Are iPhone video cages OVERRATED? SmallRig x Brandon Li iPhone Video Kit - Videographer’s Reaction

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  • Опубликовано: 17 янв 2025

Комментарии • 120

  • @JadeSambrook
    @JadeSambrook 10 месяцев назад +4

    Being able to add a neutral density filter is the most importand part and that's where cages come in super handy.

  • @PatrickMastersProductions
    @PatrickMastersProductions 10 месяцев назад +5

    I love this rig. Between this and the Black Magic camera app and the ability to stack magnetic filters, it can't be beat. I also picked up a couple of the new Smallrig Universal cages and I have so much versatility no matter what phone I use to shoot on (iPhone 15 Pro Max and Sony Xperia 1 V). Great content. Please keep up the great work.

  • @x1928
    @x1928 10 месяцев назад +14

    I literally have a magsafe magnet glued to a 2TB SSD and just slap it to the back of my phone for practicality

  • @perfect10bootcamps
    @perfect10bootcamps 9 месяцев назад +4

    Great review... I'm sold! The reviews on Amazon are equally as complimentary, so this definitely seems like a game changer. You have a new follower today Calin, Thank you brother!

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  9 месяцев назад +1

      Bro you won’t regret it. I stopped using my gimbal entirely for smartphone shoots and use this exclusively with the black magic app

  • @Mr_Kenneth
    @Mr_Kenneth 9 месяцев назад +4

    The VND lets light and reflections in ftom the lrft side.

  • @Dance_Inside
    @Dance_Inside 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thanks, cool information! Bought it just after your video, got ensured this is a thing I've needed.

  • @proartwork7189
    @proartwork7189 8 месяцев назад +2

    I just bought it this morning before discovering your channel. What made me buy it was the fact that the VND filter is also a polarizer. Not many people know bout it.

  • @920flxers
    @920flxers 6 месяцев назад

    Make a pre set

  • @iamVinnyK
    @iamVinnyK 10 месяцев назад +1

    As a Resolve user and recent 15 Pro Max owner, I appreciate your thorough breakdown of the BM app!

  • @HowardRichter
    @HowardRichter 2 месяца назад

    Thanks I have been debating this for some time.

  • @jacquesgude
    @jacquesgude 11 месяцев назад +2

    I've been tempted, since this was initially released, to order one. What has kept me from doing so, thus far, is the fact that one cannot mount both a VND and a Black Pro Mist filter at the same time. I've searched high and low for a workable solution for this particular rig, with no success. Welcome suggestions as I'll likely still order the Brandon Li SmallRig for my 15 Pro Max.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад +1

      I wonder if there’s an adaptor to a larger regular camera filter you can buy… let me look into this.

  • @UraFlight
    @UraFlight 11 месяцев назад +1

    Very nice informative review. Thanks for sharing this with us. Can I mount this cage somehow to my main camera cage and use it as a second camera ?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      Absolutely, you’d just need to buy the right attachment.

  • @ARAW-__-
    @ARAW-__- 7 месяцев назад +1

    Very helpful video ! It convinced me to go for that kind of cage as well. Initially I was going for the Neewer cage but the quick switch handles are much appreciated.
    Do you have experience with shiftcam or freewell phone lenses ?

  • @2kime
    @2kime 3 месяца назад

    I have an iphone 15, so is a cage usefull?

  • @jessejae5820
    @jessejae5820 Год назад +1

    I bought this cage ffor my iPhone 15 promax, and I can say its also my go to for my mobile video shoots.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      It’s such a great tool. Hands down best phone accessory i think I’ve ever purchased

  • @saheb00
    @saheb00 8 месяцев назад

    will there be something similar released for the new iPhone because I'm waiting

  • @ceeze9923
    @ceeze9923 11 месяцев назад +1

    I bought that rig and i ended up securing 5 video contract. Just letting you know that the camera / video button detaches for remote use.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      Woah love that.
      And yes! I realized I forgot that part after filming. Such a great feature

  • @josephchan0749
    @josephchan0749 11 месяцев назад +1

    Can this kit allow to stack an additional CPL filter on the VND filter?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      That’s a good question. I don’t have any other filters this size to test that on unfortunately. I’ll see what I can find out

    • @anativ63
      @anativ63 Месяц назад

      @@calincharles I have seen video, where they stocked three on top each other. The lenses are magnetic and hold that way.

