LensKit vs Shadow Planner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LensKit
This app provides professional tools for filmmakers and cinematographers, offering extensive lens specifications, camera coverage simulations, and advanced depth of field calculations. It helps plan shoots, make on-set decisions, and ensure compatibility with various cameras and lenses, including Netflix-approved formats.
- Extensive lens database (2000+ lenses)
- Camera sensor coverage simulation
- Lens matching for various configurations
- Depth of field calculator
- Shot preview and framing simulation
- Netflix 4K mandate compliance tool
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Whether you’re planning a shoot or making decisions on set, LensKit has you covered. Search over 2000 lenses from Angenieux, Arri, Cooke, Hawk, Leica, Zeiss and more. All specs and data sourced by hand: no AI means no hallucinations. SPECS Includes max aperture, lens mounts, weight, length, close focus, front diameter and more* COVERAGE Overlay a lens’ image circle on your camera sensor to make sure it’s covered. Includes over 200 cameras from Arri, Canon, Red, Sony, Blackmagic, Panasonic and more* LENS MATCH Mix and match spherical, anamorphic, speed boosters and extenders, and even factor in post-production extractions— the lens match tool can handle it all. EQUIVALENT No need to worry about crop factors or sensor sizes, just choose a focal length and a camera and get the Super35 equivalent. Or pick the S35 equivalent length you want and see the lens you’ll need. NETFLIX APPROVAL A game changer for anyone who’s struggled with the complexity of which formats and resolutions meet the Netflix "4K mandate"— especially when shooting in anamorphic. Designed in collaboration with Netflix. DEPTH OF FIELD An easy to use yet comprehensive DOF tool that allows for customizing circle of confusion with presets and manual input. PREVIEW See a simulation of your shot based on lens, camera and distance. Or pinch, zoom and reposition to get the exact frame you want, and see what lens or distance you’ll need for it. AND MORE Filter lenses to see only what fits your specific camera and needs. Save your calculations and return to them later. Group together lenses you rent or own for quick access. • Support • For support, send me an email at zak@grayhourmedia.com or message me on Instagram @_zakray. To see all supported cameras and lenses, just install the app (it's free to download!) and open the main dropdown menu. No internet connection required: all data is hard-coded into the app, so there’s no syncing process, and you’ll be able to access it even without a cell signal. • Disclaimer • The "price" feature uses affiliate links from B&H Photo Video. I receive a commission if you make a purchase from one of these links. • About • LensKit is developed by Zak Ray and the team at Gray Hour Media in NYC & LA. Gray Hour produces fresh and original content for film, episodic and the web. Head to www.grayhourmedia.com to check out our work! *Every lens in this app has complete specs, with the exception of some Panavision lenses. We’ve chosen to include these incomplete lenses in the app because of Panavision's importance in the industry. Additionally, while the large majority of lenses have exact image circle data, some—especially some vintage lenses—list only generic format coverage (e.g. Super35, Full Frame, etc) EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Shadow Planner
Visualize sun and shadow placement on real-world maps before filming. Scout locations by dropping virtual objects, simulating light movement throughout the day, and measuring distances for precise rigging. Export scenes for planning and collaboration.
- Real sun and shadow simulation on maps
- 3D terrain and buildings for accurate shadows
- Place and manipulate virtual frames and objects
- Simulate light movement from sunrise to sunset
- Measure distances and gear ranges
- Export scenes and share links
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Scout the light before you get there. Shadow Planner puts a real sun on a real map. Drop your overheads on the actual location, scrub the day from sunrise to sunset, and watch true cast shadows fall across the ground in 3D — so you know what you're walking into before the truck rolls, and so does everyone you hand the page to. SCOUT ANY LOCATION • Search an address or drop straight onto your GPS position • Satellite, street and dark map styles • Real 3D buildings and terrain, so shadows fall off the geometry that's actually there • Live sun compass with azimuth and altitude KNOW WHEN YOU LOSE THE LIGHT • Sunrise, solar noon, sunset, golden hour and civil dusk for any date and any location, with the day's length • Tap any spot for a shade timeline: when it holds direct sun and when it goes into shade, across the whole day • See the sun's path arced over the map — amber where your spot has sun, blue-grey where something blocks it, so you can watch the moment the sun clears a roofline • Reads the buildings and terrain actually around it, plus your own overheads BLOCK THE SHOT TO SCALE • Drop 12x12, 20x20 and 40x40 frames, or set your own custom size • Dial height above ground, spin and tilt on every frame • Add vehicles and human stand-ins for scale • Stack as many objects as the day needs — each one colour-coded, with its own cast shadow and the area it covers SEE THE WHOLE DAY MOVE • Scrub sunrise to sunset and watch every shadow track with the sun • Pick any date and check the light for a shoot weeks out • Stand-ins and vehicles dim when they fall inside a frame's shadow MEASURE THE RIG IN 3D • Tap two points for a true diagonal distance — overhead down to ground • Know exactly where the base, the truck and the crew gear have to land • Measurements stay locked to a frame, so they update as you raise or move it • Matching gear ranges for the distance you measured, from a PeeWee dolly to a 120' Condor FEET OR METRES • One switch converts every height, span, distance and shadow area, and the gear ranges with them • Gear and frame names stay as the industry says them — a 12x12 is still a 12x12, a Condor 40' is still a Condor 40' • Your choice is remembered between sessions TAKE IT BACK TO THE OFFICE • Save a location by name with its camera angle, date, time, every frame, the measurement and the shade you picked — long-press to rename • Six stops in a day, all still there tomorrow • Export a letter-size page carrying the location, date, time, sun position, sunrise and sunset, the rig you had up, and the lift sizes that reach — so the gaffer, the AD and the office are all reading the same sheet • Same page on every device, straight to Photos, Files or Messages • On iPad, drag the menu panels into the order you work in • Full undo and redo Built by a working cinematographer for tech scouts, gaffers, grips, DPs, location managers and anyone who has ever guessed where the shadow would be. No account. No subscription. No tracking.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: LensKit at Free against Shadow Planner's $29.99. LensKit also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (70% vs 40%). Shadow Planner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). On ads 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
LensKit is free to download; Shadow Planner costs $29.99 up front. LensKit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Shadow Planner asks for nothing beyond the download.
LensKit holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LensKit has 56 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of LensKit's written reviews are positive against 40% of Shadow Planner's.
LensKit ships an update every 2 months, Shadow Planner every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LensKit | Shadow Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $29.99 |
| Rating | 4.9 (56 ratings) — better | 4.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better | 40.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 56 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 165 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Zak Ray | Christopher Fenner |
Customer experience
LensKit
Shadow Planner
In-app purchases
LensKit
- Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
- Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$99.99
Shadow Planner
No in-app purchases









