give off bright but diffused light and minimize shadows. These lights are a favorite among beauty bloggers and are a great addition to your production kit if you like to film yourself or interview other people. The round shape creates flattering catch lights in the eyes, too.
Ring lights come in a range of sizes, from a 6-in. diameter up to several feet. It’s a good idea to get one that’s at least big enough to go around your phone so you can mount it in the center and create the most even lighting on yourself or your subject.
Audio
While you’re focused on getting the picture just right, don’t forget about the sound. Things like wind noise and low volume can distract from your video no matter how good it looks.
Shotgun Mic
You would usually mount a shotgun mic on your rig and point it in the same direction as the camera. To record dialogue, look for a unidirectional microphone that focuses on the sound directly in front of it (unless you want a lot of background noise over the person speaking).
Make sure to place a foam windscreen or furry “deadcat” over the bare microphone to reduce wind and diffuse other environmental noise.
Lavalier Mic
A “lav,” as it’s often called, is a small microphone that clips onto the lapel or collar of the person speaking. These are great during interviews as the lav will be much closer to the person speaking than a shotgun mic would be, so their voice will sound crisp and clear.
If you don’t have a lav mic, you can actually use the microphone on the cord of the earbuds the Note10 comes with. Either way, be sure the mic is secure so it doesn’t slide around or get blocked by the person’s hair or clothing, which can muffle the sound.
While you’re focused on getting the picture just right, don’t forget about the sound. Things like wind noise and low volume can distract from your video no matter how good it looks.
Shotgun Mic
You would usually mount a shotgun mic on your rig and point it in the same direction as the camera. To record dialogue, look for a unidirectional microphone that focuses on the sound directly in front of it (unless you want a lot of background noise over the person speaking).
Make sure to place a foam windscreen or furry “deadcat” over the bare microphone to reduce wind and diffuse other environmental noise.
Lavalier Mic
A “lav,” as it’s often called, is a small microphone that clips onto the lapel or collar of the person speaking. These are great during interviews as the lav will be much closer to the person speaking than a shotgun mic would be, so their voice will sound crisp and clear.
If you don’t have a lav mic, you can actually use the microphone on the cord of the earbuds the Note10 comes with. Either way, be sure the mic is secure so it doesn’t slide around or get blocked by the person’s hair or clothing, which can muffle the sound.
Nice-to-Haves
They’re not exactly high-tech gadgets, but adding a few everyday household items to your kit can come in very handy: a microfiber cloth for cleaning your camera lens, masking tape to secure the lav mic or loose cords, a lint roller to make sure your interview subject looks sharp and some handy extra batteries for your lights and accessories.
Keep all of the gear gathered up in a bag or bin so when it’s time to record, you don’t have to think twice about what to bring. Just grab your kit and go make your next professional-grade video to captivate your audience with your business’ message.
Explore more of Samsung’s helpful tools for creating videos for your business much more easily. Find the best phone to support your business today with this free assessment.
They’re not exactly high-tech gadgets, but adding a few everyday household items to your kit can come in very handy: a microfiber cloth for cleaning your camera lens, masking tape to secure the lav mic or loose cords, a lint roller to make sure your interview subject looks sharp and some handy extra batteries for your lights and accessories.
Keep all of the gear gathered up in a bag or bin so when it’s time to record, you don’t have to think twice about what to bring. Just grab your kit and go make your next professional-grade video to captivate your audience with your business’ message.
Explore more of Samsung’s helpful tools for creating videos for your business much more easily. Find the best phone to support your business today with this free assessment.
Sponsored Links
The two best ways to improve your smartphone photography are "talent" and "practice," but if you'd rather buy your way to better shots, that works too. Nowadays, there's a great selection of accessories like clip-on lenses, stabilizers, stands and other gear you can get without blowing a hole in your budget. If you've been thinking about taking that next step, here are a few questions to ask yourself and some of the best products on the market.
