VIDEO KITS | Filmmaker
Gear & app suggestions for more advanced mobile video & filmmaking setups.
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WHO IS THIS FOR?
Indie filmmakers, YouTubers, vloggers, mobile journalists, documentary & travel filmmakers, corporate or real estate video creators, and serious video enthusiasts/hobbyists.
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WHAT DO WE RECOMMEND?
These kits include (or can include) everything in the Minimalist setups (check out those kits to add gear, as needed), but expands on those for more involved & professional scenarios including shooting in a studio or on location. If you're serious about video production it's a good idea to have multiple setups for different kinds of work. For example, you might use a Minimalist setup for a travel shoot and then a Filmmaker setup for a short film.
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Please note: These suggestions are the primary accessories you will need to shoot high-quality video on most jobs, but they are likely not everything you'll need as each shoot will be different and can require other gear.
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Below are different configurations with purchase links. These are suggestions based upon years of hands-on experience. And please note, many of these options could be mixed & matched within the different setups.
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FILMMAKER • SETUP #1
This can work with a variety of phone models:
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Note - if you have an iPhone 15 or 16 Pro/Max some of these items won't work (see optional list below).
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*Moment M-Series or Sandmarc Case (choose correct case for your phone)
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Beastgrip Pro (universal phone cage)
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Beastgrip 1.7x Pro Series Tele Lens (works great with 13 series or later iPhones)
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62mm-67mm Step-up Ring (for use with Tele lens and filter)
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Ulanzi Quick Release (for cage to tripod)
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Sachtler ACE XL Tripod System (full size)
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Sennheiser MKE 400 (camera mount mic)
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Apple 3.5mm to Lightning Adapter (for mic)
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FeiyuTech Scorp 2 Gimbal (heavy payload capacity)
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Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal (optional - also heavy payload capacity)
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FILMMAKER • SETUP #2
This can also work with a variety of phone models:
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*Moment M-Series or Sandmarc Case (choose correct case for your phone)
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Shoulderpod G2 (phone grip & tripod mount - might not be available - try here too)
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Moment or Sandmarc Lenses (*Tele, Wide and/or Anamorphic + ND filters)
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RODE SC15 (mic cable for iPhones)
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RODE SC16 (mic cable for Androids)
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E-Image Tripod System (full size)
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Ulanzi Quick Release (for grip to tripod)
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Which lenses to buy is a subjective call, so go with what you need, but regarding filters we'd suggest getting a 2-5 stop variable ND or get individual 3 to 5 stop solid ND filters. Polarizers and mist filters are useful too, but not mandatory like ND. And both Moment and Sandmarc have different ways to mount their filters to the lenses.
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*IMPORTANT NOTE: Moment M-Series cases are for iPhone 13 or earlier. If you have a 14 or later series device, then get a T-Series (and if you do that then the Moondog Filter Mount will not work, so consider a snap-on filter mount from Moment for your specific phone).
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FILMMAKER • SETUP #3
This will only work with the iPhone 13 or 14 Pro/Pro Max:
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PolarPro LiteChaser Pro for iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 (all-in-one case, grip/tripod mount and filter mount) - choose the Kit that includes a Variable ND filter
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Moment Lenses* (Tele, Wide and/or Anamorphic for iPhone 12 or 14 only using LiteChaser)
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Moondog Labs Multi-Camera Filter Mount (*optional for using other filter brands)
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RODE VideoMic NTG (shotgun mount mic)
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Apple 3.5mm to Lightning Adapter (for mic)
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Smallrig Cold Shoe Mount (for mic)
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FeiyuTech Scorp Mini (smaller setup, but nice payload capacity)
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*You can mount Moment lenses to the LiteChaser Pro 12 or 14 series models (which is great), but when you do you'll need to add a Moment ND filter mount as the PolarPro do not work on external lenses. Optionally, you could use the Moondog Lab Multi-Camera Filter Mount to use additional filters that you already own or that are not offered by PolarPro (but it does not work with third-party lenses).
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FILMMAKER • OPTIONS for iPhone 15 or 16 Pro/Max
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Sandmarc or Freewell Sherpa Case (any case will work, but these are good if you decide to add lenses later)
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Moment T-Series Case (nice option, but their lenses are hit or miss with the 15 series phones)
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Moment Snap-On Filter Mount (for T-Series case and 15 Pro/Max)
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USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter (for mic)
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USB-C 1TB SSD (for external recording)
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USB-C Hub (plug in multiple accessories)
Any of the other tripods or mics mentioned will work with the 15 or 16 series phones.
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LIGHTING
These are optional suggestions that can work for all setups depending on the job:
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Aputure MC RGB LED (portable)
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Falcon Eyes F7 Fold RGB (general purpose & portable)
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FalconEyes SO-28TD (small soft key or backlight)
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Falcon Eyes RX-24TDX II (large soft key, very portable too)
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Colbor CL220 (great COB light)
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VIDEO CAMERA APPS
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FiLMiC Pro (subscription)
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Protake (subscription)
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ALTERNATIVE & OPTIONAL GEAR
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Beastcage (choose correct model for your phone)
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Beastgrip DOF MK3 Adapter (add traditional lenses to an iPhone)
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Moondog Labs 37mm or Bayonet Mount Anamorphic (will work w/ Beastgrip or Moment)
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Smallrig Tabletop Tripod (holds lots of weight)
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BeastClamp (hand grip & tripod mount)
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58-67mm Step-Up Ring (for 67mm VND filter on some Beastgrip Pro Series lenses)
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Lighting to HDMI Adapter (for video monitor)
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USB-C to HDMI Adapter (for iPhone 15 video monitor)
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RODE AI-Micro (record 2 discrete analog mics into an iPhone)
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Deity V-Mic D3 (small on camera mic)
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For more gear suggestions be sure to check out the main Apps + Gear page
and/or the Buyer's Guides from the menu above.
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NEW TO MOBILE FILMMAKING?
Check out our Smartphone Cinematography 101 course
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We use affiliate links from Amazon, B&H and more for some of our suggestions. A small commission is paid to use for any sales which helps support our website and YouTube channel - and it costs you nothing extra. Thank you!​
