Reciprocity Timer vs Darkroom Formulas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Reciprocity compensation calculations
- Exposure timer
- Filter compensation slider
- Note-keeping feature
- Custom film and camera databases
- Film stock favorites
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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".
Darkroom Formulas
This app provides a digital cookbook of over 160 chemical formulas for darkroom photography. It features a volume mixer for easy proportional adjustments and allows users to save, edit, and share their own recipes. Access all data offline, making it a convenient tool for photographers.
- 160+ chemical formulas
- Custom formula editing
- Proportional volume mixer
- Offline access
- Formula export and backup
- Supports multiple units
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Darkroom Formulas contains a database with over 160 chemical formulas from Digitaltruth.com including film developers, print developers, toners, reducers, intensifiers and more. Users can edit existing formulas or add their own favorite recipes. The app contains a powerful Volume Mixer allowing all ingredients to be adjusted proportionally on-the-fly. No more messing around with complex calculations, simply change the final volume and every ingredient changes automatically! Your own saved formulas can be exported and shared by email, or stored externally as a back up. The app includes all the data internally, so there is no need to connect to the internet to use it. Simply download and store in your pocket. Ideal for lab technicians and other darkroom users who need to mix formulas from scratch. Formulas can include up to 3 part mixes (eg. Part A, Part B, Part C) and each part can contain up to 10 ingredients, allowing a maximum total of 30 ingredients. Available units are ml, g, fl oz, oz, tsp, grains and drops. Lifetime free updates, no ads, no add-ons.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Darkroom Formulas at none against Reciprocity Timer's 1. Darkroom Formulas also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). Reciprocity Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and price ($1.99 vs $5.99). On rating, review sentiment, 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
Reciprocity Timer costs $1.99 and Darkroom Formulas $5.99 up front. Reciprocity Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Darkroom Formulas asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.5 for Reciprocity Timer against 2.5 for Darkroom Formulas. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 4 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 33% of Reciprocity Timer's written reviews are positive against 29% of Darkroom Formulas's.
Reciprocity Timer ships an update every 2 months, Darkroom Formulas every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Reciprocity Timer | Darkroom Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $5.99 |
| Rating | 2.5 (4 ratings) | 2.5 (4 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews — better | 28.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 28 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Pump Interactive | Freestyle Photo & Imaging |
Customer experience
Reciprocity Timer
Darkroom Formulas
In-app purchases
Reciprocity Timer
- Reciprocity Timer Pro$9.99
Darkroom Formulas
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Reciprocity Timer free?
Is Darkroom Formulas free?
Which has better reviews, Reciprocity Timer or Darkroom Formulas?
Do Reciprocity Timer or Darkroom Formulas have ads?
Which is updated more often, Reciprocity Timer or Darkroom Formulas?
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