The Best Mobile Filmmaking Gear for iPhone 15 Pro Max

Mobile filmmaking has come a long way, and with the iPhone 15 Pro Max's exceptional camera capabilities, you can now capture stunning videos on your smartphone. The days of creating with just an iPhone will always remain, but as a team of passionate professionals and avid hobbyists, we prefer to beef up our footage with added flair.

From gimbals to microphones — we curated a list of 5 essential filmmaker tools to check out. Unlocking the full potential of your iPhone camera with quality gear is now more accessible than ever. Yes, 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

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

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.

Professional 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

Specifications:

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

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.

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

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

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.

Similar to 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.

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

Specifications:

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

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 for recording just one sound source.

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

Specifications:

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

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 on 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.

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.

Mobile filmmaking with the iPhone 15 Pro Max can rival professional setups with the right gear. The Zhiyun Smooth 5S, Moment T-Series Mobile Lenses, JOBY Gorillapod, Rode Wireless Go II, and Moment Filmmaker Cage are essential tools to take your videos to the next level, without breaking the bank over constant thousand-dollar upgrades. Work smart, not harder, by elevating typical shoot days with better gear to get the job done right. And if you need additional education beyond just the basics, check out our library of online courses from a pool of professional filmmakers to get you started.

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