Protake - Mobile Cinema Camera

I like this app even more than the BlackMagic camera app. I find it easier to use, and I like the presets. I'd like to see three improvements: #1, when recording to an external drive, I'd like to keep the same file naming as files saved internally. Instead, the app creates a folder called "dcim" and saves the videos with just 0001, 0002, so I have duplicate file names. This also causes my Mac mini to treat the hard drive as a camera, so it doesn't allow me to import files into Final Cut Pro in an external location. #2, I like the button that hides camera controls and clears the edges of the screen. But I think stopping the recording should bring this back. I'd like it to hide when filming and come back when filming stops. Maybe a third auto-hide option could be added. #3 I'd like to find a desktop version that can be used as a monitor for other devices.

Switched from Filmic Pro that went subscription and I can’t even find their legacy version anymore. Protake free version comes close to Filmics free version but there’s things I don’t see. I can’t compare paid versions because it’s preposterous to pay monthly for a camera app. Compared to Filmic, there don’t seem to be as many audio/video codec choices, and I can’t rotate the app’s landscape mode 180° so I can hold the camera in my left hand (left hand holds left side of iPhone, where camera is - hand can barely hold phone so as not to block camera). But I like the overall layout of the app. The beauty features are neat and work pretty well. I never saw that on Filmic Pro. The pro features I’m really glad are there. Manual focus works smoothly as long as you’re on the standard lens, not wide lens. False color is awesome. I even love the red outline when you record the way Sony and Atmos do it. Multiple levels of stabilization is great. The portrait effect is a neat idea, albeit the little gimmicky and flawed. There is a clear cut out outline between the subject and focus in the background. I’ve seen much better results from applications that to the effect with a still image. Of course it’s going to be way more difficult and processor intensive with video, but it certainly would have been better if they found a way to make the future look better. It certainly doesn’t look pro or cinematic, I guess that’s why it’s not in the “pro” shooting mode It definitely has a good handful of great features that work really well. That’s why it’s so frustrating and disappointing that other features which I think are equally important don’t work; like more codec options and being able to hold the phone in another hand. Even for a free version, I feel it should have those fundamental features. Add the fact that Apple won’t let you make this the default camera app, that’s just more reason to continue using the built in camera which while it doesn’t have manual audio control, it does allow left-handed use, and can open from the Home Screen.

Pros: Amazing manual controls; focus/ zoom/ exposure/ ISO. Color grading in recording with impressive selection of profiles including LOG and profile intensity. Support for 1.33 Anamorphic lenses, and a powerful AUTO camera mode for when you’re in a rush. Cons: No control over bitrate quality for those who seek to export and professionally color correct/ color grade in post in their respective selected editors. Only major drawback I can see most people having. Overall: I’d be nitpicking to put anything else against this camera app. The software is powerful and reliable, no crashing, interface is very easy to use and intuitive. All the features offered here versus the competition, this is far more than a value, it’s a steal. So if you don’t need the overwhelming deep dive into every control and detail like Filmic Pro, this camera app is for you.