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Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

September 27, 2019 By Bill Hunt

Filming and Editing Apps and Kit For Your New iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max

Filming on the iPhone Pro and Pro Max

In my last article, I looked at the picture taking and editing abilities of the new iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max.

Many amateur and professional filmmakers are excited about the arrival of the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, and with the combination of the three lenses, the fast and powerful processor and a selection of new filming and editing apps, the new models are likely to make a genuine impact on how films are made and edited. There is already a list of films made entirely on the iPhone, and this looks set to increase.

This article will look at the capabilities of the native iOS camera, compared to the leading film making app, Filmic Pro, and also compare the native editing app iMovie with one of the leading paid-for alternatives, Lumafusion. 

I was also keen to compare the inbuilt iPhone microphones with those aimed at professional filmmakers, so have reviewed the RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone for iPhone and iPad, as well as the Sennheiser MKE 2 omni-directional clip-on lavalier microphone.

Starting with the native iOS cameras, the quality of the footage – as you would expect – is excellent. The only bugbear could be regarded as the occasional ‘jolt’ as the iPhone switches filming from one lens to another. This is evident in the following clip, but as you can see, I was zooming in and out incredibly fast – at a speed unlikely to come into play in everyday use.

That said, the inbuilt iOS video has a lot to be said to for it. The automatic video stabilisation is incredible, and the ability to add ‘soundtracks’ which are included in the iMovie app, which can not only match the pitch and theme of your video, but also automatically cut off at the end of your clip is a massive bonus. Gone are the days of having clips removed from YouTube or Facebook for potential copyright infringement. An example of one such soundtrack has been added to the video below, again shot on the native iOS cameras.

And the native iOS video is no slouch when it comes to speed. The next video shows a more realistic demonstration of the phone’s ability to switch between lenses – this time at a more realistic rate. Again, using one of the iPhone’s included ‘soundtracks’, what better way to test a camera’s speed ability than a loony bull terrier running around with a bottle?!

The next video also demonstrates the incredible stabilisation of the native video app, along with the inbuilt microphone.

And one final demonstration of  audio recorded, this time with me speaking from behind the camera. Perhaps a demonstration  that, for vloggers, for example, an external microphone might not be essential.

It should be obvious that I’m a big fan of the iOS video capabilities. But there are certain limitations if you are professional film maker, such as the level of manual control you have over what is being filmed. This is why I was happy to buy Filmic Pro, a highly respected filmmakers app. The pitch for the app is as follows: “FiLMiC Pro v6 is the most advanced video camera for mobile. Ever. FiLMiC Pro has been enhanced with cutting-edge capabilities and the most responsive manual camera interface available…Used in more high profile video projects than any other video app.” You may remember top bods from Filmic Pro teaming up with the Apple big cheeses to blow their trumpets in unison about the video ability of the new devices at the September Apple event announcing the new phones:

But it doesn’t come cheap (I wouldn’t expect it to) at £14.99, and, once purchased, there is an ‘in-app’ purchase of the ‘cinematographer’s kit‘ for an additional £13.99. 

However, judging by one or two scathing reviews, it should be pointed out that what could be argued as the ‘main feature’ – namely the ability to shoot with all four cameras and record four live feeds – is not available on the current version, and there is speculation (that could be completely unfounded) that Filmic Pro may charge for this feature to be added when it does become available. This video is also worth watching for some observations about the use of the iPhone Pro lenses.

Nonetheless, let’s take a closer look. Here is the quick start guide to Filmic Pro, and the full user guide if you’d like to take a more in-depth look. And here, recorded on my iPhone, is how the Filmic Pro interface looks whilst in operation. As you see, I clicked on each of the menu items to give you an idea of what is available from within the app right now.

Music for the above video provided by the very talented Josh Woodward.

And so on to external microphones you might like to consider for your professional grade film making. The first is the Sennheiser MKE Digital clip-on mike, which comes with a wind shield for outdoor interviewing.

