Technology

Halide Mark III arrives with Hollywood-grade film simulations and a redesigned photo editor

📅 May 27, 2026 16:20 ET ⏱ 2 min 👁 views GazetaDay Editorial

Lux Optics has finally released the latest version of its Halide camera app for the iPhone and iPad, following its initial announcement in December 2024. The most compelling feature of the Halide Mark III is a new film simulation engine, paired with a collection of five new Looks that apply to photos in real time as they’re captured.

Co-developed with a Hollywood colorist

The five Looks were co-developed with Cullen Kelly, described as a “renowned Hollywood colorist.” Each look is tailored to specific photographic scenarios: one is optimized for landscape photography, another for portraits, and a third for cityscapes. Additionally, the collection includes a black-and-white option that adds extra film grain.

New film simulation engine

At the heart of the update is a completely rebuilt film simulation engine, which processes color and tone in a way that mimics classic analog film stocks. Unlike post-processing filters, these simulations are applied at the moment of capture, giving photographers a more immediate, film-like shooting experience.

App availability and pricing

The Halide Mark III app is available today for both iPhone and iPad. Existing Halide users can upgrade through the app’s existing subscription or one-time purchase model, while new users can download it directly from the App Store. Lux Optics has not disclosed specific pricing changes compared to earlier versions.

## Market Context

Halide Mark IIIfilm simulationLux OpticsCullen Kellyphoto editoriPhone photographyapp update