Leica Camera announced Leica LUX. This is an iPhone app that allows users to create photos that look as if they were taken with a Leica camera and lens.
Leica LUX is offered as a “freemium model.” The free version includes “Automatic Photo Mode” and “Aperture Mode” (a mode that simulates the “Leica Summilux-M f1.4/28mm ASPH.” and five Leica Looks).
The paid version, “Leica LUX Pro,” costs $6.99 per month. In addition to the modes included in the free version, “Leica LUX Pro” also includes a mode that allows you to manually adjust exposure, focus, and white balance. At the moment, a total of 11 Leica Looks and 5 lenses are available, with more being added in the future. In addition, various other features are planned to be expanded, such as access to special Leica content and events.
Leica Lux Reminiscent of a Leica lens
“Leica LUX” is an app that allows you to achieve exquisite photos that look as if they were taken with Leica lenses, known for their outstanding optical performance. In “Aperture” mode, you can take photos with an impressive atmosphere as if they were taken with Leica’s representative lenses such as “Leica Summilux-M f1.4/28mm ASPH.” and “Leica Noctilux-M f1.2/50mm ASPH.”
Leica’s unique image processing engine based on machine learning and computational photography reproduces the excellent depiction that is known as a characteristic of Leica lenses, and can also express the beautiful bokeh that is unique to Leica. It is now possible to take photos on your iPhone that simulate the impressive expression unique to M lenses, which are highly regarded as the highest quality lenses.
The world of “Leica Look”
“Leica LUX” uses Leica’s unique color science and offers several color gradations and film presets to reproduce the unique depictions of Leica cameras. These include “Leica Standard Look”, “Leica Classic”, “Leica Contemporary” and “Leica Black-and-White”. “Leica Standard Look” uses Leica LUX’s unique image processing, which has different colors and contrasts than photos taken with the iPhone’s own camera app, resulting in a more natural impression. With “Leica LUX”, you can experience the fascinating world of artistic photography with rich textures and impressive atmospheres even with your iPhone camera, giving your photos a unique character and depth.
“Leica LUX” has an intuitive and high-performance auto mode, as well as a manual mode that allows you to manually set important parameters such as exposure and shutter speed, allowing you to freely adjust every element of your photo to achieve the impression and atmosphere you want, allowing you to freely express your creativity and express high-quality photos. In addition, the app also has a unique specification that allows you to add new lens profiles and the “Leica Look” function to update its performance as an app at any time.
Related news – Leica acquires Fjorden Electra
On December 1, 2023, while developing the “Leica LUX,” Leica acquired Norway’s Fjorden Electra AG. This was a strategic acquisition made within the framework of developing new business areas in the mobile business.
Leica and Fjorden Electra have an ideal relationship as their business models complement each other, with Leica providing its mobile imaging development team with expertise in image processing and image quality, and Fjorden Electra contributing its extensive know-how in developing apps and smartphone accessories.
Marius Eschweiler, Vice President of the Leica Business Mobile Unit, commented:
With the acquisition of Fjorden Electra, Leica is systematically pursuing its key growth strategy and strengthening its position in the field of mobile photography. Leica and Fjorden Electra will now combine their respective core competencies to open up new creative possibilities in the field of mobile photography and provide new value to users through the combined know-how of two leading technological innovation companies.
Dr. Victor Henning, founder and CEO of Fjorden Electra, commented:
Fjorden Elektra’s vision is to make mobile photography more enjoyable and more professional. The iconic Leica cameras were the role models in terms of functionality, design and usability during our product development process. As Leica fans ourselves, the product development team is very keen to develop this vision further as part of the Leica family and to incorporate Leica’s technical and optical know-how.