Sennheiser MKE 2 Digital Lavalier Microphone

The pitch for the microphone is as follows: ‘The MKE 2 digital is a professional solution for mobile recording. Whether videos, recording or interviews: With its wide range of applications, the MKE 2 plug-in microphone is already regarded as a legend for large- and small-scale productions. While delivering top-quality musical images for speech and song, its tandem membrane provides it with a high degree of robustness against all environmental influences. The condenser microphone is connected via Lightning to modern iOS devices – allowing the jack socket to remain free for monitoring headphones as needed. An external converter from the Apogee high-end forge undertakes the digital signal conversion. With 96 kHz and 24 bit, the signal surpasses any CD quality available.’ And here’s a short video about the mic: 

With only Tilly the bull terrier in the house, my choices of interviewee were slightly restricted – short of going next-door to interview Derek about the waterproofing he uses to prevent moss growing on his roof, so I made a short video of my Apple Watch using the microphone instead (using Filmic Pro):

The Sennheiser MKE 2 Digital Clip on lapel microphone is available here.

RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone

The second microphone I put to the test is the RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone. Attaching straight into the iPhone’s Lightning connector, the microphone is excellent at picking up all ambient sound, in stereo. As you can see, it comes with a wind shield, along with a number of ‘clamps’ with which to attach it to your iPhone or iPad.

Here is a video to demonstrate the microphones’s stereo capabalities:

And finally, a video of the RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone used indoors (so without the use of the wind shield).

The RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone is available here.

Lumofusion on the iPhone Pro Max

If you’re looking for excellent on-device editing, look no further than Lumafusion. Again, not cheap, at £28.99, but Lumafusion is a great match for Filmic Pro, offering many more features than the native iMovie.

And with both apps, you’ll find a stack of YouTube tutorials for both Filmic Pro and Lumafusion.

You’ll find great advice on all aspects of Lumofusion editing  and excellent guides at Primal Video.

Finally, what film maker is complete without a decent gimbal? And this one is so new that it’s just left Kickstarter mode to go into full production.

SMOOTH-Q2 by ZHIYUN
Smooth Q2

The Zhiyun Smooth-Q2 is quite simply the smallest gimbal soon-to-be-on-the-market. With an acclaimed track record in the quality manufacture of gimbals, the Smooth Q2 has caused a genuine stir in the market, and has received nothing but glowing reviews when put alongside its competition.

Check out out a few:

Update: 6th November 2019: My Zhiyun Smooth -Q2 gimbal has now arrived, and it’s very impressive indeed. I haven’t had the opportunity to test every feature, and I look forward to watching the vast array of customer experience and tutorial videos already on YouTube. There’s obviously plenty to learn, and I’m looking forward to exploring every feature.

And it is these ‘added features’ that make the gimbal a worthwhile investment for the semi-professional filmmaker (along with the fact that it really does fit comfortably into a pocket), because as has been demonstrated, the inbuilt stabilisation of the iPhone 11 Pro Max is already mind-blowingly good.

And I must admit, if I hadn’t have snaffled one at the bargain basement price on Kickstarter, I may have thought twice about coughing up the full RRP which it is now on sale at on Amazon and similar sites.

Nonetheless, below is my very first effort using the gimbal at it’s most basic level. Don’t expect anything too exciting. It’s a dog walk in our local wood, not The Silence of the Lambs.

The only other kit to mention that will be of interest to the iPhone film maker is the anamorphic lens. Anamorphic lenses provide a means to capture a 2.39:1 ratio without having to make that sacrifice in resolution, adding a unique cinematic look to your iPhone videos.

There are three main players in the market for producing quality anamorphic lenses – Moondog Labs, Sandmarc and Moment (there are also a few versions available on eBay, which have received mixed reviews).

All of the manufacturers are falling over themselves to produce the first anamorphic lenses that will fit the unique lens configuration of the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max lenses, and Sandmarc look to be the first off the mark, indicating that the first iPhone 11 Pro anamorphic lenses will be available to ship at the end of October.

Here is Sandmarc’s introduction to filming with an anamorphic lens:

In a future post, I’ll be looking at some of the hidden features of the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max.

Back to News Page

Filed Under: News, Reviews Tagged With: anamorphic lens, app advice, Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, Apple Watch, audio recording, Editing, film making, filmic pro, Filming, imovie, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone X, lumofusion, Moondog Labs, RØDE i-XY Lightning Stereo Microphone, sandmarc, Sennheiser MKE 2, shopmoment, Smooth-Q2, stabilisation, Zhiyun Smooth-Q2

September 23, 2019 By Bill Hunt

iPhone 11 / Pro / Max Best Apps, Hidden Features & Kit

iPhone 11 Pro / Max Tips

All hail the new Apple iPhones! It seems universally accepted that the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max are set to transform both professional and amateur filmmaking and photography.

