The Photographer's Ephemeris vs Timecode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
The Photographer's Ephemeris
Plan outdoor photography shoots with this map-centric calculator for sun, moon, and Milky Way positions. Visualize light direction, plan celestial alignments, and scout locations with augmented reality. Features offline maps and detailed celestial event data.
- Sun, Moon, and Milky Way rise/set times and positions
- 3D Milky Way and star visualization
- Augmented reality for on-location scouting
- Offline map support
- Shadow length visualization
- Celestial event tracking
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"Head and shoulders above the crowd is The Photographer’s Ephemeris. Odd name, great app." - National Geographic "One of the most useful apps for any nature photographer" - Outdoor Photographer Magazine "It worked perfectly. The program was dead on…" - National Geographic "One of the most powerful photography applications that I've seen, one that you'll be using for years and years." - AdoramaTV The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE) helps plan outdoor photography shoots in natural light, particularly landscape and urban scenes. It's a map-centric Sun, Moon and Milky Way calculator: see how the light will fall on the land, day or night, for any location on earth. Whether you need at-a-glance information on today's sun, moon and Milky Way data for your current location, or need to plan a precise alignment of the full moon for a future shoot, TPE has the tools you need. The combination of augmented reality, line-of-sight analysis and visual search supports the most sophisticated photo planning needs. Night mode features a 3D representation of the Milky Way, pole stars and major constellations directly over the map, so you can easily visualize exactly how to align your shot. Research and save your own list of favorite photographic locations, using 7 different map types (including 2 offline maps) and save them in your locations list. Favorite locations are always displayed right on the map. Advanced features including visual sun and moon search, automatic time zone and elevation detection, correction for atmospheric refraction and height above the horizon, ensuring that you have the best possible information for planning your shoot. You can even determine when the sun or moon will rise from behind nearby hills and mountains. Key features: - Time/direction of sun, moon, and galactic center rise/set - View azimuth and altitude of sun/moon and the galactic center for any time of day/night - Milky Way, stars and asterisms visualization via 3D map overlay - Moon phase and % illumination - Civil, nautical and astronomical twilight - 2 topographic maps - 2 offline map types - Movable map pins: drag and drop the pin exactly where you need it - Map autorotation using the compass (on compatible devices) - Shadow lengths displayed to scale on map - Save any location you want: no fixed lists - Celestial events including moon phases, apogee, perigee, solstice, equinox - Solar eclipse details for August 12, 2026 and beyond: maps, simulator, times - Network connection not required for rise/set time, azimuths and sun/moon position Advanced features: - Augmented reality view for on location scouting - Saved location synchronization between devices and the free TPE web app - Automatic time zone detection - Elevation above sea level - Distance, bearing and elevation angle between any two points - Location import/export from KML - Magnetic north option - Configurable timeline display - Sun/moon transit times - 'Golden hour' time/duration - Light pollution overlay - Event countdown and notifications Geek features: - Line of sight analysis - Find when the sun/moon will appear from behind a hill or ridge - Advanced visual sun and moon search - Azimuth or altitude search priority - New crescent moon visibility - Distance to the visible horizon Available map types include: - Standard, Satellite/Hybrid, Terrain - OpenCycleMap Topographic - OpenStreetMap Sunrise/sunset color forecasts are available (covering lower 48, southern Canada and Europe) with an optional subscription to the Skyfire service, available via in-app purchase. Note: - Maps and elevation-based calculations require a data connection, except for offline map tiles previously downloaded and stored on your device - Topographic map data is available only between 60°N and 47°S - Availability of map types is subject to change, due to 3rd party map service availability, terms or conditions
Timecode
Calculate and convert video timecode, film footage, and frames. This tool simplifies editing and post-production calculations, offering results in multiple formats and supporting various video and film standards.
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide timecodes
- View results in timecode, frames, or film footage
- Supports video frame rates and drop/non-drop frame
- Film gauge options for frames, feet, and meters
- Local calculation history
- Share calculations as text
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Add clip lengths, work out differences and see the result in video timecode, frames or film footage. Timecode Pro brings everyday editing and post-production calculations into one calculator. SEE YOUR RESULT FOUR WAYS Add and subtract timecodes, multiply or divide values, and compare the result in four configurable displays. Choose the formats you need for the job. WORK IN VIDEO OR FILM Select video frame rates and drop-frame or non-drop-frame timecode. For film, choose a gauge and work in frames, feet, feet and frames, metres or rolls. KEEP CALCULATIONS AT HAND Review earlier calculations in local history and share them as text. History stays on this device and does not sync between devices. The interface is available in English, French, German and Spanish. Made for iPhone and iPad, with support for iPad windows. Share calculation text from history when you need to pass on a result. Requires iOS or iPadOS 26 or later. Timecode Pro for iPhone and iPad is listed as Timecode on the App Store. Timecode Pro for Mac is sold separately.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Timecode at none against The Photographer's Ephemeris's 3. Timecode also leads on price ($3.99 vs $9.99). The Photographer's Ephemeris's advantage is ratings volume (1.6K vs 24) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). On rating, review sentiment, 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
The Photographer's Ephemeris costs $9.99 and Timecode $3.99 up front. The Photographer's Ephemeris sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Timecode asks for nothing beyond the download.
The Photographer's Ephemeris holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Photographer's Ephemeris has 1.6K ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 81% and 81% positive.
The Photographer's Ephemeris ships an update every 2 months, Timecode every 6 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.
| Parameter | The Photographer's Ephemeris | Timecode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $3.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.6K ratings) — better | 4.6 (24 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 81.0% of reviews — better | 80.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K — better | 24 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 95 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Crookneck Consulting LLC | Panoptik |
Customer experience
The Photographer's Ephemeris
Timecode
Bugs and requests
The Photographer's Ephemeris
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes when loading TPE-3D
- Logout issues with Skyfire subscription
- Inaccurate elevation data in some locations
Requested features
5 requests- Add tide information
- Improve location saving and syncing
- Provide better tutorials and documentation
- Integrate with other photography apps
- Add support for more regions/countries
Timecode
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
The Photographer's Ephemeris
- Upgrade to Skyfire Plus (3-months)$4.99
- Skyfire (3-months)$9.99
- Skyfire Plus (3-months)$12.99
Timecode
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Photographer's Ephemeris free?
Is Timecode free?
Which has better reviews, The Photographer's Ephemeris or Timecode?
Do The Photographer's Ephemeris or Timecode have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Photographer's Ephemeris or Timecode?
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