Comparison

Massive Dev Chart Timer vs ZoneCalc

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

Head to head
About

Massive Dev Chart Timer

This app provides an offline film development chart and a multi-step timer for photographers. It includes customizable agitation, darkroom themes, and support for various developing and fixing steps. It also offers automated compensation for development time and temperature.

Highlights
  • Offline film development chart
  • Multi-step timer with sound notifications
  • Customizable agitation schemes
  • Darkroom themes
  • Dilution mixer
  • Automated time/temperature compensation
Features
Read full description

The Massive Dev Chart is the world's largest film development chart with easy to use multi step timer and darkroom support for iPhone and iPad. Watch the instructional video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P915z6THiY8. *** Features *** • Offline copy of The Massive Dev Chart in your pocket • Multi Step Timer with sound notifications • Customizable agitation scheme • Darkroom themes • Dilution Mixer • Support for two-step development and two-step fixing • Support for optional hypoclear and photo flo steps • Automated development time/temperature compensation

About

ZoneCalc

This app assists photographers in precisely calculating exposure and tonal placement using Ansel Adams' Zone System. It offers features for metering, reciprocity correction, and development adjustments, with options for multi-point measurements and data export.

Highlights
  • Zone System exposure calculation
  • Multi-point metering
  • Reciprocity correction
  • Development adjustment recommendations
  • Film-specific development times
  • Calculation history and export
Features
Read full description

ZoneCalc — Zone System Calculator ZoneCalc is a precision tool for large format, medium format and 35 mm photography following Ansel Adams' Zone System. Built for photographers who work with a spot meter, develop their own negatives, and want full control over exposure and tonal placement. METERING In Classic mode, enter the shutter speed for the deepest shadow with detail (Zone II) and the brightest highlight with detail (Zone VIII). ZoneCalc returns the shutter speed for Zone V — 18 % middle gray — the exposure you set on the camera. Multi mode accepts any number of measurement points across the scene. The app auto-assigns each point to a zone; drag pins on the zone strip to express your creative placement intent. RECIPROCITY For exposures above one second, the Schwarzschild effect is corrected automatically: t_corr = t_nom ^ p, using the film-specific exponent. The corrected camera time appears directly in the result card. The shutter speed list extends to 30 minutes. Films with reciprocity data: Ilford HP5+, FP4+, Delta 100/400, Kodak Tri-X, T-Max 100/400, Kodak Portra 160/400/800, Leica Monopan. N-RATING & DEVELOPMENT ZoneCalc compares the scene's dynamic range against the film's usable latitude and proposes a development adjustment — N−2 through N+2. For each film, concrete times are shown for common developers: D-76, Rodinal, HC-110, XTOL, ID-11, T-Max Dev — with dilutions per Massive Dev Chart and manufacturer recommendations. HISTORY & EXPORT Every calculation can be saved with a note and the chosen developer; two entries can be compared side by side. The complete result — shutter speed, reciprocity, N-rating and development times — exports as an image for the darkroom or for sharing via AirDrop, message or mail. DESIGN The interface follows the visual language of classic Leica instruments: monospaced typography, warm amber accent, hard edges instead of rounded corners. Fully localized in English and German, all-dark throughout — optimized for darkroom and field use. ZONECALC PRO Classic two-point metering with Zone V calculation and the zone strip are free. The one-time Pro upgrade unlocks: — Multi-point metering with interactive zone assignment — Reciprocity correction and N-rating — Development recommendations with times per developer — Save, compare and image export One app, no subscriptions, no data collection. All calculations run locally on device.

Screenshots

Massive Dev Chart Timer4 screens
ZoneCalc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ZoneCalc at Free against Massive Dev Chart Timer's $9.99. ZoneCalc also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). Massive Dev Chart Timer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (54 vs 2). On ads 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

ZoneCalc is free to download; Massive Dev Chart Timer costs $9.99 up front. ZoneCalc sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Massive Dev Chart Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ZoneCalc holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Massive Dev Chart Timer has 54 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Massive Dev Chart Timer ships an update every 5 months, ZoneCalc every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Massive Dev Chart Timer versus ZoneCalc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMassive Dev Chart TimerZoneCalc
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (54 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings54 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
Best chart rank#66 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFreestyle Photo & ImagingJuergen Suk

Customer experience

Massive Dev Chart Timer

All ratings54 ratings
Positive63.0%
Neutral7.4%
Negative29.6%
Written reviews216 reviews
Positive70.8%
Neutral8.3%
Negative20.8%

ZoneCalc

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Massive Dev Chart Timer

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • HC110 dilution section displays only letters, not ratios
  • Dilution ratios not calculating when solution amount adjusted
  • App crashes after selecting film speed
  • Crashes on iPad with new update
  • Timer display shows three dots instead of seconds
Show 7 more
  • UI elements overlap on older iPhone models
  • Safelight mode white banner blocks display on iPad
  • Crashes during development process
  • Home screen line emits bright light in darkroom mode
  • App incompatible with newer iOS versions on older devices
  • Notes don't word wrap properly
  • Inconsistent film/developer availability between iPhone and iPad

Requested features

15 requests
  • Color film support (C-41, E-6, ECN-2 processes)
  • Search functionality by film brand/name
  • Ability to add custom process steps (presoak, toning)
  • Individual agitation control per development stage
  • Continuous agitation option
Show 10 more
  • Volume calculator for stop bath and fixer
  • Background timer functionality
  • Custom step name editing
  • Pull/push development times
  • Stand development support with hour-based timing
  • Apple Watch app
  • Syncing between iPhone and iPad
  • Fahrenheit temperature option
  • Additional common film stocks (Portra, Fuji 400H, Ektar)
  • Ability to add films not in database to custom times

ZoneCalc

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Massive Dev Chart Timer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ZoneCalc

One-time1
  • ZoneCalc Pro$3.99

Questions

Is Massive Dev Chart Timer free?
Massive Dev Chart Timer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ZoneCalc free?
ZoneCalc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Massive Dev Chart Timer or ZoneCalc?
ZoneCalc is rated higher. Massive Dev Chart Timer averages 3.7 out of 5 from 54 ratings, while ZoneCalc averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Massive Dev Chart Timer or ZoneCalc have ads?
Neither Massive Dev Chart Timer nor ZoneCalc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Massive Dev Chart Timer or ZoneCalc?
Massive Dev Chart Timer ships an update every 5 months, and ZoneCalc every 3 weeks. Most recently, Massive Dev Chart Timer was updated on October 1, 2026 and ZoneCalc on September 26, 2026.

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