Comparison

Lightme vs Shutter Log.

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

Head to head
About

Lightme

This app provides a powerful yet simple light metering tool for photographers. It offers advanced features like spot metering, zone system implementation, and reciprocity failure compensation, alongside a clean interface for easy one-handed use. It supports a wide range of films and camera setups, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

Highlights
  • Multiple aperture/shutterspeed combinations
  • Spot metering with variable zoom
  • Automatic reciprocity failure compensation
  • Pinhole mode with timer
  • Incident light metering with calibration
  • Black and white preview
  • Film stock selection
Features
Read full description

Lightme - Lightmeter is a clean, simple to use yet very powerful lightmeter. It is optimised for an easy one-handed use, both for left-handed and right-handed users, with the main controls within your thumb's reach, without the fatiguing juggling of your precious smartphone. A core distinguishing feature of Lightme - Lightmeter is that - differently from most of the other apps - it can show multiple combinations of valid settings for aperture and shutterspeed at the same time by working like a - stretched out - old needle and wheel lightmeter. This allows the user to quickly pick the desired settings without having to scroll on a tiny wheel picker. The app is designed to be welcoming to people who are just starting out, with a simple one-button use. But it offers many useful and advanced features for the more experienced shooters/users: Continuous metering (by pressing and holding or double tapping the measure button) Spot metering with a variable zoom (for more precision) which also supports average metering, and a very intuitive implementation of the zone system Automatic reciprocity failure compensation (for 25+ films, if you see exposure times in red, they are being compensated) A dedicated pinhole mode with precise exposure times for user defined apertures (multiple apertures at a time), with the possibility of setting a timer (through a shortcut) Incident light metering with calibration when using the front facing camera And more ... It also includes some other features that are enjoyable by any kind of user: Black and white preview The ability to use any of the cameras on your smartphone (swipe left/right on the preview) Multiple presets for your different camera/film/lens setups Framelines for previewing your shot, before setting up your tripod etc. A searchable list of useful tips to make better use of the application's potential A searchable list of more than 70 films to choose from with the possibility of selecting a few favourites Dark mode support and a useful level of customisation You can find even more info in the tips inside the app or you can have a look at full user manual by tapping on manual (in the settings) The app is free in all its many functionalities, but it offers In-App-Purchases in order to support the project. The only minor perk you can enable only via certain IAPs is the replacement of the Ad button with a label containing the name of your current preset, check under settings -> coffee for more info. Don't panic though, even if there's an Ad button it doesn't mean I'm going to show you ads. In fact unless you decide to tap on that button I'm never going to show you any. But if you have a few minutes to spare, watching a few of them sure helps keeping this project alive :) Try it, and, if you like it, share it with your friends and consider writing a (mini) review ;) Have a nice day, and good light!

About

Shutter Log.

This app helps film photographers organize their shots by recording shooting conditions, locations, and equipment. Saved records can be easily searched and managed, with options for smart organization. It syncs data across devices via iCloud.

Highlights
  • Record shooting conditions and locations
  • Organize developed photos
  • Search records by word, tag, or equipment
  • Create Smart Film from saved searches
  • iCloud sync across devices
  • View current weather (premium)
Read full description

This is a photo note app for film cameras. It records the shooting conditions and shooting locations, and is useful for organizing developed photos. It can also be used with digital cameras. Saved records can be searched for by word, tag, equipment, etc. Can conveniently name and save search criteria and turn them into Smart Film. Can tap to switch images, or double-tap to enlarge them. It cannot be operated in conjunction with the camera body. --- iCloud --- Data is stored in iCloud, so there is no need to back it up. It can be synced with multiple devices such as iPhone and iPad. --- Premium Features --- - ​​No limit on the number of records - No ads - Shows the current weather Please see below for terms of use of subscriptions and paid features. 1. Privacy Policy: https://gsoft.jp/privacypolicy/ 2. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Lightme4 screens
Shutter Log.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Lightme at none against Shutter Log.'s shown. Lightme also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Shutter Log.'s advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 91%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Lightme sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and Shutter Log. sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 2 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, Shutter Log. fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Lightme versus Shutter Log.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightmeShutter Log.
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (950 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings950 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe BertoliniG-SOFT

Customer experience

Lightme

All ratings944 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.3%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews215 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral1.9%
Negative7.4%

Shutter Log.

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Lightme

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 16
  • Metering issues with certain camera/lens combinations

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add shutter angle adjustment for cinematography
  • Implement ISO lock feature
  • Add more film stock profiles
  • Improve film selection process (e.g. search, categories)
  • Provide more customization options (e.g. interface themes)

Shutter Log.

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lightme

One-time4
  • Guanciale$9.99
  • Parmigiano$16.99
  • Pizza for two$29.99
Show 1 more
  • Do this full-time$59.99
5 purchases

Shutter Log.

Subscriptions2
  • Show weather$0.992 Months
  • Hide ads$0.992 Months
One-time3
  • Show weather$3.99
  • Hide ads (Unlimited)$4.99
  • Number of records$5.99

Questions

Is Lightme free?
Lightme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shutter Log. free?
Shutter Log. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Lightme or Shutter Log. have ads?
Shutter Log. shows ads; Lightme does not.
Which is updated more often, Lightme or Shutter Log.?
Lightme ships an update every 3 weeks, and Shutter Log. fortnightly. Most recently, Lightme was updated on November 3, 2026 and Shutter Log. on October 18, 2026.

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