Leica cameras are famous for their iconic imagery, but their price tags put them out of reach for many. Now, Leica has introduced an enticing alternative with the Leica Lux app, making the distinctive ‘Leica Look’ accessible directly on an iPhone.
The Leica Lux app brings the uniqueness of a Leica camera experience to iPhone users, allowing them to simulate Leica lenses and apply the revered Leica Looks through their phone’s camera. The most intriguing feature of this app might be its ‘Aperture Mode,’ which leverages Leica’s image engine and machine learning to mimic the rendering, bokeh, and other qualities of famous Leica lenses like the Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 Asph and the Noctilux-M 50mm f/1.2 Asph. This function resembles the portrait mode available on iPhones but with a distinct Leica flair.
Leica is known for its specialized color science, dictating how colors are interpreted in an image for accuracy or artistic reasons. The Lux app incorporates this color science, offering iPhone users the chance to apply Leica’s renowned color profiles, such as Leica Standard, Leica Classic, Leica Contemporary, and Leica Black-and-White. These profiles present colors and contrasts in ways that differ from the native iPhone camera.
For those who prefer more control over their photography, the Leica Lux app includes a Manual Mode. This mode lets users adjust settings like aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation to craft images that suit their personal vision. Though many manual camera apps exist for the iPhone, Lux’s Manual Mode, combined with Leica’s unique lens emulations and color profiles, offers a fresh and enriched experience.
The Leica Lux app is available for free, providing access to its Automatic Photo mode, Aperture Mode, and emulations of the Leica Summilux-M 28mm f/1.4 Asph lens along with five Leica Looks. For a more extensive experience, the app offers a premium subscription called Leica Lux Pro. Priced at £6.99 per month, this subscription unlocks up to 11 Leica Looks and simulations of 5 different Leica lenses.
The app can be downloaded from the App Store and is compatible with iPhones running iOS 17.1 or later.
Leica Lux app presents a fantastic opportunity for iPhone users to experiment with the iconic Leica aesthetics without owning a Leica camera. Whether you’re an avid photographer or just someone interested in beautiful imagery, this app brings a slice of Leica’s legendary visual quality directly to your phone.
