Halide's New Macro Mode Lets You Take Close-Up Photos Without an iPhone 13 Pro

[bigboy29]

imagine that, existing older hardware perfectly capable but limited by apple

Well, think of it what you will, but if you read what Halide team actually wrote about this in their software, it will became clearer that this is not necessarily "limited by Apple" rather - really some software innovation that developers get to do on Apple platform.

iPhone Macro: A Big Day for Small Things

The iPhone 13 Pro features a new camera capable of focusing closer than ever before—less than an inch away. This opens a whole new dimension for iPhone photographers, but it’s not without surprises. Let’s take a tour of what this lens unlocks, some clever details you might

lux.camera

Kind of like 1000 other examples where a developer does something that make the phone better at doing it than software that Apple ships in the box (or might not even ship in the box).

Also - the usability of Halide is not nearly where Camera app is; Apple's implementation of Macro in 13 line does not require manual modes, careful focusing etc. for "good" results.

 

[Jimmdean]

holy jesus what a scam!!!

 

[Act3]

Macro Mode is "free" for life with every iPhone Pro.

or 50 bucks to add it to any phone with neural engine

 

[dguisinger]

I refuse to use apps that use subscriptions for basic features.... I'm willing to spend $0.99, $2, even $5 for an app that I will use on rare occasions if its important... but I'm not going to support a developer through retirement for a small addition to my camera.... or for my ability to see names of mountain peaks or see which way the wind is blowing.

 

[maerz001]

Hm, not sure it works on my 13 mini.
This is what i get on halide and the 2nd pic is 3x digital zoom with the standard app.

 

[davidako]

Subscriptions for non-updating features are a disgrace.

If there was a way to financially contribute to the downfall of such companies I would gladly do so.

 

[Paul Price]

Works well on 12 Pro

On my iPhone 12 Pro, it just tells me “operation cannot be completed” when I invoke macro mode and do manual focus, with focus confirmation before snapping the shot. It is not clear why the operation cannot be completed. WTF?

 

[farmboy]

Seems like others have a different "technical" definition of a macro photo than I do. Macro photography is making a small object big in a photo. As always, somebody has a "Rule": "Macro Photography, also known as close-up photography, is the photography of small objects. A macro lens is a lens that offers a magnification of either 1:1, (1x) or sometimes only 1:2 reproduction." (SLR Lounge).

Screw the rules, it's whatever you want it to be.

 

[Bull 07]

I prefer the iPhone 13pro and apple as well.

 

[Tagbert]

imagine that, existing older hardware perfectly capable but limited by apple

This is not a case of Apple arbitrarily limiting the feature. The 13 pro adds a dedicated lens for this mode. The other phones can do a limited approximation of the effect but they are not as good at it and cannot focus as close as the actual macro lens.

 

[subi257]

Then you should be pleased that they offer a one time charge.

Yes, that is what I am saying, I want a one time charge. I am not against developers making money, that is why they are there and they are entitled to make a living for their work. However, if they are going to revamp the app I will not pay full price again. I/we should get an upgrade price, like most other software.

 

[katbel]

I've always had this feature with Camera + with my iPhone 8 and now 12 mini.

Example with Camera +2 and normal iPhone 12 Pro

 

[cardfan]

I refuse to use apps that use subscriptions for basic features.... I'm willing to spend $0.99, $2, even $5 for an app that I will use on rare occasions if its important... but I'm not going to support a developer through retirement for a small addition to my camera.... or for my ability to see names of mountain peaks or see which way the wind is blowing.

But you’ll pay apple hundreds of dollars upgrading phones for small additions to cameras. Got it.

 

[SantaFeNM]

Hm, not sure it works on my 13 mini.
This is what i get on halide and the 2nd pic is 3x digital zoom with the standard app.

It's feeling like a digital zoom on my SE 2020 as well.

 

[kingtj1971]

Gonna get flammed for this, but given that the outright app purchase only saves money after four and a bit years… that’s a bit steep. Fully appreciate they need to eat etc. and it’s a “pro” app but come on? Maybe two years of subscription for lifetime membership?

My thought too. In the grand scheme of things, I think the $50 price would be acceptable if there were no subscription options at all. Like that, you'd simply have to decide if it's worth what they're asking to you or not -- and that would depend on many things. (EG. Would you spend at least $50 for a macro lens for a DSLR to get the same functionality? If so, you'd probably be fine with the cost.)

But once you offer these subscription prices? People expect them to line up fairly neatly with the full purchase price. Most people won't even have the same device for 4 years before upgrading phones. And by then, would you even need this app if they add enough built-in camera capabilities on the new phone? Who knows?

 

[Tagbert]

Subscriptions for non-updating features are a disgrace.

If there was a way to financially contribute to the downfall of such companies I would gladly do so.

No, the subscription or one-time fee is for the app, not for the feature. No disgrace here.

When you download the app, you are in a limited mode until you decide to buy it, then they unlock the other features. pretty common way to preview an app. presumably they will continue to develop and update the app, so this feature could get updated too, if there is anything to add to it.

 

[flur]

This is not a case of Apple arbitrarily limiting the feature. The 13 pro adds a dedicated lens for this mode. The other phones can do a limited approximation of the effect but they are not as good at it and cannot focus as close as the actual macro lens.

The 13 pro has a lens capable of close focusing. It does not have a dedicated macro lens.

 

[jkev57]

Hmm, iPhone 11Pro no flower button..

Press the AF (Auto Focus) button and it should appear. It did on mine.

 

[AJACs3]

On my iPhone 11 PM: The macro mode doesn’t seem to allow you to get in any closer… one of the reasons I like using the app is that it has always seemed to allow better close up/macro shots. What it does seem to do is change up some of the user interface with some worthy focusing tools (including peaking and a magnified focus circle)and add some neural engine derived pixel doubling. For pixel doubling I tend to use Pixelmator Photo on my iPad.

 

[jkev57]

How did you get the macro mode. It’s not showing on my 12 pro max.

Press the AF (Auto Focus) button and the flower will appear.

 

[mashdots]

Turns out I've had halide for a while now so I decided to give this a spin. Pretty interesting results.

The shot is of a 3D-printed BotW guardian with tentacles, taken on my 13 Pro.

 

[johnnylarue]

The 13 Pro Max really takes some awesome macro pictures.

Whoooooaaaaa! That’s an eyelash, right?

 

[darngooddesign]

Requires subscription...

Or purchase

 

[Tagbert]

The 13 pro has a lens capable of close focusing. It does not have a dedicated macro lens.

Acknowledged. I was over-broad in my statement. My point was that it has hardware specifically designed to achieve this affect, not just a general lens with some post processing.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Press the AF (Auto Focus) button and the flower will appear.

Thank you👍