Canyon Pinyon – Canyonlands NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
The Fujifilm X-H1 camera, which literally just came out, has a new film simulation called Eterna, which is based on Fujifilm’s discontinued motion picture line of films of the same name. You’ve likely seen real Eterna film before while watching movies and just didn’t know it. The Eterna Film Simulation is only available on the X-H1.
You might be wondering how I made an Eterna Film Simulation recipe for the X100F if the only camera that has Eterna is the just released X-H1. Well, I created it using existing settings. It took a little playing around, but it wasn’t that tough to create. What helped tremendously was that Fujifilm published two articles (here and here) on how they made it. I also studied some Eterna photos that have made their way online over the last several days.
I cannot vouch for how accurate my recipe is to the real Eterna Film Simulation on the X-H1 (because I’ve never used that camera) or to the motion picture film, but I believe that I got pretty darn close, or at least close enough to call it Eterna. I’m sure, compared side-by-side, there’d be some minor differences. It seems quite accurate to my eyes, and, perhaps more importantly, I’m pleased with the results.
Expedition Lodge – Moab, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
The characteristics of this film simulation are flat tones and low color saturation. It’s like the antithesis of Velvia. Finding situations where it works well can be tough. It requires lots of contrast and colors that look better when muted. When it works it looks incredible! When it doesn’t work, and it usually doesn’t, it looks very bland and boring. It definitely has a cinematic feel, and to accentuate that I used a 16:9 aspect ratio.
I don’t think Fujifilm will include Eterna in a future X100F firmware update, although it is certainly possible. My guess is that some of their cameras capable of 4K video will get it, but none of the other cameras will. The next X100 series camera, which might be named X100V, will likely have it. The next best thing for the X100F could be this Eterna recipe, if Eterna is something you think you would like to try.
PRO Neg. Std
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -2
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Noise-Reduction: -4
Sharpening: +1
Grain Effect: Weak
White Balance: Auto, +2 Red & +2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1 (typically)
Example photos, all straight-out-of-camera JPEGs captured using my Eterna Film Simulation recipe:
Coffee Didn’t Help – Riverdale, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Cream On Top – Riverdale, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Red Carts – Riverdale, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Swift Gas – Green River, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Starring Contest – Green River, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Daewoo Microwave – Moab, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Line Workers – Moab, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Capturing The Canyon – Canyonlands NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Mesa Arch – Canyonlands NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
Island In The Sky Evening – Canyonlands NP, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Eterna Film Simulation
See also:
My Fujifilm X100F Vintage Kodachrome Film Simulation Recipe
My Fujifilm X100F Fujicolor Superia 800 Film Simulation Recipe
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Impresionante la labor y el conocimiento que está divulgando sobre la x100F. Gracias
Thanks, Florencio, for commenting!
I don’t see why they wouldn’t include it in a firmware update. The x100F hasn’t really had a big update yet, granted it doesn’t really need it which is why I think we’d be due one with a new film simulation. I wonder whether they will bother to release a successor in the near future too, I don’t see much they could do to improve the camera as it is and they have bigger fish to fry with medium format and the h-1, t-series line.
People ask for weather proofing and IBIS for the 100 series but it doesn’t really need either, and Fuji have said they won’t do it at the expense of size so I wouldn’t be surprised if they leave the x100F for some time to come. A tilt screen would take away the fundamentals of the camera and they’ve already said no to full-frame. I have an x100F and can’t imagine what more I’d need… apart from the smooth analogue-like beauty of the x-pro1 sensor which I preferred, but that is never going to happen!
My personal speculation is that, since the Eterna film simulation is designed more for video than stills, only X-Trans III cameras capable of 4K will get it via a firmware update. I really hope Fujifilm proves me wrong and makes it available for the X100F in the near future.
I think the next X100 series camera will include the upcoming X-Trans IV sensor, which is rumored to have more than 24 megapixels and less than 30 (it could be based on Samsung’s 28 megapixel APS-C sensor), and I believe the “big upgrade” will be 4K video. Like you, I don’t see what more could be done to improve the camera. If Fujifilm asked me (and I doubt they will), I would be able to list some minor improvements that would in my opinion make the camera slightly better, but nothing major.
Thanks for commenting!
p.s. your simulation of the simulation looks great, THANKS for posting your settings, really helpful. I will be sure to check more of your blog
Thanks! I appreciate your kind words. I hope you find it helpful. I also hope you find other articles as you browse the blog that are useful to you.
I did not expect much, but your results impressed me very much! Can’t wait to give this a try. Thank you!
Thank you for your kind words!
Great blog! Can‘t find a content overview reading on my iPad. Am I missing something? Thx
If you click the four horizontal lines on the top right, that’s probably the closest thing to a content overview. Hope that helps.
Finally i can find the best eterna setting for my fuji without update the firmware 👍👍😍
Love your recipes. How do you save auto white balance with a color shift though? If you have it set to auto, won’t you have to manually color shift when switching between your saved recipes? 🙂
Thanks! Unfortunately, there’s no option to save custom white balance shifts with the recipes. Hopefully someday Fujifilm will change this.
I think you can now. At least it seems like I can with my xt2. Am I wrong in thinking this?
I’ve never been able to do it. How do you do it on your X-T2?
you can only save 2 using the cutom white balance and setting the for the custom preset