Halide Camera App Adds Film Looks and Enhanced Photo Editor
▼ Summary
– Halide Mark III, the latest version of Lux Optics’ camera app, introduces a new film simulation engine with five Looks co-developed with a Hollywood colorist for different photography styles.
– The app is available for $59.99 as a one-time purchase or $19.99/year subscription, with a free upgrade for Mark II users, and requires iOS/iPadOS 18.
– A new Photo Lab feature offers a Quick Edit section for applying Looks and adjustments, plus advanced controls like Tone Fusion and RAW processing for select camera brands.
– Halide Mark III can now process RAW images from Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica cameras, though this is currently a beta feature.
– The interface has been redesigned for easier access to controls, but users can switch back to the Halide Mark II interface if preferred.
After first being teased in December 2024, Lux Optics has officially launched Halide Mark III, the latest iteration of its popular camera app for iPhone and iPad. The headline feature is a new film simulation engine and a set of five custom Looks, designed to be applied in real time as you capture images. Developed alongside Cullen Kelly, a respected Hollywood colorist, these Looks are optimized for specific scenarios: landscapes, portraits, cityscapes, plus a black-and-white option that adds extra film grain.
Halide Mark III is available now on the App Store for a one-time purchase of $59.99, or through a $19.99/year subscription. Existing Halide Mark II owners receive the upgrade at no extra cost. The app requires iOS 18 or later on iPhones and iPadOS 18 or later on iPads.
The new Looks include Valencia, Rembrandt, Nova, Zephyr, and Chroma Noir. Image: Lux Optics
While iPads might seem an odd match given their more modest camera hardware, a surprise feature in Halide Mark III makes great use of their larger displays. The company calls this new section Photo Lab, a streamlined and approachable photo editor. It opens with a Quick Edit panel where you can apply Looks, toggle HDR, and adjust exposure. For deeper edits, the app offers controls for cropping, aspect ratio, white balance, and a Tone Fusion tool that recovers detail in shadows and highlights.
For the first time, Halide Mark III can also process RAW images imported from Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica cameras. Lux Optics currently considers this a beta feature, as noted by DPReview. Additional upgrades include a redesigned interface that keeps essential controls within easy reach while tucking more advanced options behind an iOS three-dot menu. If the new layout doesn’t suit your workflow, you can revert to the Halide Mark II interface at any time.
(Source: The Verge)