Blackmagic Camera on iOS Now Offers Pyxis 6K Remote Control

Dec 23, 2024

Chris Monlux

A flat lay of various camera equipment and accessories surrounding a smartphone displaying a snowy mountain scene with people. The setup includes lenses, filters, a camera module, and other electronic gear on a dark surface.

Blackmagic Camera 2.2 for iOS introduces meaningful enhancements tailored to real-world needs.

The Blackmagic Camera app, launched earlier last year for iOS and this summer for Android, is free. It aims to bridge the gap between mobile and full-fledged professional filmmaking, providing smartphone users with pro-grade tools and features.

A person in a brown beanie takes a photo with a smartphone of a snowboarder on a snowy mountain. The snowboarder, wearing a blue jacket and holding a board, looks at the snowy peaks under a clear blue sky.

A person skiing down a snowy mountain is visible on a smartphone screen, which shows recording settings and controls. A hand is interacting with the device, capturing the action against a backdrop of bright blue sky and snow-covered peaks.

Designed to emulate the interface of Blackmagic cameras, the app delivers intuitive control for filmmakers. It offers ProRes and Blackmagic RAW recording, advanced white balance and ISO controls, focus peaking, false color, frame guides, and LUT applications for real-time monitoring. Users can seamlessly adjust frame rates, shutter angles, and resolutions up to 4K.

Close-up of a smartphone screen displaying camera settings. Options include codec selection, resolution, color space, timecode display, recording time limit, and various audio settings. The screen has a dark theme with a blue toggle design.

Integrated with Blackmagic Cloud, the app allows direct uploads to DaVinci Resolve projects, streamlining workflows.

The highlight of version 2.2 is its support for controlling the Pyxis 6K cameras. With this update, Blackmagic Camera allows remote control over focus, white balance, frame rate, and shutter angle. Whether a camera is mounted on a crane or tucked into a tight corner, adjustments can now be made remotely, streamlining workflows on demanding shoots. By enabling remote operation, the app facilitates multicamera setups. Users can seamlessly start and stop recording across devices, bringing new efficiency to complex productions.

A smartphone laid on a wooden surface displays a media app interface with various video clips. Next to it are wireless earbuds. The screen shows video thumbnails and Blackmagic Cloud login options.

Beyond remote control, Blackmagic Camera 2.2 ability to drag-select multiple media clips is a small but impactful addition. This feature significantly reduces the time spent on routine tasks for those managing extensive footage. Uploading, organizing, and deleting clips are now streamlined, allowing creators to focus on their craft instead of wrestling with cumbersome interfaces.

Take these examples of how Blackmagic Camera 2.2 integrates into a production. A documentary filmmaker capturing wildlife in a remote location can discreetly adjust a Pyxis 6K camera’s settings via the app, minimizing disturbances. A DP can fine-tune a rigged camera’s parameters on set using the updated app without climbing ladders or disrupting the crew.

The combination of remote control, media management, and performance enhancements creates a comprehensive improvement, elevating the app’s utility. For those invested in the Blackmagic ecosystem, to stay in it.

Blackmagic Camera 2.2 is now available on the Apple App Store for free. In an industry often defined by exclusivity, Blackmagic Design’s inclusive approach prioritizes creators, making their products more widely accessible.

Image credits: Blackmagic Design