I’ve wanted a Fujifilm X70 ever since I learned of its existence. For those who don’t know, the X70 was essentially a smaller, more wide-angle, and less expensive X100T. Introduced in January 2016 and discontinued in December of that same year, you might think that the camera was a flop, but it wasn’t. Unfortunately, to Fujifilm’s surprise, shortly after the camera launched, Sony suddenly discontinued the 16-megapixel APS-C sensor that the X70 used, and Fujifilm had no choice but to fully move on to X-Trans III as quickly as possible. The X70 was a casualty of that situation. No successor was ever made, supposedly because heat dispersion was an issue with higher resolution sensors that couldn’t be remedied. Even though the camera is six years old now, people love their X70’s—you don’t see very many for sale, and when you do it’s usually for a similar price to, or even higher than, the original MSRP. I was fortunate to find one in excellent condition for “only” $600.
I’ve had this camera for just a few days. After unboxing the X70, I quickly programmed into it the latest recipe that I had been working on with my X-T1 (which is in need of a sensor cleaning), and busily shot with it. Already I love this little camera—not only is it very practical to carry around everywhere, it is so much fun to use! Fujifilm really needs to work hard an its successor, the X80—this should be a top priority, in my opinion.
For this “Kodak Color Negative” Film Simulation Recipe, I wanted to use the Incandescent White Balance. Why? Because you cannot program a White Balance Shift into the C1-C7 Custom Presets (only on X-Pro3 and newer models); however, the camera will remember one shift per white balance type. If each of your presets uses a different white balance type, then you don’t have to remember to adjust the shift when switching presets. Incandescent is a white balance option that I’d not yet used on X-Trans II, so it seemed like a logical place to start.
The aesthetic that I was hoping to achieve with this recipe was Kodak Portra 400. I don’t believe that I succeeded in faithfully mimicking that (sometimes there’s a similarity); however, it does seem to produce a Kodak-like color negative film look, perhaps more like Ultramax, but not exactly that, either. Whatever it does or doesn’t resemble, I personally really like the aesthetic produced by this recipe, and I hope that you do, too.
This “Kodak Color Negative” recipe is compatible with all X-Trans II cameras that have Classic Chrome, including the X100T, X-E2, X-E2S, X-T10, X-T1, X30, X70, and XQ2. Unfortunately, the X100S, X20, and XQ1 don’t have Classic Chrome, despite being X-Trans II. Those with Bayer models that have Classic Chrome can also use this recipe, although it will render a little different on your camera.
Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -2 (Soft)
Shadow: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Color: +2 (High)
Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Incandescent, +6 Red & -7 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured on my Fujifilm X70 using this “Kodak Color Negative” Film Simulation Recipe:
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I have an X20 and X30 (the latter is my favourite!). Curious to see the results.
Yeah, definitely give it a try. 😀
Hello TheCameraEatsFirst!
I wanted to ask a question: I wanted to customize my fujifilm x30 with this film, I am editing the parameters and when I get to “Sharpness” I can NOT select “-1” … I can only select 2, 1 or 0 … any idea why it can be that? (I don’t understand these topics)
Thank you and sorry for my English!
Diego
The primary colors are great, the skies look as crystalline as in winters, primary pure or flat colors look quite bold while being gentle, in an almost pastel way. Maybe like an overexposed Portra 400 with a touch of yellowish vintage? It looks like you had fun with the X70 ; )
I think that it does sometimes have an overexposed Portra 400 aesthetic. Nice observation! I have indeed been having lots of fun with the X70 😀
Just put the Bayer sensor from the XF10 into the X70 body and call it the X70-B.
That’s an interesting suggestion. I’d much prefer the X-Trans IV sensor, if at all possible.
You already mentioned that X-Trans sensors are not possible in a small body due to overheating. If not a Bayer sensor then Fuji/Sony would need to develop a new X-Trans II sensor.
The X-Trans III sensor was apparently too hot. X-Trans IV is supposedly a “cooler” sensor but maybe not cool enough? I have no idea about X-Trans V. The Bayer processor was slow and limited, so maybe if they updated the processor a Bayer sensor would work.
Hello everyone!
I wanted to ask a question: I wanted to customize my fujifilm x30 with this film, I am editing the parameters and when I get to “Sharpness” I can NOT select “-1” … I can only select 2, 1 or 0 … any idea why it can be that? (I don’t understand these topics)
Thank you and sorry for my English!
Diego
I don’t have an answer for you. I tried looking for an answer—both in the manual and on the web—and I didn’t find anything. Sorry.