The two best ways to improve your smartphone photography are "talent" and "practice," but if you'd rather buy your way to better shots, that works too. Nowadays, there's a great selection of accessories like clip-on lenses, stabilizers, stands and other gear you can get without blowing a hole in your budget. If you've been thinking about taking that next step, here are a few questions to ask yourself and some of the best products on the market.
Why you might want these
Smartphone photography has become so good that you might rightly question whether you need accessories at all. Devices from Apple, Samsung, Sony, LG and Google can achieve a level of quality that was unthinkable just two years ago. Even second-tier manufacturers like Huawei (above) and OnePlus offer dual-camera systems that are as good as if not better than the big brands.
Smartphone makers have stolen some lens accessory business by introducing multi-camera phones and reducing the need for stabilizers with better built-in OIS systems. That said, however, none have truly wide-angle or telephoto lenses, nor could you do any serious video tracking shots with a smartphone alone, sans stabilizer.
So there's still a need for accessories to fill in the gaps of what your smartphone camera can't do. With a few well-chosen ones, you can drastically improve your videos and photos for social media and other purposes.
Smartphone photography has become so good that you might rightly question whether you need accessories at all. Devices from Apple, Samsung, Sony, LG and Google can achieve a level of quality that was unthinkable just two years ago. Even second-tier manufacturers like Huawei (above) and OnePlus offer dual-camera systems that are as good as if not better than the big brands.
Smartphone makers have stolen some lens accessory business by introducing multi-camera phones and reducing the need for stabilizers with better built-in OIS systems. That said, however, none have truly wide-angle or telephoto lenses, nor could you do any serious video tracking shots with a smartphone alone, sans stabilizer.
So there's still a need for accessories to fill in the gaps of what your smartphone camera can't do. With a few well-chosen ones, you can drastically improve your videos and photos for social media and other purposes.
Clip-on lenses
Smartphone lenses are better than ever, but there's only so much you can do with parts that are less than a centimeter across. That's where clip-on lenses come in. The extra glass can let in a lot more light and give you better control of exposure, color temperature and other parameters via the apps.
Some lenses, like ones from Olloclip and Aukey, are relatively simple affairs that clip directly to your phone, while others, like models from Moment, require a case for your specific model of phone. Bear in mind that none of the lenses will improve the clarity of your photos, as the light still passes through the smartphone's built-in lens. They can make the quality worse, though, if you buy a cheaply built lens.
If you do want better quality, with a much bigger sensor and lens and a smartphone's ease of sharing, then you'll need something like the DxO One. That's essentially a stand-alone camera -- with its own sensor, lens and aperture -- that's powered by your smartphone via an app. Those are great, but the DxO one runs over $500, so you might as well just buy a really good compact camera like Sony's RX100 Mark III, which can currently be found for just over $600.
Moment lenses
Most smartphone photo nuts agree that Moment is at the top of the clip-on lens heap. The company, which first came on the scene via Kickstarter in 2014, recently released new versions of its five lenses (superfish fisheye, wide, tele portrait, anamorphic and macro). It also launched new cases that attach them more firmly and work with the latest iPhone, Pixel and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
The lenses are a bit pricey (between $90 and $100 and up to $120 for the anamorphic lens, plus another $30 for the case, or more for the battery cases), but the glass construction and multi-element design provides some of the best image quality you can get on a smartphone. Built with aerospace-grade metal, they attach easily and firmly to the phone case with a twist, just like on a DSLR. The app is also easy to use and gives you more control than you'd get with most built-in smartphone camera apps.
That said, Moment touts the tele portrait lens as being sharp in the middle but deliberately soft on the edges, to give a slightly dreamy look. So if you don't want the soft edges for portraits, you're better off sticking with your smartphone camera.
Olloclip
Olloclip works only on the iPhone, even though Samsung, Google and others are making arguably better smartphone cameras now. If you're using an Apple device, however, it has a lot to offer. For $100, you can get the Core Lens set for iPhone 7/7 Plus or 8/8 Plus, which includes a fisheye, 15x macro and super-wide lens. The same lens set is also available for the iPhone X, but it's called the "Mobile Photography Box."
