Comparison

DisparaTimer vs DarkroomLog

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

Head to head
About

DisparaTimer

Features
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DisparaTimer is a mobile app that, when connected to a Raspberry Pico W/WH, can control the exposure time of a photographic enlarger using a power relay. The physical setup is inexpensive and easy to assemble. DisparaTimer has two operation modes. The first is a traditional timer mode, where you set a specific time for each exposure. The second is designed for creating test strips with constant fractional step increments over a base time. On iPad (iPadOS 17 and later), DisparaTimer includes a landscape-only notes panel that lets you add photos or images of your test strips and make handwritten or visual annotations directly on them.

About

DarkroomLog

Features
Read full description

DarkroomLog is a session logger, film catalog, and chemistry tracker for analog darkroom photographers. Log every printing session with equipment details, exposure steps, and notes. Attach a photo of each print for your reference archive. Rate your best prints with up to three stars. SHARE YOUR WORK Generate a beautifully designed dark card for any print or film roll and share it directly to Instagram, Mastodon, or anywhere else. Print cards include the photo, name, rating, film roll, enlarger, lens, paper, developer, and exposure settings. Choose portrait or landscape layout before sharing. Film roll cards show the full development record: film stock, developer, camera, lens, notes, and print count. LIGHT TABLE Browse and catalog your film rolls in a dedicated tab. Record format (135 or 120), film stock, camera, lens, developer, and notes for every roll. Link rolls to individual prints to keep your workflow connected from film to paper. CHEMISTRY TRACKER Track every chemical batch you mix โ€” developer, fixer, bleach, stabilizer, stop bath, or anything your process requires. Log the mixed date, capacity in rolls, and shelf life. Add a roll manually as you work, just like marking a tally on the bottle. A color-coded progress bar shows how exhausted or close to expiry each batch is at a glance. Search by name or notes. Works for any process โ€” black-and-white, C-41, ECN-2, or alternative. DARKROOM TIMER The built-in timer counts seconds with an audible metronome tick. Shake, toss, or tap to restart. The screen dims automatically during exposure. Set multiple timed steps per print โ€” each step signals with a bell when complete. FILM DEVELOPMENT TIMER A separate timer for outside the darkroom โ€” white digits, normal brightness. Use it for development, stop bath, or fixing. Same shake and knock controls. A bell rings every minute as a reminder. WASH TIMER Start a background wash timer directly from a print. When the time is up, you receive a notification โ€” even if the app is closed. Perfect for fiber-base paper that requires extended washing. EQUIPMENT LIBRARY Build a reference library of enlargers, lenses, papers, developers, cameras, and film stocks. Browse by category and select equipment quickly when logging a session or a roll. BACKUP & RESTORE Export all your sessions, prints, film rolls, equipment, and chemistry batches as a single JSON file. Restore on any device at any time. SETTINGS Toggle the metronome on or off. Switch to a dark interface regardless of system appearance. No account required. No ads. No tracking. All data stays on your device.

Screenshots

DisparaTimer4 screens
DarkroomLog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: DisparaTimer at 15.5 against DarkroomLog's 18.6. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DisparaTimer ships an update monthly, DarkroomLog every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
DisparaTimer versus DarkroomLog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDisparaTimerDarkroomLog
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 โ€” better18.6
Further details โ€” not scored
Size2 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAngel David RodriguezWebitel

In-app purchases

None

DisparaTimer

No in-app purchases

None

DarkroomLog

No in-app purchases

Questions

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

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