The Best Mobile Filmmaking Gear

Everything You Need

Mobile filmmaking has come a long way, and with the advent of exceptional camera capabilities on newer smartphones, you can now capture stunning videos in the palm of your hand. While shooting with just your phone is acceptable, we're a team of passionate mobile creators and avid hobbyists, so we prefer to beef up our footage with added flair.

From gimbals to microphones — we curated a list of our top essential filmmaker tools. Unlocking your camera phone's full potential with quality gear is now more accessible than ever. The world is your oyster, and creating a cinematic short film on your daily device is entirely possible. Let's dive in.

1. Zhiyun Smooth 5S

For Cinematic Stabilization

The Zhiyun Smooth 5S is a game-changer when it comes to mobile filmmaking. It features professional magnetic steel motors with an upgraded algorithm, strong compatibility, and a wider phone clamp to ensure safer and easier filmmaking with most smartphones. This 3-axis gimbal stabilizer ensures buttery-smooth shots, eliminating shaky footage. Whether shooting on the move or capturing intricate cinematic sequences, the Smooth 5S ensures professional-grade stability. With its extended battery life, it keeps you filming longer without interruptions.

Specifications:

• Weight: 21.7 oz / 615 g (with Handlebar and Battery)
• Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
• Payload Capacity: Up to 150-300 Grams
• Compatibility: iPhone 15 Pro Max

Key Features:

• SmartFollow: Keep your object within the center of the frame.
• Advanced Dolly Zoom: Create your own with the focus/zoom control wheel.
• Professional Anti-shake: Preserves the original video quality of your smartphone and offers smooth cinematic movements.

Why It's Crucial:

Mobile filmmakers need stability, and the Zhiyun Smooth 5S delivers it flawlessly, adding a touch of professionalism to your videos.

2. Moment T-Series Mobile Lenses

For Versatile Perspectives

Moment's T-Series Mobile Lenses are a must-have for iPhone 15 Pro Max users. These high-quality lens attachments allow you to explore different creative possibilities from various perspectives. The wide-angle lens captures breathtaking landscapes, while the anamorphic lens adds a cinematic flair to your shots. You can dive into macro photography or get up close with the telephoto lens. Crafted with military-grade material, these are the best mobile lenses you can get on the market with real glass to enhance your imagery without your phone’s digital manipulation.

If you need more information, read our detailed article on how our mobile lenses (both M-Series & T-Series) work with the latest iPhone 15 flagship camera.

Specifications:

• Lens Types: Wide, Telephoto, Anamorphic, Macro
• Compatibility: iPhone 13, 14, and 15 Lineup

Key Features:

• Attatches to a drop-in lens mount for your phone.
• Real glass, no A.I. or fake photoshopping.
• Hand crafted with precision.

Why It's Crucial:

Versatile optics give your videos a unique visual style, making your content stand out in the crowded mobile filmmaking landscape.

3. JOBY Gorillapod / Moment Tripod Mount

For Flexible Support

The JOBY Gorillapod tripods are our favorite because they’re versatile, and the 3K size is especially so. It is a solid size for a DSLR camera and a phone when using a phone clamp like the GripTight Pro 2. The flexible tripod legs wrap around anything from a street sign to a tree branch, so you’re never limited when setting up a shot or looking for new angles. This kit includes the ball head attachment, necessary for setup flexibility.

The Moment Pro Tripod Mount is designed to work with any standard 1/4”-20 tripods or handles, allowing you to shoot in landscape and portrait mode without a phone clamp. Compatible with or without a case, this mount also includes our proprietary (M)Force magnet array, which is even stronger than standard accessories, giving you extra confidence that your phone won’t fall off. Beyond being extra strong, the mount is lightweight, compact, and easy to use.

Like our Tripod Mount, our Pro versions add a standard cold shoe mount. With Pro versions, you can choose between the smaller Landscape type, which lets you mount your phone only in the Landscape orientation, or Landscape & Portrait, which lets you mount your phone in both orientations. Of course, the cold shoe mount comes off if you don't want to use it.

Specifications:

• Holds devices weighing up to 3 kg (6.6 lbs)
• Includes Ballhead with 360-degree panning bed and cutout for full 90-degree tilt.
• Built-in level for perfect shots
• DSLR tripod or Smartphone tripod if paired with a phone mount

Key Features:

• Use as a tripod for self-filmed scenes or as a stabilizer.
• The compact size means you can travel with it anywhere.

Why It's Crucial:

These two products offer unmatched flexibility and stability for your mobile filmmaking setup. The Gorillapod's adaptability and the Moment Tripod Mount's strength and versatility make it a winning combination for capturing shots from any angle or orientation.

