By Brady Betzel

Thanks to the amazing iPhone X, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy, almost everyone has a high-end video camera on their person at all times and this is helping to spur on mobile filmmaking and vlogging.

From YouTube to Instagram to movies like Unsane (Steven Soderbergh) or Tangerine (Sean Baker) — and regardless of whether you think a $35,000 camera setup tells a story better than a $1,000 cell phone (looking at you Apple Phone XS Max) — mobile filmmaking is here to stay and will only get better.

iOgrapher’s latest release is the iOgrapher Multi Case, a compact mobile filmmaking mounting solution that works with today’s most popular phones. iOgrapher has typically created solutions that were tied to the mobile device being used for filmmaking, such as an iPhone, the latest Samsung Galaxy phones, iPads or even action cameras like a GoPro Hero 7 Black.

With the new iOgrapher Multi Case you can fit any mobile device that measures more than 5 ½” x 2 ¼” and less than 6 ½” by 3 ⅜”. Unfortunately, you won’t be fitting an iPad or a GoPro in the iOgrapher Multi Case, but don’t fret! iOgrapher makes rigs for those as well. On the top of the Multi Case are two cold shoe mounts for lights, microphones or any other device, like a GoPro. To mount things with ¼” 20 screw mounts in the cold shoes you will need to find a cold shoe to ¼” 20 adapter, which is available on iOgrapher’s accessory page. You can also find these at Monoprice or Amazon for real cheap.

And if you are looking to order more mounts you may want to order some extra cold shoe adapters that can be mounted on the handles of the iOgrapher Multi Case in the additional ¼” 20 screw mounts. The mounts on the handles are great for adding in additional lighting or microphones. I’ve even found that if you are going to be doing some behind-the-scenes filming or need another angle for your shooting, a small camera like a GoPro can be easily mounted and angled. With all this mounting you should assume that you are going to be using the iOgrapher on a sturdy tripod. Just for fun, I mounted the iOgrapher Multi Case onto a GoPro 3-Way Grip, which can also be used as a light tripod. It wasn’t exactly stable but it worked. I wouldn’t suggest using it for more than an emergency shooting situation though.

On the flip side (all pun intended), the iOgrapher can be solidly mounted vertically with the ¼” 20 screw mounts on the handles. With Instagram making headway with vertical video in their Instagram Stories, iOgrapher took that idea and built that into their Multi Case, further cementing grumbling from the old folks who just don’t get vertical video.

Testing
I tried out both a Samsung Galaxy s8+ as well as an iPhone 7+ with their cases on inside of the iOgrapher Multi Case. Both fit. The iPhone 7+ was stretching the boundaries of the Multi Case, but it did fit and worked well. The way the phones are inserted into the Multi Case is by a spring-loaded bottom piece. From the left or top side, if you are shooting vertically, you push the bottom of the mobile device into the corner covered slots of the iOgrapher Multi Case until the top or the left side can be secured under the left or top side of the Multi Case. It’s really easy.

I was initially concerned with the spring loading of the case; I wasn’t sure if the springs would be resilient enough to handle the constant pulling in and out of the phones, but the springs are high quality and held up beautifully. I even tried inserting my mobile phones tons of times and didn’t notice any issues with the springs or my phones.

Take care when inserting your phone into the Multi Case if you have a protective shield on the screen of your device. If you aren’t extra careful it can pull or snag on the cover — especially with the tight fit of a case. Just pay attention and there will be nothing to worry about. The simple beauty of the iOgrapher is that with a wider grip of your filmmaking device, you have a larger area to distribute any shaking coming from your hands, essentially helping stabilize your filmmaking without the need for a full-fledged gimbal.

If you accidentally drop your iOgrapher you may get a scratch, but for the most part they are built sturdy and can withstand punishment, whether it’s from your four year old or from weather. If you want to get a little fancy, you can buy affordable lights like the Litra Torch (check out my review) to attach to the cold shoe mounts, or even a Rode microphone (don’t forget the TRS to TRRS adapter if you are plugging into an iPhone), and you are off and running.

Summing Up
I have been really intrigued with iOgrapher’s products since day one. They are an affordable and sturdy way to jump into filmmaking using cameras everyone carries with them every day: their phones.

Whether you are a high school student looking to get steady and professional mobile video, or a journalist looking for a quick way to make the most of your shots with just a phone, light, mic and tripod mount, the iOgrapher Multi Case will unlock your mobile filmmaking potential.

The iOgrapher Multi Case is a very durable protective case for your mobile filmmaking devices that is a steal at $79.99. If you are a parent that is looking for an inexpensive way to try and tease your child’s interest in video take a look at www.iographer.com and grab a few accessories like a Manfrotto light and Rode VideoMicro to add some subtle lighting and pick up the best quality audio.

Make sure to check out Dave Basulto’s — the creator of iOgrapher — demo of the iOgrapher Multi Case, including trying out the fit of different phones.

Brady Betzel is an Emmy-nominated online editor at Margarita Mix in Hollywood, working on Life Below Zero and Cutthroat Kitchen. You can email Brady at bradybetzel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @allbetzroff.