Turning Your iPhone Into an ideal-8-fashion camera Is extra sensible Than It Sounds

for those who ever desire a taste of progress, look at a digicam from the previous decade. The camera in my 2015 iPhone shoots with virtually seven times the decision and four instances the body rate of the hulking, skilled grade gear I used 10 years in the past. however one thing used to be misplaced in the translation—the ergonomics.

to start with blush, the Lumenati CS1—a giant iPhone case that wraps your cellphone inside a chassis inspired by Kodak’s 1965 super eight digital camera—would possibly appear to be the quintessential nerd-bait Kickstarter marketing campaign, a backwards-taking a look add-on constructed completely of nostalgia. but actually, it’s a project that objectives to interchange the whole lot misplaced when filmmaking bought miniaturized.

“The ergonomics are simply all flawed. The instrument is designed for texting and talking,” explains Lumenati CEO Scott McDonald. “we are all aware of the dreaded vertical video that phones encourage. we’re on a mission to stop that.”

In flip, the CS1 transforms your iPhone into a full fledged digital camera. An iPhone slips into the injection-molded plastic of the CS1 body. From there, it can be held with a secure pistol grip, roll video with the pull of a set off, and grasp mics and lights through a normal-sized “chilly shoe” mount on top.

“We spent the extra design time to make sure we ended up with a product that isn’t just a toy, and holds up to our standards as filmmakers,” McDonald promises. “It just feels right whilst you dangle one.”

but the best development comes is in optics. A reflect system throughout the CS1 lets you see what your cellphone is capturing via a viewfinder that blocks out the sun. The CS1 additionally redirects your iPhone’s lens thru a sequence of swappable, 58mm lenses that connect to the entrance of the body.

Theoretically, the CS1 will will let you preview what you’re capturing better than an iPhone permits—particularly all the way through the day—while the use of good lenses to punch up the cinematographic impact. yet optics are the place Lumenati’s claims get a little bit foggy. firms like Canon and Nikon have spent decades learning mirrored optics and the physics of sunshine. while the CS1 for sure looks like an more straightforward approach to shoot professional-degree video, whether or not or not a crew of filmmakers have the technical and manufacturing comprehend-the best way to mass produce a excessive-finish optical product is another question.

The Lumenati CS1 is on Kickstarter lately, starting at $199.

Pre-order it here.

An past draft of this article talked about a “sizzling shoe” mount when the CS1 has a “chilly shoe” mount—which means it would not provide energy to mics and lights.