Setup for filmmakers wanting to film using an iPhone or iPad

Most of us have a smartphone or tablet these days that are on par with a camcorder, that have virtually negating the need for purchasing one. Despite having image sensors the size of a human finger tip from your pointing finger, techniques of filmmaking can be applied to successfully make a film. In fact, there are accessories and apps for your preferred OS platform that enable you to make a film with better sound and capturing a better image using your iPhone or iPad's 8 or 12MP cameras.

Let's start with the hardware for your iPhone or iPad.

For a better image, you will need:

1. Specifically designed lenses for your iPhone or iPad like the moment lenses (you will also need to purchase a case to attach these lenses to your iPhone,
2. DJI osmo mobile gimbals for iPad and iPhone (for moving shots)
3. A professional grade tripod (for static shots),
4. A Drone (for Aerial shots if your project calls for it).

For better sound, you will need:

1. The RODE Videomic Me-L or the RODE NTG4+ (Shotgun microphone),
2. The RODE iXLR adaptor (to connect the Shotgun microphone).

In terms of software:

1. Filmic Pro (Paid app and a filmmaker's choice for filming),
2. ProMovie (Free app with an option to pay to remove watermark)
3. LumaFusion (If you plan on editing on your iPhone or iPad).

This setup will work for you if you are on a shoestring budget and cannot afford to fork out the cash for a dedicated, professional grade video cameras and accessories for the camera.

If you have an iPhone model earlier than the iPhone 7, then a few other options include the Schneider Optics iProLens for the iPhone or the Zeiss ExoLens system for the iPhone.

On that note, keep in mind that since the size of the image sensor that is included with the iPhones and the iPad fits on the tip of your pointer finger, you will need to supply more light to the iPhone or iPad or have one that has a wider aperture like an f1.8 or lower, or adjust the ISO to the point where it doesn't introduce noise or grain to the image. Filmic Pro will let you adjust these options and this is why filmmakers and cinematographers alike love it.

It is imperative that you have good or great sound, because your audience:

1. will forgive you if you have good or great sound with terrible image quality but,
2. will not forgive you for if you have good or great image quality with terrible sound quality.

To end this list, I will say that filmmakers typically have dual system recording: meaning one system for recording moving images like a camera and accessories, and another for recording sound such as a field mixer.

Here are some options.

The cheaper option:

1. The ZOOM H4N Pro,
2. The Tascam DR40,
3. The Tascam DR100 Mark 2.

The advanced more expensive option (if money isn't an object):

1. The Roland Edirol R-44 Portable Field Recorder (I have this),
2. The Sound Devices 552 Field Recorder

With this information, you should be able to make a decent film that doesn't suck and contribute to the trend of using mobile devices for filmmaking.

Good luck with this venture.