Comparing Classic Negative Recipes

Classic Negative is one of my favorite film simulations, if not my favorite. There’s something special and unique about it that separates it from the other film simulations. It produces a very Superia film-like look, but can be made to have all sorts of different aesthetics. I thought it would be fun to compare the different film simulation recipes that use Classic Negative. I did this experiment a couple of months ago (I meant to post it back then), so some of the most recent Classic Negative recipes didn’t make this list, including Fujicolor C200, Fujicolor Pro 400H, Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled, and Positive Film. And more Classic Negative recipes are in the works right now!

My hope is that one of the pictures below will inspire you to try a recipe that you haven’t yet tried. Maybe one of them stands out to you as more interesting than the rest. If so, let me know! Also, be sure to let me know in the comments which Classic Negative recipe is your favorite!

These pictures were captured in Yosemite National Park with a Fujifilm X-E4 and Fujinon 18mm f/2 lens.

17 comments

  1. JR · July 16, 2021

    All good recipes… but still, none can come close to the classic nostalgic feeling of Xpro ’62!!! : )

    • Ritchie Roesch · July 17, 2021

      Awesome! Thank you for sharing!

    • marcelfraij · July 17, 2021

      Absolutely right! Check out the x-pro 62 light (see comments bellow).

  2. Walter Thomson · July 16, 2021

    Hi Ritchie
    Wow, these are all so good. I have tried most of them but now I will have to try Amanda’s Classic Negative, Superia Premium 400 and Fujicolor Superia 800. Excellent and informative article. Thank you very much for the inspiration.

    • Ritchie Roesch · July 17, 2021

      I appreciate the input! Thank you for your kind words!

  3. Sergey · July 16, 2021

    Why didn’t you use the Fujicolor C200 recipe? This is my favorite recipe.

    • Ritchie Roesch · July 17, 2021

      I meant to post this months ago, and Fujicolor C200 should definitely have been included, except that it didn’t exist at that time. It’s a great recipe!

  4. marcelfraij · July 17, 2021

    Am I the only one who does not like Classic Negative ‘out of the box’ ..? There is one of your recepis that I do like: it’s the Xpro62. Only I have made some slight adjustments and named it x-pro 62 Light:

    X-PRO 62 LIGHT
    Classic Negative
    Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +3
Shadow: +1
Color: 0 (— +2)
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -3
Clarity: 0
Grain Effect: Weak/Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: AUTO, – 3 Red & -8 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)
    Very suitable for urban environment.

    • Ritchie Roesch · July 17, 2021

      I’ll have to try this! Thank you for sharing!

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  6. Marcel · July 30, 2021

    So I tried the c200 recipe for my vacation. Wow! I really love this recipe (and the xpro62 light ai mentioned above). The only change: I set the highlight to + 1 on the fuji x100v. DR200 and DR400 as you suggested.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/086a6k8a8wkwjdz/03AA7130-80D9-4A24-9AD5-607D2076BDF0-2571-000002701DEE5587.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/rjidatkhryd0diy/DC30C613-C358-4A9C-ADAD-6A00E47C6B62-2571-0000027155A589D3.jpg?dl=0

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/iiww7f0dqmoo5nl/59AC5EEB-16C7-40B1-BE49-16B4B1A6C10B-2571-00000270E2D86079.jpg?dl=0

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  8. Bill · January 27, 2022

    I’m starting all over for simulations with a new X100V. Thanks for this impressive comparison. I’ve narrowed my ‘starting’ selection to: classic neg, fujicolor reala 100, superior xtra 400, superior premium 400 and superior 1600. My images are mainly scenics, landscapes, around the house and its cats. Really enjoy your postings, Bill

    • Ritchie Roesch · January 27, 2022

      Sounds like a great list! Thanks for sharing!

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