Magic Reds ViewFinder vs ARRI ECS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Magic Reds ViewFinder
This tool simulates camera lens fields of view for filmmaking professionals. It helps visualize shots by selecting cameras and focal lengths, with options for aspect ratios and color presets. Save your compositions with detailed metadata.
- Simulates camera and lens field of view
- Supports various RED digital cinema cameras
- Adjustable focal length and aspect ratio
- Apply color presets (LUTs)
- Save shots with metadata
- Lock exposure and focus
- Adjust white balance
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Magic Reds ViewFinder presents a precise framing preview for the real camera/lens combination you'll be shooting with, right where you stand with your iPhone / iPad. It simulates the field of view of cinema digital cameras 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 tool. 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 ( http://www.red.com/products ): - Helium 8K - Gemini - Weapon 8K - Scarlet-W, - Weapon Dragon - Epic Dragon / Mysterium-X - Scarlet Dragon / Mysterium-X - Red One Magic ViewFinder simulates using tele adapters or anamorphic optics on your camera. 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 or 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. Ads can be turned off (see below). 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_Red_ViewFinder.html
ARRI ECS
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The “ECS Sync” iPhone app functions as a direct communication platform between ARRI and users of ARRI’s Electronic Control System (ECS). Adaptable to any camera and any lens, ARRI ECS tools include wireless hand units and digital controllers, intelligent lens motors, and distance measurers. With the ECS Sync app, users can receive up-to-the-minute software updates, news, and answers to frequently asked questions relevant to these products. In addition, the ECS Sync app enables Bluetooth file sharing between ECS devices and the app via the new Hi-5 hand unit, without the need of a bulky laptop on set. Software versions can be synchronized, and transferred from the app to the connected devices. Lens files and user settings can be archived in the app, or forwarded on, including to the user’s Google Drive or Drop Box. Lens files can also be displayed graphically, contributing to the app’s usefulness as a portable and intuitive filmmaking tool. Features: • Save and load lens tables and user setup files to/from the Hi-5 hand unit via Bluetooth • Create a personalized lens data archive in the ECS Sync app • Update the Hi-5 hand unit and connected LBUS devices via the app • Get the latest news about ARRI ECS products • Distribute lens tables and user setup files from the app via email, WhatsApp, Dropbox, Google Drive and more
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ARRI ECS at none against Magic Reds ViewFinder's 2. ARRI ECS also leads on ads (none vs shown). Magic Reds ViewFinder's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price and device support 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
Both are free to download. Magic Reds ViewFinder sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. ARRI ECS asks for nothing beyond the download.
Magic Reds ViewFinder ships an update every 2 months, ARRI ECS every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Magic Reds ViewFinder | ARRI ECS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (23 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 23 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Roman Medvid | ARRI Group |
In-app purchases
Magic Reds ViewFinder
- Premium features: subscription$1.491 Month
- Premium features: purchase$4.99
ARRI ECS
No in-app purchases