4. Rode Wireless Go II

For Crystal-Clear Audio

The Rode Wireless Go II takes the versatility of the original to new heights, making it an indispensable tool for mobile filmmakers. Each kit contains two transmitters and a single receiver, allowing users to capture two sound sources simultaneously – perfect for a wide range of filmmaking scenarios, from recording interviews to two-person vlogs. It can also be used as a single-channel wireless microphone to record just one sound source.

Specifications:

• Range: Up to 656.2' / 200 m
• Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
• Microphone Type: Lavalier

Key Features:

The Wireless Go II boasts a dual-channel wireless microphone system, enabling you to record two sound sources simultaneously or use it as a single-channel wireless microphone. Its Series IV 2.4GHz digital transmission offers an extended range of up to 200 meters (line of sight), ensuring stable operation even in densely crowded RF environments. The system offers universal compatibility with its 3.5mm analog TRS output, USB-C, and iOS digital audio output, making it suitable for use with cameras, mobile devices, and computers.

One standout feature is its onboard recording capability, allowing you to record over 24 hours of audio directly to each transmitter as a failsafe against dropouts and other audio issues. You can choose between mono or stereo recording modes, recording each channel separately or combining them for ultimate flexibility in post-production. The flexible gain control includes a three-stage pad, expandable to a 10-stage pad for precise audio adjustment.

Why It's Crucial:

Whether you're capturing interviews, vlogs, or any other audio-intensive content, this dual-channel wireless microphone system ensures that your sound is of the highest quality, and its extensive range and onboard recording capabilities provide peace of mind for content creators.

5. Moment Filmmaker Cage

For Rugged Protection

The Moment Filmmaker Cage is more than just robust protection for your iPhone 15 Pro Max. It's a versatile platform designed to cater to the needs of mobile filmmakers. Want something to hold all the gear you want to attach to your phone? We’ve got you covered. The Mobile Filmmaker Cage supports various accessories thanks to the multiple cold shoe, 1/4"-20, and 3/8"-16 attachment points. Mount your favorite mics, lights, handles, etc., for the ultimate mobile rig. And yes, you can dress it up with Moment Lenses with Filters.

Additionally, there’s stellar cable management. No more dangling cables getting caught up in things and obstructing your view of the screen. The outer construction has a very nifty cable management system to keep those wires tucked out of the way.

Specifications:

• Material: Aluminum Alloy
• Compatibility: Any MagSafe-Compatible Smartphone
• Mounting Options: Multiple 1/4"-20 threads

Key Features:

• Built-in cable routing
• Keeps all phone buttons accessible
• Padded contact points to keep your phone safe
• Stands upright when set down on a flat surface

Why It's Crucial:

Its array of attachment points and cable management system simplifies your shooting experience, ensuring your gear is secure, and your focus stays on capturing the perfect shot. The enhanced magnetic mounting ensures your iPhone stays firmly in place, even during dynamic filming.

6. 67mm VND Filter w/ Filter Mount

For Cinema-Level Looking Motion

What's remarkable about these filters is the convenience of adjusting the filter's strength simply by rotating its ring. This feature eliminates the need to lug around various filters for different lighting situations; instead, you need one versatile piece that adapts to each specific scenario. A VND ensures your shots are always perfectly exposed, regardless of the conditions. Crafted from superior-quality glass and enhanced with advanced optical coatings, they deliver exceptionally clear, cinematic footage. They are specifically designed for high-end camera lenses (or phones!) and feature laser-etched, machined aluminum housings, making viewing and adjusting your ND settings easy. Additionally, built-in stops safeguard against cross-polarization, ensuring the highest image quality and precise control.

Specifications:

• Filter Glass: Schott B270 Pro Cinema Glass
• Adjustment: Rotation with hard stops to prevent cross-polarizing within working range
• Filter Range: ND4 - ND32 and ND64 - ND512
• Compatibility: 16mm and above

Key Features:

• Available in both 2-5 stop (ND4 - ND32) and 6-9 stop (ND64- ND512) ranges
• Advanced optical coatings for cinematic color and rugged durability
• Precision tuned to never cross-polarize
• Hard stops on both ends of the stop range for more precise control
• Works with any standard center-pinch lens cap (like the one you already have for your camera lens)

Why It's Crucial:

VND filters allow filmmakers to control motion detection in their footage. By letting in less light through the lens, you can slow down your shutter to create longer exposures in broad daylight. A creamier look means a more cinematic approach to your footage.

7. MC RGB On-Camera LED Light

For Colorful, Dimmable Light Sources

This light introduces full Hue, Saturation, and Intensity (HSI) controls, allowing me to dial in the perfect shade and intensity with 360° hue control and 100 saturation levels. What truly sets the Aputure MC apart is its RGB capabilities and the inclusion of two extra white LEDs — one for tungsten and another for daylight settings. This makes it exceptionally versatile despite its compact size, rivaling much larger industry-standard lights. It also features nine built-in lighting effects, a boon for creative shoots. The integrated magnets and a 1/4"-20 screw mount are incredibly handy, letting me quickly attach and position the light just about anywhere I need it. This light has significantly elevated the quality and creativity of my work.

