# Viewfinder Preview — Camera framing preview app

> iPhone app for previewing camera framing with custom formats and focal lengths. (iPhone/iPad app by Adam Fowler.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewfinder-preview/id1216484605 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Adam Fowler](https://appshunter.io/developer/1216484604)
- Category: Photo & Video, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 295 App Store ratings · 103 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 18 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France)
- Released: 2018-04-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewfinder-preview/id1216484605/reviews.md

## What is Viewfinder Preview?

Viewfinder Preview is an iPhone app for previewing camera framing for any combination of camera and lens. Instead of spending all that time setting up your big camera, just choose your desired film/sensor size and focal length in the app and point the iPhone camera at what you want to photo to verify framing. If you are happy with the framing then you can get the big camera out. The app has a large database of camera sensors details and film formats but if the format you desire isn’t there you can add your own custom format. The app is targeted at stills photographers or film makers working in either film or digital. If you don’t have your big camera with you, Viewfinder Preview is still great for photo sketching, location scouting or story boarding.

The app includes

- Customisable menus so you can include the film/sensor formats and focal lengths you care about.
- A fully configurable light meter.
- You can take photos with it, so you have a record of shots you were framing.
- Photos taken with the app include additional data that describe the film format, focal length and lighting meter settings at the time the shot was taken
- Add notes to your photos
- A photo gallery for viewing photos taken with the app which also displays the additional data
- Share images in emails, messages
- Create albums of photos from the same project, trip etc
- Create PDF documents of albums
- Film stock emulation
- Wide angle lens adapter support

## Key features

- Camera and lens framing preview
- Customizable film/sensor formats
- Configurable light meter
- Photo capture with metadata
- Photo gallery with data display
- Album and PDF creation
- Film stock emulation

## Chart rankings

- #46 in Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

## What do users think of Viewfinder Preview?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 📸 Excellent film emulation and visualization
- 💡 Comprehensive light meter functionality
- 📝 Useful note-taking and shot logging features
- 🎯 Customizable camera formats and focal lengths
- 👍 Intuitive interface and easy to use
- 💰 Good value for the price
- 🔧 Flexible customization options
- 📊 Helpful histogram display
- 🎬 Accurate framing preview for film cameras
- ⚡ Responsive and stable performance
- 🏗️ Excellent for large format photography
- 🎨 Film stock emulation with B&W filters

**Cons**

- 🐛 App crashes and white screen issues
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📱 Poor image resolution and quality
- ⚠️ Limited focal length range (35mm minimum)
- 🎬 Focal length accuracy issues on newer iPhones
- 💾 Data retention problems with notes
- 🔌 Resets exposure offset on app close
- 🖼️ Limited film stock selection
- 🎯 Clunky camera selection interface
- 📐 Limited aspect ratio options
- 🔍 Difficult custom format setup
- ⚙️ Confusing UX design in places

**Commonly reported bugs**

- White screen on startup
- App crashes repeatedly
- Exposure offset resets when app closes
- Notes and shot data disappear after weeks
- In-app purchase screen loops indefinitely
- Focal length inaccuracy on iPhone 14 Pro
- Manual metering mode shows darker frame than preview
- Tiny 1px border on cropped images
- Battery drains excessively
- App not loading on iOS 16
- Glitches requiring app restart

**Most requested features**

- Embed camera/lens metadata directly in saved images
- Save custom film stock names
- Persistent exposure offset settings
- More film stock options (Kodak Gold 200, Fuji 400H, Catlabs 320 Pro, Ilford XP2, etc.)
- Lower ISO settings (support for ISO 0.5 and below)
- Additional aspect ratios (6x17, 65x24)
- Save images with exposure data as overlay or separate versions
- Grid lines and level indicators
- Focus distance display
- Telephoto lens support (65mm-400mm)
- Wider focal lengths (below 35mm)
- Camera profile presets for quick switching
- Custom aperture values (e.g., f/3.5)
- Shift lens simulation for architectural photography
- Watermark saved photos with camera data
- Toggle HDR on/off for better film simulation
- Video tutorial or in-app help guide
- Ability to disable auto-display of config on images
- Telephoto lens compatibility
- Correct focal length rendering for newer iPhone models

## Recent user reviews (10 of 103)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewfinder-preview/id1216484605/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Save lens info?

*2025-12-25, version 1.11.5*

Just bought this, and tested it. It seems good at first. However, I don’t see an option to save the lens info within the viewfinder. Making it basically useless. You need to be able to embed the lens, camera information on the file.

### 5/5 — Fantastic App

*2025-11-30, version 1.11.5*

Fantastic App that is flexible and adjustable.

### 5/5 — Great app for recording my settings and checking the composition

*2025-10-05*

I love this app, being able to emulate the film, lens, and format. Checking the scene would make a good photo. Using the light meter for setting my camera. Then recording the shot and all the information for me so I can look up my negatives. It’s so handy. 

