Take Professional Videos with iPhone: Blackmagic Camera Tutorial

It's possible to take professional videos with an iPhone by using the Blackmagic Cam app and store them in external storage devices like P10/P10 Plus to keep internal phone storage free for efficient task performance. 

Shooting high-quality videos is only possible with bulky DSLR or cinema cameras. If you think the same, you have to change your mind because you are living in a digital age where your iPhone, paired with the right tools, can work as your best camera.

From making YouTube videos and vlogs to travel content, your iPhone is your biggest companion in fulfilling your job. The iPhone can perform many tasks but the biggest challenge is to understand how to use it for quality results and manage the big video files it produces.

Aiffro takes you on a journey of using the Blackmagic Cam app to shoot professional-looking videos with your iPhone. Saving big files is challenging, and we will discuss how the Aiffro P10 and P10 Plus SSDs solve the common problem of running out of this storage.

Why the iPhone is Great for Professional Video

Modern iPhones are a mini alternative to professional cameras as they have powerful camera sensors. They can record in 4K and offer multiple frame rates to give quality results, just like DSLR offers. The feature of allowing shooting slow motion while recording in cinematic mode with your iPhone is more astonishing. The iPhone 

has everything that a videographer needs for shooting high quality and professional videos. It removes the need to carry bulky cameras and allows users to take their iPhones at any moment from their pocket and start capturing professional visuals without any hassle. For quality working and saving these digital assets, if you have the right app and storage solution you can use your iPhone like a pro-level video camera. 

Which will be the right application for such pro-level video recording? 

Blackmagic Cam app has every type of setting that a professional requires to set for getting pro-level video recording results. 

Blackmagic Cam App

The Blackmagic Cam app is a free camera app by Blackmagic Design, the same company that makes professional video cameras. The app brings DSLR-style manual control to the iPhone and gives users full power over their footage. Some of its notable features are:

• It allows users full manual control over ISO, white balance, focus, and shutter speed
• 10-bit Apple ProRes recording support
• Real-time histogram and audio levels
• Clean user interface similar to Blackmagic's cinema cameras
• Direct upload to Blackmagic Cloud

All these features make your iPhone act more like a mini-cinema camera. Don't forget the storage issue created when the users record high-quality formats like ProRes to get professional-grade results.

The problem of iPhone Storage Filling Up Fast 

Users mostly record in 4K or ProRes for professional-looking results, but the resultant file size is always big and takes up a lot of space. Even a few minutes of video can eat up gigabytes, which means an iPhone can run out of space quickly when users are multitasking.

The iPhones have mostly 256GB or 512GB storage space, which is not enough to store large files as users mostly download and install important applications for various tasks, which are also too heavy to slow down their smartphone's working. 

Users can transfer their files to their laptop and cloud to free up space in their phones but this is a hassle during traveling or when you have no access to the right devices. At such a point, the problem of storage is possible to solve with the help of fast, reliable external SSD like Aiffro's P10/P10 Plus. 

Aiffro P10 and P10 Plus: Fast, Portable Storage for Creators

The Aiffro P/P10 Plus are ultra-fast, compact SSDs designed for creators who shoot on iPhones and other mobile devices.

Aiffro P10 MagSafe Portable SSD 

• Available in up to 2TB storage
• Speeds up to 2000MB/s for quick file transfers
• MagSafe-compatible magnetic back attaches securely to iPhone
• Works via Type-C to Lightning adapter for iPhones
• Small, lightweight, easy to carry

Users recording long interviews or B-roll for a travel vlog, this SSD gives you peace of mind that your phone won't run out of space in the middle of a shoot.

Aiffro P10 Plus Lightning SSD 

• Ones with dual-port design: Lightning and Type-C
• Plug-and-play with iPhones, iPads, and even cameras
• Supports direct file access—no extra software needed
• Magnetic attachment keeps it steady during handheld filming
• Sleek design matches your iPhone aesthetics

Both drives are built for professionals but easy enough for beginners to use. And because of the high-speed performance, you can transfer huge files to your laptop or desktop in seconds. If you want to keep them in your SSDs, it's fine just record videos in your Blackmagic Cam app with your iPhone and directly store them in your external storage devices to keep your phone's internal storage free. 

How to Set Up Blackmagic Cam with Aiffro P10/P10 Plus

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to shoot and store your professional videos using the Blackmagic Cam app and Aiffro SSDs.

Step 1: Install Blackmagic Cam App

• Go to the App Store and search for “Blackmagic Camera.”
• Download and install the app.
• Open it and allow all permissions (camera, mic, storage)

Step 2: Adjust Video Settings in the App

• Choose resolution: 1080p, 4K, or 4K DCI
• Set frame rate (24fps for cinematic, 60fps for smooth)
• Choose codec: Apple ProRes (for highest quality)
• Set white balance manually if needed
• Lock exposure and focus for consistent shots

Step 3: Connect Aiffro P10 or P10 Plus

• Use the USB Type-C or Lightning cable to connect the P10/P10 Plus SSD to your iPhone.
• For MagSafe-enabled models like iPhones, the SSDs attach magnetically to the back of your phone.
• You’ll see the drive appear in the Files app.
• Start recording videos directly to your internal storage, and after recording, move your footage to the SSD instantly.
• Users can also select P10/P10 Plus SSD as the primary and direct recording destination in the Blackmagic Cam app settings. 

Tip: You can even shoot multiple takes and then offload each one right after without worrying about storage limits.

