Halide Mark III: New Film Looks and Enhanced Photo Editing
Lux Optics has officially released Halide Mark III, the latest version of its popular camera app for iPhone and iPad. First announced in December 2024, this update introduces a powerful film simulation engine and five unique Looks designed to transform your photos as you capture them. Co-developed with renowned Hollywood colorist Cullen Kelly, the Looks are tailored for landscapes, portraits, cityscapes, and include a black-and-white option with extra film grain.
Five Unique Film Looks
The new Looks — Valencia, Rembrandt, Nova, Zephyr, and Chroma Noir — bring distinct cinematic styles to mobile photography. Each Look is optimized for different scenes, allowing photographers to achieve professional-grade color grading without post-processing.
Valencia
Warm, vibrant tones ideal for golden hour and outdoor portraits.
Rembrandt
Dramatic chiaroscuro effect for moody, artistic shots.
Nova
Bright, high-contrast look for urban and street photography.
Zephyr
Soft, pastel hues perfect for dreamy landscapes.
Chroma Noir
Black-and-white with pronounced film grain for classic monochrome.
Photo Lab: A Streamlined RAW Editor
Halide Mark III introduces Photo Lab, a redesigned photo editor that balances simplicity with advanced controls. The Quick Edit section lets you apply Looks, toggle HDR, and adjust exposure instantly. For deeper edits, tools include cropping, aspect ratio adjustments, white balance, and the new Tone Fusion feature for recovering shadow and highlight details.
Cross-Camera RAW Support
For the first time, Halide Mark III can process RAW files from Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica cameras. This beta feature opens the door for serious photographers to edit DSLR and mirrorless images directly on their iPhone or iPad, leveraging the app's powerful processing engine.
Pricing, Compatibility, and Interface Upgrades
Halide Mark III is available now on the App Store for a one-time purchase of $59.99 or via a $19.99/year subscription. It is a free upgrade for existing Halide Mark II users. The app requires iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 and runs on compatible iPhones and iPads.
Redesigned Interface
The interface has been streamlined to keep core controls within easy reach, with advanced options tucked behind an iOS three-dot menu. Users who prefer the old layout can switch back to the Halide Mark II interface at any time.
Key Features at a Glance
- Five film simulation Looks co-developed with Cullen Kelly
- Photo Lab with Quick Edit and advanced Tone Fusion
- RAW processing for Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica
- One-time purchase ($59.99) or subscription ($19.99/year)
- Free upgrade for Halide Mark II owners
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