Much like with the Moment, it comes with its own app that extends what you can do with the regular smartphone camera app. It's got great optics for the price, and you don't need to buy a case to attach the lenses like you do with Moment. However, you can't use both lenses on the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus models, and it doesn't work with most iPhone cases. If you can live with those limits, and the fact that it's iPhone only, Olloclip will improve your smartphone photography on the cheap.
Aukey Ora lens kit
If you're toying with the idea of clip-on lenses, but not seriously enough to drop a C-note or more, Aukey's Ora kit might do the trick. For just $20, you get a 140-degree wide-angle lens, plus a 10x macro lens for close-up shots. The housings are built from aluminum alloy, the glass is coated to prevent ghosting and flares and the grip has rubber contacts to minimize slipping on your phone. What's more, it works with a number of smartphones, including the iPhone 8.
Smartphone lenses are better than ever, but there's only so much you can do with parts that are less than a centimeter across. That's where clip-on lenses come in. The extra glass can let in a lot more light and give you better control of exposure, color temperature and other parameters via the apps.
Some lenses, like ones from Olloclip and Aukey, are relatively simple affairs that clip directly to your phone, while others, like models from Moment, require a case for your specific model of phone. Bear in mind that none of the lenses will improve the clarity of your photos, as the light still passes through the smartphone's built-in lens. They can make the quality worse, though, if you buy a cheaply built lens.
If you do want better quality, with a much bigger sensor and lens and a smartphone's ease of sharing, then you'll need something like the DxO One. That's essentially a stand-alone camera -- with its own sensor, lens and aperture -- that's powered by your smartphone via an app. Those are great, but the DxO one runs over $500, so you might as well just buy a really good compact camera like Sony's RX100 Mark III, which can currently be found for just over $600.
Moment lenses
Most smartphone photo nuts agree that Moment is at the top of the clip-on lens heap. The company, which first came on the scene via Kickstarter in 2014, recently released new versions of its five lenses (superfish fisheye, wide, tele portrait, anamorphic and macro). It also launched new cases that attach them more firmly and work with the latest iPhone, Pixel and Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
The lenses are a bit pricey (between $90 and $100 and up to $120 for the anamorphic lens, plus another $30 for the case, or more for the battery cases), but the glass construction and multi-element design provides some of the best image quality you can get on a smartphone. Built with aerospace-grade metal, they attach easily and firmly to the phone case with a twist, just like on a DSLR. The app is also easy to use and gives you more control than you'd get with most built-in smartphone camera apps.
That said, Moment touts the tele portrait lens as being sharp in the middle but deliberately soft on the edges, to give a slightly dreamy look. So if you don't want the soft edges for portraits, you're better off sticking with your smartphone camera.
Olloclip
Olloclip works only on the iPhone, even though Samsung, Google and others are making arguably better smartphone cameras now. If you're using an Apple device, however, it has a lot to offer. For $100, you can get the Core Lens set for iPhone 7/7 Plus or 8/8 Plus, which includes a fisheye, 15x macro and super-wide lens. The same lens set is also available for the iPhone X, but it's called the "Mobile Photography Box."
Much like with the Moment, it comes with its own app that extends what you can do with the regular smartphone camera app. It's got great optics for the price, and you don't need to buy a case to attach the lenses like you do with Moment. However, you can't use both lenses on the iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus models, and it doesn't work with most iPhone cases. If you can live with those limits, and the fact that it's iPhone only, Olloclip will improve your smartphone photography on the cheap.
Aukey Ora lens kit
If you're toying with the idea of clip-on lenses, but not seriously enough to drop a C-note or more, Aukey's Ora kit might do the trick. For just $20, you get a 140-degree wide-angle lens, plus a 10x macro lens for close-up shots. The housings are built from aluminum alloy, the glass is coated to prevent ghosting and flares and the grip has rubber contacts to minimize slipping on your phone. What's more, it works with a number of smartphones, including the iPhone 8.
