Lux, the startup behind popular professional photography app Halide and others, is getting into video with the latest launch of its app. On Wednesday, the company announced Kino, a new video capture app aimed at professional and amateur videographers. The official launch comes six months after Lux announced the December 2023 release.
Halide users have long urged Lux to add video support to its popular photography app, but the startup didn’t want to clutter the platform, so it’s launching a dedicated video app. Given that Halide, which initially capitalized on the iPhone’s support for RAW photography to win an Apple Design Award, already has a loyal and notable user base, Kino also has the potential to succeed.
With Kino, Lux aims to make it easier for videographers to use their iPhone to shoot cinematic videos. Lux acknowledges that while Kino won’t be used to shoot the next feature film, the app will help people who want to get the most out of their camera. The startup designed the app to be powerful enough for professionals, but not too intimidating for amateurs.
The app allows users to choose their experience once they get started with the app, which then determines which settings are enabled. Kino offers in-app lessons and tips on video basics for beginners.
Kino’s Instant Grade feature allows users to press record and create a cinematic video with a color preset applied to their recording. Lux says users will be able to capture video with much less processing thanks to Apple’s decision to start supporting log video encoding with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
Lux explains that while Apple’s camera can record logs, they are encoded in Apple ProRes, which results in large files. Kino runs HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) for a smaller file size, and your chosen color preset is applied directly to your recording.
Kino also offers an AutoMotion feature that lets you get a 180-degree shutter angle on footage without having to fiddle with settings, leading to cinematic video with the right amount of blur, Lux says.
Kino gives professional photographers full control in both auto and manual modes. The app offers features like audio levels and device notifications, recording format presets, a quick way to indicate remaining time, an RGB waveform, manual focus with maximum focus, a lockable user interface and much more.
Lux says Kino will work particularly well with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as these devices can shoot Apple Log. However, the company claims that Kino also works great on older iPhones.
Users can access Kino through a one-time payment. The app launches Wednesday at the discounted price of $9.99 and will cost $19.99 in a few days.
techcrunch
