# Photo Friend exposure and DoF — Calculator and lightmeter

> Photography exposure calculator, light meter, and depth-of-field estimator. (iPhone/iPad app by Elvis Pfutzenreuter.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-friend-exposure-and-dof/id1198327295 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Elvis Pfutzenreuter](https://appshunter.io/developer/463497848)
- Category: Photo & Video, Education
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.10/5 from 9 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-01-24
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-friend-exposure-and-dof/id1198327295/reviews.md

## What is Photo Friend exposure and DoF?

Photo Friend is an intuitive exposure calculator app for photographers and movie makers that know their way around a camera. The app can also work as light meter by using the phone camera. The calculator can estimate depth-of-field as well.

Highlight features:

* Easy and intuitive exposure calculator. Just drag each gauge (absolute exposure value, ISO, shutter speed, aperture) to the desired value. The other gauges move to make good exposure. For example, if you change EV, ISO and aperture, the shutter speed adjusts accordingly. (The EV meter only moves by itself when you use the light meter feature.)

* Light meter. Grant access to camera when the app asks, and a viewfinder is shown on the main screen. Point to the subject and touch the viewfinder to take a picture. The EV will be estimated with basis on the picture. Histogram and spot metering are available as well.

* Easy-to-use depth-of-field calculator. Just dial aperture, focal length and subject distance. DoF is expressed as numbers and graphically. You can fine-tune the DoF calculation parameters in Settings.

## Key features

- Intuitive exposure calculator
- Light meter with viewfinder
- Depth-of-field calculator
- Adjustable EV, ISO, shutter speed, aperture
- Graphical DoF representation
- Histogram and spot metering

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free | $0.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-friend-exposure-and-dof/id1198327295/reviews.md

### 5/5 — By far the best light meter app for my workflow

*2023-12-24*

If only the EV compensation / filter factor slider would affect the exposure of the viewfinder image. At present I have to open the camera app, tweak the exposure, take an image, then note the EV adjustment, then go back to (the otherwise completely awesome) Photo friend and dial in the adjustment. What do you reckon Elvis? I know you can do it. I believe in you.

### 5/5 — Perfect

*2023-02-18*

Super app, nice and simple to use with no frills, just what you need and works perfectly. I paid for the add free version and I must say you may be underselling it a little. Including DOF for up to 600mm would make it more perfect.Thanks for the App.

### 4/5 — Been looking for something like this

*2022-03-19*

This is a great tool, really helpful to have an extra reference for exposure.I do with that more than one parameter could be locked at a time, and wish that the ND calculation could be changed to stops or the strengths of ND filters usually used on camera.

I’m guessing this calculation is all based around middle grey?

### 1/5 — Useless.

*2020-12-16*

Horrible app. So many better choices. Super confusing. Poor documentation. Doesn't work - probably foes not work with recent ISO builds.

**Developer response:** Can you give more details (iOS version, device you are using) so we can try to reproduce the problem? Write to stendec@stendec.io if you prefer.

### 5/5 — Very nice app

*2018-12-04*

Simple but very effective! 

Developer quick to respond to feedback and added large format film sizes (4x5 and 8x10 inch) at my request.
Thanks!

**Developer response:** \o/

### 5/5 — One of my Favourites

*2018-09-11*

In film photography, exposure is the absolute key element. The strength of this app lies in easily visualising exposure bracketing. It's in my Top Three I've currently discovered on the app store, missing only a few features which can be made up elsewhere easily enough (like Notes).

### 5/5 — Perfect photo app

*2017-12-24*

I’ve been trying to learn SLR settings for 30 years. After one look, it all is clear! With this app, I can use a light meter, then set my camera and get instant feedback on how some settings effect others.

### 5/5 — Awesome

*2017-12-12*

The best aid for working out manual exposure values, either from a starting point from a light meter or rule of thumb, or by using the camera feature. This app might be described as ‘basic’, but it’s exactly the way I want it. Nothing more needed, does it’s job and you can get on with photography or whatever. Highly recommended, deserves more ratings. Looks nice enough too, although I might opt for a white untextured background on the dials and white borders, would maybe be a touch less skeuomorphic and more clean looking in my view. Thanks to the developer for making this free. Would be nice to pay a €1 or something to get rid of ads though!

**Developer response:** The app offers to buy  the ad-free option once a day or so.

## Frequently asked questions about Photo Friend exposure and DoF

### What is Photo Friend?

Photo Friend is an intuitive app designed for photographers and filmmakers. It functions as an exposure calculator, a light meter using your phone's camera, and a depth-of-field estimator.

### How does Photo Friend's exposure calculator work?

You can adjust gauges for exposure value (EV), ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Changing one setting automatically adjusts others to achieve a good exposure. The EV meter moves automatically when using the light meter feature.

### Can Photo Friend be used as a light meter?

Yes, Photo Friend can work as a light meter. Grant camera access, and a viewfinder will appear. Point it at your subject and tap to estimate the EV. It also offers histogram and spot metering.

### How is depth-of-field calculated in Photo Friend?

Easily calculate depth-of-field by inputting aperture, focal length, and subject distance. The DoF is displayed numerically and graphically. You can fine-tune calculation parameters in the app's settings.

### Does Photo Friend have ads?

Yes, Photo Friend contains advertisements. This is common for free applications that offer in-app purchases.

### What devices does Photo Friend support?

Photo Friend is available for iPhone and iPod devices. It is compatible with iOS versions 4+.

### How often is Photo Friend updated?

The app was last updated on January 3, 2026, indicating a recent update. The latest version is 5.81.

### What is the age rating for Photo Friend?

Photo Friend has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 6.00 — 2026-06-16

Internal updates

### 5.81 — 2026-01-03

Internal updates

### 5.80 — 2025-07-24

Add support for custom film/sensor size in Settings. Select "Custom" in list and fill in width and height in mm.

### 5.01 — 2025-04-14

Internal updates and bugfixes

### 5.00 — 2024-03-22

* Internal updates and improvements

## Apps similar to Photo Friend exposure and DoF

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Light Meter Ultra](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-meter-ultra/id1558108173) | 4.7 (733) | Free | Photo & Video |
| [Luxilux Light Meter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/luxilux-light-meter/id1487384157) | 4.9 (75) | $5.99 | Photo & Video |
| [myLightMeter PRO](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mylightmeter-pro/id583922375) | 4.8 (1,105) | $4.99 | Photo & Video |
| [EXIF Viewer by Fluntro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exif-viewer-by-fluntro/id944118456) | 4.7 (1,855) | $2.99 | Photo & Video |
| [Light Meter by WBPhoto](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-meter-by-wbphoto/id1524189195) | 4.4 (41) | $6.99 | Photo & Video |
| [SetMyCamera Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/setmycamera-pro/id544105985) | 4.5 (38) | $9.99 | Photo & Video |

## More apps by Elvis Pfutzenreuter

- [Touch RPN calc](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touch-rpn-calc/id946171077)

All apps by Elvis Pfutzenreuter: https://appshunter.io/developer/463497848

## Related topics

[elvis pfutzenreuter](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/elvis-pfutzenreuter) · [dof master](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dof-master)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*