Comparison

Pocket Light Meter vs Reciprocity Timer

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

Head to head
About

Pocket Light Meter

This app functions as a portable light meter, essential for film photographers using manual cameras. It accurately measures reflected light and provides reciprocity calculations for precise exposure control.

Highlights
  • Portable light meter
  • Reflected light measurement
  • Reciprocity calculations
  • Indispensable for film photography
  • Manual camera compatible
Features
Read full description

A light meter that is always in your pocket. It is indispensable for film photography with all manual camera. Measures reflected light, and allows reciprocity calculations.

About

Reciprocity Timer

This app helps film photographers calculate exposure compensation for reciprocity failure. It offers a standard version for basic calculations and a pro version with advanced features like note-taking and custom film databases. It also includes an exposure timer and filter compensation tools.

Highlights
  • Reciprocity compensation calculations
  • Exposure timer
  • Filter compensation slider
  • Note-keeping feature
  • Custom film and camera databases
  • Film stock favorites
Features
Read full description

Manage your film photography from start to finish!  Reciprocity Timer has 2 Version - the "Standard" Version does NOT include advanced features but can be used to calculate reciprocity on a range of common films. The "Pro" Version is available for an additional $9.99 USD (via in-app-purchase) unlocks a range of advanced features. The initial purchase price allows you to calculate reciprocity for all the films included by selecting an observed exposure time. This $1.99 US non-pro version is suitable for people who just need to calculate an exposure that includes reciprocity adjustments for commonly used films. It will suit many users who don't require or need to upgrade to the pro version for features like note keeping or a camera database etc. It's most suitable if you are new to film. More advanced film users and photographers may want to pay to upgrade after their initial purchase to the pro version. If you use a pro-feature you'll be prompted to upgrade for an additional $9.99 US. This will unlock all the additional features including the Zone Editor, Note, Camera and Film Holder database as well as custom films and filters. There is no need to upgrade if you just want to calculate and time reciprocity for a particular film and you always use the same camera. The app includes in-app purchase to unlock pro features including a note-keeping feature, the ability to add custom films and the ability to select often used film stock as favorites. Once you upgrade then the one app does it all - notes, filters, exposure calculations, custom films, zone system editor, film holder management as well as the reciprocity math! A comprehensive film reciprocity calculator for photographers. Select a film type and metered exposure time - the calculator will provide a reciprocity compensated exposure time. The app includes an exposure timer so you can time your long exposures. You can also use a slider to adjust exposure when you have filters attached. The app supports a wide range of film stocks and allows the user to add various common exposure filters such as NDs and Polarizers. Keep detailed notes and share them. Share your adjusted exposure times with colleagues. This app makes film photography a breeze. You may need to setup Reciprocity Timer in Settings -> Notification Center to ensure the app's timer can notify you when exposures are ending and your device is asleep. Watch companion app now included. To install the app use the Apple Watch App on your phone. Ensure your watch and phone are paired an unlocked and scroll down the list of available apps to Reciprocity Timer. Select Install. You can also turn on "Automatically Install Apps".

Screenshots

Pocket Light Meter3 screens
Reciprocity Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pocket Light Meter at 87% against Reciprocity Timer's 33%. Pocket Light Meter also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.5) and ratings volume (1K vs 4). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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

Pocket Light Meter costs $9.99 and Reciprocity Timer $1.99 up front. Pocket Light Meter sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Light Meter holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket Light Meter has 1K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of Pocket Light Meter's written reviews are positive against 33% of Reciprocity Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pocket Light Meter ships an update fortnightly, Reciprocity Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Pocket Light Meter versus Reciprocity Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocket Light MeterReciprocity Timer
Price$9.99$1.99 — better
Rating4.5 (1K ratings) — better2.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews87.1% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1K — better4
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#145 — better#162
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNuwaste studiosPump Interactive

Customer experience

Pocket Light Meter

All ratings1,045 ratings
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.1%
Negative7.8%
Written reviews1,058 reviews
Positive87.1%
Neutral5.6%
Negative7.3%

Reciprocity Timer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral13.8%
Negative52.9%

Bugs and requests

Pocket Light Meter

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes or freezes with recent iOS updates
  • Inconsistent metering in low light conditions
  • Issues with saving metering data to photos

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add histogram display
  • Implement manual mode to lock aperture/shutter
  • Support for flash metering
  • Improve low-light performance
  • Provide more metering mode options (spot, center-weighted, etc.)
Show 1 more
  • Add option to save metering data to photo metadata

Reciprocity Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Pocket Light Meter

One-time3
  • ads remover$1.99
  • pint for the developer and get rid of the ads$5.99
  • donation to the developer$5.99
1 purchases

Reciprocity Timer

One-time1
  • Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Pocket Light Meter free?
Pocket Light Meter costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pocket Light Meter or Reciprocity Timer?
Pocket Light Meter is rated higher. Pocket Light Meter averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Reciprocity Timer averages 2.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Pocket Light Meter or Reciprocity Timer have ads?
Neither Pocket Light Meter nor Reciprocity Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pocket Light Meter or Reciprocity Timer?
Pocket Light Meter ships an update fortnightly, and Reciprocity Timer every 2 months. Most recently, Pocket Light Meter was updated on October 14, 2026 and Reciprocity Timer on October 13, 2026.
Which is more popular, Pocket Light Meter or Reciprocity Timer?
Pocket Light Meter currently peaks at #145 in the App Store charts, and Reciprocity Timer at #162. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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