I’ve had a lot of requests for a Superia Xtra 400 film simulation recipe. Fujifilm introduced Superia Xtra 400, a consumer-grade color negative film, in 1998, replacing Super G Plus 400. This film has been updated a couple of times, first in 2003 and again in 2006. It’s been widely used, thanks to its low cost and versatility. I’ve shot several rolls of this film over the years.
Thomas Schwab, who has invented a few film simulation recipes, and who I’ve collaborated with on a number of others, created this Superia Xtra 400 recipe. He did this by capturing a roll of actual Superia Xtra 400 film with a film camera while capturing identical exposures with his Fujifilm cameras, then, using X RAW Studio, worked on the settings until he found a match. As you can imagine, he put a lot of time and effort into creating this! He shared with me some of his side-by-side pictures—comparing the film with this recipe—and it was tough to figure out which was which, they looked so close!
What I find interesting is that this recipe isn’t all that much different than Luis Costa’s Classic Negative recipe. I said of Luis’ recipe, “It reminds me a lot of Superia Xtra 400 with a warming filter, or maybe Superia 200 pushed one stop.” Turns out it was pretty darn close to Xtra 400. This recipe by Thomas is even closer! But, of course, with film, so much depends on how it’s shot, developed, and scanned or printed, and the aesthetic can vary significantly. So, really, both recipes mimic Xtra 400, but this one proudly carries the name, as it is a very close match to the film.
Thank you, Thomas, for creating this recipe and sharing it! I know that many of you will love it. I love it! This Superia Xtra 400 film simulation recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X100V, X-Pro3, X-T4, and X-S10.
Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: 0
Shadow: -1
Color: +4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -1
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, +3 Red & -5 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Superia Xtra 400 film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X100V:
See also: X-Trans IV Film Simulation Recipes
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Fujifilm X100V Black Amazon B&H
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🙏🙏🙏 Thank you very much Ritchie! Always Support and friendship!
BR Thomas
Thank you! I appreciate your help, encouragement and friendship!
Hi!
Thanks again for sharing!
Im getting a new camera soon and Im leaning towards Fuji XT4 I love the film simulations but could you share something or suggest something that you would use for event photography?
Not neccassirly weddings, but events like indoor parties, gatherings, conferences etc.
The Fuji colors are amazing but sometimes a” little much” or too “retro” looking.
Whats a good neutral film simulation I could use?
Thanks
In that case my choice is a little tweaked Kodachrome II recipe. 2 points less shadow, added Clarity +3, CCE/FX Blue weak and Grain off.
Do you like it?
BR Thomas
Hi! Maybe try this one:
https://fujixweekly.com/2018/01/21/my-fujifilm-x100f-pro-neg-hi-film-simulation-recipe-portraits/
So sweet! My favorite film stock of all time, great stuff Thomas!
Thank you very much! I am glad you like it!
BR Thomas
I’ve never shot Superia Xtra but this simulation feels like it would be great for the summer. I’m a huge fan of your Superia 800 recipe. How can two films with the word Superia in the name be so different?
The Superia name was given to a number of films with a 4th layer (cyan, for better colors under artificial light). There are actually four different Superia 400 films that Fujifilm has produced: Xtra, Premium, True Definition, and Press. All Superia 400, each with a slightly different look. Altogether, I believe there are more than a dozen films with the name Superia.
Talk about brand confusion.
Crazy, huh?!
yup, spot on!!!
Love Superia Xtra and I can’t wait to use this. By the way, any update on the announcement?
Thank you! There will be an update on the big announcement soon!
Thank you! I really like these recipes that are based on current film stocks. I use Superia X-Tra 400 film regularly and usually have a film camera along with my x100v loaded with the same “film”. (same goes for your Tri-X and T-Max 400 recipes)
Awesome! I’m just glad to be helpful to your photography.
Hi Ritchie! Absolutely great work from you! I’m always a big fan of the Superia Xtra 400. Is there any alternating setting for my xt3 to have a similar look as this film simulation? Thank you!
I wish! Fujifilm desperately needs to give Classic Negative to the X-T3. It’s a true shame that they haven’t. With that said, sometimes Astia can be made to have a similar look in the right situations (and completely wrong in others), depending on the lighting and colors. I’ll have to play with it and see what I can come up with.
Hi, this is my favorite recipe to use to shoot streetphotography. I have a question, if I set clarity to 0, will there be any other ways to tweak the settings to make it look as close to this recipe as possible? As the clarity option slows down my photoshooting a bit too much. Thank you!
You can replace Clarity (in this case) with a subtle diffusion filter (such as 5% CineBloom), or if you shoot RAW+JPEG, you can add the Clarity by reprocessing the RAW file in-camera or with X RAW Studio.
Have you been able to solve this filmsim for the X-T3 camera sensor type? I have seen that you used Astia on X-Trans 1 sensor. Could it not be posible to do simulation thing for X-T3 sensor type aswell. Maby just close enough for now.