When director Joseph Kosinski and cinematographer Claudio Miranda got down to movie the upcoming Apple Unique movie F1: The Film, they confronted a singular problem. How might they seize genuine point-of-view racing footage from inside Method One automobiles with out compromising the automobiles’ exact engineering specs? The answer required Apple to construct one thing that by no means existed earlier than — a customized digital camera module utilizing iPhone elements that would stand up to the intense circumstances {of professional} racing, in response to new report. And so had been born customized iPhone cameras in F1.
Customized iPhone cameras in F1 seize lifelike racing scenes
Conventional cinema cameras merely can’t be mounted on Method One automobiles as a result of specialised automobiles’ strict weight and aerodynamic necessities. Whereas F1 broadcasts use onboard cameras positioned behind the cockpit, that footage is captured at decrease decision with particular coloration areas and codecs designed for tv, not cinema. Changing broadcast footage to match the visible high quality of a serious movement image like Apple Unique movie F1 proved too difficult to be sensible.
Apple’s engineering group responded by creating a completely customized digital camera module that appears similar to straightforward F1 broadcast gear however incorporates iPhone know-how at its core, in response to Wired. The module needed to match the precise weight specs of the unique broadcast digital camera to keep away from altering the automobile’s efficiency traits — a essential requirement in a sport the place each gram issues.
And the particular digital camera tech in all probability performed into the haptic results within the latest F1 trailer.
iPhone know-how meets Method One automobiles
Picture: Apple TV+
On the coronary heart of Apple’s customized module lies an iPhone digital camera sensor powered by an A-series chip. Apple hasn’t disclosed the precise specs. However the modules noticed use in actual F1 races throughout the 2023 and 2024 seasons, so the know-how doubtless matches the A17 Professional processor and 48-megapixel major digital camera discovered within the iPhone 15 Professional.
The module additionally integrated an iPhone battery and included a impartial density filter over the digital camera lens. This filter reduces the quantity of sunshine getting into the digital camera, giving movie editors larger management over publicity throughout post-production—a vital functionality for skilled cinematography.
Constructed for excessive circumstances
Racing circumstances push know-how to its limits. Apple’s engineers had to make sure their iPhone-based digital camera might survive excessive shock, vibrations and warmth. The corporate carried out in depth testing and studies that their module really exceeded the sturdiness specs offered by Method One.
The module ran iOS however featured customized firmware particularly designed for the digital camera software. Apple’s ProRes lossless video codec captured movies in log format. That produces flat-looking footage, offering editors with most flexibility for coloration grading and visible matching with different movie components.
Revolutionary filmmaking options
Picture: Apple TV+
This tradition growth work led on to new options in shopper iPhones. The customized firmware necessities for the F1 undertaking resulted in two vital additions to the iPhone 15 Professional: log encoding functionality and help for the Academy Colour Encoding System (ACES) coloration workflow. They’re each skilled filmmaking requirements.
For the reason that digital camera module contained no wi-fi radios, filmmakers managed it by way of a customized iPad app linked through USB-C. This interface allowed real-time changes to border fee, publicity achieve, shutter angle and white steadiness, in addition to beginning and stopping recording.
Customized iPhone cameras in F1 a part of Apple’s rising movie ambitions
The F1 undertaking represents Apple’s growing involvement in skilled filmmaking by way of Apple Originals. By having a direct stake in movie manufacturing, Apple can experiment with new applied sciences and develop options that serve skilled creators whereas finally benefiting all iPhone customers.
This undertaking joins a rising listing of movies shot partially or completely on iPhone, together with Sean Baker’s Tangerine and Danny Boyle’s upcoming 28 Years Later. Whereas these productions usually use extra gear like skilled lenses, rigs and managed lighting, smartphone cinematography continues to democratize filmmaking by decreasing gear limitations for rising creators.