Shooting Tips for Better Video with iPhone + Blackmagic Cam

You have the best smartphone with the best filming application and the most efficient P10/P10 SSD. Still, you need to shoot smartly by applying some practical tips:

• Use a tripod or a gimbal for stable shots
• Manual focus is your friend, avoid autofocus hunts, but you can if you carefully select the settings
• Users can use a softbox or natural light to avoid harsh shadows
• You can record clean audio using an external mic when possible
• Know your angles, movement, and scene before recording

Best Blackmagic Camera App Settings for iPhone 15 Pro (Apple Log Filming Guide)

Aiffro already discussed the storage problems and large file sizes of videos captured by the Blackmagic Camera App, which P10/P10 Plus SSD solves. It's time to reveal the trick of making high-quality videos with great dynamic range with the Blackmagic Cam app but in a smaller size. The Blackmagic Camera App allows more control than the default Camera app and lets you shoot in Apple Log with smaller file sizes and amazing quality. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the best settings to use:

Step 1: Choose the Right Video Codec

• Open the Blackmagic Camera App
• Tap the Settings (gear icon)
• Under "Codec," choose HEVC H.265 10-bit

Why this matters:

This setting gives you near-ProRes quality with only about 5% of the file size. You can pick ProRes 422 when you're shooting with a green screen or need extreme color accuracy.

Step 2: Set Resolution and Color Space

• In the same Settings menu:
  • Set Resolution to 4K
  • Set Color Space to Apple Log

Why this matters:

Apple Log reduces artificial sharpening and gives your footage more dynamic range, which helps in editing and color grading.

Step 3: Lock White Balance

• Tap the WB icon (White Balance) on the main camera screen
• Manually set and lock the white balance (For daylight, a good starting point is 5500K)

Why this matters:

Auto white balance can change your colors mid-shot, and locking it keeps your colors consistent.

Step 4: Enable Zebras for Exposure

• Tap the framing icon (top right corner)
• Then tap the Zebras icon
• Set the Zebra threshold to 95%

Why this matters:

Zebras show you areas that are overexposed. If you see zebra stripes, it means part of your image is too bright and needs to be adjusted.

Step 5: Control Exposure – The Right Way

Use Manual Exposure

• Don't tap on the screen randomly—this activates auto exposure, which can ruin your settings.
• Set ISO manually and lock it to around 1250

Good ISO Range: Between 1100 and 1450. This range gives you the best dynamic range the iPhone can offer—up to 14 stops, which is similar to professional cameras.

Note: Lower ISOs on the iPhone 15 Pro reduce noise but also lower dynamic range. Stick to the sweet spot around ISO 1250 for best results.

Step 6: Lock Shutter Speed

• If filming at 24fps, set your shutter speed to 1/48 sec (or as close as possible, like 1/50)
• Lock the shutter speed

Why this matters:

Locking shutter speed gives you that natural "cinematic" motion blur and also stops the camera from adjusting brightness when you tap to focus.

Step 7: Avoid Auto Exposure Changes

After locking the shutter speed, you'll notice when you tap the screen it only shows AF (Autofocus)—not AF/AE (Autofocus/Auto Exposure). This means your exposure won't randomly change anymore, which is exactly what you want.

Step 8: Use an ND Filter Outdoors

If you're shooting in bright sunlight and your footage looks too bright (even with ISO and shutter locked), use an ND filter.

What's an ND filter?

It's like sunglasses for your camera—it darkens the image without changing color or sharpness.

Options:

• ND filter clip-on adapters
• Cases with built-in ND filter mounts

Why this matters:

The iPhone's lens aperture is fixed (f/1.8), so your only exposure controls are ISO and shutter speed. ND filters help keep your exposure perfect in bright conditions without sacrificing motion blur or dynamic range.

Final Tip: Color Grading

If you're filming in Apple Log, your footage will look flat and grey out of the camera. That's normal. It's meant to be color-graded later.

You can use professional LUTs, or color presets in editing software like DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, or Premiere Pro to bring the footage to life.

Quick Table

With these settings, you’ll get:

• Maximum dynamic range
• Crisp, professional-quality video
• Manageable file sizes
• Full manual control over your camera

Just follow this guide, and you’ll be getting cinematic shots from your iPhone 15 Pro in no time.

Real-Life Use Case: Travel Vlogger on the Go

If you're a travel vlogger shooting with an iPhone and the Blackmagic Cam app and you're in a remote area, away from Wi-Fi and cloud services, then even shooting small clips makes your phone's internal storage full and affects its normal functioning. The low storage indicator now no longer allows you to capture video shoots so you have to either stop recording or deleting previous files. Having external storage solutions like Aiffro P10/P10 Plus allows you to shoot in full quality all day either directly to your SSD or transferring the videos into SSDs and causes no lag and no compromise in the workflow. 

Why Choose Aiffro for Video Storage?

There are many SSDs on the market, but Aiffro designed the P10 and P10 Plus with iPhone content creators in mind.

• MagSafe grip = less wobble while filming
• No overheating during long recordings
• Plug-and-play simplicity
• Compatible with iPhones, Macs, PCs, and even Androids
• Made for creators who don't want to carry big gear

And unlike other SSDs, Aiffro keeps it simple. You plug it in, and it works—no app, no driver, no extra setup.

Conclusion 

In need to create professional video content, you don't need a giant camera rig or expensive cinema gear. Having an iPhone with the right app like Blackmagic Cam and reliable storage like the Aiffro P10/P10 Plus, you get a powerful filmmaking tool that removes the need to buy expensive and bulky cameras that are difficult to handle.