Earlier this month, Leica unveiled the Leica Lux App, a freemium app which simulates vintage M mount Leica lenses through the iPhone camera. I did not feel like subscribing to the premium version at first, so I downloaded the free version (actually, the app as you download it is free; the premium features come with in-app purchases). The freeware comes with 3 image settings and aperture control settings, but no control over which lens is used. Is the app as it stands good enough, or is this an app that would be better if you purchased the full version?
First impressions of the Leica Lux App:
From download, the app is pretty straightforward, though immediately prompts to subscribe to the full version via a free-trial come up upon opening the app. Luckily, that only happens once. After giving permissions for the app to use the camera, you are immediately ready to shoot. The appearance is vintage-like, with the distinctive font type for Leica lenses as the indicator for the settings. Controls are straightforward, and the setting changes do not require many touches.
Exposure levels are also easily controlled, and the camera can take both portrait and landscape shots.
The Leica Lux App shoots in the .heic format into an app-created folder in your images folder. This slightly higher end format allows for easier editing with minimal data loss.
The aperture setting allows for depth of field control. With the simgular 28mm simmed lens option, that effect isnt so pronounced but it does work in a similar way to the iPhone camera’s usual depth of field control setting.
The three different lens settings
The Leica Lux App free version comes with 3 settings. These settings are Standard, Vivid, and Natural. Standard looks to use the iPhone camera’s native settings. Vivid enhances the contrast and brightness, while Natural gives a much more neutral but vintage look to the image.
Take a look at the 3 different image settings below:
Note the coloration differences of the teacup in the 3. Notably the NATURAL setting has a different white balance completely. All three of these modes, plus controllability with the aperture settings, give this app a surprising amount of versatility, even with the free version. The photo being saved as .heif by default also increases the image quality. Honestly, this app is pretty fun for taking photos of subjects that have a variety of dynamics and colors.
Is the freeware version good enough?
In a word, yes. Normally, freeware is often a ‘teaser’ of sorts, meant to sort of drive the consumer into buying the full version. The limits of freeware are often frustrating, but in this case, as I am not really using this app for any professional means, the app is fine as it is.
The Leica Lux App is also pretty useful in low-light situations, as you can easily control exposure in the base settings. Base settings also include options for grid lines and balance indicators. It is essentially an enhanced photo app with Leica branding.
It is simply a fun app for taking pictures. I personally have no issues with other advanced settings behind a paywall beside the lens changing options.
The subscription model, though….
However, I think a discussion could be had on the subscription-based platform in which the premium version comes in. Commentators online have bemoaned the trend for premium versions of software under a monthly or yearly sub fee. These days there is noticeable pushback against the subscription model by consumers, especially after a number of issues that Adobe has faced with their recent updates. Smaller companies making subscription-based freemium apps are also seeing pushback for what is perceived to be a lack of value for the subscription.
The comments on some articles about the Leica Lux App similarly were not fans of the premium version’s paywall not being a 1-time application. The full version of the app is $7.00 a month after a two week trial period, or $70 a year as an option.
Speaking from a dev side, I do understand the amount of investment required to make an app, and how difficult it is to maintain it, and I can understand a pay model covering those costs. As a consumer though, I would much rather pay a higher one-time subscription fee to use the full version of the app. I do like they give you an option to try it out first, however.
The app itself, as a free version, like I said, is simply fun. I am personally content with using this app to take artistic-like photos for my Instagram stories. I won’t upgrade to the full-version of the app, however. Again, I enjoy the app, its base functionality, and how the images look.
Sample images taken with the Leica Lux App:
Review written by web editor Zach.