This next series of articles are intended to outline my experience with the new phone, to advise anyone thinking of buying one and to point owners towards some potentially useful apps, accessories and hidden features. 

Many articles have focused on whether the added features justify the steep financial outlay, particularly for owners of the iPhone X, XR and XS. For me, the owner of an ancient 6s, it was a no-brainer.

The New Apple iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max

And upgrading from such an early model, the contrast is immediate – and very exciting. The screen is large, bright and crisp, the battery life is impressive, and the picture quality, although not matching the crispness and clarity of my Leica, is great – and perfectly adequate for most professional purposes, perhaps unless you’re intending to print out huge posters.

From a humble but very capable mobile phone, I now have a very useful work tool that is capable of replacing a professional grade digital audio recorder, a 4K digital camcorder and gives my full-frame 35mm £4k Leica stills camera a run for its money.

iPhone 6s with Mophie Juice Pack

It’s early days, and I have a huge amount of learning to do, both about the optimal use of the device itself, and the amazing array of photography, filming and editing apps which I’m confident will increase my workflow, productivity and ultimately unleash the potential for some quality creative film making.

A plethora of articles describing the features of the phone already exist, so I’ll keep this section brief.

Here are the essentials:

  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • Super Retina XDR display
  • 5.8-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED Multi‑Touch display
  • HDR display
  • 2436×1125-pixel resolution at 458 ppi
  • 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
  • iPhone Pro Max
  • Super Retina XDR display
  • 6.5-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED Multi‑Touch display
  • HDR display
  • 2688×1242-pixel resolution at 458 ppi
  • 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)

Useful iOS 13 iPhone 11 Apps

iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max hidden features

It’s also worth knowing:

  • Wide: ƒ/1.8 aperture
  • Telephoto: ƒ/2.0 aperture
  • 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 10x
  • Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control
  • Portrait Lighting with six effects (Natural, Studio, Contour, Stage, Stage Mono, High-Key Light Mono)
  • Dual optical image stabilisation (Wide and Telephoto)
  • Five‑element lens (Ultra Wide); six-element lens (Wide and Telephoto)
  • Brighter True Tone flash with slow sync
  • Panorama (up to 63MP)
  • 100% Focus Pixels (Wide)
  • Night mode
  • Auto Adjustments
  • Next‑generation Smart HDR for photos
  • Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos
  • Advanced red‑eye correction
  • Photo geotagging
  • Auto image stabilisation
  • Burst mode
  • Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG

To sum up, the combination of the A13 bionic chip set, the three 12 megapixel utrawide, prime and telephoto lenses and very powerful editing apps make the device a genuine powerhouse. All the technical specifications can be found on the Apple website. So, in terms of advice on whether an upgrade is right for you, I would say that would ultimately depend on your current model, your intended uses of the phone, and , of course, the size of your piggy bank.

1. iPhone 11 Photography and Picture Editing Apps

Camera Plus
Camera Plus is an excellent addition to the iOS native camera app. As well giving you control over manual focus, shutter speed, white balance and other controls, it has its own powerful photo editor. It also offers macro photography, cinematic video recording and remote control from your Apple Watch. All this for a snap at 99c, with in-app purchases. 

An iOS upgrade which has caused a stir with Apple commentators throughout the land is the brand new High-Key Mono Portrait Lighting effect in iOS 13. You Simply preset the native camera app to ‘high-key’ (the last button on the rotary dial in portrait mode), point your iPhone at a (human) face, and when iOS detects a face, it lets you know if you’re in a suitable position to take the shot, and then instantly blanks out the background to let you know it’s ready to shoot, giving the resulting image an impressive studio lit style. My mother kindly posed for me in her kitchen for the picture below. I’m gutted the feature doesn’t also recognise the faces of dogs. WHAT were you thinking Apple?!

High-Key Mono Portrait Lighting Effect iOS 13

Equally impressive is iOS 13’s ‘Night Mode’, another brand new feature. Night Mode magically lights up even the darkest scenes by taking a series of shots and picking out the clearest details from each to form a reasonably crisp image that looks as if it was taken in decently lit twilight. The two images below were both taken at 11pm in almost complete darkness, with no lighting apart from the small garden lights you see pictured.

iOS 13 Night Mode
iOs 13 Night Mode

Another slick feature of the iOS 13 camera app is its ability to almost seamlessly switch to shooting from the utrawide lens right through ‘prime’ to the zoom lens whilst in video mode.

