Remember the Padcaster? It was a photography rig made to turn the new iPad into a shallow-focusing movie camera, and it was [teased](https://www.cultofmac.com/156157/padcaster-turns-new-ipad-into-shallow-focusing-movie-camera/) by the makers Manhattan Edit Workshop last month. Now, the Padcaster has been revealed at NAB 2012, and it is just what we thought it would be — a way to mount big lenses on the iPad 3 and turn it onto a movie camera.
Before you laugh at the idea, think about this: the iPad makes a perfect film camera. Where else are you going to find a camera with such a big screen, let alone such a high resolution one? And yes, it might be awkward to shoot with it handheld, but that’s the point of the [Padcaster](https://www.cultofmac.com/156157/padcaster-turns-new-ipad-into-shallow-focusing-movie-camera/). Also, much video is shot with the camera locked down on a tripod, making the issue moot.
The Padcaster, then, is an aluminum frame with a urethane insert which holds the iPad. The design is simple, with tripod screw-holes arranged around the edges of the frame for not only mounting the rig on a tripod but also for adding lights and other accessories.
The (removable) urethane insert grips the iPad and has diagonally opposite lens holes so you can put the iPad in any way you like without getting it wrong. There is also an optional adapter to put proper lenses on the front for follow-focusing and the like.
The Padcaster is available for pre-order, and will be $200 when it goes on sale. The lens adapter, called the Lenscaster (of course) will be $80. A relative steal in the world of normally very expensive movie gear.
[Via [iDownloadblog](https://www.idownloadblog.com/2012/04/18/dslr-features-for-the-ipad/)]
