Comparison

GroundGlass vs DevLog Darkroom

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

Head to head
About

GroundGlass

This app helps large format photographers meticulously log every detail of their shoots. It automatically calculates settings, supports Zone System metering, and manages film workflows. Export records, analyze trends, and access a comprehensive equipment database.

Highlights
  • Complete shooting records
  • Zone System metering
  • iCloud Sync
  • Film workflow management
  • Record templates
  • PDF export
  • Statistics & analysis
Features
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GroundGlass is a shooting log app built for large format photographers. Whether you shoot 4x5, 8x10 or any other format, GroundGlass captures every detail of the moment you press the shutter โ€” from exposure settings and Zone System metering to camera movements and development records. KEY FEATURES โ—† Complete shooting records โ€” Camera, lens, aperture, shutter, film, filters and movements, all in one place. Effective aperture is calculated automatically from bellows extension; holder numbers are one tap away. โ—† Zone System metering โ€” Full metering workflow in the spirit of Ansel Adams: multiple readings, base subject selection, exposure decisions, with the zone distribution at a glance. Includes a built-in spot meter with pinch zoom. โ—† iCloud Sync โ€” Records and equipment sync across your devices through your private iCloud database. Switch phones without worry. The developer has no access to your data. โ—† Film workflow โ€” Record status (Shot โ†’ Developed โ†’ Scanned), film holder management, stock tracking with automatic sheet deduction, and batch development entry. From loading to archiving, everything is on file. โ—† Record templates โ€” Save your go-to camera/lens/film combinations and apply them with one tap. โ—† PDF export โ€” Index label PDFs for film sleeves and full-page record archive PDFs, with preview before sharing. โ—† Statistics & analysis โ€” Shooting trends, gear usage, parameter distributions and a shooting calendar heat map, exportable as a report. โ—† Shooting map โ€” All geotagged records gathered on one map. Revisit your footsteps. โ—† Calculators โ€” Reciprocity failure, bellows exposure compensation, and depth of field with per-format circle of confusion presets. โ—† Extensive equipment database โ€” About 180 large format camera models from 25 brands, including Linhof, Sinar, Arca-Swiss, Chamonix and Ebony. Lens presets from Schneider, Rodenstock, Fujinon, Nikkor and more. โ—† Professional filter management โ€” Structured selection by brand, type and strength, including center filters, with automatic stacked compensation. โ—† Map-based location โ€” One-tap locate, with reverse geocoding for place names and coordinates. โ—† Data backup โ€” JSON import/export, with or without photos. Your data is always yours. โ—† Darkroom-themed interface โ€” Amber-toned design with card layouts, made for photographers. Your data lives on your device and in your private iCloud database. We collect no personal information. Large format photography begins with a record.

About

DevLog Darkroom

Features
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DevLog is the all-in-one companion for film photographers who develop at home. Track every roll through its entire lifecycle, save the exact development recipe you used, log each frame's exposure data, and review your shooting and developing stats โ€” all in one focused, offline app. From loading a fresh roll into your camera to archiving the final scans, DevLog keeps your analog workflow organized and repeatable. KEY FEATURES โ€ข Roll Lifecycle Timeline โ€” Follow each roll through seven stages: loaded, shooting, shot, developing, developed, scanning, and archived, each with its own timestamp. โ€ข Development Recipes โ€” Save your developer, dilution, temperature, time, agitation method, stop bath, fixer, wash, and a personal rating for every roll so you can reproduce your best results. โ€ข Frame Log โ€” Record shutter speed, aperture, subject, and location for individual frames, so you never forget the shot. โ€ข Built-in Presets โ€” Choose from a curated library of popular film stocks, developers, cameras, and lenses to fill in details fast. โ€ข Statistics โ€” See your total rolls, rolls in progress, archived rolls, average development time, most-used film and developer, and a breakdown by film type. โ€ข 100% Offline & Private โ€” No account, no network, no tracking. Everything stays on your device. Keep your darkroom knowledge in one place, roll after roll.

Screenshots

GroundGlass4 screens
DevLog Darkroom3 screens

Verdict

The call

GroundGlass and DevLog Darkroom are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters โ€” price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
GroundGlass versus DevLog Darkroom: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGroundGlassDevLog Darkroom
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size16 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerๅญ˜ๆปจ ๅด”ๆ™“ ้ƒญ

In-app purchases

None

GroundGlass

No in-app purchases

None

DevLog Darkroom

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GroundGlass free?
GroundGlass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DevLog Darkroom free?
DevLog Darkroom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GroundGlass or DevLog Darkroom have ads?
Neither GroundGlass nor DevLog Darkroom shows ads.

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