Dark Room
Dark Room is a very useful, and incredibly intuitive photo manipulation app. Free to try, and £9.99 to unlock ‘all features’ – including the ability to export your altered images, With Lightroom-like features, the app enables you to adjust curves, white balance, crop, or apply filters individually, or in batches. Here is Tilly given the Dark Room treatment.

Dark Room for the iPhone

RNI Films
I remember back in 2014 when I bought my iPhone 6s, that apps that mimicked vintage film camera effects were all the rage. And most of them were pretty useless.

Fortunately this is not the case with RNI Films that offers real film simulation for mobile photographers. They did this by “digitizing their library of analog slides and negatives, building their profiles and packaging those profiles into a lightweight and easy to use mobile application.” And the results are very impressive indeed. Below, perfect ad placement I walked past yesterday in Poole, given the RNI Films treatment.

RNI Films for iOS

Sadly, 2018 saw the end of support for Aviary, and it is no longer available from the App Store or the Android store. However, if you’ve ever downloaded Aviary in the past, you can easily update the app on iOS 13. As it’s no longer available and there are apps that perform in a similar way, albeit not as elegantly, I won’t dwell on a review. But like me, Tilly, bids a sad goodbye to a great app.

goodbye Aviary

Yet another great feature of iOS 13 is the bokeh achievable, particularly when using the ‘portrait’ mode. But if the inbuilt bokeh is not up to your standards, then download Focos and, after a brief but sophisticated transformation process, your picture can closely resemble that of a professional camera with a large aperture.

Tilly processed with Focos

Another more basic app to mimic bokeh is AfterFocus. I’ve been a fan since the iPhone 6s release, and think it does a great job. Forget the Photoshop lasso and a slew of blurring effects, just run your finger around what needs to be in sharp focus, then in mid-focus, apply any one of a range of funky filters, and you’re in bokeh heaven. A much more basic version of Focos, Afterfocus is easy to use. For both apps, if you’re importing a picture to transform rather than taking it on your iPhone, it really helps to work with with as large a file as possible to get the best results.

AfterFocus App for iPhone

If it’s a basic ‘one-touch’ interface you’re looking for, Enlight Quickshot offers a huge range of filters. Many are verging on the ‘Snapchat‘, but there are also some interesting and quirky choices, such as the ability to add rain indoors, lens flare, a choice of skies, fireworks, etc. Some are a little more sophisticated, providing Lightroom-like colour and black and white filters at the touch of a button. But these effects come at a price, with Quickshot priced at £3.39 a month, £23.49 for twelve months, or a one-off payment of £54.99. This might sound steep, but any alternative that offers a one-off payment without tying you into a monthly subscription is worth a look. 

Quickshot filters

If you’re a fan of the Leica M Monochrom, you might also like the next app. SimplyB&W is a free app that offers some simple but very effective monochrome effects. These include the colour gradient toning filters, an impressive polariser, and the ability to add both a grain and vignette effect. 

Simply&W - garden
SimplyB&W Tilly

Finally, a very capable app which can both take and edit pictures with more filters than you can shake a stick at is VSCO, which pairs ease of taking pictures with editing. Around since 2014, the app received almost universal acclaim, but has recently encountered some criticism for removing the ability to save pictures within the app itself, instead exporting them to the native camera roll, and also for introducing an annual premium subscription cost of £19.99.

Father - VSCO

If you can recommend any apps, kit or features for the new iPhones, or just have an observation, please leave a comment below.

Please come back soon for a look at the very best video filming and editing apps, and for recommendations on essential kit for the iOS filmmaker.

 

Back to News Page

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 12 megapixel, A13 bionic chip set, Accessories, afterfocus, Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, aviary, bokeh, camera plus, camera+, dark room, darkroom, dsco, Editing, enlighten quickshot, Filming, focos, Hidden Features, high-key mono portrait, iOS 13, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 6s, iPhone X, iPhone xr, iPhone xs, Leica monochrom, Leica q, night mode, Productivity, Recommended Apps, rni films, simplyb&w, snapchat, three lenses, Tips, ultrawide, vsco

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