Apple recently cited an award-winning cinematographer arguing that “we’re living in the age of democracy in filmmaking.” Anyone who owns an iPhone today can create a short film or creative video – and it’s a really fun and satisfying thing to do, whether you keep it short and simple like the example below, or don your Hollywood director’s cap for something more ambitious! Of course, most Shot on iPhone films involve a lot of professional kit, but the single most desirable accessory for an iPhone filmmaker is now available in its most convenient and affordable form yet, thanks to Moment’s QuickLock VND Filter … The key to movie-like footage: 24fps It’s amazing to think that the look now expected of movies made with the latest digital cameras goes back to a technical decision made 98 years earlier.That look? Shooting at 24 frames per second.Because everyone alive today has grown up seeing films shot at this frame-rate, it’s what looks natural to us.
If you asked someone watching a movie whether they notice any motion-blur, they’d almost certainly say no.Yet if you screengrab any frame from a movie with motion in it, the blur is immediately apparent, and it’s key to the way we perceive movement.The reason for that frame-rate dates back to the very first ‘talkie’ shot back in 1927 – .
And the reason 24fps was selected is because it offered the best sound synchronization using the equipment available then.So, 98 years later, if you want motion to look natural, you’ll want to shoot at 24fps.The stock iPhone camera app lets you set that rate in Settings, and does some very clever cheating to make it work in any light, but doesn’t offer the kind of control you’ll want for filmmaking.
The biggest favor you can do yourself here is to download the free BlackMagic app – the learning curve is worth it.That requires a neutral density filter BlackMagic lets you set the frame-rate to 24fps, but there’s a problem: if you want to shoot in sunlight, that will let in too much light, even at the lowest available ISO setting.To block out enough light to allow for correct exposure at 24fps, you’ll need a neutral density (ND) filter – essentially a darkened filter that cuts out some of the light without affecting the colors.
You need the ND filter for the amount of light, which used to mean swapping between different strengths.For improved convenience, the variable ND (VND) filter has mostly taken over.Rotating a ring lets you move between different strengths.
The traditional way to fit a VND filter to an iPhone is to mount it in a cage (like this one from SmallRig) to which you can attach various accessories, including filters normally used on DSLRs.If you want to attach filters, then a less bulky approach is to use a case with a filter adapter, like this one from Neewer.But Moment – the firm best known for its add-on iPhone lenses – has just come up with the neatest solution yet.
Moment’s QuickLock VND Filter Instead of an adapter for camera VND filters, the company has designed one specifically for the iPhone 15 or 16 Pro or Pro Max.You’ll need one of the company’s cases, if you don’t already own one, but a case plus filter is still more affordable than most decent camera VND filters and adapters.The filter itself costs $85, and a case adds $59.
The same case also allows you to attach any Moment lens to your iPhone.That’s a cost-effective approach compared to cages and adapters, but more importantly it’s a super-sleek option that adds almost no bulk to your phone.The QuickLock system means that the filter (and two others) attaches directly to the camera bump on the Moment case.
Attaching and removing takes literally two seconds: press the button, push on/off, release the button.The filter offers a range of 2 to 7 stops of exposure.It’s not often the UK gets sunlight bright enough to push a VND filter to the limits, but the end of April brought exactly that weather – scorching sun, and not a cloud in the sky.
I took it out for a test shoot in the mid-afternoon, when the sun was high in the sky, and even shot directly into the light.I was able to confirm that even in these extreme conditions, the 7-stop maximum was enough to permit shooting at 24fps (albeit with the ISO dialled down to 54 when shooting toward the sun).Dialling in the required setting is as simple as turning the thumbwheel at the top of the filter.
The wheel is laser-etched with the strength settings, making it easy to see.A key advantage over my existing cage-based filter adapter is that, with the cage, I have to manually reposition the filter if I switch between the three iPhone lenses, as it only aligns with one at a time.With the Moment system, it covers all three lenses, so there’s nothing to adjust.
One of the drawbacks of using any filter is that the quality of your image is effectively reduced to that of the glass used for the filter.That’s less of an issue when shooting with an iPhone, but it’s still reassuring to know that the QuickLock VND Filter uses optical-quality Schott B270 glass.The frame is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, meaning its both light and strong.
Pricing and conclusions The total cost of $144 if you don’t already own a Moment case, or $85 if you do, compares favorably to other solutions.What you get for that price is the simplest, fastest, lightest, and most convenient VND filter ever made for an iPhone.This shoot was hands-down the easiest I’ve ever done using a VND filter.
I simply slipped the protective case into my jeans pocket, then when it was time for the shoot, clipped it to the iPhone case, dialled in the required setting, and was up and running in seconds.Even as someone who already has a cage-based setup, this is the VND I’m going to use in future.I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Check out the video below.The Moment QuickLock VND Filter is currently only available from the company’s website.Cases, lenses, and other accessories also are available in Moment’s Amazon store.
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