Comparison

Reciprocity Timer vs Exposure Equivalence

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

Exposure Equivalence

Read full description

The Sunny 16 rule is a handy rule of thumb in outdoor daylight photography; the rule estimates the required daylight Exposure Value without using a light meter. This rule evolves around three concepts: 1) Incident light (as opposed to reflected light); an advantage for ‘difficult’ subjects.
 2) The different lighting conditions in outdoor photography (sunny, slight overcast, overcast, heavy overcast, and open shade/sunset).
 3) The relatively fixed exposure value for daylight under these conditions. What the rule does NOT prescribe are the actual camera settings (aperture, ISO and shutter speed) that you can use, as long as the combination of manual camera settings lead to an equivalent exposure value as specified by the rule. And this is exactly where the Exposure Calculator app comes in: it lets you a) change settings for aperture, ISO and shutter speed, and
 b) use ND-filters for which the filter density (the filter exposure compensation value) can be taken into account, c) balance out all these settings to achieve a correct exposure in accordance with the entered lighting condition (either a Sunny 16 preset or a measured EV100 ). The calculator supports the balancing process by indicating the resulting overall exposure value in stops RELATIVE to the selected lighting condition, taking into account a selected filter density. 
The calculator can also be used as a ‘training device’, where you first guess the required combination of settings for balance, and subsequently check these with the calculator. Explanation for the calculator screen, from top to bottom: A) In the ‘lighting condition panel’, select a lighting condition. In the new version of this app, you can select a lighting condition from either the “Sunny 16” presets-scale, or from a more extended scale of Exposure Values (assumed to be measured at ISO 100). On the right side of this panel, you can switch between the two scales (“Sunny 16” or “EV100”). B) The number display indicates whether the selected settings are in balance (indicated by 0), or whether a correction in the settings is necessary (indicated by a negative number for under exposure, of a positive number for over exposure) C) If you want to change settings for aperture, ISO, shutter speed or filter density, you can select this in the switch just below the number display. Of course changing settings will lead to the number display increasing or decreasing; this exposure offset needs to be balanced out by using (a combination of) the other settings, until the displayed number becomes 0 again. The switch itself continuously displays the selected values for aperture, ISO, shutter speed and filter density. D) The circular controls for aperture, ISO, shutter speed or filter density are displayed below (when the screen is in ‘portrait mode’) or to the right (in ‘landscape mode’). You can change the settings for the circular control either by tapping on the control or by moving the pointer. Further characteristics: - No in-app purchases - No account, no login - No advertisements

Screenshots

Reciprocity Timer4 screens
Exposure Equivalence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Exposure Equivalence at none against Reciprocity Timer's 1. Exposure Equivalence also leads on price ($0.99 vs $1.99). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On update cadence, ads, chart position 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 Exposure Equivalence $0.99 up front. Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Exposure Equivalence asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, Exposure Equivalence every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Reciprocity Timer versus Exposure Equivalence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReciprocity TimerExposure Equivalence
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating2.5 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#91 — better#197
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPump InteractiveRob Duell PhD

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reciprocity Timer

One-time1
  • Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99
None

Exposure Equivalence

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Exposure Equivalence free?
Exposure Equivalence costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Reciprocity Timer or Exposure Equivalence have ads?
Neither Reciprocity Timer nor Exposure Equivalence shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reciprocity Timer or Exposure Equivalence?
Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Exposure Equivalence every 3 months. Most recently, Reciprocity Timer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Exposure Equivalence on September 15, 2026.
Which is more popular, Reciprocity Timer or Exposure Equivalence?
Reciprocity Timer currently peaks at #91 in the App Store charts, and Exposure Equivalence at #197. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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