Having seen 645 Pro app trailed last week, I decided quite quickly on Saturday evening to buy another camera app for my iPhone.
I gave the manual a quick look over on Saturday and then went out and used it Sunday morning.
It is a complicated app to use – with all the functions driven from the main screen, using small button, and on first use, in bright sunshine where I was struggling to see the iPhone screen I had some difficulty using the camera. However with practice the strength of this app is that all the controls are alway available, making creative choices easy.
There were several features I was really interested in.
Film Stock
It comes with built-in filters that emulate traditional film stock results. I especially like the K14, a saturated colour result similar to Kodachrome and H5, a high contrast filter that emulate Ilford HP5 mono film.
Various frame ratios
I do like Jag.gr’s 6×6 camera – and the square format is included in the options.
Live View
Both of the above functions will display live in the view finder, so you will see a mono square image if you have those options selected.
Below are some comparison photos. Not as sharp as I wanted but they show the colours.
taken with 645 Pro K14 6×6
taken with Camera+
the Camera+ image – post processed with Camera+’s polarizing filter.
If there is a problem with this app it is that it is slow to use. The viewfinder is “laggy” as you pan and tilt looking for your shot. There is an occasional delay after pressing the shutter release and a longer delay before the app returns control to the user. Because of this I was struggling to get the framing right on some moving leaves when using the camera last Sunday.
I am pleased with the array of functions available in this app and look forward to using it over the coming months however its complexity relegates this app to my second camera “when I have time”. Camera+ is still my go to camera replacement app, it is quick to use and has a flexible focus and exposure system. I have taken some of my “Photo a day” images this week with 645 Pro but Camera+ is still the one I am using the most, and remains the camera app I would recommend to people, as it meets most people’s needs. I have only recommended 645 Pro to one friend who is a really keen photographer as he will get some fun and benefit from the app.
Overall I am pleased I bought this app and I am looking forward to any updates that will address the issues.