  • @artoflifefilmsuk
    @artoflifefilmsuk 5 месяцев назад

    What's the difference between the Brandon Li and the regular black Smallrig cage, apart from the colour and the signature?

  • @Christellezphoto
    @Christellezphoto Год назад +1

    Great Review on something I probably never would have considered before this!

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      Haha thanks man. Yeah honestly this kit is SO handy. I 100% Will use it all the time

  • @paulengle5784
    @paulengle5784 11 месяцев назад +1

    This looks so much more secure/safer than SmallRig's universal smartphone camera cage, which was a nightmare to build out.
    Most product usage pictures of iPhone camera cages show a microphone and/or light attached, but few of them seem to show a battery AND SSD. You need an external ssd to shoot log/pro res raw, and you'll need a battery if you want to shoot for a while.
    Right now I think a Beastgrip or Beastcage would most likely be the best for that.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад +1

      Tbh imo anyone using ProRes log footage is making BIG mistakes.
      The file sizes are GIGANTIC. Like 12 GB/minute of footage on 4k 60fps.
      I use h.265 Apple log on blackmagic cam app, and get amazing quality footage with a fraction of the file size. 4K60 Apple log is only like 400mb for a minute.

    • @paulengle5784
      @paulengle5784 11 месяцев назад

      ​@@calincharles An excellent point, and H265 allows you to record for a very long time without the need for an SSD.
      I know ProRes 422 will edit cleaner with the trade off of massive files. Does choosing the HEVC (H.265) codec give you the same chroma subsampling performance?

    • @Attya-y2y
      @Attya-y2y 3 месяца назад

      @@paulengle5784 There are a few videos on youtube that compare H.265 log with Apple ProRes log.
      For example the video Apple LOG h.265 vs ProRes 422 HQ by TLDR Filmmaker
      Most of these usually conclude that there is little to no differences in the image quality post-grading, and the only advantage in ProRes files resides in the fact that it's easier to handle for your computer during edit (but only really matters if you have a slow computer, I guess?) and also no quality loss when exporting and re-exporting the file multiple times (for example in a professional project where the file has to jump from one specialist to the other)
      In other words, in most situations it's just better to have the file size of the H.265

  • @patricksparkscatt
    @patricksparkscatt 2 месяца назад

    I just wish they offered his version in the regular 15 Pro instead exclusively for the 15 Pro Max

  • @neilmusician1143
    @neilmusician1143 10 месяцев назад

    Can this rig fit for Iphone 14 pro max?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  10 месяцев назад +1

      It’s made specifically for the 15 pro max. Not sure if they’re the same size or not. I’m guessing not since this one has the 5x tele lens.
      SmallRig does make other more universally compatible bodies though

    • @neilmusician1143
      @neilmusician1143 10 месяцев назад +1

      @@calincharles Thanks for reply. Universal rigs does not have perfect lens mount for Moment lens.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  10 месяцев назад

      @@neilmusician1143 I had a Sandmarc case + lens for this phone, and the universal rig I had was big enough to hold the phone with the case

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  10 месяцев назад

      @@neilmusician1143 just checked and they have something called “phone cages & kits for the iPhone 14 series” on their website that seems to have the backplane with screw mounts

  • @paulghosts
    @paulghosts 9 месяцев назад

    can this thing work on android phones as well

    • @IAMTALLBOY
      @IAMTALLBOY 8 месяцев назад

      Just came from NAB & met Small Rig they have a universal rig that he shows in 13:12 mark... Brandon Li small rig collab the phone slides in the cage. Where as universal doesn't

  • @lamarsheridan6030
    @lamarsheridan6030 11 месяцев назад

    Thanks Calin , great video.

  • @f1remandg
    @f1remandg 7 месяцев назад

    Very good very imnformative and I agree about the lens sizes even one that is threaded like Neewer

  • @catkittlitz6341
    @catkittlitz6341 Год назад +1

    WOW this will be so great for my short form projects

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      It honestly will be. Such great UGC application

  • @fernandosanz1369
    @fernandosanz1369 9 месяцев назад

    Thanks a lot for the video.
    My question: for indoor basketball shooting, would you recommend this Rig or a gimbal?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  9 месяцев назад +1

      Depends on the shooting style you want. If you’re going to have to be courtside… probably gimbal? Just cause running movement will be smoother. If you’re making basketball hype vids where you can be on court, then this rig

    • @fernandosanz1369
      @fernandosanz1369 9 месяцев назад

      @@calincharles Courtside definetly, talking about profesional games. But I won't be running along the court, probably staying close to the basket for some action shots.

