Are you a citizen journalist, or a filmmaker that needs a compact shooting solution with high end video capture?
The mobile world of content creation has created a new batch of tools you should consider. Now that the new iPhone 17 Pro is in my hands, it was time to level up the video.

It took 3 years of waiting to get the USB-C port on a phone for me, so let’s get into it. And yes, I purchased all of these items below.

Since you can now shoot ProRes Raw with the phone, there is only one way you can do that directly on the phone: use an external media drive with the speed and the capacity to hold large files.
After doing some deep dive research, the solution became clear on the basic tools needed.
A company that made a dummy battery I had purchased, came out with sweet recording module.
Kondor Blue, a California company, has a perfect solution, in a compact space.
The Recording Module is made for SD or CFExpressB cards
It is magsafe, comes with high end USB-C connecting cable, and has other options as you build a rig.

The 1st set-up I want to share is this:

iPhone 17Pro, the mag safe recording module, and a DJI Mic 2.
Yes, the DJI Mic 2 connects to your phone via Bluetooth.
And the reason I’m going Bluetooth in this scenario, is because the solitary USB-C port on the phone is being used by the recording module.

Also, make sure you download the BlackMagic app for iPhone. That is a best case app for this set-up. In its settings you have an incredible number of usable settings to customize your content capture.

All you need to do is set where the files will be saved, and I save it to the CF Express card. Make sure you have seen the media card recognized in the iPhone Files app.
And I use the CF Express because I have some that I use in my Fuji Cameras, and they have super powerful read and write capabilities.
Personally, I use Delkin Black media cards.

Ok, that is an easy to carry, small footprint, ProRes raw set-up.

Then we can up the capabilities by adding the Kondor Blue Stalman Clamp. Shown here with the Recording Module attached and plugged into the phone. The magsafe doesn’t go through the clamp, but you can screw in the module to the clamp.

Then the included USB-C connector on the base connects to the phone, while allowing the recording module to connect to the phone.

This phone accessory is a must get for a variety of reasons.

There are ¼-20 threads to add accessories and designed with locking pins in mind to make sure that what you add doesn’t spin around and stays where you want it to.
It has an Arca-Swiss base that allows you to quickly move to a tripod if you like, plus it can stand on its own, as you can see above.

Below you can see a magnetic piece that slides perfectly into the clamp’s base, and has an additional 1/4-20 with anti-twist pins. Also helps to keep the USB-C connector in place.

For my rig, I’m adding a cold shoe on top of the clamp with locking pins, for either a light or a microphone. I’m partial to the Shift Cam mini, or the Rode NTB shotgun.
Lighting is choose your own adventure and preference.

Then comes the best addition I have ever found:
The Kondor Blue USB-C Media Hub.

This companion piece is the perfect addition to your minimal rig.
With a USB-C port that connects to your phone, so it’s powered and allows you to attach the things you need to complete, which is to my mind, a sweet video rig in your daily camera bag.

You see the 40GPS on the right angled USB-C connector? This tells you that you can record at the proper speed to your media. Need the fast connector. This is an L-Bracket USB-C extension so it fits on the Stalman Clamp allowing your phone to connect to the hub easily.
When the light is blue, you are connected.
Best to use a right-angled USB-C cable as it fits perfectly and protected into one end, and then a straight end for the phone.

Here’s what you can also do: connect the recording module to one end of the hub with the locking pin ¼-20 (ok, I am using a simple screw deal)

This hub has ports for external power since you will need to keep the juice up.
There is also a port for your USB-C microphone, as you now have the USB-C port on the phone taken up.
If you want to use, there is a full-size HDMI port in case you want to shoot and have a monitor connected. Not sure I’ll use that port much.
BTW, the audio and media ports can be used interchangeably.

It has a cold shoe on the front where you can add something like a Rode Wireless Go receiver, or whatever else you may need. On top is another 1/4-20 with anti twist pin sockets.

The build of these 3 pieces is impeccable, and solid.

Worth the dough.

The only downside to the gear is that the USB-C has a robust end where the male plug is, to the point where I had to trim my phone case to make room by the internal phone speakers.

This became an issue mainly on the smallest set-up shared in the start of this post.
Also wish they had supplied a USB-C cable with the hub.
I used the one from the recording module and had other male to male cables.

They do have a full rig they sell with all you need plus a handle, battery V-Mount, quick release bits to disassemble or switch out fast.  This, without the wireless transmitter on top, sells for about  $650.

By going with my ala carte set up, it came out to be about $260, and I can use pieces from other rigs. Not the most ideal but it works.

Some options you can look also look at:
A Beastgrip Pro is a great cage for the phone, and you can add on your cold shoes.
An alt way to mounting an external SSD as a recording module is a Ulanzi MG10 which is just a mag safe holder with a ¼-20 and a cold shoe. This was the only unit I could find that held a SanDisk SSD tight.

At the end of the day, the design and compact footprint of the Kondor Blue gear, what is shown above will take care of your video needs.

Well built, designed to stay small & modular, and field tested. And all of the modular bits are made to work together!

This week since NAB is in town, I’ll be checking out another mobile solution and report back. It’s footprint is much larger, yet could be another solution for you.