In case you hadn’t heard yet: Apple has just established the iPad (2012) as a viable HD video camera (among many other things). Back in the days when still photography was done with 4×5 view cameras, photographers used something called a “focusing cloth”… defined by Merriam-Webster as: “an opaque dark cloth used to cover the rear of the camera and the head and shoulders of the photographer in order to exclude most of the light except that coming through the lens”. In the case of still photography with a 4×5 view camera, it was primarily to help the photographer focus. In the case of the ultra-glossy iPad screen when used outdoors to shoot HD video, you’ll need it even to see the screen properly, in order to compose and assign the subject for autofocus and exposure… and even to start and stop the recording. In this article, I’ll cover what an iPad has in common with a 4×5 view camera, show a iPad tripod mount, a “focusing cloth”… and make a request to FiLMIC PRO, Hoodman USA and Zacuto.

Why an iPad is like a 4×5 view camera?

A 4×5 view camera and an iPad (2012) have a very similar form factor, at least when you are standing behind the ground glass (or iPad screen) looking at it mounted on a tripod. However, when you shoot with the iPad mounted on a tripod, you won’t have to reach so far to focus.

Where can I get a “focusing cloth”?

Whether you’re actually going to use it to focus, via Amazon, Adorama offers this “focusing cloth” (at publication time) for US$19.95. It measures 36×43 (inches) or approximately 91.4×109.2 centimeters.

What about a tripod mount for my iPad?

Via Amazon, Abesco & Co. offers this tripod mount specifically for the iPad (2012) (at publication time) for US$69.95.

FiLMIC PRO

FiLMIC PRO: When we will see a version of your software for the iPad (2012)? Please, make it record the audio at 48KHz! That should not be optional, but the only way to record audio for video! Don’t make it a menu option: Make it standard! Thank you!

Hoodman USA and Zacuto

Hoodman USA and Zacuto: When will we see hoods or viewfinder tubes for the iPad (2012)?

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Photo credit for main (cover) image for this article

Description: Chris Heald, self made
Date: 2011-04-22 09:10 (UTC)
Source: View_camera.png
Author: View_camera.png: Original uploader was Cdheald at en.wikipedia
derivative work: Malyszkz (talk)

This is a retouched picture, which means that it has been digitally altered from its original version. Modifications: Zwektoryzowano. The original can be viewed here: View_camera.png. Modifications made by Krzysztof Zaj…czkowski (malyszkz).

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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