Comparison

Magic Cinema ViewFinder vs RED_CONTROL

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Magic Cinema ViewFinder

This tool simulates the field of view for specific camera and lens combinations, aiding filmmakers in preproduction. It offers precise framing previews and allows saving shots with detailed information. Users can adjust focus, white balance, and apply color presets.

Highlights
  • Precise framing preview
  • Simulates camera/lens field of view
  • Save shots with metadata
  • Adjust focus and white balance
  • Apply color presets (LUTs)
  • Supports various Blackmagic cameras
Features
Read full description

Magic Cinema ViewFinder presents you a precise framing preview for the real Blackmagic camera/lens combination you'll be shooting with, right where you stand with your iPhone / iPad. It simulates the field of view of any Blackmagic camera or lens and can help thousands of professionals in filmmaking at the preproduction. PLEASE READ: this app does not turn your Apple device into an external monitor, but operates as a stand-alone director's viewfinder. The app contains ad banners, which can be turned off with additional in-app purchase (in 'About the App' menu). The app is a digital directors viewfinder -- it helps you see the exact field of view for your future shot. Select the camera from the menu and rotate the wheel to select the focal length of the lens. Supported cameras: - Blackmagic URSA 4.6K / URSA Mini - Blackmagic URSA - Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro - Blackmagic URSA Broadcast - Blackmagic BMCC, BMPC 4K - Blackmagic Micro Cinema / Pocket / 4K Magic ViewFinder simulates using tele adapters or anamorphic optics on your camera (see menu). From the menu you can also select the aspect ratio of the frame guide overlaying your image. Magic ViewFinder also lets you apply some commonly used color presets (also known as LUTs) to the live picture, which brings you even closer to the final shot. When you have found the right view, you may save it for future reference, with additional data like the focal length, date and time and camera / lens information. While taking a photo, you may lock exposure and turn on and off the auto focus to better control the captured picture. You can set camera to work in constant auto-focus mode, or lock the focus temporarily. You can also tap the live screen to focus on particular objects (which turns on the focus-locked mode). White balance may work in Auto, Locked or Manual mode. If the field of view of your real camera is wider than your in-device camera, the app adds 'padding' around the image, since the device cannot 'see' what is beyond. It is the best solution that we developed first amongst other viewfinder apps. Please note that position of your iPhone/iPad should correspond to the 'nodal point' of your real lens, which is somewhere in the middle of the lens. Ad policy: The ads are designed to appear non-intrusively, and help me to develop. Additional info about the app may be read at: http://dev.kadru.net/index.php/magic-viewfinder/ If you have any issues please email us for a quick support: dev@kadru.net To activate additional settings (i.e. to use all available optical adapters and frame guides) and to turn off advertising, please subscribe to (Option #1) or purchase Premium Features (Option #2) in 'About the App' menu. In-App Purchase Option #1: - Title of service: Premium features: subscription - Length of subscription: a month (auto-renewable) - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase - Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Terms of Use: http://dev.kadru.net/tos.html In-App Purchase Option #2: - Title of service: Premium features: purchase - Length of subscription: once and forever - Contents of service: Turned off ads and additional options for frame guides, optical adapters, anamorphic indices, more LUTs Privacy Policy: http://dev.kadru.net/privacy_policy/Privacy_Policy_Magic_Cinema_ViewFinder.html

About

RED_CONTROL

Control your RED V-RAPTOR™ or KOMODO™ camera directly from your iOS device. This free app offers a customizable interface for live streaming, full menu navigation, and flexible display modes.

Highlights
  • Direct camera control
  • Live streaming
  • Full menu navigation
  • Customizable interface
  • Portrait and landscape modes
  • Full-screen option
Features
Read full description

The RED Control App gives users complete control over their V-RAPTOR™ or KOMODO™ Camera. This free app is easy to use and controls the camera directly from your iOS device. The app offers users a unique customizable interface and the ability to live stream from the camera, navigate the entire menu, and offers both portrait and landscape modes with a full-screen option. Note: RED Control App is compatible with V-RAPTOR, V-RAPTOR XL, V-RAPTOR X and XE, KOMODO-X, and KOMODO 6K only. Not available for use with DSMC2 or previous generation RED cameras. Lens control requires a compatible electronic lens.

Screenshots

Magic Cinema ViewFinder4 screens
RED_CONTROL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Magic Cinema ViewFinder at 4.6 against RED_CONTROL's 4.1. Magic Cinema ViewFinder also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 56%) and device support (3 vs 1). RED_CONTROL's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Magic Cinema ViewFinder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. RED_CONTROL asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Magic Cinema ViewFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 82 and 53 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 65% of Magic Cinema ViewFinder's written reviews are positive against 56% of RED_CONTROL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic Cinema ViewFinder ships an update every 5 weeks, RED_CONTROL monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Magic Cinema ViewFinder versus RED_CONTROL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic Cinema ViewFinderRED_CONTROL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (82 ratings) — better4.1 (53 ratings)
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews — better55.9% of reviews
Number of ratings82 — better53
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoman MedvidRED Digital Cinema

Customer experience

Magic Cinema ViewFinder

All ratings81 ratings
Positive90.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative7.4%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative35.0%

RED_CONTROL

All ratings53 ratings
Positive77.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative18.9%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive55.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative38.2%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Magic Cinema ViewFinder

Subscriptions1
  • Premium features: subscription1 Month trial$1.491 Month
One-time1
  • Premium features: purchase$4.99
None

RED_CONTROL

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Magic Cinema ViewFinder free?
Magic Cinema ViewFinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is RED_CONTROL free?
RED_CONTROL is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Magic Cinema ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL?
Magic Cinema ViewFinder is rated higher. Magic Cinema ViewFinder averages 4.6 out of 5 from 82 ratings, while RED_CONTROL averages 4.1 from 53 ratings.
Do Magic Cinema ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL have ads?
Magic Cinema ViewFinder shows ads; RED_CONTROL does not.
Which is updated more often, Magic Cinema ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL?
Magic Cinema ViewFinder ships an update every 5 weeks, and RED_CONTROL monthly. Most recently, Magic Cinema ViewFinder was updated on October 22, 2026 and RED_CONTROL on October 23, 2026.

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