SWRLY

SWRLY

Petzval Camera

85 ratings
18 reviews
#176 in paid Photo & Video
🎬 Entertainment
📷 Photo & Video
$4.99

Details

  • Released
  • Updated
  • August 1, 2017
  • March 2, 2023
SWRLY screenshot #1 for iPhone
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SWRLY screenshot #5 for iPhone
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About

Recreate the unique swirly bokeh effect of the 1840 Petzval lens. This app is ideal for portraits, offering a sharp center with artistic background blur. Explore antique film presets for a vintage photographic feel.

Authentic swirly bokeh effect
Ideal for portraits
Depth and TrueDepth support
Antique film presets
Easy to use
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What's New in SWRLY

2.9

March 2, 2023

Fix for saving photos as a lower resolution. All newer devices should save at full 12MP resolution.

Charts

Top Paid

📉 176-18

Photo & Video

This app dropped -18 positions in Photo & Video chart.

Last updated on July 26, 2026.

User reviews

Cat Scan

Mr Grote has the capabilities to create a brand new type of camera app. The shutter button (volume button?) would trigger a sound that captures the attention of cats and dogs.
An instant AFTER grabbing the pet’s attention, the shutter snaps. The pet is therefore looking right into the camera when the portrait photo is taken.
The next sound the pet hears from iPhone camera would be different from the first, as pets get bored easily. Literally, the same sound twice no longer captures their interest.
A cutesy UI might appeal to general end users, but pro photographers need to take photos of pets too. Hence, RAW support and manual exposure and vignette and square aspect ratio are good ideas.
Please make this dream a reality.
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Neat idea but needs work

I like the idea of this app but for me it doesn’t cut it. A file size of 768 x 1024 pixels isn’t acceptable in this day and age. It also doesn’t seem to work correctly with an iPhone 14 Pro. The image quality looks a little soft and the masking seems funky in spots. For now I’ll stick with my actual large format cameras and vintage lenses, or just using photoshop to achieve the look.
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Stopped working

iOS 14.8 or whatever the final 14.xx is for iPhone 12 max pro. The app doesn’t function properly. Turn off depth and it freezes for 15-20 seconds before going back to the main title/option screen. When it does tak a photo there isn’t a visible effect bokeh or otherwise. My normal camera can do all of that without crashing. Portrait mode does bokeh as well if you go in and adjust the f-stop down to 4 or below. There isn’t a need for this app that doesn’t work on the newer phones. If you still have a 6S that works, that was the phone I got this app for.
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Response from developer

Sorry for the trouble with SWRLY. I'm looking into this and hope to have a fix asap!

Great.

Despite of such high price for one single effect, I ‘m really enjoying this app. I hope saved photos are high resolution ..

Really enjoying this app

Super effects in an interesting variety of colours

Developer apps

FAQ

What does the SWRLY app do?

SWRLY is a mobile application designed to replicate the distinctive swirly bokeh effect of the historical Petzval lens. It allows users to capture portraits with a sharp central focus and a unique, artistic blur in the background, reminiscent of early photographic techniques.

What are the key features of SWRLY?

The app's main feature is its authentic swirly bokeh effect, faithful to the original Petzval lens. It also offers excellent portrait capabilities with Depth and TrueDepth support, a simple user interface for great results, and presets that mimic antique film types like daguerreotype and tintype.

How much does SWRLY cost?

Based on the provided information, SWRLY is a paid application. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model for full access to its features.

What kind of photos is SWRLY best for?

SWRLY is particularly well-suited for portrait photography due to its sharp center and swirly bokeh, which adds a distinctive artistic flair. It's also great for users who want to achieve a vintage aesthetic with its antique film presets.