PureShot, the photographers app

As many of you know, my number 1 camera replacement app has been 645 PRO from developer Mike Hardaker. I even wrote about how I used the app, in a post titled "645 PRO: my settings up close and personal". In that post, I wrote about how I exclusively shot with 645 PRO in "Q-Mode", with high quality JPEG on, and all the other bells and whistles off. It turned out that I wasn't the only person who liked to shot high quality JPEGs or TIFFs in this "quick mode" [Q-Mode], so Mike set about creating a new simpler and streamlined app, which has just been release, and is called PureShot.

Built around 645 PRO, PureShot offers:

• A choice of HI_Quality JPEG, MAX-Quality JPEG or dRAW TIFF output*
• A choice of standard multi-zone or (positionable) spot-metering
• Configurable tap-to-focus. Set-and-lock, or simply define the point-of-interest
• Standard 4:3 or square 1:1 image ratio
• A "soft" shutter release button that can be configured just how you want it to be
• Comprehensive on-screen information
• Real-time ISO, shutter-speed and GPS readouts, with optional Ev100, Dynamic Ev, luminance or illuminance reading
• A choice of four real-time histogram options
• Night mode, for real extended shutter speeds of up to 1 sec
• Quality-optimized 6X digital zoom 
• Direct integration with other apps, including Dropbox and image editors
• A comprehensive in-app User Guide
• Much, much more!

From day one, I was lucky enough to be part of the beta testing group, and from day one, PureShot replaced 645 PRO on my iPhone 4 (and now iPhone 5). The app is just like using 645 PRO in Q-Mode, but with less knobs and dials on the display.

Above: Taken with PureShot on my iPhone 4

PureShot and me: Just like 645 PRO, I have my preferred settings for PureShot, which are…

• Image quality: MAX-Quality JPEG
• Format: Standard 4:3
• Shutter settings: Release shutter after AF/AE-L = Lift only
• Copyright: All Rights Reserved

When shooting with PureShot, I have spot metering on, and all other display options off. This keeps everything clean and simple, which when combined with the option to take a photo when lifting my finger off the shutter, makes capturing that moment quick and easy.

PureShot is an app for photographers, and is now my number 1 camera replacement app. If you liked the sound of 645 PRO with its high quality JPEG/TIFF options, but were put off by the apps UI, then PureShot [App Store Link], priced at £1.49/$1.99/€1.59, and with a cleaner interface, may be the app for you.

* The term "developed RAW"—dRAW—is used to describe a TIFF image that has had no in-app post-processing applied and, critically, no JPEG compression at any stage.

Comments

[CanLaddie]

Spot on! PureShot is wonderful for me for all the reasons you've stated. I use the same setting as you do, though I currently show more info on my screen, including the RGB histogram and the rule-of-thirds grid.

[BF]

Cool app. But kinda looks like a ploy to get you to buy this instead of them just giving you more UI options on the 645 for free. Seems like the same app but with less cluster on screen. Maybe I'm wrong but not gonna spend another $2 to find out. Would be nicer if they just condensed the 645 UI to expand the viewfinder to a bigger proportion.

[CanLaddie]

Yes, there are overlaps between PureShot and 646Pro — but there are the huge differences that PureShot has neither ‘films’ nor ‘filters’. PureShot does have a cleaner more-direct interface which is very nice. Buy both and support solid software development!

[Mike Hardaker]

BF: I'm sorry, but you *are* wrong. Or at least, you're misunderstanding a few things.

Adding more options to 645 PRO would make it bigger, more complicated and (probably) slower. PureShot was designed from the ground up for those people who wanted a small part of what 645 PRO offers (the image integrity and control) in a smaller, faster and easier-to-use package.

If you have 645 PRO then PureShot offers you very little, at a box-ticking level, that you don't already have. If all you care about is specs then save your money.

But that's like saying that a sedan does everything a sports car can do except be fast and fun (or that a sports car does everything a sedan can do except carry luggage and a couple of extra passengers). In the real world, the differences between the two are clear. (Although you don't get to own both at the price of an espresso each!).

645 PRO is an app focused on producing print-ready images in a variety of formats inspired by classic medium format cameras, that have the appearance of being shot with a selection of classic film stocks, with an interface inspired and informed by those medium format cameras. It also, as an aside, allows for unfiltered, unprocessed images to be saved for later processing.

PureShot is an app only focused on delivering the best possible unfiltered, unprocessed images. Its objective is much simpler (although the app, under the covers, is no less complicated). And, by focusing 100% on maybe 10% of what 645 PRO does, it is able to do that 10% rather better.

If you only spend 10-30% of your time doing that (and you already have 645 PRO) then don't buy PureShot. If you spend more of your time doing that—and, especially, if you have avoided 645 PRO because most of it was irrelevant) then PureShot may be for you.

