How does one set up a tripod or other camera stand for an iPhone?
I’m still trying to start a new positive activity and maybe a career. My idea is to be seated and having an iPhone camera sideways to take in either only myself or both myself and another speaker or guest. I’d like to be able to keep the camera mounted and have some remote capability to pause and resume recording without having to get up.
Equipment recs? Tripod or another stand? My current is an iPhone 13 Pro – feels slow but still functional.
Generate a QR code to post videos or accompanying writing?
Thinking about Ghost
Thinking about making a GoFundMe video using this equipment.
Tips about what’s best to put on GoFundMe
I still have a brain and it’s gradually working better. I think I can write and post and help people. Can I make a living doing that? These are the kinds of ideas I’ve been brainstorming.
All suggestions are welcome, I want to see what I can do!
There are dozens, if not hundreds of tripod-stand mounts for iPhones and iPads. Here’s an Amazon search.
If you don’t already have a tripod for the holder, those are also easy to come by, ranging from expensive professional models to cheap simple models.
As for remote control, there are plenty of remote control fobs you can buy. If you have an Apple Watch, I’m pretty sure there are apps there you can use for this purpose.
I suggest you read through product listings (do your own searches if nothing on my Amazon searches look good) and pick something with good reviews that isn’t too expensive.
@scstr
Quick initial thought: if you’re planning to post your videos online (as opposed to videos for private use only), don’t rely on the iPhone’s mic for recording audio. Get a proper mic—or mics—for your shoots.
I’ve been happy with the Atumtek selfie stick that I’ve had for several years. It doubles as a tripod, from desktop level extending up to 51" and folds down into a compact package. The part that holds the camera is spring-loaded and strong. Also, it pivots between portrait/landscape and is secure enough that the phone won’t slowly change position over time as some others do. Once activated the Bluetooth remote for triggering the camera stays active for about 10 minutes. If it turns off, press it and it turns back on. There’s a niche on the base of the stick that the remote securely snaps into.
This loox tempting. The remote is nice. And it’s in a NONBLACK color. Geez, why be black in everything you have lol?
The newer version of this now exists: 60” instead of 51”
If I understand you correctly (IIUYC), this is a selfie stick that is a short tripod. If I’m sitting in a room or lounge, I think I need a tall tripod to stand about 5 feet tall, to look over one sitting person (me) or two sitting people if we’re chopping it up. You gave a good idea on the selfie stick, and I may invest in the newer Atumtek. But I think I need to keep looking … have to go through @Shamino query of Amazon some more.
@aforkosh yes I have an Apple Watch SE 3. I’m aware it can be a remote. The remote with the Atumtek loox quicker to my lying eyes.
@Halfsmoke good comment about the microphone. I have an old Blue Snowball hiding somewhere I need to unearth. Any opinions on using that microphone, or do modern microphones blow that away?
I love this inexpensive ($18) tripod I got on Amazon a while back because it’s incredibly compact (less than 1 lb and about foot tall when collapsed) and it works with any phone:
Depending on the type of videos you’re wanting to produce, you might also look at a gimbal. These mount to a tripod, are powered with a rechargeable battery, and hold your phone. They are usually controlled by a special app which enables the gimbal to rotate and follow you as you walk around – great for product demos and such. You can even control it with an included bluetooth remote to start/stop recording and adjust the zoom amount from a distance! They also keep the video rock steady if you’re say, filming handheld in a bumpy car ride. There are lots of choices for well under $100.
The one I bought is no longer made, but there’s a new model for $55:
I’m no expert and I haven’t use it enough to recommend this specific one, but it gives you a starting point to explore.
I’d say give gear you already have a chance before buying anything. You probably want to do some test shoots and rehearsals, anyway, before posting anything online, right?
I do have two suggestions for now. First, if you’re doing monologues or talk show-style conversations, you should consider lavalier (lapel) mics. Second, I think wirecutter.com has a “best gear for vloggers” guide or something similar. Probably worth a look.
When I was looking for a tripod/selfie stick, I found reviews of many products that complained the positioning feature (such as the gooseneck in this case) gradually moved due to the weight of the phone. My Atumtek has firm detents at 0 and +/- 45, 90 degrees. It holds my iPhone 15 Pro firmly in position with no gradual change. Also, based on the picture of the Aureday I wonder what the maximum weight of the device can be before it topples over when the gooseneck is horizontal. It may not have any issue with either of these, I don’t know.
Is there any such thing as an iPhone gimbal without need for an app? I’ve casually looked over the years (don’t really need one, think it might be occasionally useful) and what I’ve found usually does require one for some reason. Can’t they just use gyros and motors to keep the camera holder level?
Also I saw reference to a remote control above, maybe the good old wired Apple earphones with a clicker in line for volume can be used for video record/pause too.
I’m a fan of using older gear with new, so I’d agree on using the Snowball if you can find the right adapter and its sound quality is satisfactory.
I imagine starting a podcast is trouble enough without also having to research gear and stuff. If the old Mic works and your content is compelling enough and you get a good audience, you can surely later change gear/techniques/lighting etc. If you get subscriber feedback that the audio is no good, consider changing then. Early on (though I am no expert) I would suspect getting a bunch of content ideas might be a more productive use of time.
The one I mentioned does not require an app. It works with the standard Camera app just fine. However, you don’t get the AI-related features, such as the camera following you around (it requires facial recognition and the ability to control the gimbal’s motors, which the Camera app knows nothing about).
The included app in mine (some Chinese knockoff brand) works okay, though it’s clunky and not too polished. I have recorded with both the standard Camera app and the gimbal’s app. I used the latter when I had the phone on a tripod and wanted to move around for a more dynamic shot.
I think you can use watch’s camera control to control the camera, too. But the included bluetooth remote in mine had the zoom feature, which I wanted. I think that feature only worked within gimbal app, too. But start/stop worked for the Camera app.
Great, thank you @xdev ! I don’t need any fancy features like what’s mentioned. The link you sent has more than I would need or want and price is good. I just worried about required apps/internet etc.
Yes, if I wasn’t clear, the stabilization feature is part of the gimbal hardware, so it works with any camera app. It’s pretty amazing – you can be jogging with the handheld camera and the recording will be steady!
