Attention all filmmakers and content creators: Your iPhone just got a major cinematic upgrade! Mavis has unleashed a game-changing update to its professional iOS camera app, Mavis Camera (v7.4), and it’s packed with features that will make your mobile filmmaking dreams a reality. But here's where it gets exciting: the introduction of Film Kit, an optional in-app purchase, is set to revolutionize how you capture and color grade your footage.
Film Kit is more than just an add-on—it’s a creative powerhouse. At its core is a new color workflow that lets you import custom .cube LUTs (Look-Up Tables) and decide whether to preview them in real-time or bake them directly into your final footage. And this is the part most people miss: this functionality extends to HDMI inputs when paired with the Atomos Ninja Phone, allowing you to apply LUTs to footage from DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, not just your iPhone’s internal lens. It’s a seamless blend of mobile and traditional filmmaking tools.
For those who crave speed without sacrificing style, Film Kit includes a suite of built-in filter LUTs like Bleach Bypass, Bunny, Cinematic, IR, Monochrome, and Vintage. These presets give your shots an instant filmic vibe, perfect for tight deadlines or live streaming. But here’s the controversial part: Is relying on presets a shortcut to creativity, or does it dilute the artistry of filmmaking? Let’s debate that in the comments!
Patrick Holroyd, CEO of Mavis, sums it up: “With this update, we wanted to make cinematic decision-making feel effortless. Film Kit gives creators the tools to monitor or capture their desired look, whether on an iPhone or a DSLR, without slowing down production.”
To simplify color management even further, Mavis introduces MLUTs (MavisLUTs), a new format that bundles multiple LUTs and metadata into a single file. This is a game-changer for teams juggling different color spaces, though some might argue it’s overcomplicating a process that’s already complex. What do you think?
Film Kit also brings Open Gate capture, a feature that lets you reframe shots in post-production to fit various aspect ratios—all from a single take. With two modes (one for Apple Log workflows and one for Rec.709, capturing above 4K on supported devices), it’s a flexibility boost for pros. Plus, Apple Log 2 support aligns Mavis with Apple’s pro-level capture workflows, though some may question whether mobile devices can truly compete with dedicated cinema cameras.
Beyond capture and color, Mavis Camera v7.4 enhances cloud integration with free ATOMOSphere Camera to Cloud support, enabling progressive uploads for seamless collaboration. Smaller but significant updates include new white balance presets, improved shutter-angle selection, refreshed translations (now in French, Spanish, Chinese, German, and English), and performance tweaks.
The Mavis Camera app is free to download from the App Store, with Film Kit’s full functionality (LUTs, MLUTs, Open Gate) available for a one-time in-app purchase of USD $9.99 (local pricing applies).
Is this the future of mobile filmmaking, or just another app update? Share your thoughts below! For more details, visit www.mavis.cloud/camera.