[Jason]

BF then it isn't for you. Frankly I have both and given the choice I'd take the Pure app. The biggest reason I used ProCamera over 645 was the interface. Pure is now my go to camera app. It's $2 for crying out loud. I left that behind 2 hours after a trip to Starbucks today.

[Dave]

I have both, cause I love to try out all these awesome cheap (price wise) apps they are both fantastic and for $2.50 in kiwiland (NZ) its nothing.And you have it for as long as you got the iphone...so get on board folks and spend your larger than life $2 its all for a good cause and look at all the updates that will come with it for life.....thanks Mike and your team your doing real good.

[Markus]

Nice and useful.
But the icon must be the ugliest one that I have ever seen - like a framed nipple, a real pain to the eye. I am thinking about deleting the app simply because of the icon.

[munchkin]

@Mike Hardaker: thank you for your long comment, I was still wondering, what is the difference, and which one to buy. I wasn't sure, if the PureShot is just new version of 645 PRO, or different app, and what are the differences. Now it's more clear for me. :)

BTW thank you for a great site.

[Darren C.]

It's like the developer read my mind. I love (and use) 645 Pro for its image quality, but never much cared for the busy, unApple-like user interface. I just downloaded PureShot and look forward to trying it out. It will likely become my go-to iPhone camera.

[Gus]

Does/will 645 have positionable spot metering?

[Jim]

so which gets the better app award: pureshot or vsco cam?

[BF]

Thanks a lot for the imput Michael. Sorry if that came off rude didn't mean that. I own 645 pro and love the quality. My only complaint is the small viewfinder. It seems like this is the main difference between the 2 apps? And for the rest of you it's not the $2, it's the fact that I buy many apps and don't want to spend unnecessary money if this isn't for me. I actually will probably try it, as it seems the interface mixed with the quality is probably what I've been wanting from 645. Also is there a way to control exposure focus much like cam+ ? That's a great option. The only reason why I use cam+ more than 645 is for that easier option.

[iPhoneIndy]

PureShot is a fantastic app with a minimalist UI, tons of control/customization, and great quality output. I'll agree that the app icon isn't wonderful but I've never felt strongly about the aesthetics of the Jag.gr line. To me, it feels as though the blending of contemporary and analog is forced. However, I've been able ignore the less-than-fantastic aesthetics for the pure power of these camera apps.

If you enjoy the simplicity of PureShot and require the TIFF or Max-Quality JPEG options, you might also consider an app called GCam. The interface and controls are similar to the simplicity of Mattebox and the UI is a bit more subtle and usable. The developer has been very active and responsive to users as well.

No camera app will satisfy anyone 100% but PureShot makes a great attempt. If it weren't for the tacky graphic overlays forced on the texture of a real camera, it'd be almost perfect. Likewise, if GCam featured similar control and a larger shutter button, it'd be better suited to my tastes.

All in all, PureShot is an awesome addition even if you're already using 645PRO.

[Mike Hardaker]

BF: I didn't see it as rude, but when someone says "Maybe I'm wrong"...

We're looking at all the feedback we get from PureShot and some of that will certainly influence the way that 645 PRO evolves. However, it's important to note that 645 PRO was designed for a corner of the market that wanted that kind of interface (and still does!) so we must be careful not to alienate the very many current users who do like its design!

Yes, PureShot does have positionable exposure control. We think it's better implemented than in most apps because it allows you to have positional focus and positional exposure completely independently; with most apps you have to have both or neither; however, this may seem unfamiliar to some...

Gus: I can't say whether the positional spot metering will reach 645 PRO (it doesn't currently have it). That would require another redesign of the Photo Filters, which currently use the same gestures on the viewfinder.

[Jeff]

Tried it but not overly impressed...I usually shhot 1:1 and use Joy Camera as my regular camera app...The viewfinder area on Pure Shot is too constrained by the clutter of the controls...High Q jpgs is the best feature but other than that it doesn't really do much.

[Jeff]

If I could suggest improvements, they would be to have an OPTION for combined positional focus and exposure control and also the possibility of increasing viewfinder space making the viewing area as large as possible.

[larrymcj]

Thanks so much for mentioning this fabulous app! It has just replaced Camera+ and I couldn't be happier....except for one issue that I can't believe is either missing, or I just can't find. If I take a few pictures, just testing, I can't delete them from within PureShot. I have to open up the Camera Roll and delete them from there. Surely that omission wasn't intentional in PureShot? Or else I'm just not seeing how to do it. If I open up a picture in PureShot there just isn't any button for DELETE or TRASH.

[Sonny]

I LOVE the icon. Don't change it. Since it's now my #1 go to photo shooting app, I like that it's nice and easy to find on my screen. The one button I need to spot / find when I know I'm about to start shooting!

[Flisstee]

So this is what you were referring to on Twitter. Loving the simplicity of it. And the great results.

[DH]

Does pure shot use the volume button as a shutter?