# Viewfinder Preview — user reviews > 103 indexed App Store user reviews of Viewfinder Preview by Adam Fowler, rated 4.70/5 from 295 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewfinder-preview/id1216484605/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/viewfinder-preview/id1216484605.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 247 · 4★ 31 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 6 ## 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 ## Newest reviews (17 of 103) ### 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. ### 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 ### 4/5 — Lower iso please *2025-02-02* Great app, love the ability to manually input custom settings, wish I could customise iso. Shooting wet plate with iso of 0.5… would be perfect if there were lower iso settings than currently or better the ability to customise. Thx ### 4/5 — Great *2025-01-28, version 1.11.3* Great app ### 4/5 — It needs an update *2025-01-14* It needs an update, some of the films aren’t even accessible anymore. While more accessible films aren’t. Like for example Kodak gold 200 is not in there . Fuji 400h is beautiful film but out of production. You should consider it . :) ### 4/5 — Good. Could be great *2025-01-02* Hey dev team. It’s great having options, could you please add a feature where an image can be saved to the roll like a screenshot to include the exposure and time data? Or even better, an option to save 2 versions of the image. One of just the image as shot and one with all the exposure data (and date/time) visible in the image. Please and Thanks for a really useful tool! ### 3/5 — Confused *2024-12-04* It’s an awesome app for layout, features and design. I didn’t realize right away though as I’m guessing it’s purely for people that use film equipment to see / compare composition, framing and exposure values etc… (my fault for not getting this bit) Anyway for reference to others. Resolution is appalling and It struggles to even give moderate performance image quality wise. Low light is especially worse and forget using above the 3x lens equivalent from your phone. Again probably an unfair review from me if I’ve got the wrong idea for the use of this app. Regardless of intent I’ve used free apps that have better resolution and performance, how difficult is it to match that for this app then ? It’s Extremely disappointing considering what I paid. Could have been worthy of 5 stars. ☹️ ### 5/5 — Perfect app to prepare your composition *2024-11-13* It worth every penny ### 4/5 — Great App! *2024-10-05* The only minor things that I did not like about this app was that the UI could be more iOS-like in some places (e. g. the menu button and list views) and that you cannot restrict its access to a specific folder of your photo-library properly, — which looks like a bug to me… ### 5/5 — Very useful app! Solves a lot of problems *2024-09-06, version 1.11.3* This is a very useful app film shooters. It solves sever problems. > It helps you pre-visulize the shot with the lens and film stock. > It has a histogram. > It allows you to long your photos and take notes. Much easier than a notebook. I would recomend this app for film shooters. ### 3/5 — Needs some tweaking maybe? *2024-08-02, version 1.11.3* Updated my stars to 3 will go to 5 if fully implemented. Need 6x17 and other aspect ratios like 65x24 On our fuji 50s. Limited by aspect ratios. Also when using non full frame are the focal lengths for the sensor chosen or Fframe equivalent? Tutorial? A video online could be helpful ### 5/5 — this is the app I search for so long *2024-06-08* although I spend some money on it but in fact this is the app I want for a long time. when I was taking film pictures I need a app can preview the lightmeter sets so much .not mentioned it also can record it to the gallery. one little suggestion: maybe we can add a config to choose whether the config automatically show on the side of pictures. ### 5/5 — Wow *2024-06-01, version 1.11.3* This app is great only wish that they had more film to use like sims til xx bw other than that it’s great ### 5/5 — Enfin ! *2024-04-30* Une application ultra complète qui permet d’avoir énormément d’informations avant de prendre sa photo. Un outil indispensable pour ceux qui shoote a la pellicule mais pas que… ### 4/5 — Great app *2024-03-11, version 1.11.3* A great app but could do with an update to include Kodak Gold 200 film stock ### 5/5 — Perfect *2024-02-21, version 1.11.2* This is exactly what I was looking for while learning medium format shooting. ### 5/5 — suggestion *2024-02-18* it will be good if app can edit photos from phone camera rolls ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 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. ### 1/5 — Useless app *2022-11-05* Used it just 5 times and now every time it starts it is just a white screen. No amount of adjustment in the settings changes it. Waste of money. **Developer response:** I’m sorry to hear you are having problems with the app. I have not heard of your issue before. If you contact me via email viewfinder@opticalaberration.com I can hopefully resolve your issue. ### 1/5 — Widest lens is 35mm? *2021-09-08, version 1.9.2* As a landscape photographer I use wide angle lenses a lot. This app is pretty useless as it only goes down to 35mm and my phone has a wide angle lens that is wider. Was not clear before purchase the app was so limited. ### 1/5 — completely useless *2021-07-02* In full format, 35 mm exists as the smallest focal length. At least 24 mm and 28 mm should be available in the wide angle. The iPhone camera would allow even more wide angles. 85, 105 and 135 are also missing. In medium format (6x45) 80 mm is missing, which is very common. Medium format 6x7 is completely missing. An aperture can be set, but it doesn't give a preview of a possible depth of field, which would be feasible with the iPhone's portrait mode. Selected focal lengths also give no indication of possible compression or distortions at the picture's edge. Technically this would also be possible. **Developer response:** Hi, I’m sorry the app hasn’t lived up to your expectations but it seems you have missed that there is the ability to add in your own custom focal lengths. Go to the settings and select ‘Edit focal length menu’. You can then edit the focal lengths for each of your cameras. I hope this helps. ### 1/5 — Focal length range is terrible *2021-05-22, version 1.9.1* Don’t wast your money, other apps have better range. ### 1/5 — Probably a good App but..... *2020-03-28, version 1.8.2* I just bought the app. It looks great but on the second day after the installation it keeps crashing. I reopen and away it goes. I have uninstalled and reinstalled and it lasted about 10 minutes on screen then away it goes. I reopen and away it goes instantly. Not sure how to proceed. ### 2/5 — Doesn’t retain info for long *2024-12-06* I loved this app when I first discovered it, but it seems to not retain the notes I enter for long. I made several photographs and added all of my notes I wished to make and a few weeks later when I was ready to develop my film, all of those notes were gone. I had about 10 sheets of film that needed different development, but that info was gone. I decided to just develop them all together for a Normal development time, resulting in some getting too much development and others not enough. ### 2/5 — Disappointed *2019-12-13, version 1.8* This app is simple and easy to use. Unfortunately I was disappointed to learn that 8x10 and 4x5 are limited on shorter focal lengths. I bought the app for the sole purpose of using it for large format and it isn’t fully functional for that purpose on my iPhone X. ### 2/5 — Clever but not quite what I expected. *2019-04-10* I was looking for something that would give me a quick way to scout Lens choices on a shoot. I was hoping I could dial in a camera and lens combination and see what the field of view would be. If the app can do that, it isn’t immediately obvious how to set things up. Bit of a shame as the concept is pretty sound. **Developer response:** Hi Lloydml, I believe what you describe is what the app does. Please contact us viewfinder@adamfowlerphotography.co.uk and I can point you in the right direction. ### 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. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 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. ### 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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ### 5/5 — The Best App *2025-02-02, version 1.11.3* 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 — Nothing compares to it *2025-01-25* companion website for printouts wjst.de/viewfinder ### 5/5 — Awesome App *2024-12-03, version 1.11.3* I find this very useful. ### 5/5 — Extremely useful *2024-11-14* I bought this to use to scout spots before setting up and shooting with my big heavy panoramic film camera, and it's excellent! With the settings of your camera all entered the preview you get is pretty much spot on. I compared my developed film shot with the preview image I shot with this and the framing is very very close. Highly recommended. --- *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 2026-09-05.*