Old School Camera App Has More Than the Look of Film

First, Instagram filters helped capture our nostalgia for the look of film. Now, an app called Thirty Six is here to help us embrace the simplicity and the mystery of the process itself.

Available for iPhone and iPad, the camera app Thirty Six lets users mimic the experience of using a film or disposable camera in the days of limited exposures and contact sheets. Taking pictures within the app works like a typical viewfinder, but just like in the old days you can’t check out the results of your snaps until you’ve finished your “roll” of 36 exposures or 12 4:3 square shots.

After a development process that’s about 1000 percent faster than the one-hour photo shop of yore, you’re ready to view your work on an old-school contact sheet.