Stabilizers
If you want to do Facebook Live or Periscope videos without shaky video, you'll need to consider a smartphone stabilizer at some point. Available in both manual and motorized versions, they remove all the bumps and jerks in your shooting, letting you create a more cinematic experience. Just remember they're not a magic bullet -- it takes some practice to get the kinds of results you'll see on YouTube.
Zhiyun Smooth 4
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 is at the top of most smartphone videographers' lists, because it's well built and does a lot for the money. It's made from metal (unlike the DJI Osmo Mobile 2), it's fairly lightweight and it can handle any phone with up to a 7-inch screen (up to 500 grams, or 1.1 pounds). It offers two-way charging, so you can juice it with a portable charger while charging your phone at the same time.
What separates it from the pack, though, is all the features. Multiple triggers let you instantly set different follow modes: PhoneGo mode for instant scene transitions or a locked-off mode for quick movements. The side wheel lets you pull focus or zoom, while the control panel offers options for POV orbiting, time lapse or "vertigo shots" (dollying in while zooming out, the effect that Hitchcock made famous). You get all that for $149, making it a no-brainer for serious smartphone videographers.
DJI Osmo Mobile 2
DJI helped popularize smartphone stabilization with the original Osmo and Osmo Mobile (at top), but the latter is pretty costly at $299 and doesn't work great with large phones. At CES 2018, it launched the much cheaper $129 Osmo Mobile 2, which is now built from high-strength nylon instead of metal. You can't hot-swap the battery on the Mobile 2 as you could with the original, but there's less need, as the built-in battery can last three times longer -- up to 15 hours.
Unlike on the Zhiyun Smooth 4, the controls are pretty basic, though you might argue that this makes it easier to learn and operate. You can also quickly re-center it by double-tapping the mode button, an operation that's harder to do on the Smooth 4. It's easy and quick to switch to the front camera button, making vlogging a relative snap. Unfortunately, to switch the camera to portrait mode for Instagram stories, you need to manually remove it and flip it around. Otherwise, it's better than the original in every way, and also cheaper.
If you want to do Facebook Live or Periscope videos without shaky video, you'll need to consider a smartphone stabilizer at some point. Available in both manual and motorized versions, they remove all the bumps and jerks in your shooting, letting you create a more cinematic experience. Just remember they're not a magic bullet -- it takes some practice to get the kinds of results you'll see on YouTube.
Zhiyun Smooth 4
The Zhiyun Smooth 4 is at the top of most smartphone videographers' lists, because it's well built and does a lot for the money. It's made from metal (unlike the DJI Osmo Mobile 2), it's fairly lightweight and it can handle any phone with up to a 7-inch screen (up to 500 grams, or 1.1 pounds). It offers two-way charging, so you can juice it with a portable charger while charging your phone at the same time.
What separates it from the pack, though, is all the features. Multiple triggers let you instantly set different follow modes: PhoneGo mode for instant scene transitions or a locked-off mode for quick movements. The side wheel lets you pull focus or zoom, while the control panel offers options for POV orbiting, time lapse or "vertigo shots" (dollying in while zooming out, the effect that Hitchcock made famous). You get all that for $149, making it a no-brainer for serious smartphone videographers.
DJI Osmo Mobile 2
DJI helped popularize smartphone stabilization with the original Osmo and Osmo Mobile (at top), but the latter is pretty costly at $299 and doesn't work great with large phones. At CES 2018, it launched the much cheaper $129 Osmo Mobile 2, which is now built from high-strength nylon instead of metal. You can't hot-swap the battery on the Mobile 2 as you could with the original, but there's less need, as the built-in battery can last three times longer -- up to 15 hours.
Unlike on the Zhiyun Smooth 4, the controls are pretty basic, though you might argue that this makes it easier to learn and operate. You can also quickly re-center it by double-tapping the mode button, an operation that's harder to do on the Smooth 4. It's easy and quick to switch to the front camera button, making vlogging a relative snap. Unfortunately, to switch the camera to portrait mode for Instagram stories, you need to manually remove it and flip it around. Otherwise, it's better than the original in every way, and also cheaper.
