Quick Tip 01 — My iPhone Camera Settings for Cinematic Video

The settings I use for most of my iPhone filmmaking

You don’t necessarily need a complicated setup to create cinematic-looking footage.

Most of my work is captured on an iPhone 17 Pro , and over time I’ve found a simple set of camera settings that works well for the style of content I create.

For my first Quick Tip, here are the settings I personally use, including one small change I make when filming around artificial lights.

My Usual Camera Settings

For most of my cinematic videos, I start with:

• Resolution: 4K

• Frame Rate: 24fps

• Colour Profile: Apple Log

• Exposure: Controlled/locked where possible

• Focus: Locked when needed

These aren't necessarily the “perfect” settings for everyone, they're simply what works for the way I like to shoot.

My Camera settings

Why 4K at 24fps?

For most of my work, 4K 24fps is my preferred combination.

I like the natural motion and cinematic character of 24fps, while shooting in 4K gives me a high-quality source and more flexibility if I need to crop, stabilise or reframe footage later.

If I know I want to create slow motion, I'll switch to a higher frame rate for that particular shot.

24fps vs 25fps — A Useful Tip for Artificial Lights

Although 24fps is my usual choice, there are situations where I switch to PAL 25fps, particularly when filming around artificial lighting.

The UK uses a 50 Hz electrical system. Some LEDs, indoor lights and illuminated signs can produce visible flickering or banding on camera.

In those situations, I often switch to:

• 25fps

This can help reduce flickering under many artificial light sources.

A simple starting point depending on where you're filming:

• 50 Hz — UK & much of Europe

25fps

• 60 Hz — US, Canada and some other regions

30fps

It isn't a guaranteed solution for every light source such as LEDs, screens and dimmers can behave differently, so I always check the image before recording.

Quick Tip: If you notice artificial lights flickering, check your frame rate before changing everything else.

Why Apple Log?

I shoot much of my cinematic footage in Apple Log because it gives me greater flexibility over the final image.

Log footage will naturally look flatter and less contrasty when captured. That's normal, it's designed to retain more information for post-production rather than giving you a heavily processed look straight from the camera.

If you're comfortable working with Log footage, it can give you much more creative control.

Keep an Eye on Exposure

Even when shooting in Log, getting your exposure right while filming still matters.

I pay particular attention to highlights and try to avoid losing important detail. Having more flexibility in post doesn't mean every exposure problem can be fixed afterwards.

Getting as much right in-camera as possible gives me a much better starting point.

My Setup

For anyone curious, this is the compact setup I currently use:

• Camera: iPhone 17 Pro

• Gimbal: DJI Osmo Mobile 6

• Storage: Lexar ES5 Portable SSD · USB 3.2 Gen 2 · 1TB

• Power: Anker MagGo Power Bank · 10,000mAh

• Computer: MacBook Air 2024 · M3

• Editing & Colour Grading: DaVinci Resolve

• Mobile Colour Grading: LUT Studio

A Final Note

Thanks for taking the time to read my first Quick Tip, I really appreciate it.

Have a question, tried these settings yourself, or have an idea for a future Quick Tip?, Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

You can also find me on Instagram for more of my photography and filmmaking.

More soon.

Hassan