Comparison

LFTools vs Filter Simulation

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

Head to head
About

LFTools

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LFTools is an app for Large Format and Film Photographers. In version 1.5.0 LFTools contains 2 Tabs. The first one is the 'LF Tools' tab, with several sub sections. Each section has a tool to calculate certain properties which are used in large format photography. Like extended exposure times with regard to bellows extension or the magnification from a bellows draw for a given focal length. The second tab, 'Film Reciprocity', contains the Film Reciprocity Calculator. This calculator is of interest for all film photographers who are interested in long time exposure. With the Film Reciprocity Calculator one can overcome the so called reciprocity failure, which is inherent to almost all films. It is quite simple to use, one just has to select a film, shutter speed and aperture an the tool automatically creates a table with extended exposure times. The app comes with a pre-populated list of films from Ilford. Ilford was the only manufacture who publishes the p factor for their films. Al be it, the user can add its own films for calculation.

About

Filter Simulation

Simulate the effects of real optical filters for black and white photography. This app accurately mimics the luminance modulation of red, yellow, green, blue, and orange filters. It also includes an automatic shutter speed calculator for ND filters and a pinhole photography simulator.

Highlights
  • Simulate optical filters for B&W
  • Mimics red, yellow, green, blue, orange filters
  • Custom CIColorKernel shaders
  • Automatic shutter speed calculator for ND filters
  • Pinhole photograph simulation
Features
Read full description

Simulate real optical filters in black & white. This app uses custom CIColorKernel shaders to modulate grayscale luminance based on color vector similarity—accurately mimicking red, yellow, green, blue, and orange filters as used in film photography. Then, if needed, save the filtered image with filter information. Then, swipe left and find an automatic shutter speed calculator for applying various ND filters And that's not all; keep on swiping and you can simulate pinhole photographs before shooting!

Screenshots

LFTools4 screens
Filter Simulation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Filter Simulation at monthly against LFTools's every 3 months. Filter Simulation also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LFTools ships an update every 3 months, Filter Simulation monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
LFTools versus Filter Simulation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLFToolsFilter Simulation
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS1816.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRuediger MerzAri Jaaksi

In-app purchases

None

LFTools

No in-app purchases

None

Filter Simulation

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LFTools free?
LFTools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Filter Simulation free?
Filter Simulation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do LFTools or Filter Simulation have ads?
Neither LFTools nor Filter Simulation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LFTools or Filter Simulation?
LFTools ships an update every 3 months, and Filter Simulation monthly. Most recently, LFTools was updated on September 11, 2026 and Filter Simulation on September 18, 2026.

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