VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets Are Back — Price, Features, and, Subscription Details

I remember when Instagram was in its prime. Back before it turned into a space for vertical videos and shopping ads, we loved making our photos look like they were taken with an old 35mm camera. For many of us, that meant using VSCO. Although the app is still around, many photographers miss the day in 2019 when VSCO discontinued its popular Lightroom presets. Furthermore, at that time, VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets were considered a must-have for serious editing.

Recently, VSCO has been bringing back VSCO Film 02 for Adobe Lightroom. Seems like a high-school reunion where everyone looks good, but, like many things in 2024, there’s a catch that might frustrate you.

The Legends Return (For A Price)

In the first wave, VSCO Film 02 was the standout choice among presets. It aimed to emulate classic negative films that have shaped street photography and fashion for many years. If you wanted to get that film look, VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets were an essential part of your workflow.

VSCO says they are reintroducing the “depth, nuance, and character” of these classic films into today’s digital photography. They aren’t just adding a green shade to your shadows and calling it done. These presets are designed to work specifically with your camera brand, meaning that if you use a Sony, the preset will act differently than it would on a Canon. This approach is meant to create a more authentic, analog feel in the way colors and highlights transition.

I’ve always thought VSCO had a unique way of handling skin tones that other presets just can’t match. It’s great to see these tools available again, even if the execution could be better.

What’s In The Box?

This collection features a fantastic selection of rare and discontinued film emulations.

The pack offers:

• Fujifilm Neopan 1600: This film is known for its dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white images.
• Fujifilm Superia (100, 400, 800, and 1600): These films produce vibrant greens and reds with a slightly cool tone.
• Ilford Delta 3200: Known for its stunning, bold grain in black and white photos.
• Kodak Portra 160 & 400 (NC, VC, and UC): A must-have for anyone shooting portraits.

VSCO emphasizes that these aren’t just generic filters. Each preset offers different options, from subtle adjustments to more dramatic hue shifts that mimic vintage film-processing quirks. This means you’ll have plenty of creative flexibility without your photos looking like basic smartphone filters. In addition, fans of VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets will appreciate these creative possibilities.

The Big Catch: The Subscription Wall

This is where my mixed feelings come into play. Unlike back in 2012, you can’t just buy these presets for a set price at the store. To access VSCO Film 02, you need to be a VSCO Pro member.

That subscription costs around $5 a month. However, there’s the struggle of subscription fatigue. To make things trickier, VSCO states that you can’t unlock the presets with a free trial. You must pay to download them.

It looks like VSCO is using these nostalgic presets to bring people back into their platform. It’s a clever strategy, but for anyone who dislikes paying monthly fees, this can be frustrating. Essentially, you’re renting the ability to download these, but once they’re in Lightroom, they should stay there.

Why Should You Care About Camera Profiles?

Why spend money on these when there are so many free presets online? The key difference is the Camera Specific Profiles.

VSCO has created profiles for different camera brands, like:

• Canon
• Nikon
• Sony
• Fujifilm
• Ricoh
• Leica

Using a Standard preset applies a general adjustment. In contrast, a camera-specific profile considers how your camera’s sensor processes RAW images. This approach helps maintain a more consistent appearance in various lighting conditions. If you’ve ever noticed that applying a preset can cause highlights to turn an odd neon yellow, these profiles aim to prevent that issue.

I’ve always felt that VSCO’s camera profiles manage the roll-off, the way a bright sky transitions to white, better than most others. It’s a small but important detail that makes a digital photo look higher-quality rather than just edited. To sum up, VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets benefit greatly from these refined camera-specific options.

Is This Just The Beginning?

Right now, only Film 02 is coming back. But VSCO is hinting at exciting things ahead.

They’ve noted the feedback from photographers who want the original desktop packs back. While they don’t have a specific plan to share just yet, they said VSCO Pro members will be the first to know if more packs are added.

It seems like they’re seeing how much interest there is. If enough people join Pro to access Film 02, I wouldn’t be surprised if they start releasing the other packs within the next year.

A Limited Time Engagement

Just a heads up: this isn’t going to be a permanent feature in the shop. VSCO has announced that it’s a limited release. They haven’t told us exactly when it will end, but they definitely mentioned it won’t last forever.

This creates a sense of FOMO (fear of missing out), which is a common marketing strategy. It’s a bit annoying that they haven’t given a specific deadline, but if you’re keen to add that Portra 400 NC look to your Lightroom catalog, it’s best not to wait too long. In short, VSCO Film 02 Lightroom Presets are only available for a limited time, so act fast if you want to use them.

If you’re a professional editing a large wedding with a thousand photos and want a classic look, paying $5 for these presets is a great deal. The time you’ll save on color grading is worth much more than the subscription fee. Even if you subscribe for just one month to grab the presets and then cancel (assuming you can keep them), it’s still a better price than the old $119 for these packs.

On the other hand, if you’re a casual photographer, you might want to think twice about adding another subscription. There are many excellent film emulations available now from brands like RNI or Mastin Labs that don’t come with a monthly cost.

That said, the VSCO aesthetic evokes nostalgia. It shaped a significant time in photography. It seems VSCO is starting to recognize that its desktop roots are important, and it’s catering to its longtime fans, even if it’s now through a subscription model. Personally, I’m just glad to see these classic film names back in Lightroom where they belong.

[via dpreview; Image credits: VSCO]

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