Halide Mark III: New Version of iOS Camera App with Film Effects and Advanced Editor

Lux Optics has unveiled the long-awaited update to its Halide camera app for iPhone and iPad. Version Mark III, announced back in December 2024, is now available on the App Store for a one-time purchase of $59.99 or as part of a $19.99 annual subscription. Users of the previous version, Halide Mark II, can upgrade for free. The app is compatible with devices running iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 and later.

The standout feature is the film effect simulation system, created in partnership with renowned Hollywood colorist Cullen Kelly. Users can choose from five preset styles: Valencia for vibrant landscapes, Rembrandt for portraits, Nova for urban scenes, Zephyr for dynamic shots, and Chroma Noir—a black-and-white solution with pronounced grain. Effects can be applied in real time or during editing.

Halide Mark III also introduces an updated photo editor, Photo Lab, with an intuitive interface. The quick edit section offers exposure adjustments, HDR toggling, and effect application. Advanced users will find tools for cropping, white balance adjustments, and detail recovery in shadows and highlights using the Tone Fusion feature. For the first time, the app supports RAW file processing from cameras by Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Hasselblad, and Leica, though this feature is currently in beta testing.

The app’s interface has been redesigned for easier access to core functions, with advanced settings now tucked away in a menu. Users unhappy with the changes can revert to the previous version’s interface. Developers note that the larger screens of iPads make working with the new editor particularly convenient, despite the limited capabilities of tablet cameras.