Apple created a custom camera using iPhone technology to film actual Formula 1 races

Apple uses iPhone tech to film F1 races with custom cameras, creating movie-quality shots.

: Apple developed a unique camera using iPhone technology to capture the intense realism needed for their motion picture based on Formula One World Championship races. This innovative camera system had to fit within the strict constraints of F1 regulations, balancing size with the high-quality standards demanded by filmmakers. Engineers integrated iPhone imaging components into an existing F1 chassis, using a powerful A-series chip to handle intensive filming conditions, such as heat and shock. Additionally, this camera captured footage in Apple's ProRes format, used in several races across the 2023 and 2024 seasons and featured in the film starring Brad Pitt.

Apple sought to infuse its latest motion picture focusing on Formula One with an unparalleled level of realism that standard film equipment could not achieve within the constraints of racing regulations. The challenge lay in fitting advanced cinema-quality cameras into the compact and optimized spaces of Formula 1 car cockpits, which led the company to use its expertise in compact technology—specifically from their renowned iPhone devices—to innovate a solution.

The engineering team at Apple designed a bespoke camera system by embedding imaging components standard in iPhones into existing Formula 1 camera supports. This configuration addressed the spatial limitations while still achieving the quality necessary for movie production. Backed by an A-series chip, notably similar to the A17 Pro in iPhone 15 Pro models, this camera delivered high-definition POV shots that could withstand the high-speed environment of F1 racing.

Unique considerations were made for light exposure and data management, which involved incorporating a neutral density filter to manage light intake and utilizing Apple's ProRes format for lossless video capture. Because F1 regulations restrict wireless onboard data transmission, filmmakers were required to manually connect the camera system to an iPad after each session to adjust video parameters and extract footage.

The camera was field-tested for resilience under extreme conditions such as heat, shock, and vibration, issues that are prominent in the demanding and high-pressure setting of a Formula One Grand Prix. This testing assured compliance with stringent F1 standards, allowing its deployment across a few crucial races in 2023 and 2024 where it effectively captured vivid moments for their upcoming film.

Brad Pitt, a star of the film, attended the premiere at Radio City Music Hall on June 16, marking the film's debut prior to its international release on June 25 and subsequent US debut on June 27, coinciding with the Austrian Gran Prix.

Sources: TechSpot, Wired

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