  • @CesarLeon
    @CesarLeon 11 месяцев назад

    Only problem is that one of the handles gets in the way when you’re trying to connect an ssd

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад +1

      Didn’t think of that. But you’re right. You’d either have to only shoot vertical, one handled, or (probably the best option) pick up a super small usbc cord. I have one that I think could fit even with the handle there 🤔 though it is very short.
      Gonna have to test this out. Honestly, I feel like the more worth while add-on would be a MagSafe wireless power bank. If you film in h.265 you really don’t need the Ssd

  • @gothamfotografia
    @gothamfotografia 11 месяцев назад

    Did you figure out a way to keep dust off the lens when the cage is on? For me since I carry my iphone with me everywhere, each time I want to take a photo or video, I have to remove the iphone from the cage and wipe the dust off, even with the filter attached. That is really annoying.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      I typically only have the cage on when shooting. So haven’t run into that problem yet.

  • @AvrilLees
    @AvrilLees Год назад

    Can you tell me where the battery is please

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      The battery for Bluetooth button?

    • @AvrilLees
      @AvrilLees Год назад

      @@calincharles yes the battery for the Bluetooth button

    • @andrewphillipsphotography3586
      @andrewphillipsphotography3586 Год назад

      Is it rechargeable?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      @@andrewphillipsphotography3586 no, but it takes a basic CR2032 V3 battery. Easy to pick up.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад +1

      @@AvrilLees there’s 4 screws on the removable camera button that slides off the side arm. Unscrew those 4 screws and there’s a CR2032 3V battery underneath you can easily replace.

  • @palmaestudio1381
    @palmaestudio1381 7 месяцев назад

    Hi! can you use M or T series lenses with this cage? is there any lens that can be used with the system without accesories? thanks a lot!

  • @GlobalShutterNY
    @GlobalShutterNY 5 месяцев назад

    Can you mount a MagSafe SSD with the cage on- I think it might be blocked (which would be a deal killer unfortunately)?

  • @mattaldrich7660
    @mattaldrich7660 10 месяцев назад

    Does these cages work for EDC?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  10 месяцев назад

      It’s a bit bulky with the handles to fit in a pocket. Would easily fit in a small bag if you carry one

  • @jeroenzoujewelwillenweten8284
    @jeroenzoujewelwillenweten8284 13 дней назад

    The problem with cages is that you must take it out of the case. Since I was robbed of my phone and the police advised me to always use a strap on your wrist or neck I do not like it to take it out off my Otterbox with straps. Think about it you have a lot of money in your hand! Several times a week people have their phone stolen by grabbing it out of their hands.The handles look awesome to have more control of your phone.Now searching for a solution.

  • @davidpowerfns
    @davidpowerfns 2 месяца назад

    hi there. is it true you can't fit a magsafe power bank while using ND filters?
    also isn't there lightbleed from behind?
    thx

  • @iammikebecerra
    @iammikebecerra 4 месяца назад

    The magnetic nd filter does cover up the back face camera microphone so be aware of this it will ruin your audio. I recommend using an external microphone

  • @Reader_L
    @Reader_L 11 месяцев назад

    Great video! With the cage, is it compatible to be mounted on a gimbal like the DJI RS 3 mini? Does it allow plenty of options for different lenses?
    I am torn between this cage or the beast grip iPhone cage. I need a cage which will allow for the phone to be attached to a gimbal and to attach a variety of lens / ND filters and a SSD device.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      Hmmm I’ve never tried mounting my phone to the RS3 Mini. I think ive always assumed it would be too light.
      You can buy different mount plates for this cage to allow for lenses.
      Out of curiosity, what would be the incentive of connecting to a larger gimbal?

