The highly anticipated Halide Mark III update has been released, introducing groundbreaking features for professional iPhone photographers. Announced by developer Lux, this major update is designed for users who want to bypass Apple’s computational photography algorithms for complete creative control. The new version brings significant enhancements, including ProRAW and HDR support for its “Process Zero” engine, a new “Tone Fusion” setting, and the artistic “Chroma Noir” mode.

What’s New in the Halide Mark III Update?

Since its launch, Halide has been a top choice for photography enthusiasts looking to go beyond the standard iPhone camera app. By offering manual controls, detailed histograms, and RAW shooting capabilities, the app aims to provide the flexibility of a DSLR on a mobile platform. The Mark III update takes this philosophy a step further, allowing users to unlock the full hardware potential of iPhone cameras without software limitations. This update isn’t just an improvement of existing features; it represents a fundamental shift in the approach to the photographic process.

At the core of the update is the “Process Zero” engine, which completely bypasses Apple’s automatic image processing systems. Consequently, users gain access to the purest, unprocessed data directly from the sensor, providing maximum flexibility during the editing phase. Let’s take a closer look at these innovations and their impact on the world of mobile photography.

Bypassing Computational Photography with ‘Process Zero’

Modern smartphones perform dozens of operations in the background in under a second when you take a photo. This process, which Apple calls “Computational Photography,” includes algorithms for merging different exposures (Smart HDR) and enhancing texture and detail (Deep Fusion). While these systems often produce great results, they can be a hindrance for professionals seeking full control. They can sometimes lead to images that look over-processed, artificial, or unrealistic.

This is where Halide’s “Process Zero” feature comes into play. When this mode is activated, all of the iPhone’s automatic processing systems are disabled. The result is a completely “raw” photo taken directly from the sensor with no additional processing. This gives photographers the freedom to adjust colors, exposure, shadows, and highlights from scratch according to their own vision.

Enhanced ‘Process Zero’ with HDR and ProRAW Support

One of the most significant innovations in Halide Mark III is the addition of HDR (High Dynamic Range) and ProRAW support to the “Process Zero” engine. These two features fundamentally change the experience of shooting unprocessed photos.

• HDR Support: It is now possible to preserve details in both shadows and highlights in high-contrast scenes (like a bright sky and a dark foreground) even when shooting in Process Zero mode. The app performs an HDR merge that provides a natural look without Apple’s aggressive tone mapping.
• ProRAW Support: Apple ProRAW is a hybrid format that combines the flexibility of the standard RAW format with some data from computational photography. Halide Mark III now allows shooting in ProRAW with Process Zero, offering users the naturalness of an unprocessed image along with the 12-bit color depth and extensive editing range of ProRAW. This is a huge advantage, especially for professionals who do extensive color grading.

Artistic Touches: Tone Fusion and Chroma Noir

In addition to technical improvements, Halide Mark III also offers creative tools. The first is a new setting option added to Process Zero called “Tone Fusion.” According to the developers, this feature is a delicate process that “recovers details in highlights and shadows.” Instead of acting aggressively like Apple’s Smart HDR, it subtly optimizes the dynamic range without compromising the photo’s natural look.

Another exciting innovation is a black-and-white film simulation mode called “Chroma Noir.” This is much more than a simple color filter. Lux states that they have developed a completely new imaging engine for this mode. With its high-contrast and grainy texture, Chroma Noir brings the aesthetic of classic black-and-white films to the digital medium. The development team also hints that more film simulations and creative filters will be introduced in the future thanks to this new imaging engine.

So, what are your thoughts on the new features of Halide Mark III? Share your opinions with us in the comments!