Best Settings for Blackmagic Camera App v3 | Cinematic Pro Video on iPhone & Android
If you want the best Blackmagic Camera settings for iPhone or Android, this is the configuration you actually need for cinematic smartphone video — not theory, not hype, just the correct setup to get clean, professional results with Rec709, Apple Log, Apple Log 2, Samsung Log, and proper cinematic motion blur.
Dial these in once, save a preset, and get consistent, high-end footage every single time.
Recording Settings
Codec
-
iPhone 15 / 16 Pro
ProRes 422 for max quality
HEVC → Max Bitrate for smaller 10-bit files -
iPhone 17 Pro / Pro Max
ProRes RAW (covered later)
Otherwise same rule: ProRes if you need it, HEVC with Max Bitrate if you value space and still want a great image. -
Android
HEVC → Max Bitrate
ProRes is fantastic. So is not filling your storage in 20 minutes. HEVC Max looks excellent on modern phones, delivers 10-bit color, high bitrates, and is fully compatible with Log curves.
Resolution
4K — this will give you the highest resolution with plenty of reframe in post if you intend to deliver at 1080p for social media.
Colour Space
- iPhone 17 Pro → Apple Log 2
- iPhone 15 / 16 Pro → Apple Log
- Samsung S25 Ultra → Samsung Log
- All other devices that don't support native log capture → Rec.709
Log = more dynamic range + no artificial sharpening.
Rec.709 = use if your phone doesn't support Log.
Camera Settings
Settings → Camera
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical Video | On (if shooting social) | Correct orientation |
| Lock White Balance on Record | On | Prevents colour shifts mid-shot |
| Shutter Measurement | Angle | Easier 180° shutter rule |
| Android: Increase Sharpening | Off | Reduces “phone video” look |
Apple doesn’t let you disable sharpening outside Log — another tick for shooting Log.
Media Settings
Settings → Media
- Record Proxy → Off (unless you're cloud uploading while filming)
In-Camera Setup (Before Saving Preset)
- Main wide lens (always best sensor & low light performance)
- 24 fps
-
Stabilisation
iPhone → Standard
Samsung → Optical/OIS (or Standard if you shake)
Log > Rec709 LUT for Monitoring
Your Log preview will look flat — good. We just need a correct monitoring LUT.
- Turn LUT On in the main camera HUD.
- Leave Record LUT to Clip: Off
- Use the built-in Blackmagic Camera Log to Rec709 LUT
- Or even better - import a LUT designed for Apple Log or Samsung Log.
The built-in Log > Rec709 LUT on iPhone and Samsung S25 Ultra is fine for exposure but not for final colour — it over-saturates skin and adds harsh contrast.
If you want the cleanest look, use a proper film LUT. (yes, my Epic GLOAT LUT is designed for this and available for both Apple Log & Samsung Log).
Save a Preset
Tap the three dots → + → Save Preset
Example name: Cinematic Log – 24fps
Now you have a one-tap professional setup instead of repeating menu gymnastics every shoot.
Exposure, Motion Blur & 180° Shutter
Set shutter to 180° and lock it. This gives natural motion blur — same cadence as cinema.
ISO controls exposure. Keep ISO as low as possible to avoid noise.
If the shot is too bright, do not raise shutter — use ND filters.
ND Filters for Smartphones
Daylight + 180° shutter requires an ND filter. These can be broken down into two types:
- Variable ND = fast & practical
- Fixed ND = best colour accuracy
Expect to need 5–8 stops outdoors.
Freewell make the best mobile ND solutions right now. I recommend this ND filter system for iPhone and this ND filter system for the Samsung S24/S25 Ultra.
Don't Clip Highlights
Smartphones fall apart in blown highlights. Even ProRes RAW does not offer highlight recovery. Avoid pure-white skies and faces. Use:
- Your eyes
- Monitoring LUT
- ISO + ND instead of shutter
White Balance
We already enabled Lock White Balance on Record. For best results:
- Hold a white balance card in frame
- Fill frame with it briefly
- Start recording, then remove it
Prevents colour drift and weird casts. This is without a doubt the best white balance color chart for mobile filmmakers.
Focus
- Tap to focus → long press to lock
- Or enable Focus Peaking and use manual slider for pro results.
iPhone 17 Pro: ProRes RAW Settings
Settings → Record
- Codec: ProRes RAW
- Colour Space: Apple Log 2
- Resolution: 4.2K Open Gate
You must record to external SSD.
Settings → Camera
- Reference Source → Internal (ensures constant frame rate)
Settings → Media → Save Clips To → Files → External SSD
Then shoot as normal: 24fps, 180°, ND, manual/locked focus, Log LUT for monitoring.
Quick Summary
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 4K (4.2K OG on 17 Pro RAW) |
| Codec | HEVC Max / ProRes / ProRes RAW |
| Colour | Apple Log / Apple Log 2 / Samsung Log |
| FPS | 24fps |
| Shutter | 180° locked |
| ISO | Lowest clean value |
| White Balance | Locked + reference card |
| Focus | Manual / tap-lock + peaking |
| ND | Yes – 5-8 stops daylight |
| LUT | Display only — don’t burn in |
Final Note
These are the best Blackmagic Camera settings for cinematic results on iPhone and Android. Use Log, lock shutter to 180°, control exposure with ISO + ND, lock white balance, and lock focus. Then remember to use a LUT in the Preview Only so you can apply it in post for greatest flexibility.
Remember: treat your phone like a cinema camera and it will start behaving like one.