The only missing feature I would like would be being able to add custom film names in the emulation. I don’t need an accurate emulation / recipe - just to remember the film stock I used.

### 5/5 — Great App

*2025-05-21, version 1.11.5*

This is a great and inexpensive app for viewfinding. I use 4x5 and you can set your own focal length and format. Highly recommend!!!!!

### 5/5 — Mind blown

*2025-04-17, version 1.11.4*

The features on this app are really useful,definitely a game changer when it comes to visualization and an amazing tool for metering.

### 4/5 — Exposure offset

*2025-03-29*

When you close the app it resets the exposure offset to zero no matter whether the clear button is ticked or not. Is there a way to make that “permanent” (until I change it)? Reason I ask, I want this to emulate my Pentax Digital Spot meter, which I have calculated to be +2-2/3. Recently I was out photographing with my 8x10” camera after a long pause, and the battery in my meter had died. None of the light meter apps do what I want, but this one is the best of the bunch.

**Developer response:** I’m sorry that the exposure offset reset is occurring, even though you have asked it not to. I will look to fix for the next release.

### 5/5 — The Best App

*2025-03-21, version 1.11.4*

This app is the closest thing to film / analog photography. I usually shoot Fuji GX617, and this app helps me premeditate the shots before I commit to the actual photo.

### 5/5 — Just what I need !

*2025-03-20*

As a professional photographer who works with various formats, this app is perfect. I mainly use it when shooting 4x5 film as it allows me to judge what lens I will need. So convenient to have this ability in an iPhone app as I always have it with me. Recommended and another happy customer! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

### 4/5 — More film stock choices

*2025-03-13, version 1.11.4*

It’s good but if your using film like sin still BW XX or kentmere good luck it would be nice to have more film stock to use in the selection of film

### 3/5 — Useful but limited

*2025-02-03*

Useful for quick general use evaluation a scene for composition. Difficult to add custom format, some work arounds but also some frustration.

## Frequently asked questions about Viewfinder Preview

### What does Viewfinder Preview do?

Viewfinder Preview is an iPhone app designed to help photographers and filmmakers preview camera framing. It allows you to select specific camera sensor sizes, film formats, and focal lengths to visualize how your shot will look before setting up your main camera equipment.

### What are the key features of Viewfinder Preview?

Key features include the ability to preview framing for various camera and lens combinations, a large database of camera sensors and film formats with the option to add custom formats, a configurable light meter, photo capture with embedded metadata, and tools for organizing photos into albums and PDF documents.

### How much does Viewfinder Preview cost?

Based on the provided information, Viewfinder Preview is a paid application. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model.

### Who is Viewfinder Preview for?

This app is targeted at stills photographers and filmmakers, whether they are working with film or digital formats. It's also useful for individuals engaged in photo sketching, location scouting, or storyboarding who need to visualize shots.

### Can I use Viewfinder Preview if my desired camera format isn't listed?

Yes, the app allows you to add your own custom film or sensor formats if the one you need is not already present in its extensive database. This ensures flexibility for a wide range of equipment and creative needs.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.11.5 — 2025-05-04

- Fixed issue with adding new cameras, focal lengths and aspect ratios

### 1.11.4 — 2025-02-07

- Add support for iPhone 16 family
- Don't require full access to photo library

### 1.11.3 — 2024-02-23

- Improved volume button shutter performance.
- Extended ISO menu range.
- Fixed: losing of metadata when sharing photos.
- Fixed: overriding of AirPod volume.

### 1.11.2 — 2023-10-31

- Add support for iPhone 15 models

### 1.11.1 — 2023-01-19

- Fix for iPhone14 Pro/Max camera

## Apps similar to Viewfinder Preview

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cadrage Director's Viewfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cadrage-directors-viewfinder/id793232740) | 4.7 (354) | $19.99 | Photo & Video |
| [Mark II Artist's Viewfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mark-ii-artists-viewfinder/id711280537) | 4.8 (102) | $39.99 | Photo & Video |
| [Art of Foto](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/art-of-foto/id1440728210) | 4.8 (16) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Pinhole Assist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pinhole-assist/id466757473) | 4.9 (19) | $2.99 | Photo & Video |
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| [Newgrain: Film Photo Community](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newgrain-film-photo-community/id6444198677) | 4.8 (117) | Free | Photo & Video |

## More apps by Adam Fowler

- [Darkroom Clock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/darkroom-clock/id1401045393)
- [Goodfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/goodfinder/id1488128846)

All apps by Adam Fowler: https://appshunter.io/developer/1216484604

## Related topics

[viewfinder preview](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/viewfinder-preview) · [viewfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/viewfinder) · [film photography viewfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/film-photography-viewfinder) · [director viewfinder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/director-viewfinder) · [focal length finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/focal-length-finder)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*