Mobile Phone Video and Photography Rig

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Did you know you can create all types of videos from tutorials to cinematic films using your mobile phones? Mobile phone technology has come a long way in the past 5 years. Specifically, the quality of recording videos and taking photographs. To the naked eye, it’s hard to tell the difference. Take a look at the following side by side comparison.  Take a guess which was shot on iPhone and which was on my DSLR. I’ll give you the answer at the end.

When it comes to traveling, taking my DSLR gear and equipment can be cumbersome. Although taking everything would be great, I realized that I can get great quality photos and video on my mobile phone. I transitioned to using the phone to record tutorials, film short stories and for vlogging.  There are different setups I use for each type of video. Each one is effective and easy to use!Want to know which gear I use? Keep reading to see the setups in different budgets.

Handheld Rig (Approximately $82.84)

One of the first rigs I started using was this handheld rig.  This works great for taking selfies or recording yourself. It’s a combination of The Shoulder Pod and a lavalier microphone. The Shoulder comes with a strap and weighted handle to help keep phone stable. In addition, you can remove the weight and mount it on a tripod if you desire. Check out the Mobile Recording Setup video of the handheld rig using a tripod.

© Shoulderpod 2014

© Shoulderpod 2014

The lavalier microphone improves the quality of audio while recording. I help keep ambient noise under control while giving clear sharp voices.

Use this setup to record videos in your native camera app as well as other apps such as Flipgrid, Apple Clips and Periscope.

Stationary Rig ($128.88 - 168.88)

There are times when you need to have your hands free to record a video. I have done that on many occasions. This setup fits the bill. It uses the components from the handheld rig in addition to a low profile base.  There are two options for bases, the Platypod Ultra and Platypod Max. EIther one will work to either set up on a tabletop or wrap around a pole.

© Platypod 2018

© Platypod 2018

To help hold the Shoulder Pod mounted on the Platypods, attach it to a ball head.  I picked this Giottos Mini Ball Head up on Amazon. I’ve had this one for about two years and it has held up extremely well. So here’s how the rig looks like.

Use this setup to record videos in your native camera app and other apps such as Adobe Spark Video, Apple Clips, ChatterPix and Periscope.

The Friendmaker Rig ($428.89)

This last setup is the pièce de résistance of my rigs. It’s the one used for the majority of my mobile video and photography shoots. Works great for vlogging and going live on Periscope, Facebook Live, YouTube Live and other platforms. It’s also the setup I use to film videos for short stories or cinematic projects using an app called FilMiCPro.  It gives me full manual control over all camera functions.So why “The Friendmaker” moniker? I took this rig to SXSWEdu in Austin this past March. As I walked around recording video for vlogs or snapping pictures, people stopped me to inquire about the rig. My buddy, Jesús Sanchéz, said I was making many friends every time I shared information about the rig.  So the name stuck! The Friendmaker is made up of the following gear. The central piece to is the Beastgrip camera rig system. This modular rig system lets you add lenses and plenty more accessories. Use these adapters to make connecting ball heads easier. It sits on top of the Joby GorillaPod, a compact tripod that can be manipulated in many positions. Instead of using the lavalier microphone, which you can surely use, I use the Rode VideoMicro. This microphone helps capture audio whenever I’m interviewing others or vlogging. Be sure to use this adapter to improve sound on iPhones or iPads.Here's an itemized breakdown of "The Friendmaker":

To help improve videos shot indoors or in low-light environments, use an external light source. Check out the comparison between no light and added light to a recording booth in following images.

Using an external light source could be the difference between looking like the Hulk (left) or Bruce Banner (right)! I use the Peaklite LED Panel with accompanying mini ball head. It’s about the size of a business card and battery life last about 2 hours in maximum settings. Check out this YouTube video on The Friendmaker.[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkvrxtJRPvI[/embedyt]Use this setup to record videos in your native camera app as well as other apps such asFlipgrid, Apple Clips, Adobe Spark Video, ChatterPix and many more.And there you have it! Three different mobile phone rigs for recording video and taking photos. Any of these will greatly improve the quality of your images and videos. You can obviously pick and choose between the three. Think of it as a starting point. Good luck!Oh, I almost forgot. Which the picture challenge. The first one was from my DSLR and the second one was from my iPhone! All images by Claudio Zavala Jr. except wrote noted.

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