# SWRLY — Petzval Camera

> App emulating the swirly bokeh of the historical Petzval portrait lens. (iPhone/iPad app by James Grote.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swrly/id1217621885 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Grote](https://appshunter.io/developer/338517204)
- Category: Photo & Video, Entertainment
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 4.50/5 from 88 App Store ratings · 31 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 45 MB
- Languages: American English, Chinese (Simplified, China)
- Released: 2017-08-01
- Data updated: 2026-08-15
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swrly/id1217621885/reviews.md

## What is SWRLY?

SWRLY is a modern take on the original swirly lens, the Petzval, created in 1840 by Josef Petzval. This lens design was one of the first portrait lenses and is characterized by a unique swirly bokeh effect. Many of the earliest photos (daguerreotypes, tintypes, etc.) were captured with Petzval lenses. 

The Petzval lens has a sharp center region surrounded by swirly bokeh, making it fantastic for portraits. SWRLY is the first app to faithfully recreate this effect.

FEATURES
- Unique swirly bokeh authentic to the original lens
- Great for portraits with Depth and TrueDepth support
- Simple to use with great results
- Presets like antique film types such as daguerreotype, tintype, etc.

Get SWRLY now!

## Key features

- Authentic swirly bokeh effect
- Ideal for portraits
- Depth and TrueDepth support
- Antique film presets
- Easy to use

## Recent user reviews (10 of 31)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swrly/id1217621885/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Cat Scan

*2023-06-16, version 2.9*

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.

### 2/5 — Neat idea but needs work

*2022-09-23, version 2.7*

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.

### 1/5 — 软件模拟效果不错

*2022-09-20*

如题。功能比较单一，效果不错。如果能加入蒙版控制就完美了。现在怎么不能用了？闪退！

### 1/5 — Stopped working

*2021-09-23, version 2.5*

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.

### 3/5 — 好用但是闪退

*2020-01-05*

好用但是闪退

### 4/5 — Great.

*2019-10-04, version 2.5*

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

### 5/5 — Really enjoying this app

*2019-09-11, version 2.5*

Super effects in an interesting variety of colours

### 5/5 — Great app

*2019-05-05, version 2.5*

This app is so awesome and I can take old time pictures without having to buy the real thing and I love how I can take old time pictures and share them with friends and family and I would strongly recommend this app to anyone who loves to take old time pictures.

### 1/5 — 充了值 丫根本不能用 现在骗子都能公然做广告了？

*2019-02-03*

充了值 丫根本不能用 现在骗子都能公然做广告了？

### 1/5 — 效果差强人意

*2018-11-09*

最好别买，实在不行打折或者等限免，体验下就好……还有怎么申请退款

## Frequently asked questions about SWRLY

### 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.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.9 — 2023-03-02

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

### 2.8 — 2022-11-23

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

### 2.7 — 2022-07-12

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

### 2.6 — 2021-11-11

Fix for rare crash when saving photos.

### 2.5 — 2018-10-29

Updated for iOS12 and iPhoneXs Max.
SWRLY is still the one and only swirly bokeh camera app!

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## More apps by James Grote

- [LensFlare Optical Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lensflare-optical-effects/id349424050)
- [LensLight Visual Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lenslight-visual-effects/id419518259)
- [Alien Sky - Space Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alien-sky-space-camera/id519529254)
- [LensFX Epic Photo Effects](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lensfx-epic-photo-effects/id698448636)
- [Circular Tiny Planet Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/circular-tiny-planet-editor/id845737955)
- [Reflect Mirror Camera](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reflect-mirror-camera/id898143628)

All apps by James Grote: https://appshunter.io/developer/338517204

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-15.*