Comparison

RED Tools vs Magic ARRI ViewFinder

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

Head to head
About

RED Tools

This app assists filmmakers and camera operators with camera setup by providing tools for crop factor, recording time, flicker-free video, depth of field, panning speed, and exposure. It offers customizable settings for various shooting situations and RED camera systems.

Highlights
  • Crop factor preview
  • R3D recording time evaluation
  • Flicker-free video calculation
  • Depth of field estimation
  • Panning speed guidance
  • Exposure assistance
Features
Read full description

RED Tools is a convenient reference tool designed for use by filmmakers and camera operators to outline best practices in camera set-up for a variety of shooting situations. Each tool is customizable based on a selected RED camera and sensor type. Standard film formats are also included for comparison. RED Tools is also included in the RED Control app, which also provides free, full-featured camera control and video streaming for RED’s latest DSMC3 products. TOOLS INCLUDED: CROP FACTOR Preview how a given focal length will appear depending on resolution setting and sensor type. Illustration depicts viewable area relative to a traditional 35 mm stills photography sensor by default, but other reference sensors are selectable within the drop-down menu. R3D RECORDING TIME Evaluate the video data rate and available recording time based on your RED camera settings. This can help you understand media requirements and production costs in advance of a shoot. FLICKER FREE VIDEO Find a flicker-free shutter speed and frame rate combination when shooting under artificial lighting. DEPTH OF FIELD Understand how various camera settings influence depth of field. PANNING SPEED Estimate the panning speed where judder will likely become too pronounced. The goal is to provide a more accessible tool than the charts and tables commonly referenced in cinematography manuals. It uses the standard rule of thumb that camera panning should not cause objects to transit the entire horizontal extent of an image in any less than seven seconds. EXPOSURE Assist with exposure when one camera setting has to change. Example usage scenarios include when a higher frame rate needs to be used for slow motion, when the T-stop has to change for depth of field, or when the shutter angle has to change to minimize flickering in artificial light. NIKKOR Z Lens Coverage Use this tool to understand how NIKKOR Z lenses will look on your RED Z Mount camera bodies. The tool shows the extent the light will fall off at different sensor formats, and if any hard vignetting occurs.

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
Read full description

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

Screenshots

RED Tools4 screens
Magic ARRI ViewFinder4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Magic ARRI ViewFinder at 4.8 against RED Tools's 3.3. Magic ARRI ViewFinder also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 50%) and update cadence (monthly vs every 21 months). RED Tools's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). 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

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 Tools asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Magic ARRI ViewFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic ARRI ViewFinder has 175 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of RED Tools's written reviews are positive against 86% of Magic ARRI ViewFinder's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RED Tools ships an update every 21 months, Magic ARRI ViewFinder monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
RED Tools versus Magic ARRI ViewFinder: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRED ToolsMagic ARRI ViewFinder
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (15 ratings)4.8 (175 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15175 — better
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRED Digital CinemaRoman Medvid

Customer experience

RED Tools

All ratings13 ratings
Positive53.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative38.5%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%

Magic ARRI ViewFinder

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

In-app purchases

None

RED Tools

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Magic ARRI ViewFinder

Subscriptions1
  • Premium features: subscription1 Month trial$1.491 Month
One-time1
  • Premium features: purchase$4.99

Questions

Is RED Tools free?
RED Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Magic ARRI ViewFinder free?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RED Tools or Magic ARRI ViewFinder?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder is rated higher. RED Tools averages 3.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Magic ARRI ViewFinder averages 4.8 from 175 ratings.
Do RED Tools or Magic ARRI ViewFinder have ads?
Magic ARRI ViewFinder shows ads; RED Tools does not.
Which is updated more often, RED Tools or Magic ARRI ViewFinder?
RED Tools ships an update every 21 months, and Magic ARRI ViewFinder monthly. Most recently, RED Tools was updated on October 6, 2026 and Magic ARRI ViewFinder on October 16, 2026.

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