The update can control the physical aperture of the main camera on iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Furthermore, the app supports ProRes recording on Pro Video Storage under iOS 27 – with limitations on setup and high frame rates.
Blackmagic Camera 3.5 expands control options for video recording with iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The app can directly access the variable aperture of the main camera. Additionally, it supports Apple ProRes recording on Pro Video Storage under iOS 27.
Physical Aperture instead of Simulated Effect
The variable aperture is a physical function of the main camera of these two iPhone models. According to the release notes, Blackmagic Camera 3.5 can control it to adjust exposure and depth of field. The aperture thus complements the options for influencing the amount of light and the focus impression during the shot.
It is important to note the restriction to the main camera: The other rear cameras of iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max do not have a movable aperture. Therefore, this innovation does not apply universally to all cameras of a device.
ProRes on Reserved Video Storage
Under iOS 27, Blackmagic Camera 3.5 supports recording Apple ProRes on Pro Video Storage. According to Digital Production, this is a memory resource managed by iOS that is reserved for video recording – not an additional folder or a new file system.
On iPhone 18 Pro models, Pro Video Storage must be set up before ProRes can be activated. There is also an important limit for high frame rates: For ProRes recording in 4K at up to 120 fps, compatible external storage is required. The release notes for Blackmagic Camera 3.5 reportedly do not state that Pro Video Storage lifts this requirement.
What the Innovations Mean in Practice
During filming, you can use the physical aperture of the main camera to adjust exposure and depth of field. This only concerns the main camera of the two mentioned Pro models. For ProRes, you gain another recording option with Pro Video Storage under iOS 27; the storage must be set up before use. If you want to record in 4K at up to 120 fps, you still need compatible external storage. The update therefore does not promise the lifting of this storage requirement.
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