Comparison

Magic ARRI 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 ARRI ViewFinder

This app simulates the field of view for ARRI digital cameras and lenses on your iPhone or iPad. It helps filmmakers preview exact framing and lens focal lengths during pre-production, with options for color presets and saving shots.

Highlights
  • Precise framing preview
  • ARRI digital camera simulation
  • Lens focal length selection
  • Aspect ratio frame guides
  • Color preset (LUT) application
  • Save framed shots with data
  • Focus and exposure control
Features
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Magic ARRI ViewFinder gives 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 ARRI digital cameras or lens and can help thousands of professionals in filmmaking at the preproduction. PLEASE READ: the 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 / formats: - Alexa Classic / XT / SXT / LF / Amira - Sensor Mode 16:9 4:3 / 4:3 Cropped / Open Gate 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 or iPad should correspond to the 'nodal point' of your real lens, which is somewhere in the middle of the lens. This point is, so to speak, the weighted center of the optics. 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 Privacy Policy: http://dev.kadru.net/privacy_policy/Privacy_Policy_Magic_CinemaPLUS_ViewFinder.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

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
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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 ARRI ViewFinder4 screens
RED_CONTROL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Magic ARRI ViewFinder at 4.8 against RED_CONTROL's 4.1. Magic ARRI ViewFinder also leads on review sentiment (86% 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 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 ARRI 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 ARRI ViewFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 177 and 53 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Magic ARRI ViewFinder's written reviews are positive against 56% of RED_CONTROL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Magic ARRI ViewFinder versus RED_CONTROL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic ARRI ViewFinderRED_CONTROL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (177 ratings) — better4.1 (53 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better55.9% of reviews
Number of ratings177 — better53
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
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
Size22 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoman MedvidRED Digital Cinema

Customer experience

Magic ARRI ViewFinder

All ratings175 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral0.6%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

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 ARRI 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 ARRI ViewFinder free?
Magic ARRI 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 ARRI ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder is rated higher. Magic ARRI ViewFinder averages 4.8 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while RED_CONTROL averages 4.1 from 53 ratings.
Do Magic ARRI ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL have ads?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder shows ads; RED_CONTROL does not.
Which is updated more often, Magic ARRI ViewFinder or RED_CONTROL?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder ships an update monthly, and RED_CONTROL monthly. Most recently, Magic ARRI ViewFinder was updated on October 22, 2026 and RED_CONTROL on October 23, 2026.

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