Are we taking smartphones too far ?

More and more you see videos with smartphones being used as pro recording devices. And let me state that I love these videos and the technique behind it. So let’s be clear on that issue.

Ok this is fun but….
Recently a feature film was released by using phones and loads of people (including me) are experimenting with phones and high end photography/video. At the moment I’m trying to get my strobes working with the p20pro for example.

I just wonder….. Does is make sense?
Yes we show it can be done. But when you look at it seriously. When you add all the costs together you can just as easily just add a proper camera.

Its a bit the same as when the first video capable cameras hit the market. It was awesome for a while and it would change the way we made movies. And it did. We can now use b-roll without the risk of damaging thousands of dollars more when for example a car crashes with the cameras mounted. Plus it can fit in smaller spaces than a normal camera. And due to the much larger sensors often a ff dlsr OR mirror less camera can in fact give you better results than the “old-fashioned” movie camera. Although since that time the movie making business has gotten a lot of new toys that are “based” on that principle.

And that’s where I see a huge benefit for smartphones in movies or videos. You can literally place them anywhere you want. However adding large lenses and rigs does counter effect that benefit.

So I do believe strongly that smartphones can change or at least help the way we make videos and movies (I’ve filmed several vlogs on just my phone with a smartlav from rode for example) but when you start adding rigs, XLR, big lenses……I just think why not just stay with for example the black magic pocket cameras or an a7s or 6500. A 6300 also works and can be bought for much less than a smartphone in the top end.

So although I love seeing these videos (good job guys) and always find myself drawn towards them I do also have that sense of reality and I just wondered what you guys think.

Invest money in mounts, convertors etc to use your smartphone?
Or just get a proper camera for in the end the same money, better quality and in all honesty the extra carrying around is a non issue when you see what some put in their phone.

Recently on the photography show I saw a stabilizer solution with mic inputs, lens mounts, extra battery holders, and lighting mount dedicated for smart phones….. Costs little over 1000.00 at that point it did make me realize…maybe we are going a little bit overboard.

Love to use my smartphone for video but only because it does decent quality with a very small form factor. When it gets bigger I’ll grab my much better and faster 6500.

Love to hear your opinions.