Blackmagic Camera stands out as a robust third-party application for mobile photography and videography, offering increased convenience for independent filmmakers. The company behind it, Blackmagic Design, has revealed that the updated iOS release version 3.3 includes compatibility with Apple Watch, enabling users to manage the software and oversee footage from their wrist device. Additionally, it integrates ATEM camera management capabilities, allowing an iPhone to function as a professional studio camera in live settings.
The companion application for Apple Watch permits distant operation and supervision of the iPhone as long as both are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Users can initiate or halt captures, manage magnification levels, and modify parameters such as frame rate, shutter angle, color temperature, and sensitivity with simple interactions. It provides a preview of the captured material to aid in composition, although the compact display on the Watch may limit precise evaluation of sharpness.
This Watch integration proves particularly advantageous for individual producers who position their iPhone on a stable mount to film presentations or personal video logs. Installation involves downloading the Watch version directly from the iPhone, after which it pairs and synchronizes seamlessly with the primary device.
Another significant addition is the ability to operate the iPhone through Blackmagic's ATEM Mini video switcher, popular among online broadcasters and production teams. This requires the $420 Blackmagic Camera ProDock accessory, which equips iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Pro Max models with HDMI connectivity, synchronization signals, USB-C access, and additional interfaces. The app now supports linking via a solitary HDMI connection from the ProDock to an ATEM Mini unit, facilitating adjustments to configurations, activation of recordings, and control over focus and magnification. It further incorporates a DaVinci workflow for basic color grading, enabling harmony in visuals and the application of cinematic effects right in real-time broadcasts.
The software also accommodates Blackmagic's specialized 'Focus and Zoom Demand' hardware, consisting of a dial and grip tailored for professional video rigs. When these tools and an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max are linked through USB-C to a ProDock, operators can adjust zoom and focus on the app's output while keeping their grip on the mounting equipment. Combined with the ATEM functionality, this setup transforms an iPhone into a complete broadcast tool, an unconventional yet innovative approach.
Beyond these enhancements, Blackmagic Design has implemented stabilization for ProRes RAW footage along with various corrections and optimizations. The Blackmagic Camera version 3.3 for iOS can be obtained for free immediately via the Apple App Store.