White Tulip Bloom – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Believe it or not, there are over 70 different film simulation recipes on Fuji X Weekly! That’s amazing! There are lots more than I would have guessed before I counted them. And I’m working on even more!
Something I’ve realized is that I haven’t spent all that much time on the practical use of these different recipes. You might not know which ones to choose, or when to use them, or maybe even how to use them. Perhaps you are overwhelmed by all of the options. Maybe you are not sure which ones can be used on which cameras. I haven’t done a great job with this side of it, the practical side. Moving forward I hope to make things easier for you by showing you the “what, where and why” of the different film simulation recipes.
This post is the very tiny tip of what I hope is a great big iceberg of information. I plan to publish many articles that I hope are helpful to you, that answer some of the questions you might have about these recipes. This article is a very simple one: an example of when to use my Kodak Gold 200 film simulation recipe. I get asked often, “What’s the best recipe for this situation?” Whatever that situation might be. I thought it would be helpful to showcase different recipes being used in various situations. I hope to do a whole bunch of these types of articles, and I’m calling them Film Simulation Reviews. You’ll be able to see a certain recipes used in a certain situation, and you’ll be able to judge for yourself if you like it or not. If you appreciate how a certain recipe looks in a certain case, for example Kodak Gold 200 with flowers and shaded light, which is what you see here, then you can use it yourself when in a similar situation.
My wife, Amanda, was going to plant some flowers in a pot on our porch, and I wanted to capture it. I grabbed my Fujifilm X-T30 and attached a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens to it. Why this combo? I like that camera and lens; I don’t have a profound answer. Initially I planned to use my Portra 160 recipe, but after judging the light, which was shady and flat, I decided to go with the Gold recipe instead because it has more contrast. I think it was a good choice for this scene. Actual Kodak Gold film was considered a good all-around choice for many situations, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the film simulation that mimics it is also good for many different situations.
Pot & Soil – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Digging Dirt – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Planting Tulips – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
White Tulip Blossom – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Adding Yellow – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Adding Soil – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Potted Blooms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Just Add Water – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Wet Potted Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Wet Tulip – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Porch Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Potted Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 & Fujinon 35mm f/2
Hi Ritchie, thank you for your great work! It’s a great idea to write about when to use the various film simulation. Have you ever think to organize all the simulation recipe in an ebook?
I love your Gold 200 recipe!
I’ve thought of that. What has kept me from doing it is the work involved, and the fact that I am constantly creating more recipes, so it would become out of date quickly. But someday I would like to if time allows. I appreciate the suggestion!
Hello Ritchie,
As I wanted to have a tool in my smartphone to select the recipe I need and to enter all its detail in the Q menu of my X-Pro2, I have created an Excel files (with two sheets that can be easily sorted) with 62 of your recipes (I don’t need the X-Trans II or the Bayer ones).
It is a very usefull tool to start to understand how the settings work.
I am ready to send it to you. As you have my email adress, just send me a message.
Of course, if other fellows want this file, no problem at all.
Thanks for your great job, that has made me increase my skills.
Denis
(Paris, France)
Sorry : an Excel file, useful.
Can I get that too? vmorocho34@gmail.com
Thanks! I can only imagine how much work was put into that. My email address is roeschphotography@yahoo.com
It has been sent. You should have already received the file via email.
If you find any error inside of it, just let me know.
Denis
Hi Denis,
I would love to have your Excel file with the recipes, if it is open and available from you! May I ask you an email? If yes, what is the address please?
Many thanks!
Sorry for the spelling mistakes : an Excel file, useful.
There is no confusion when I see your film simulations. I just pick those with the colors that have a mood I want for a certain scene, and by practice I get to see which are the ones I tend to use more, and afterwards I already know how to set my camera before the shot at certain light. Thanks not for the work you do in the simulations, as I think they are your personal passion : ), but in work to share them with us.
I appreciate your kind words! Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad that you find the recipes useful to your photography.