Comparison

Reciprocity Timer vs Pinhole Assist

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

Head to head
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".

About

Pinhole Assist

This app acts as a light meter and exposure calculator for various photographic techniques, including pinhole, view camera, and wet-plate. It offers features like reciprocity compensation, built-in timers, and the ability to save camera and film settings.

Highlights
  • Light meter with spot and incident metering
  • Exposure calculation with reciprocity compensation
  • Built-in exposition timer and bubble level
  • Save and recall camera and film settings
  • Extensive library of pinhole cameras and films
  • Log shot information and export data
Read full description

*** Feb 8, 2019 "My favorite pinhole app!! "This is my go to app for pinhole photography…this has made getting good results much easier…" bizzy *** Dec 16, 2016. "Wow. This app blew me away with its features and calculations (especially reciprocity fail). - Horacekenneth *** Feb 19, 2014 Wonderful!! "This app is perfect for the pinhole photographer in the field. I love that I can save settings for all my cameras and recall them instantly in the moment. - Papskier" *** So useful! May 26, 2013 "This takes the guesswork out of exposure calculation, since it turns your iPhone into a light meter and suggests the correct exposure! Works like a charm. Great app for pinhole photographers." *** May 16, 2012 : "Pretty much the perfect app for pinhole", Gavin Lucas *** March 26, 2012 "Pinhole photography - Great app! This will make pinhole photography much simpler to do", Zone v *** November 28, 2011 "Great solution !! - Thank you for this Pinhole timing app. I have many different pinhole cameras and this will help me figure timing on all of them. Thank you !!Greg." Pinhole Assist will be your companion to argentic and numeric pinhole, as well as view camera photography and wet-plate . The range of aperture and sensitivity (starting at 0.05 ASA ) allows for film, photo paper, wet-plate and as well as pinhole. * Built-in camera computes exposure; * alternatively enter EV reading for any lightmeter * or enter time metering to compute reciprocity effect. * Use built-in exposition timer and bubble level for optimal shot; * The light meter has a spot-meter feature and allows for incident metering; * Enter your camera aperture from the predefined list (170+ pinhole cameras) or compute it; * Let the assistant automatically compensate for reciprocity of film (correction for long exposures, 60+ different curves included), or use your own curves. * Save, restore and presets (combos) : aperture, predefined cameras, ASA and reciprocity settings • 30+ builtin filters (red, ND…), add your own, mafast acess your favorites , * Log shot information : preview, exposure, metering, location, interactive map , date and a shot. Export as picture, CSV or JSON file. You can create film and set reciprocity curve from within Pinhole Assist. Crete new ones, or tweak existing ones. Use iTunes (on Mac/PC) to import/export access the films you created, or exchange them via email m curves (Go to the app Web Site for instructions) * timer usability : now tapping the chrono icon directly starts the timer starting the chronometer automatically create a log. * Combos : edit for your camera+ film combination (combo) the aperture or the predefined camera, as well as film speed and reciprocity. * Choosing a film reciprocity now sets the film speed. * 119 different films, including Multigrade paper and Harman positive paper * 300+ different pinhole and zone plate cameras : Ondu, Diana, Holga, Sténoflex, Reality soSubtle, Lensless, Ilford, Stenopéika, Vermeer, 8banners, ZeroImage, Leonardo, Carlos, Nopo, Spiral, Sharan… Any other camera can be accommodated. Go to the Settings to : * adjust scales can be by ½ EV or ⅓ EV, * enable bellow correction: a button will appear on the main screen to allow bellow adjustment, allowing to use view cameras; * adjust the cell and incident metering constant; * start the timer automatically or not; * adjust log behavior. Please note: this is not a camera app: it does not take picture. This is a sophisticated exposure calculator to take argentic (ou DSLR) shots with an pinhole camera.

Screenshots

Reciprocity Timer4 screens
Pinhole Assist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pinhole Assist at 98% against Reciprocity Timer's 33%. Pinhole Assist also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On 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

Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99 and Pinhole Assist $2.99 up front. Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pinhole Assist asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pinhole Assist holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Reciprocity Timer's written reviews are positive against 98% of Pinhole Assist's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, Pinhole Assist every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Reciprocity Timer versus Pinhole Assist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReciprocity TimerPinhole Assist
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating2.5 (4 ratings)4.9 (19 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews97.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings419 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPump InteractiveLe bord de la piscine

Customer experience

Reciprocity Timer

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

Pinhole Assist

All ratings19 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reciprocity Timer

One-time1
  • Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99
None

Pinhole Assist

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pinhole Assist free?
Pinhole Assist costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reciprocity Timer or Pinhole Assist?
Pinhole Assist is rated higher. Reciprocity Timer averages 2.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Pinhole Assist averages 4.9 from 19 ratings.
Do Reciprocity Timer or Pinhole Assist have ads?
Neither Reciprocity Timer nor Pinhole Assist shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reciprocity Timer or Pinhole Assist?
Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Pinhole Assist every 3 months. Most recently, Reciprocity Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pinhole Assist on October 24, 2026.

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