    • @Reader_L
      @Reader_L 11 месяцев назад +1

      @@calincharles to hopefully one day get a camera it’s designed for such as the Sony A7 series everyone is banging on about.
      I recently got a drone and want to compliment the drone footage with normal handheld footage but can only afford to enhance the iPhone for now and think maybe it’s putting my best foot forwards with a decent cage, ND filter and gimbal

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      @@Reader_L honestly, I’d ditch the lenses personally if you’ve got the pro or pro max. Just film on the 24mm or 48mm primarily. Use black magic cam app, and if you want that “mist effect” you could always buy software like dehancer where you can get “bloom” effect.
      I gotta be honest, the log h.265 footage im recording in black magic cam is pretty amazing and I’d say comparable to Sony footage.
      I have some lenses and I find the iPhone tries to regularly switch to other lenses when screwed in, so you get a black screen. Also find that it just doesn’t feel as good when you’re shooting video. The lenses I’d say mainly benefit photos on the iPhone

    • @Reader_L
      @Reader_L 11 месяцев назад

      @@calincharles good to hear! I tried so hard to look for lenses I was confident would enhance my videos but there’s so many options and they’re all contradicting reviews so I thought ND filter and gimbal will assist me enough. I’m overseas at the moment so got till April to do my research. Which is helpful as I’m usually trigger happy to buy things. I’ve got decent laptop and Final Cut Pro with motion. Got the Blackmagic app downloaded but not used it much. Do you have any other recommendations or ND filter recommendations? I think I’ll likely go for the beast grip cage for iPhone 15 PM

  • @KaioshinAemi
    @KaioshinAemi 11 месяцев назад +1

    It looks cool and look more serious about filming., but it doesn’t give any better quality or better stabilization. It just giving you a secure holding your iPhone.

    • @joshuaoh912
      @joshuaoh912 11 месяцев назад +2

      But it’s also giving you attachment points?

  • @reigndavis7930
    @reigndavis7930 7 месяцев назад

    Great rig love everything about it but it is not good when trying to plug in your dpi mic 2 because the age is to long and thick (pause) and the hot shoe mount doesn't fit the dji receive sliding in. Other than that it was good and fun to work with . I love the colors I love can switch the handles. But I was annoyed that I couldn't plug my receiver In the rig. Luckily bluetooth change all of that for me and it up and running smooth.

  • @KriticullCTRL
    @KriticullCTRL 11 месяцев назад +1

    No one should be using the DJI osmo gimbal if they want to have more than just the phone. It isn’t strong enough to support more than the phone with a lens. Definitely need to use something bigger.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      Forsure. Definitely not the tool if you want a large mic or anything. But for most barebones phone filming it’s pretty great.

    • @Jesseleerealmusic
      @Jesseleerealmusic 10 месяцев назад

      Any recommendations?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  10 месяцев назад

      @@Jesseleerealmusic for what?

  • @CanadaRandom
    @CanadaRandom Год назад +1

    Very Nice!

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад +1

      It’s a pretty cool little production rig and I’ve been loving using the black magic cam app

  • @xavierpierre1676
    @xavierpierre1676 9 месяцев назад

    hows it like shooting at 1250 have you found more latitude when editing or problem cleaning up noise

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  9 месяцев назад +1

      After some testing in the field, I don’t put this into practice. I’d rather drop the dynamic range and have a cleaner final image tbh

  • @guiadeniteroi
    @guiadeniteroi 9 месяцев назад

    Which cage do you recommend for iphone 14 pro max?? I have om6 also, but it's not the same...i want to alsp buy a rig, but don't know which one... 😢 smallrig?? Other one?

  • @paulnbrenda358
    @paulnbrenda358 11 месяцев назад

    Unfortunately Brandon’s cage doesn’t fit iPhone 14 Pro. Recently took trip to the EU. I use a minalist cine rig. I use the iPhone for back up
    So prevent theft and losing my phone or dropping it off a cliff I used the smallrig cage.
    What I found is that the magnetic lens filter stinks. Lost it the first day! The phone is now unprotected on the back with the cage and now it’s all scratched up and just lost a lot of money for trade in!

  • @DasOrlando
    @DasOrlando 8 месяцев назад

    Hey! thanks for this review! :D I was wondering if there exists adaptors for another brand lenses like the Beastgrip anamorphic 1.33x mk2 to use it with SmallRig's mount. Thx again, nice channel :)

  • @amadefortvmovie
    @amadefortvmovie 8 месяцев назад

    Does anyone have the issue when using the ND on the widest lense you get light leaks coming through the gap in the magnetic filter and also you see the edge of the filter - and the filter mount doesn't quite fit properly

  • @musicaqueinspira2437
    @musicaqueinspira2437 11 месяцев назад

    I have the iPhone 15 Pro Max and use the Blackmagic Camera app with all the specifications I've seen in this tutorial and others. However, my videos always have grain, and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I understand it might be due to low light in the places I'm recording, but almost all the material has grain. Can you help me improve this? Thank you in advance

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      The more I do it, the more I feel like the suggestion I’ve heard about the 1250 iso isn’t always the best setting. I often will shoot lower iso now if I can.

