Comparison

Zone Tool vs LF Companion

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

Head to head
About

Zone Tool

Calculate photographic exposure and development adjustments using zone system theory. Measure shadows and highlights, input film ISO and desired shutter speed to determine aperture and development time modifications.

Highlights
  • Zone system exposure calculation
  • Shadow and highlight measurement
  • Film ISO input
  • Shutter speed adjustment
  • Development time calculation
  • Aperture determination
Features
Read full description

With this tool you can calculate your exposure and needed adjustment for development. It uses zone system theory originally invented by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer. First decide zone of your shadows and measure the shadows. Then device highlight zone and measure the highlights. Measure these with the film ISO you are going to use. You also need to decide shutter speed in beforehand. The app calculates exposure aperture for you and also tells if you need to shorten (N+..) or expand (N-..) your development time. You will get best results with a spot light meter but mobile apps will probably do fine.

About

LF Companion

This app assists photographers by simulating a large format camera viewfinder and offering tools for composition. It also allows for digital contact sheet creation and film negative review.

Highlights
  • 4x5 viewfinder simulation
  • Customizable grid sizes
  • Invert colors for film review
  • Digital contact sheet creation
  • Save photos with filters
Features
Read full description

LF Companion is a simple assistant for photographers of any kind. The core functions are designed to help you become a better image-maker. The 4x5 mode flips your viewfinder to mimic looking through a large format camera. Combine this with your preferred grid size to make the perfect composition every time. Reviewing your 35mm, 120, or sheet film negatives on the light table? Use the Invert Colors toggle to review your film without modifying your iPhone's accessibility settings. Turn on the 'Save Photo with Filters' toggle to create digital contact sheets straight on your device - now your photograph's are ready to head straight to Instagram, Facebook, or wherever for editing and sharing. Be sure to use #lfcompanion when sharing your photos!

Screenshots

Zone Tool1 screens
LF Companion4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: LF Companion at Free against Zone Tool's $0.99. LF Companion also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and ratings volume (18 vs 6). Zone Tool's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

LF Companion is free to download; Zone Tool costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LF Companion holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 18 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Zone Tool's written reviews are positive against 75% of LF Companion's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Zone Tool versus LF Companion: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZone ToolLF Companion
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating2.8 (6 ratings)4.7 (18 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings618 — better
Update frequencyEvery 38 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.2 — better12.4
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJouni ErolaAnthony Forsythe

Customer experience

Zone Tool

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

LF Companion

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Zone Tool

No in-app purchases

None

LF Companion

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zone Tool free?
Zone Tool costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is LF Companion free?
LF Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Zone Tool or LF Companion?
LF Companion is rated higher. Zone Tool averages 2.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while LF Companion averages 4.7 from 18 ratings.
Do Zone Tool or LF Companion have ads?
Neither Zone Tool nor LF Companion shows ads.

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