Apple iPhone introduces variable aperture for filmmakers

The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models feature a bladed aperture, allowing users to adjust lens settings from f/1.48 to f/4. This technical update provides filmmakers with greater control over exposure without needing to adjust ISO or use external ND filters.

By avoiding ISO changes, creators can maintain consistent image quality and noise levels across different shots in a single scene. This functionality brings mobile photography closer to the capabilities of professional cinema cameras, such as those from Sony or Fuji.

Director Zach Cregger has highlighted the utility of the iPhone in professional workflows, specifically for shot planning. Using apps like Cadrage to approximate different lenses, filmmakers can create precise photo boards to plan sequences and lens usage before principal photography begins.