    • @musicaqueinspira2437
      @musicaqueinspira2437 11 месяцев назад

      @@calincharles I have tried with different ISOs and settings, but the footage still looks grainy. Is there anything I can do, or do you think it's just a problem with my phone?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад

      @@musicaqueinspira2437 hmm I’m not sure honestly. I’ve had some pretty clean results most times. Are you dialing in your exposure correctly?

  • @HatefYaminiOnline
    @HatefYaminiOnline 11 месяцев назад +2

    Great review! Thank you. Subscribed. For what it’s worth, would have appreciated a lower volume on the background music. It was very distracting.

  • @lockdownfilms1057
    @lockdownfilms1057 11 месяцев назад

    The main reason I have a cage is to be able to add lenses and mount my DJI wireless mic receiver.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  11 месяцев назад +1

      there's enough cold shoe attachments it shouldn't be an issue for the mic. The availability of additional base plates to accommodate lenses is also a cool add-on. they're pretty affordable as well.

  • @BrianHill
    @BrianHill Год назад

    Since this is a getting started product, could you please recommend a getting started shotgun mic and a getting started external storage option that plays well with this rig, including how you would attach and cable the mic and drive? I heard you mention a Rode shotgun at 9:48, so I guess I will start there. For the external storage is an SD holder a good getting started option? Or should one start with an external SSD, like a Samsung T5?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  Год назад

      Rode wireless go ii is also valuable.
      Get a Ssd that has usbc 3.2 or usbc4 transfer speeds.
      There are also SSD’s and external power banks that connect via MagSafe which is why they left the back open. Though my knowledge on them is limited

  • @kallepernu9251
    @kallepernu9251 8 месяцев назад

    1250 iso? Really?

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  8 месяцев назад +1

      You know, that’s what everyone was reporting, but I feel like I’ve used it and I feel like the grain is too much for me. Maybe it offers the most dynamic range, but I feel like it’s not worth the grain

    • @kallepernu9251
      @kallepernu9251 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@calincharles i also watched a video where recommended iso was 1600…that sensor size it must be super grainy. Prefer sticking to lower ones

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  8 месяцев назад

      @@kallepernu9251 same

    • @kallepernu9251
      @kallepernu9251 8 месяцев назад

      Bought the case. Otherwise ok BUT the filter is visible in the frame with wide angle lens 🤷‍♂️

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  8 месяцев назад

      @@kallepernu9251 not if you twist it into the correct position. You should be able to move the filter mount until it disappears. The only thing I’ve noticed has been a weird slight light distortion on top left of view while filming in bright light.

  • @MrPureblaque100
    @MrPureblaque100 20 дней назад

    I don’t like it it has no protection for the back. It looks cool, but I wouldn’t waste my money. If you drop your phone, it could break the glass on the back I think they have better out of there.

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  19 дней назад

      @@MrPureblaque100 it’s raised around the edges. Wouldn’t hit the ground if you dropped it.

  • @gerasimosioardanitis5494
    @gerasimosioardanitis5494 7 месяцев назад

    Can you use this with iPhone 15 PLUS?? its 1mm diff in size from each side. but what about the lens cut outs.

  • @lillyinthefield2787
    @lillyinthefield2787 9 месяцев назад

    YOU SAID we dont need the pro res option and a ssd drive just use the blackmagic app but. how do we keep from filling up all the phones storage ??? how do we get the footage off phone and to our MacBook??? anyhelp. im totally
    newbie mode???👍

    • @calincharles
      @calincharles  9 месяцев назад

      I think i mentioned that the H.265 (vs prores) is only around 400MB/minute of footage vs the 12GB per minute with the prores. It doesn't fill up your storage very fast.
      2, you plug in an external SSD to your phone, transfer the media in the black magic cam app to your external ssd, and then plug in that SSD to your computer and bring the media files over.

  • @spadeofspades
    @spadeofspades 7 месяцев назад

    Universal rigs are more practical, because of iPhones are not the same every year.

  • @Luka_Film
    @Luka_Film 3 месяца назад

    А вот это недоразумение универсальную клетку для телефонов видел ?