-
Guest - Earn a FREE TubeBuddy Upgrade for being active on the forums! Click Here to learn how you earn free upgrades for TubeBuddy!
Gear Advice Using my phone to video
- Thread starter Ur AverageGuy
- Start date
I am unfamiliar with your phone but if it is less than 3 years old, chances are it will do a fine job. Most phones have good cameras nowadays where LOTS of people use their phones to shoot their YT videos.
My earliest videos (2013) were filmed on a Sony camcorder, from the 1990s. My newest vids are filmed on my phone. The current phone camera is so much better. Even a mid-priced phone, that is a few years old will take good video. There are a lot of channels that use their phone - after all the best camera is the one you have with you. I have a big clunky Fuji that has not left the house in probably 7 years. It takes better pictures (not video) than my phone, but is too much hassle to carry.
Content and personality are more important than your gear. You do want the best video quality you can get, but super expensive gear will not fix bad content.
Content and personality are more important than your gear. You do want the best video quality you can get, but super expensive gear will not fix bad content.
I film on my ipad/phone and it works fine, so it shouldn't be a problem. So long as you're providing value in your content, it won't matter if your video quality isn't as good but it should work.
I glanced at a few of your videos and the quality is fine for just starting out. I would recommend finding a way to increase your voice though. It's quite low even at max volume. Good luck!
Most smartphones these days can produce great video. The bigger issue is LIGHTING and SOUND. Because smartphones have tiny sensors, they crave light. Today lighting is dirt cheap and can vastly improve the video quality out of a smartphone. Here is a kit on Amazon for $45. I bought this kit for a friend of mine that makes special hats for female cancer patients (she is a three-time cancer survivor) and she loves it.
If that is too much, here is a bulb I carry with me that can be used in any standard light socket. Running this bulb in conjunction with a couple of regular 60 watt soft-white bulbs can give some nice warm skin tones. Lighting does not get any cheaper than this.
.
Sound is a different matter. When I am shooting indoors and stationary, I like a studio mic, but this is a little much for a beginner. If your smartphone has an audio jack, then are a ton of great vlogging microphone kits out there to choose from. I personally use the Rode VideoMicro when shooting outdoors because it comes with one of the best dead cat wind filters. If your phone does not have an audio jack, then there are some wireless options, but since I have not used any of them, I can't speak about them. Regardless, you should be able to find a microphone solution that will improve your audio, for under $50. The TAKSTAR SGC-598 can be had for under $30, but again, it requires an audio jack or an adaptor.
Hope this helps
If that is too much, here is a bulb I carry with me that can be used in any standard light socket. Running this bulb in conjunction with a couple of regular 60 watt soft-white bulbs can give some nice warm skin tones. Lighting does not get any cheaper than this.
.
Sound is a different matter. When I am shooting indoors and stationary, I like a studio mic, but this is a little much for a beginner. If your smartphone has an audio jack, then are a ton of great vlogging microphone kits out there to choose from. I personally use the Rode VideoMicro when shooting outdoors because it comes with one of the best dead cat wind filters. If your phone does not have an audio jack, then there are some wireless options, but since I have not used any of them, I can't speak about them. Regardless, you should be able to find a microphone solution that will improve your audio, for under $50. The TAKSTAR SGC-598 can be had for under $30, but again, it requires an audio jack or an adaptor.
Hope this helps
Last edited:
I use the deity v.lav mic with my ipad and it works great, does require headphone jack or adaptor, but is a worthwhile investment.
I think using phones to phone videos are fine as long they are clear and the microphone is clear. YouTube seems to have new technologies to analyze what is going on in the video to predict whether it will be engaging.
I use videos with the phone Xperia XZ2... I know, its not great but I'm just starting. I feel that if you get extra lighting on the set you'll notice much less grain.
I use my iPhone 6s Plus with a magnet to keep the stabiliser still due to how many times IΓÇÖve dropped my phone
The best app for you phone is Filmic Pro, adds a lot of control to the video, white balance locks, color tones and more. Just hit the App store, if it's available to download then your phone supports it.