Specs:

• Color Temperatuer: 3200 to 6500K
• Color Accuracy Standard: CRI 96 I TLCI 97
• Dimming: Yes
• Capacity: 2600 mAh
• Battery Run Time: 2 to 15 Hours

Key Features:

• Connect to the Sidus Link app if you need more control over your lighting effects
• 9 built-in lighting effects presets
• Built-in magnets and a 1-4″-20 female screw mount allow you to place and use it anywhere in seconds.
• Compatible with the Qi wireless charging

Why It’s Crucial:

Whether you’re shooting a short film, product overview, or short-form video that you want to look extra cool, an external light source is a must. You can control the color, brightness, and direction of the light source for greater control. Turn off the lights and let the light ride for ultimate control. The portability of this RGB panel is perfect for on-the-go shoots, especially for tighter shots where you only need a small spotlight.

8. Moment Cold Shoe Mount for MagSafe

For Big Accessories on a Phone

What we love about MagSafe is that you no longer need a phone clamp or a tripod to mount gear to your phone. Instead, we made the first mount that lets you securely connect your favorite cold shoe accessory directly to your iPhone 12 or 13 with magnets. Compatible with or without a case, this mount also includes our proprietary (M)Force magnet array, which is even stronger than standard accessories and gives you extra confidence your phone won’t fall off.

Specs:

• Dimensions: 58mm x 82mm
• Shoe Mount: Any standard cold show accessory.
• Phone Compatibility: Any official MagSafe phone case

Key Features:

• Works with most cases using our Stick-on Adapter - for MagSafe
• Mounts any standard cold shoe accessories
• Adjustable cold shoe arm for different size phones and cases
• Padded contact points to keep your phone safe

Why It's Crucial:

This simple tool is made to attach all the big accessories to your phone without extra cables or clamps. It's a one-fits-all magnetic attachment that handles the organization and carries the weight of a light microphone, tripod, and more.

9. Moment Fanny Sling 2L

For Carrying the Goods

As a mobile creator, I've found the ultimate carrying solution in this fanny sling, which comfortably fits everything from my phone to a 35mm camera. Its seven adjustment points allow it to expand or cinch down as needed, accommodating various gear and body sizes. At the same time, the use of recycled materials with a double waterproof coating ensures they stand up to any weather. The reverse coil zippers protect my equipment during rainstorms, making this sling a convenience and a necessity for my mobile filmmaking, ensuring I'm always prepared, no matter where my shoots take me.

Specs:

• Material: Weatherproof recycles Korda with a double-layer waterproof coating.
• Dimensions: 10.25” W x 5.25” H x 1.6” D
• Capacity: 2L

Key Features:

• Wearable over the shoulder or on the hips.
• Microfiber-lined pocket for sunglasses or filters.
• Adjustable strap and pack wings to fit your body.
• Retractable camera lens wipe.
• Integrated clip for keys.

Why It's Crucial

Its versatility and robust construction make it indispensable for quickly accessing equipment and transitioning between shots efficiently. The ability to adjust the sling’s size means it can hold essential gear for different types of shoots, from quick mobile setups to more elaborate scenes, ensuring you never miss a moment due to lack of preparedness.

10. Moment Pro Camera App

For Advanced Manual Controls

The Pro Camera App has always been centered around bringing your favorite big-camera controls to your smartphone camera. With unique features such as timelapse, slow shutter motion blur, zebra stripes, and full-stock manual controls over ISO, shutter speed, and focus — you can turn your smartphone into your favorite mirrorless big rig or DSLR. Its impeccable intuitive design helped revolutionize how we use our everyday devices into something bigger, cooler, and more efficient. Check out our full guide on how to get started with the app ) for better mobile video.

Key Features:

• Import, organize, and use your favorite LUTs
• Color Spaces: choose between Rec.709, Rec.2020 HDR, Display P3, and Apple Log (on compatible devices)
• Codecs: shoot in HVEC, H.264, or any of the 422 ProRes variants
• Video bitrates: get precise control over video quality with standard, medium, and high bitrate options.
• RGB Histogram: dial in your video color, balances, and exposure with a live RGB histogram.
• Audio Meters: Get the right sound level with real-time, dual-channel audio levels.

Why It's Crucial:

This is really the only way to get those big-camera controls on your phone. Plus, it works in tandem with Moment mobile lenses and can import LUTs straight onto your footage for a real-life movie as you're filming.