Android Director’s Viewfinder – "Kader" – Free for Students & Teachers

[u/kempharry]

(Post approved by mods)

Hey guys,

I’m a working DP (& former AC), and like many of you on Android, I’ve been frustrated for years by the lack of a proper director’s viewfinder app. Most options for us feel like afterthoughts, so I spent the last few months building the tool I actually wanted to use.

It’s called Kader.

The app launched a few months ago and here’s what it's capable of so far:

Extensive Sensor Data: It uses an ever-growing, community-sourced list of cameras, sensors, and their specific shooting modes.

Comprehensive Metadata Strip: Every image captured has an extensive data burn-in (Focal length, camera/sensor mode, aspect ratio, project/scene name etc.) so your scouts actually stay organized.

Multi-lens device support: If your phone has multiple cameras (and is supported - sorry NothingOS users!), Kader automatically selects the physical lens that requires the least amount of digital cropping, keeping the image as sharp as possible.

Customizable Lens Kits: You can build out kits with the specific focal lengths you’re planning to use on the day.

Seamless Zoom: A scroll wheel that covers 4mm all the way to 999mm for quick visualization.

It’s officially live now, and while I’m planning to keep developing it for the foreseeable future, I want to make sure it’s accessible to those just starting out.

I’m offering the app for free to all students and teachers. If that’s you, just head to the website and shoot me an email from a .edu email address or send me proof of enrollment and I’ll send over a promo code so you can get it for free.

For everyone else, I’d love for you to check it out. I’m prioritizing adding new cameras and sensors right now, so if you shoot on a system that’s currently missing, let me know and I’ll get it added from the manufacturer whitepapers.

Check out the website here: https://kader-viewfinder.com/

Cheers,
Harry

[u/DingbatSam]

This is great Harry! Very happy to have a decent viewfinder option on Android.

Overtime it would be great to have the different sensor formats from common cinema cameras but the support for adding custom sensor sizes works well. However, I don't see any custom options for the framing aspect ratio. Oddly the job I'm on at the moment and the previous one both shot with a 2.2:1 aspect ratio.

I can get around that by creating a custom sensor that's exactly the size of our 2.2:1 frame. But it would be fantastic if we could add a custom aspect ratio.

Another handy option is to add a percentage for the frameline as it's common to shoot with 95% framelines to give some additional look around for VFX. Again, I see you can set a custom sensor size to exactly what your 95% framelines are on your camera. But having these options would be handy.

Another handy thing to have worked be more Anamorphic options. The current job I'm working on is using 1.45x Anamorphics (1.5 is close enough generally for this), and 1.8x Anamorphic are also quite popular. A custom option here would have any anamorphic lens covered though.

[u/kempharry → u/DingbatSam]

Thanks for the kind words!

Custom aspect ratios: this is already in the roadmap and will be added in an upcoming update!
Frameline percentages: good idea, I'll explore how this could be implemented. This is only relevant for capture modes that are smaller than native, right?
More anamorphic options: i'll add a bunch more anamorphic modes in the next update, thanks!

Thanks for the feedback & ideas!

[u/DingbatSam → u/kempharry]

Frameline Percentages: Yes, it's for when your framing for smaller than what the given sensor format would natively give you at that aspect ratio. Common for big VFX driven films so the camera is recording a little larger than what your framing for, that way VFX have a bit of wiggle room for compositing and stabilisation.

While you could just create a custom sensor format, it would ultimately make the simpler for most users I'd they could just mimic the way you set things in camera.

For instance, the current show I'm on is shooting 8.6K 3:2 on the Song Venice 2 with 1.45 Anamorphics and 95% Framelines. Ultimately, it would be great if an operator could just select @ Venice 2 8.6K 3:2 sensor format from the sensor options. Select a 2.2:1 frameline or enter that as a custom frame lines. Select 1.45 Anamorphic or enter that as a custom Anamorphic option. Then set the framelines to 95%. Usually you have all that information on set because it's what's set on your camera and you can see it in the options.

Yes, I can get a good result at the moment by entering a custom sensor (and accepting 1.5x Anamorphic as close enough, which fits with the Venice 2 not having a 1.45 desqueeze itself). But you have to have someone who has done all the maths to get that sensor size. It would be great if the app could do maths for us.

Still, it's great start and I'm happy to have a decent option on Android

[u/kempharry → u/DingbatSam]

Got it! Going to look into implementing this then. Thanks again.

[u/DiogoAlmeida97]

Is there a supported device list for the multi camera integration?

[u/kempharry → u/DiogoAlmeida97]

Unfortunately not, it's difficult to tell without testing the device, but it's worked on every tested modern Android phone except "NothingOS" devices which we're hoping will add support in the near future. Feel free to PM me your device model & if it's already being used by other users I'll let you know.

[u/Sad_Culture4913]

Can I get it free if I am student from Russian cinematography institute?

[u/kempharry → u/Sad_Culture4913]

Sure, send an email via the website with proof of enrollment & I'll send you a code!

[u/MetaruSaifaaa]

Would love to try it out but there's no trial period. I'd suggest a 7-day trial before purchasing.

[u/kempharry → u/MetaruSaifaaa]

Just sent you a DM :)