Ok so, I literally just went through this whole process of building a kit for my current setup and I am sooo happy with how it turned out. When I first started, I was kinda nervous about spending $400 on accessories for a phone, but honestly, it makes such a huge difference for travel vlogging!! I’m still a bit of a beginner when it comes to the technical side of things, but I’ve been using the Sandmarc Creator Grip and it’s been a total game changer for me. I was worried about the MagSafe being weak too, but this thing feels solid and it gives me that extra bit of confidence when I'm filming handheld near water or on a hike.

For the filters you mentioned, I’d really suggest looking at the Sandmarc 67mm VND Filter (3-6 Stop). I use it with their specific mounting system and it’s basically foolproof. It helps so much when you're trying to get that smooth cinematic look in bright sun without the video looking choppy. Plus, it fits that 67mm standard you wanted!! For the ProRes stuff, I’ve been using the Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD and it works well with no lag at all. Just make sure you get a short, high-quality cable like the Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) Pro Cable (1 m) so it doesn't dangle everywhere while you're recording. I mean, it’s a bit of an investment, but your footage will look sooo much better. Anyway, hope that helps and good luck with the new phone!! peace

I went through this last year... honestly, I was super paranoid about my phone falling off during a hike. I tried MagSafe but didn't trust it for "active" vlogging, so I felt way safer using the Beastgrip Pro Universal Smartphone Rig. It's a tank! For filters, I stuck with the Tiffen 67mm Black Pro-Mist 1/4 Filter to soften those digital highlights. Ngl, it's a bit bulky, but keeping the gear secure is everything when you're spending that much on a phone! gl!

Bookmarked, thanks!

For your situation, I'd say focusing on the technical side of the workflow is huge, especially if you're hitting ProRes. I've been doing the mobile cinematography thing for a bit and honestly, the biggest lesson I learned was about data management and thermal throttling. My current setup uses a really compact cage that lets me bolt on a 67mm filter adapter, and it's a game changer for landscape work. Being able to use standard glass filters instead of those tiny clip-on ones makes a MASSIVE difference in image quality, i mean like, no weird color shifts or vignetting.

I was skeptical about MagSafe too, and tbh, for high-action vlogging, I still prefer a physical screw-in mount or a full cage. If you're moving fast, you dont want your expensive rig popping off. Regarding the SSD, make sure you get one with high sustained write speeds; some drives look fast on paper but lag like crazy once they heat up during a long 4K shoot. I just use a ruggedized external drive and it's been solid. Basically, just make sure your cables are rated for high-speed data transfer or the phone wont even recognize the drive for direct recording. gl!

For your situation, I think you'll be happy with a more budget-friendly approach that still hits those specs, right? Since you want 67mm compatibility, basically skip the pricey kits and grab the iPhone+15+Pro+Max&linkCode=osi&------123456890?5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">SmallRig Mobile Video Cage for iPhone 15 Pro Max—the 17 will likely fit or they'll have a cheap swap. Pair it with the SmallRig 67mm Cellphone Filter Ring Adapter.

For filters, I honestly love the K&F Concept 67mm Variable ND Filter ND2-ND400 because it's cheap but works well for landscape. Also, skip the T7 and get the Crucial X9 2TB Portable SSD—it’s super tiny and handles ProRes no problem.

TL;DR: SmallRig cage + K&F filters + Crucial SSD is basically the best value kit under $300, I guess? Good luck!

So, before you drop $400 on a kit, I have to ask: are you planning on rigging this up for static tripod shots mostly, or are you actually going to be doing heavy run-and-gun stuff? The gear you need changes drastically if you are fighting wind or vibration versus just doing slow landscape pans. One thing I have noticed from building my own rigs over the years is that the DIY approach can save a ton of money, but there are a few huge pitfalls to avoid if you want professional results:

• Avoid those universal spring-loaded plastic clamps for high-end video. They are fine for a quick selfie but they eventually lose tension and your phone will hit the pavement during active use.
• Be careful with generic USB-C cables for ProRes. Just because it fits doesn't mean it has the data throughput (10Gbps minimum) to keep up with the 17 Pro Max write speeds without dropping frames or overheating.
• Watch out for light leakage when using 67mm adapters. If the gap between the phone lens and the filter isnt sealed perfectly, you get internal reflections that basically ruin your dynamic range in bright sunlight. Honestly, if you are handy, you can build a way better rig using industrial parts and cold shoe extensions than buying a pre-made kit, but you have to be super precise with the clearance. Have you looked into the specific mounting points you need for your vlogging mic or lights yet?