BEST Blackmagic Camera App Settings For Apple Log With iPhone 15 Pro

These are the BEST Blackmagic Camera app settings for filming in Apple Log with the iPhone 15 Pro, so if you want the best possible video quality that will give you the most dynamic range and a file size that is much smaller than the stock camera app, keep watching!

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0:00 Save Time Color Grading With My Presets!
0:45 Codec, Resolution, Color Space
2:25 White Balance and Zebras
3:12 Native ISO for BEST Dynamic Range
5:22 The MOST IMPORTANT SETTING
6:32 The Last Hurdle - Avoiding Overexposure
8:03 Have you checked out my presets yet?

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[vousnecroyezpassibiendire]

In the "camera" tab of the settings, I would recommend changing the Shutter measurement from "speed" to "angle". Then back to the main screen, for "shutter" select 180°. Then you are sure to get the right shutter speed no matter your fps and don't have to worry about changing it.

[paulosalazar]

Found this video 9 months after uploaded and it is an amazing explanation on everything I needed. Subscribed and will look forward to more videos from you.

[Kpictures_NYC]

Anywhere I shoot, inside or outside it's way too bright at 1/48 shutter with an iso at 1250 ISO unless it's nighttime another isn't any light but with any sort of lighting it's way too bright. Does increasing the shutter speed somehow compromise the dynamic range? I assume the only thing that affects the dynamic range in this example is the ISO and the shutter can be anything above 1/48.

[mvarge]

After many many many youtube videos I finally got to this one which explains in details all I need in a level which fits mine, well done!

[petersterling]

Great Video Matt! The HEVC 265 is an especially Valuable tip!

[digitaldevigner]

I do not agree with the ISO 1250 advice at all. The iPhone quality really suffers when you raise the ISO. Even if you may not see noise its because the camera uses very aggressive noise reduction which leads to very blotchy details and mush. Yes it lifts the clip point so you get more highlight stops but you destroy the fidelity of the video by doing so.

It's much better to shoot under exposed like everyone else is suggesting. Apple log maps a ton of stops below middle gray and only 3 stops over middle gray. By shooting under by just 2 stops we now have 5 stops over middle gray or much closer to other log formats. Some of the best log formats typically only have 6 stops over middle gray. While shooting under is typically not the best choice the way the iPhone and Apple Log work there is a ton of detail in the shadows and it is much cleaner to shoot under vs using ISO 1250. You still get a lot of highlight range if you need it but much cleaner details.

Plus one really needs to determine if they really need that many highlight stops of range. Getting 6 stops over middle gray only to crush it down to rec709 is kind of pointless. Log formats are not a one size fits all format. They are made so we can choose what is more important for the shot. Shadow stops or highlight stops. Sort of like how the BMD Pocket cameras work. ISO is used to determine how the stops are mapped under vs over middle gray. Apple Log at lower ISO levels clip sooner in the highlights but thats because more of the stops are mapped in the shadows below middle gray. The details 99% more likely to be seen and have importance to the story.

Another reason ISO 1250 is not a good suggestion is because a lot of narrative work tends to be lit to be lower contrast and fit much better within a limited rec709 range. We rarely have details that go over 90% reflectance and just don't need a lot of extra highlight stops. They become pointless and a large throw away portion of the log curve values. Apple Log as it is is well suited for this since it easily covers a normal contrast range for rec709. Shooting at ISO 1250 would not really gain anything extra and what it did gain would likely be thrown out.

Dynamic range is nice to have but not at the expense of sacrificing everything else important just to say you have more stops of range. Those stops need to serve a purpose.

Finally ISO 55 outdoors in bright sunlight and 24p 1/48th already requires at least 7 stops of ND filtering. If shooting two stops under thats 9 stops of filtering which is a lot. Shooting at ISO 1250 is almost 5 stops more ND filtering needed. Thats at least 12 stops of ND filtering which is an insane amount. Its hard enough finding a decent filter system for the iPhone and a real challenge trying to use 12 stops of filtering.

[RylandRussell]

Thanks for the ISO tip Matt, just curious if you happen to have any LUTS available? 😉

[chrisbogart]

Thanks a bunch with how to lock the ISO via the locking the shutter. I went out this afternoon and was a happy camper. Yes the only real accessory we need is the VND filter other than the external SSD - I went with the Crucial X10 small and convent to carry. The iPhone 15 Pros with BMC app have been a game changer for me. Thanks for your clear and pertinent video.

[Marchellino]

Can you give tutorial on how to edit apple log footage only on iphone including applying LUT just on the iPhone would be great 🥹💯

[crockett]

Hi Matt. Im new to black magic app. still learning about video recording etc. can you let me know what settings I should do if I was the film at night??

[oljobo]

Thank you! Will this be the same for iPhone 16 pro??

[michaeldrager]

Fantastic content as usual. But, I must be missing something. I did a test shoot today with full sun outdoors and with these settings on iPhone15 Pro max: ISO/1250, fps/30, shutter/60, fstop/1.8 (fixed), ND filter cranked to max (ND2-ND32 (1-5 Stop). I couldn’t get the exposure low enough. 🤷🏻 I had to lower the ISO to 55

[samalotmedia]

This is so clear and helpful! Thank you! Will definitely check out more of your work.

[simoz]

Idea for a new video: how to color match iPhone 15 Log and DJI Pocket 3 Log (and optionally add Sony S-cinetone & Log3 to the mix)

[Caulstan]

The bigger file of ProRes helps you edit smoother on an older, less capable computer. That’s the main advantage you’re not mentioning. The 65 codec will drag you into buffer zone

[jaymills]

Subscribed ! Question(s). Can a 1tb iPhone 15 bypass the need to film with an SSD on the camera body and just off load the 1TB to the SSD when it’s full? And then you’d just need a 1tb iPhone and an attachment for an ND filter and use Blackmagic and internal LUT? If so I’m getting one today!

[shayrealestatephotography]

FYI, Zebras aren't working great for me and I feel like 85 is a much better number. At 95 I'm over exposing and not getting Zebras to really show up at all.

[AyuK-jmqo]

I am an artist and want to record my ipad from above while drawing. Do the same settings apply? It looks rather strange and there are lines everywhere, probably because the exposure is high since the ipad is a white shiny screen. All colors look super washed out with the apple log.

[AllThingsFilm]

Thanks for this detailed video. I bought the Moment filter adapter for the iPhone 15 Pro for filters with a 67mm thread. Perfect since most of my ND filters are 67mm.

[wellintontews]

Does this configuration look good on a normal iPhone 15?