If you are an analog photographer working with film rather than digital, the Second View app is made for you. It has a comprehensive range of tools including a viewfinder, light meter, LiDAR and reciprocity correction.
Compatibility
The Second View app is only for iPhone, so Android users are out of luck. However, it supports a wide range of analog film camera formats. These include 35 mm, medium format from 6×4.5 to 6×17 panoramic and large format (4×5 and 5×8). You can also set custom film sizes. The app lets you save complete camera kit configurations and switch between them instantly. Camera kit settings can store lens details, film formats, preferred film stocks, enabled features and parallax offsets.
Viewfinder
The viewfinder tool in Second View gives you precise field of view matching for any focal length and film format. It uses the iPhone’s ultra-wide camera and calculates the exact crop from the image. As a result, you can be confident that what you see on your smartphone screen is exactly what the film stock will capture. You can also quickly swap between landscape and portrait orientations.
Light meter
Second View includes a fully functional light meter tool. You simply select your aperture, and the app will calculate the correct shutter speed in real time. It also offers EV compensation, a hyperfocal distance display, plus auto and manual modes.
Reciprocity correction
Reciprocity failure is a photographic phenomenon where film sensitivity decreases during long exposures, typically greater than 1 second. Instead of a linear relationship between light and time, the curve shifts, so you need to calculate a compensation factor. Second View supports 60 film stocks with accurate reciprocity failure curves. These include Kodak Portra, Ektar, CineStill, Ilford HP5, Tri-X, T-max, Fuji Velvia and Provia.
Long exposure timer
Second View comes with a countdown timer for long exposures. Usefully, there is a 3-second pre-countdown so you can be ready to open the shutter. There is then a full screen progress ring to show the remaining time for your exposure. You can also pause, resume or restart the timer without needing to leave the exposure timer screen.
LiDAR distance measurement
Second View uses the iPhone’s LiDAR capability so you can set your focus correctly. However, you will need an iPhone 12 Pro or later model. The app uses LiDAR to accurately display the distance to your subject. Simply tap anywhere on the viewfinder and the app will measure how far away that point is.
Parallax correction
The parallax correction in Second View compensates for the physical offset between your smartphone’s camera and the film camera lens. It is more likely to be an issue when you are closer to your subject. Second View applies the correction automatically based upon the LiDAR distance measurement. However, this is again only available with iPhone 12 Pro or later.
Rise, fall and shift
Second View can simulate the movements of a view camera, or technical camera. These are large-format systems which feature bellows, a lens standard and a rear standard with ground glass. They give you precise image control through movements like tilt, shift, swing and rise/fall. With Second View, you can offset the crop up, down, left or right in 1 mm steps.
Composition tools
Second View offers a range of tools and overlays so you can create the perfect composition in your photographs. The options include the Rule of Thirds, the Phi Grid and the Golden Triangle. You can also create your own customizable grid with up to 12 by 12 divisions. Second View also gives you a bubble level with roll and pitch readout.
Capture and gallery
You can save a reference photo cropped to the exact viewfinder framing within Second View. The capture includes a full metadata sidecar with focal length, film format and film stock. The metadata also saves shutter speed, aperture, ISO, rise/shift offset, GPS coordinates and timestamp.
What we think
Working with analog film can deliver beautiful results. However, you won’t know what you captured until the images are developed. Errors in exposure, framing and focus can be disastrous and difficult to correct. Second View’s comprehensive suite of tools is ideal to help your images look their best. As long as your iPhone is compatible, the LiDAR-based features are also hugely useful. If you are a still photographer using analog film, Second View can be a great investment.
Pricing and availability
Second View is available as a free download from the Apple App Store. However, you will need to commit to a subscription after an initial free trial. The basic version of the app costs $7.99 a year. If you want all the features, the Pro version is $14.99 per year. Second View requires iOS 16 or later.
