Is Film & Vintage Pack worth it if you’re shopping in Photography?
Film & Vintage Pack: four DNG files for phone shooters who want a cinematic, gritty look without the manual curve
If you are tired of your phone photos looking flat and sterile, the temptation is usually to start hunting for a $500 editing app or a subscription service that promises to “fix” your camera. The reality is often simpler: you just need a better starting point. That is where the Film & Vintage Pack from Sarah-Jean Coons fits in. It is a small, specific bundle of four DNG files designed for Lightroom Mobile, priced at $15. It is not a massive library of 500 presets; it is a tight, curated set of four looks—Lightleak, BW Grit, Matte, and Cinema—meant to give your shots a specific, textured character immediately. If you want your Instagram grid or portfolio to feel less like a raw JPEG and more like a developed frame, this is a low-risk way to test that aesthetic.
Quick answer
| Best for | Phone photographers using Lightroom Mobile who want a specific “film” or “cinematic” vibe without learning color theory. |
| Skip if | You shoot exclusively on desktop Lightroom (these are DNGs for Mobile), or if you prefer bright, high-saturation “modern” looks over textured/vintage tones. |
| Price | $15 |
| Format | 4 DNG files (Lightleak, BW Grit, Matte, Cinema) |
| One-line take | A tight, four-look pack that trades volume for specific, textured aesthetics on mobile. |
What you’re actually buying
At $15, you are not buying a “preset pack” in the generic sense of hundreds of sliders. You are buying four distinct visual signatures. The Film & Vintage Pack includes Lightleak, BW Grit, Matte, and Cinema. The distinction here is important: DNG files in Lightroom Mobile are essentially “smart presets” that apply a specific tone curve and color profile. Unlike standard XMP presets, DNGs often handle tonal compression and contrast in a way that feels more like a film stock or a specific camera sensor profile.
The Cinema look is likely your go-to for portraits or moody landscapes, aiming for that desaturated, teal-and-orange or neutral cinematic feel. BW Grit suggests a high-contrast black and white with added texture or noise, perfect for street photography or edgy personal branding. Matte offers a softer, lower-contrast finish that can make skin tones look smoother and less “digital.” Then there is Lightleak, which adds that chaotic, analog warmth. The value proposition is that these four cover a wide range of “non-digital” aesthetics without forcing you to choose one single vibe. You get a toolkit for texture rather than just a filter. (Film & Vintage Pack)
One specific detail from the seller’s notes is worth highlighting: the Lightleak file requires you to check all “Tools” and “Extras” boxes when importing it into Lightroom Mobile. This is a common quirk with DNG files that contain complex data layers; if you don’t enable those options, the effect won’t apply. It’s a small technical hurdle, but it signals that these are more complex profiles than a simple “brighten and saturate” preset. If you are comfortable with a one-time setup check, you get a significantly more robust visual effect. (Film & Vintage Pack)
Why it’s on our radar
This pack stands out because it resists the “bloat” of modern digital products. Many photography presets on Gumroad come with 100+ files, which are often just slight variations of the same color grade. Sarah-Jean Coons has kept this to four. That restraint suggests a focus on quality and distinctiveness over quantity. For a phone photographer, having four really different looks is often more useful than forty similar ones. (Film & Vintage Pack)
The price point of $15 is also in the “impulse buy” zone, making it a low-risk experiment. If you have been staring at your phone gallery wondering why your photos look “off,” this is an easy way to test a specific aesthetic direction. The inclusion of both color (Cinema, Matte, Lightleak) and monochrome (BW Grit) options means it covers both your everyday posts and your artistic experiments. It is a focused answer to the “my photos look too digital” problem. (Film & Vintage Pack)
What actually matters
Before you buy, keep these three practical points in mind to ensure the Film & Vintage Pack works for your specific workflow:
- Lightroom Mobile is required: These are DNG files. While DNGs can sometimes be converted or used in other software, the seller explicitly states they are for Lightroom Mobile. If you do a heavy workflow in Adobe Lightroom on your desktop or in VSCO, this may not be the right format for you without extra conversion steps. (Film & Vintage Pack)
- Lighting matters: The seller notes that the presets work best with natural lighting and high-quality cellphone cameras. If you are shooting in harsh, mixed artificial light (like a fluorescent office or a dim restaurant), the color casts may clash with the preset’s intended profile. Natural light will give you the cleanest “film” look. (Film & Vintage Pack)
- The Lightleak Setup: As mentioned, the Lightleak file requires you to manually check the “Tools” and “Extras” boxes in Lightroom Mobile when you add the DNG. If you skip this, the file will load but the visual effect won’t apply. It’s a one-time thing per file, but it’s a critical step that isn’t always obvious to new users. (Film & Vintage Pack)
Mid-check
If the four-look approach sounds like the right fit for your current editing style, you can check the current availability and any active discounts on the Film & Vintage Pack.
FAQ
Do these presets work on iPhone and Android? Yes, as long as you are using the Lightroom Mobile app. DNG files are a standard format for mobile editing in Lightroom, and the seller specifies they are designed for this platform. The visual outcome will depend on your specific camera quality and lighting, but the application process is the same across iOS and Android. (Film & Vintage Pack)
Is there a discount code? The listing mentions a code, Summersale, for 40% off. Discount codes can change or expire, so it is always worth checking the product page for the current price and any active promotions before you check out. (Film & Vintage Pack)
What if the presets don’t look good on my photos? The seller notes that outcomes vary based on camera quality and lighting. If you are shooting in poor light or with a lower-end camera sensor, the “film” look may not translate as well. The seller also states that all sales are final, so it is worth considering your typical shooting conditions before purchasing. If you are unsure, the $15 price point is a low barrier to testing the workflow. (Film & Vintage Pack)
Bottom line
The Film & Vintage Pack is a no-nonsense, four-file bundle for phone photographers who want to move away from the default “smartphone look.” It trades the overwhelming choice of hundreds of presets for four distinct, textured aesthetics: Lightleak, BW Grit, Matte, and Cinema. If you are using Lightroom Mobile and want a quick, affordable way to add a cinematic or vintage feel to your shots, this is a focused and reasonably priced option. Just remember to check the “Tools” and “Extras” boxes for the Lightleak file, and shoot in good natural light for the best results.