Shooting with an iPhone? Enhance Optics and Ergonomics with these Accessories!

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by Fabian ChaundyAugust 8^th, 2017

If you’re shooting with an iPhone, the Ztylus Switch 6 offers six quick-swappable lenses, while Cinebody mimics retro Super 8mm ergonomics.

If you’re part of the growing number of filmmakers shooting with an  iPhone, chances are you are in the market for accessories that will make your life a little easier. Here are a couple of products that will give you a little more flexibility when shooting.

Ztylus Switch 6

The Switch 6 from Ztylus Innovations is a case for the iPhone 7 Plus that features a slot under the phone’s dual camera that allows you to mount a sled of six lenses. You can click the sled into any of the three dual-lens positions for various results, giving you choice of 180-degree fisheye, 2x Telephoto, 120-degree wide angle, 10x macro, a whooping 20x macro as well as the iPhone’s native lens.

With its ergonomic design, the case itself also gives you a better grip on your phone, as well as offering an eyelet for a camera strap.

The Ztylus Switch 6 is available from Amazon for $49.95.

Although it seems like an ideal and inexpensive solution for photo and video shooters in search of a versatile way to quickly change focal lengths, it still relies on you holding your phone out in front of you in a way that can lead to rather shaky footage. Read on if you feel like changing your filming paradigm…

Cinebody

Cinebody S6

The Cinebody S6 is an all-in-one rig for your iPhone 6/6S that draws inspiration from old-school Super 8mm cameras – pistol grip and all. A lens at the front and a mirror system pointed directly at the iPhone camera means that you can slot in your phone lengthways, while at the same time providing a viewfinder for monitoring the image. This makes it ideal if your are going to be shooting with an iPhone in bright daylight, as well as giving you an additional point of contact for added stability.

The Cinebody S6 also features a Rec Start/Stop button that works by plugging the included cable to your iPhone’s 3.5mm jack. The rig also features a cold shoe to mount accessories on top, and there are also optional telephoto and wide-angle lenses to achieve a different field of view.

The Cinebody S6 is available from Amazon.com for $100.00.

If you have an iPhone 7, Cinebody are working on the H7, a seemingly more modern, Bluetooth-capable model that’s based around the form factor of a camcorder with a flip-out screen. In this case, although you also slot in the iPhone lengthways as with the S6, you have flip it out in order to use the phone itself as a screen. In addition to a hand strap for better ergonomics, the H7 also features a cold shoe, support for a hand grip and swappable lenses.

Cinebody H7

The Cinebody H7 will be available soon for $149.99. Please note that the additional lenses are not included in either of these Cinebody products, and are available as optional extras. Also, Cinebody seems to currently only be selling in the US.

Both Cinebody systems work in tandem with the Cinebody app, which gives you a simple way to adjust exposure, focus, frame rate and resolution, as well as effect controls such as slow motion and Creative Modes.

Shooting with an iPhone can already be considered an art form in itself. With the likes of Michel Gondry already producing stunning results, it’s a format that is clearly gaining momentum. Our very own Richard Lackey is a great proponent of smartphone filmmaking, and his articles are always full of knowledge bombs if you are interested in this field. Make sure to check out this article for 10 tips on how to do it right. 

What are your favourite accessories for shooting with an iPhone? Let us know in the comments below!