I was attempting to create a film simulation recipe that mimicked the aesthetic of Saul Leiter. The problem with this task is that Saul used many different films over the years; while he had a unique and recognizable style, his exact aesthetic varied significantly. These settings can sometimes mimic his look, but sometimes not, so I wouldn’t call it a success, but I just love how this recipe looks—that’s why I’m sharing it. If you’re attempting to recreate Saul’s aesthetic, this recipe is a good starting point. Another one to try is “Old Kodak“—available (as of this writing) as a Patron early-access recipe on the Fuji X Weekly app.
I think this recipe is in the ballpark of the “Positive Film Effect” on Ricoh GR cameras—perhaps not an exact match, but definitely a similar feel, which is why I named this recipe “Positive Film.” There’s a likeness to Kodak Elite Chrome or maybe Ektachrome 100G, although (again) it’s more of a similar feel than an exact match. Whether this recipe is close to Saul Leiter’s look, Ricoh Positive Film, or a Kodak transparency is debatable; what’s not debatable is that this recipe looks really, really good!
You might notice that I used a similar White Balance and White Balance Shift technique as my Fujicolor 100 Industrial recipe. Because it uses the Classic Negative film simulation, Color Chrome FX Blue, and Clarity, this recipe (as of this writing) is only compatible with the Fujifilm X-E4, X100V, X-Pro3, X-T4 and X-S10 cameras.
Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +1
Shadow: +2
Color: +4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpeness: -2
Clarity: -4
Grain Effect: Weak, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: 2950K, +7 Red & -9 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Positive Film” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:
Find this film simulation recipe on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App!
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One of the nicest simulations yet. No subtlety here!
Thank you!
I do wish you had this film recipe for the xtrans iii sensors that don’t have color chrome effect. I do follow the recipes you have for xtrans iii, but this (for example) isn’t there
Aside from Color Chrome Effect and Color Chrome FX Blue, X-Trans III is also missing Classic Negative, Grain size and Clarity, which are all part of this particular Recipe. It would be nice if Fujifilm gave the older cameras some or all of those options, but I don’t think they’re going to, unfortunately. I am working on a couple of new X-Trans III Recipes, but they’re not similar to this one. Hopefully at least one will be ready in a couple weeks.
I agree this one really has caught my eye. Looking forward to trying this out in my Xpro3
Awesome! I hope that you like it!
Wow nice Job, it’s one of my Favorite Recipes ever. Greetings from Germany 😊
Awesome! I’m so glad to hear it!
i dont know but why my film looks very greeny… ? its tooo much green i have x100v and the same attidude
I would double check that the white balance and white balance shift are correct. It shouldn’t be green.
Is there a way to achieve something similar with the X-H1 (XtransIII)? I love this look so much!
Unfortunately, there is not. There is no good substitute for Classic Negative. Sorry.
On my X100v all images turn out very blue. Not really like the pics above. Is the 2950K correct? If I turn it up a little the result seems more reasonable.
Are you also doing the +7 Red & -9 Blue WB Shift?
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/08/19/fujifilm-white-balance-shift-what-it-is-how-to-use-it/
Yes I checked the full recipe a couple of times. Its all there.
What light are you shooting in? In cool light it will produce blue-ish results. It works best in sunny daylight or golden hour light.
I tried it with some RAW photos I shot last summer with X RAW STUDIO. The result is better than with the overcast weather it was today but still more blue than I think it should be. Well I’ll try it again when it’s actually sunny outside 😊
Thanks for your replies.
I think it’s also OK to “season to taste” the recipe to make it work for you. Try increasing the Kelvin a little, maybe up to 3200K, and see if you like it.
Hello Ritchie! Nice works as usual! I just like to ask if you tried using this for night photography, would you recommend it for night? Thanks!
Not much, but as long as the light isn’t extremely yellow it should do well.