Comparison

Light & Shadow vs LensKit

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

Head to head
About

Light & Shadow

Explore studio portrait lighting in AR on your iPhone or iPad. Learn lighting basics with interactive 3D models of studio setups and see how different light placements affect portraits. Choose your viewpoint to study lighting techniques.

Highlights
  • AR Studio Lighting Setups
  • Interactive 3D Models
  • Learn Lighting Basics
  • Adjust Viewpoint
  • Black and White/Color Modes
  • Light Position Descriptions
Read full description

Using your iphone or ipad you can step into a Portrait Lighting Studio wherever you are. View a variety of Studio Lighting Setups in full size 3D. Learn the basics of portrait lighting using one light and a reflector or two light setups. This interactive app lets you move around the virtual studio and choose your point of view – study the light placement used to light the model or move in close to focus on the portrait. Features: 9 basic studio portrait light setups Description of each light position and the effect on the portrait back and white and color modes

About

LensKit

This app provides professional tools for filmmakers and cinematographers, offering extensive lens specifications, camera coverage simulations, and advanced depth of field calculations. It helps plan shoots, make on-set decisions, and ensure compatibility with various cameras and lenses, including Netflix-approved formats.

Highlights
  • Extensive lens database (2000+ lenses)
  • Camera sensor coverage simulation
  • Lens matching for various configurations
  • Depth of field calculator
  • Shot preview and framing simulation
  • Netflix 4K mandate compliance tool
Features
Read full description

Whether you’re planning a shoot or making decisions on set, LensKit has you covered. Search over 2000 lenses from Angenieux, Arri, Cooke, Hawk, Leica, Zeiss and more. All specs and data sourced by hand: no AI means no hallucinations. SPECS Includes max aperture, lens mounts, weight, length, close focus, front diameter and more* COVERAGE Overlay a lens’ image circle on your camera sensor to make sure it’s covered. Includes over 200 cameras from Arri, Canon, Red, Sony, Blackmagic, Panasonic and more* LENS MATCH Mix and match spherical, anamorphic, speed boosters and extenders, and even factor in post-production extractions— the lens match tool can handle it all. EQUIVALENT No need to worry about crop factors or sensor sizes, just choose a focal length and a camera and get the Super35 equivalent. Or pick the S35 equivalent length you want and see the lens you’ll need. NETFLIX APPROVAL A game changer for anyone who’s struggled with the complexity of which formats and resolutions meet the Netflix "4K mandate"— especially when shooting in anamorphic. Designed in collaboration with Netflix. DEPTH OF FIELD An easy to use yet comprehensive DOF tool that allows for customizing circle of confusion with presets and manual input. PREVIEW See a simulation of your shot based on lens, camera and distance. Or pinch, zoom and reposition to get the exact frame you want, and see what lens or distance you’ll need for it. AND MORE Filter lenses to see only what fits your specific camera and needs. Save your calculations and return to them later. Group together lenses you rent or own for quick access. • Support • For support, send me an email at zak@grayhourmedia.com or message me on Instagram @_zakray. To see all supported cameras and lenses, just install the app (it's free to download!) and open the main dropdown menu. No internet connection required: all data is hard-coded into the app, so there’s no syncing process, and you’ll be able to access it even without a cell signal. • Disclaimer • The "price" feature uses affiliate links from B&H Photo Video. I receive a commission if you make a purchase from one of these links. • About • LensKit is developed by Zak Ray and the team at Gray Hour Media in NYC & LA. Gray Hour produces fresh and original content for film, episodic and the web. Head to www.grayhourmedia.com to check out our work! *Every lens in this app has complete specs, with the exception of some Panavision lenses. We’ve chosen to include these incomplete lenses in the app because of Panavision's importance in the industry. Additionally, while the large majority of lenses have exact image circle data, some—especially some vintage lenses—list only generic format coverage (e.g. Super35, Full Frame, etc) EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Light & Shadow4 screens
LensKit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LensKit at 4.9 against Light & Shadow's 4.0. LensKit also leads on ratings volume (56 vs 1). Light & Shadow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (100% vs 70%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. LensKit sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Light & Shadow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LensKit holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LensKit has 56 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Light & Shadow's written reviews are positive against 70% of LensKit's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Light & Shadow ships an update monthly, LensKit every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Light & Shadow versus LensKit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLight & ShadowLensKit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.9 (56 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better70.0% of reviews
Number of ratings156 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB165 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerpaulo majanoZak Ray

Customer experience

Light & Shadow

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

LensKit

All ratings56 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral3.6%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Light & Shadow

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

LensKit

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$99.99

Questions

Is Light & Shadow free?
Light & Shadow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is LensKit free?
LensKit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Light & Shadow or LensKit?
LensKit is rated higher. Light & Shadow averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while LensKit averages 4.9 from 56 ratings.
Do Light & Shadow or LensKit have ads?
Neither Light & Shadow nor LensKit shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Light & Shadow or LensKit?
Light & Shadow ships an update monthly, and LensKit every 2 months. Most recently, Light & Shadow was updated on October 24, 2026 and LensKit on October 24, 2026.

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