Comparison

Reciprocity Timer vs Focusing Loupe

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

Focusing Loupe

This app assists large-format camera users in achieving sharp focus on their ground glass. It offers adjustable magnification and orientation options, with manual distance control to overcome light reflection issues.

Highlights
  • Adjustable magnification
  • Ground glass image orientation (natural/flipped)
  • Manual distance adjustment
  • Optimized for Graflex Speed Graphic
  • Overcomes light reflections
Features
Read full description

Focusing Loupe is a user-friendly app designed to help you focus your large-format camera with ease. It lets you view the ground glass image either in its natural upside-down orientation or flipped to correct it. You can manually adjust the distance between your phone and the ground glass, which is particularly useful when light reflections interfere with automatic focusing. You also have full control over magnification levels. This app is specifically optimized for Graflex Speed Graphic cameras with the focusing hood attached, where traditional loupes may not be ideal.

Screenshots

Reciprocity Timer4 screens
Focusing Loupe3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Focusing Loupe at 100% against Reciprocity Timer's 32%. Focusing Loupe also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (5.0 vs 2.5). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.5). On ratings volume and 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

Focusing Loupe is free to download; Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99 up front. Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Focusing Loupe asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Focusing Loupe holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Reciprocity Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Focusing Loupe's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, Focusing Loupe daily. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Reciprocity Timer versus Focusing Loupe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReciprocity TimerFocusing Loupe
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPump InteractiveAri Jaaksi

Customer experience

Reciprocity Timer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive32.3%
Neutral15.2%
Negative52.5%

Focusing Loupe

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Reciprocity Timer

One-time1
  • Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99
None

Focusing Loupe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Focusing Loupe free?
Focusing Loupe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Reciprocity Timer or Focusing Loupe?
Focusing Loupe is rated higher. Reciprocity Timer averages 2.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Focusing Loupe averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Reciprocity Timer or Focusing Loupe have ads?
Neither Reciprocity Timer nor Focusing Loupe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reciprocity Timer or Focusing Loupe?
Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Focusing Loupe daily. Most recently, Reciprocity Timer was updated on November 9, 2026 and Focusing Loupe on November 4, 2026.

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