Other accessories
Smartphone photography has a few other weak points besides the lenses and stabilization systems. It's nice to have something to hold your phone if you're a one-man videographer, for instance, and the flash and microphone quality still isn't great. These last few accessories can fill all of those holes.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod
Joby's flexible tabletop GorillaPod tripods have long been popular with videographers, especially vloggers, because they act as a convenient handle and tripod in one. The GripTight GorillaPod can handle any smartphone measuring 66 to 99 mm (2.6 to 3.9 inches) -- just pull the clamp open, insert your phone and tighten the screw. Then you can set it on rocks or other uneven surfaces or even wrap it around a tree, giving you an instant camera mount. It's just 12 inches tall and weighs 2.4 ounces, so it can travel anywhere, and at $30, it's a must-have accessory for smartphone videographers and photographers.
iBlazr 2 LED light
When extolling the virtues of their cameras, most smartphone manufacturers don't talk about the flash. Suffice to say, most are pretty dim, so if you're doing a lot of night shooting, you could probably use some help. The 3.5-ounce, $50 iBlzr 2 has four LED lights that can clamp to the top of your iOS or Android phone and sync to the stock cameras over Bluetooth. It can extend your shooting distance by 80 feet, compensate for indoor lighting, and handle 300 flashes or three hours of continuous light on a charge.
Rode VideoMicro and VideoMic ME
Another thing you don't hear a lot about is the quality of your smartphone's built-in microphone. Most aren't acceptable for anything approaching professional video, and that's where Rode's VideoMicro and VideoMic ME come in. Both are around $60 and include a (hilariously big) furry windshield, but the latter is just for smartphones, and the VideoMicro can also be used on a camera. Both focus the sound in front of the camera, reducing peripheral and rear noise. You can even plug in a set of headphones so you can monitor the sound quality in real time.
Smartphone photography has a few other weak points besides the lenses and stabilization systems. It's nice to have something to hold your phone if you're a one-man videographer, for instance, and the flash and microphone quality still isn't great. These last few accessories can fill all of those holes.
Joby GripTight GorillaPod
Joby's flexible tabletop GorillaPod tripods have long been popular with videographers, especially vloggers, because they act as a convenient handle and tripod in one. The GripTight GorillaPod can handle any smartphone measuring 66 to 99 mm (2.6 to 3.9 inches) -- just pull the clamp open, insert your phone and tighten the screw. Then you can set it on rocks or other uneven surfaces or even wrap it around a tree, giving you an instant camera mount. It's just 12 inches tall and weighs 2.4 ounces, so it can travel anywhere, and at $30, it's a must-have accessory for smartphone videographers and photographers.
iBlazr 2 LED light
When extolling the virtues of their cameras, most smartphone manufacturers don't talk about the flash. Suffice to say, most are pretty dim, so if you're doing a lot of night shooting, you could probably use some help. The 3.5-ounce, $50 iBlzr 2 has four LED lights that can clamp to the top of your iOS or Android phone and sync to the stock cameras over Bluetooth. It can extend your shooting distance by 80 feet, compensate for indoor lighting, and handle 300 flashes or three hours of continuous light on a charge.
Rode VideoMicro and VideoMic ME
Another thing you don't hear a lot about is the quality of your smartphone's built-in microphone. Most aren't acceptable for anything approaching professional video, and that's where Rode's VideoMicro and VideoMic ME come in. Both are around $60 and include a (hilariously big) furry windshield, but the latter is just for smartphones, and the VideoMicro can also be used on a camera. Both focus the sound in front of the camera, reducing peripheral and rear noise. You can even plug in a set of headphones so you can monitor the sound quality in real time.
Wrap-up
With all the excellent smartphones released over the past year, everyone has a camera in their pocket. What compromises do remain can be addressed with a lot of the gadgets mentioned here. While some of them are expensive, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new compact camera, and the results you'll get will be nearly as good.
With all the excellent smartphones released over the past year, everyone has a camera in their pocket. What compromises do remain can be addressed with a lot of the gadgets mentioned here. While some of them are expensive, it's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a new compact camera, and the results you'll get will be nearly as good.
Comments
Post a Comment