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

Matt please make a video on osmo pocket 3 & can its 4k60 & 4k120 be used in weddings...
Waiting for ur review

Should you still use 1250 in a lower light situation? I filmed something recently in 4k 30 log, in a dark room with just a ring light illuminating my subject, with my iso around 450 and it came out way over exposed. If it's more of a night situation where should you put the iso?

Another informative video Matt as always

thanks matty

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.

With that high iso you need to deal with the added noise in post, simply by doing what the camera already does automatically when you lower the iso. Yes you would get more dynamic range but you have to expose for the highlights and be prepared to crush the blacks to control noise, if I understand Gerald undone correctly.

Had no idea the phone’s base ISO was near 1250…because I was definitely cranking it as low as possible to try and get the “best” image possible 😅

Great job as usual, Matt!

What would the ideal ISO setting be for the base iPhone 15? Also, could you explain what the other color space settings are and if they'd be good for the base 15?

Great video. Thanks

Great video Matt! I’ve yet to play with the apple log but you have answered a lot of my questions about it. Thank you!

Why didn’t you use a lut in the app?

In the "camera" tab of the settings, I would recommend changing the Shutter measurement from"speed" to "angle". Then on 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.

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.

OOO So helpful king

I can't repeat it often enough. The 180 degree rule is complete bullshit.

Hey! I was just about to film a video like this!

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

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.

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)