Cadrage Director's Viewfinder - App Review 2020
The best Directors Viewfinder for IOS
Cadrage Director's Viewfinder - App Review 2020
Chances are if you are watching this video, you're like me and are in search of the best directors viewfinder app.
For me, it wasn't a matter of price, however, Cadrage is very affordable for its quality.
My main concern was compatibility and longevity. As this app was the one that had maintained the most consistent updates that I could find and it listed my current camera on their website set up, I knew it was the one for me.
Let me give you a quick rundown of everything on the app so you can see for yourself.
The first thing you'll see is the viewfinder, it's currently set up to how I had it previously for my A7iii.
If you tap the menu on the left it will open up a few options.
The first is the external lens selection. I don't have any attached at this time, but if you did, you can select them here.
It also gives you the option to add a custom lens adapter.
Below this in the settings, you have your overlay options. Here you'll find things such as rule of thirds, golden ratio, action safe. You can modify the colour and the thickness of how they appear in the top right.
If we back out of that, next up is the look option.
Here you'll find a variety of included presets, I'm just using their Brooklyn one for now.
It also gives you the option to create your own custom look within the app which is great, however, my favourite option is to import a LUT. This is a great option, especially if you're already working with a specific show look.
The last option is the settings. Here you can decide where your images are saved. If you want to include metadata with your photos and videos. You can also give them a custom title, which is handy if you are working on multiple projects. It gives you the option to change the colour of what the out of bounds area looks like as everyone will be using different phones. The last option is just your UI colour theme.
On the next tab, you can calibrate your phone cameras if needed which is a nice feature to have.
last but not least you have support and contact details.
The main area most of you are likely interested in is the camera and lens selection, so let's take a look.
If you tap the setup option you'll see the default or current one. This is one I've set up for my A7iii.
It gives you the option to save favourites as well.
As I mentioned, they keep updating this app with new camera releases which adds to their already impressive list.
You can choose your shooting mode for each camera. I'm shooting 4k. You can do the same for aspect ratio and it tells you the native aspect ratio. There is also a custom option.
You can add in framelines as well. I've just gone for the classic 2:35:1 for this example. You can adjust the colour it appears and the shading. Again you have the custom option.
The range of lenses matches the camera list and is extensive.
You have the option to select a range to add to your viewfinder, I've just gone for the regular 24, 35, 50, 85 primes.
There is a lens adapter option as well in case you are planning to use a speed booster or something like that.
Once you have it set up how you like, you can save that to your favourites and see what it looks like.
First, you'll see an overview of the range of lenses you selected. You can take photos or video clips.
If you double-tap on the viewer it will display how your shot will appear with the setup you've selected.
You can cycle through them by tapping the arrows. Here you will see whatever frame line you've selected as well to give you a guide.
Depending on what phone you're using it will give you an option to change to the zoom lens as well.
If you tap the gallery icon, you'll see any clips or photos you've taken. You also have the option to import images.
Here you can set up projects if you are working on several at once.
You can see all the metadata attached to each image. I'll have to blur out some as it includes location if you allow it.
You can export these images as an image file or PDF shotlist.
Overall this is a fantastic tool for location scouting. I no longer have to worry about having my main camera on me to take stills.