How to Actually Shoot Apple Log

How to shoot cinema-quality iPhone footage using Apple Log - real world guide.
I've been using the iPhone as a B-cam for over 6 months now and I am going to spill the secrets of maximum cinematicness.
Enjoy!

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Timestamps:
0:00 - Demo
0:58 - Intro
1:43 - iPhone vs 8K cinema camera
1:55 - Expectation vs. Reality
2:46 - Blackmagic Camera app
3:27 - App settings
4:59 - Camera settings
6:02 - Stabilization
7:07 - Real deal stabilization
7:41 - Rigging & accessories
8:13 - Moment rant
12:02 - Accessories cont'd
12:54 - Filters are key
14:26 - Dealing with lack of gear
15:02 - Color grading
15:26 - Honorable mention: Kino, by Halide
16:16 - Afterword and outro

Music provided by Monstercat:
F.O.O.L - Duality

[feederbrian]

I was about to comment about Tilta’s Khronos system when you mentioned it. I actually have it! It did take about 8 weeks to finally get it in because I guess they were still getting started on production. But anyway, here’s my little rant/review if you’re curious about it:

First impressions.
It *feels* so good in the hands. The construction is solid. You have to commit to it because you’ll screw the case together with a tiny allen wrench. You can’t just slip it on and off like Moment’s case. Pure aluminum all around except for small rubber pieces on the back corners. It will make your iPhone heavier due to the metal construction. Personally, I appreciate it but the aluminum WILL heat up on a hot day. It was a bit of an issue over the summer.

Speaking of temperature,
They don’t really talk about it but the square piece on the back of the case does come off to expose the area to air, and also attach the cooling fan for extended shooting sessions. My hope came true: the piece on the back can hold a card; I use it for my company badge, but you’ll need to peek it out with your thumb to scan because it blocks the RFID signal. It attaches via magsafe, but also has small teeth that grab on to the case. Very well designed. I didn’t get the cooling fan, since I don’t shoot often, or for long periods of time.

Now, the attachments. On the website, you can see the ports where you can clip on attachments to the case. The main one I’ll talk about is the camera clip. There’s a tray clip for your ND filter and it works quite well. The tray clips to the case, and has a swivel which comes down and clicks on the edge of the camera area. The filters are magnetized. This means it’s easy to switch filters, and the swivel lets you go from outside to inside shooting by flipping it away. Unfortunately you’re limited to a single filter. You can’t really stack them unless you tape them with some gaff tape. Unfortunately, I don’t see a good way to attach your larger VNDs yet at this time.

There are also various adapters which will occupy that port to let you use Moment’s bayonet mounts, or generic thread mounts from other manufacturers like Sandmarc.

For handles, they have different options for basic stabilization or fancier ones which work as a power bank/focus pull.

And lastly, they do have an Arca Swiss compatible mount for tripods which can pass data, power and HDMI.

Overall, a really well-designed case and very expandable. Only downsides in my opinion are that it will insulate heat a bit, adds significant weight and width (not sure how well the Osmo would take it), and no current way to attach larger filters.

[Ronbc]

Just a little Resolve tip you may appreciate when shooting BM Cam app with Apple Log color space, H.265, codec, 4K resolution. First Rt click on your file in media pool, select Generate Optimised Media to convert H.265 codec to ProRes. In your color page showing the file LUT, hit option S (second LUT) now in the left hand bottom of window there is a little round button, has "A" inside it, click this then check your scopes (waveform) you will find a range of 0 to about 90 IRE. adjust gain, and gamma slightly, the file is near on perfect. 🙏

[channelname-hz]

Just for everyones awareness, a scientific test was done on the 15pro for testing the best iso, the best iso to use for the most dynamic range is 1250, but that will add a solid amount of noise to your footage, dont worry though because the noise looks more like grain (not a ton of rbg in it) Best iso's to shoot in without adding a lot of noise are 55 and 1600.

[chris]

Loved the Moment rant, Max. I feel the same way. Also their launch of iPhone 16 Pro accessories was severely delayed with no communication. Not sure I'd use them again and am looking for a better ecosystem.

[TopshelfJunior]

As we all get older, we are constantly running out of more and more time... Having said that, KINO looks like a great app ! Looks like it saves a lot of TIME. After slaving over the computer for how many years now ?! Who wants to keep sitting down to go edit / color ?! Get in camera, or...the phone rather.

[stefanbendik]

Thanks for the moments rant, I was actually considering them before.

[JeffreySutton]

😂 I almost got that cage, but didn’t trust the MagSafe. I’m glad I went with the small rig cage and don’t have a problem.

[sundersquare]

Heya man, hope all is well with you! Just remembered you were making a lightroom replacement and said I'd see if you had an update. Looking forward to seeing a video from you wherever you put one out

[prodbyselase]

They finally fixed the touch target issues on Kino!

[MePeterNicholls]

Bought tilta. It’s great. My frame doesn’t work tho, which I’m getting support for. Early adopter rubs

[richardsalsomano]

Thanks for the informative video. The issues that you are having with the accessories make me conclude that it seems that you will be better off with an actual video camera.

[LouisLuzuka]

I wanted to ask you, my phone carrier is giving AirPods Pro 2 for free with a 15 pro max activation, right before the 16 pro coming out... I'm not sure if I should be going for it but how do you find the 15 pro series do you love it, I also have a moment anamorphic lens that I'm planning on using with a small rig cage

[nebrahimi]

Very informative video! What’s the name of the first song in intro?

[forwardislight]

looks great. why should we shoot log vs whatever the normal iPhone video is?

Is it to colourgrade/put luts on better?

Can we find a way to shoot log on iPhone 13? Via a app I guess?

[SaiKelly]

Thanks for this, im so glad I didnt invest in moment products! Can you just clarify, I've looked at several other detailed reports that state the ISO should not be used below around 1100 or above 1300. ive just come back from a week's shooting to confirm that the noise levels are quite mad in the shadows if shooting below or above that range. Indoors is the main issue of course. What are your thoughts on that?

[gibaaaaaaaaaa]

there is no apple log option in my settings 😭

[LouisLuzuka]

How do I mount my step up rings to anamorphic lens 😮

[pudty]

Could you recomend any nd filter for my iphone, which costs up to 150?) Cause 260€ for a filter it is way too much for me

[EthanTwu]

How do you not need more than 5 stops!? I had to buy an additional fixed 6 stop filter because my 2-5 VND was sometimes not strong enough outdoors, even with 54 ISO.

[iamtamasmiko]

Hello! How can you these files into davinci import? I see only the voice line. Can you help me?