Earlier this year I started a new Film Simulation Recipe series with the intention of customizing each film simulation to optimize the aesthetic that Fujifilm intended. In other words, make a nice-looking recipe that is similar to yet better than the stock look of a film simulation. The first one was called Standard Provia and the second was called Improved Velvia. And then I stopped. Life happened. I took a long road trip. Now I’m living in another state (Arizona instead of Utah), and I’m picking this series back up again, taking a look at Astia.
The Astia film simulation doesn’t much resemble real Astia film—it’s actually closer to Provia 100F, but not a particularly close match to that, either. Even so, it’s actually a nice film simulation that is sometimes a “Goldilocks” option: contrasty but not too contrasty, vibrant but not too vibrant, etc.. Still, it’s one of the film simulations that I least use. Why? In my experience, a lot of times it just seems to lack the classic analog feel that I love; perhaps it is technically excellent but lacking soul. So I set out to give it some soul without significantly changing the overall aesthetic.
I call this recipe “Everyday Astia” because it is good for everyday photography. It’s great for sunshine and does well in the shade. It’s a good option for portraits. You can use it for street, landscape, or even artificial light photography—it’s highly versatile! This recipe is fully compatible with X-Trans III cameras plus the X-T3 and X-T30. To use it on newer X-Trans IV cameras (plus X-Trans V), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, Clarity to 0, and Grain size to Small.
Astia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +1
Shadow: +1
Color: -1
Color Chrome Effect: N/A (X-Trans III) or Off (X-T3/X-T30)
Sharpness: -1
Noise Reduction: -4
Grain: Weak
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this “Everyday Astia” Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-H1:
This “Everyday Astia” recipe compared to “stock” Astia (everything set to factory defaults):
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Your recipe is delightful, especially on the high contrast shots. I haven’t played with Astia before; this post makes me want to!
Definitely give it a try and let me know what you think! 😀
I really like this one! It is very close to one th
I’m glad that you like it!
Would love this one for X-Trans V!
You can. Set Grain size to Weak, Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, and Clarity to 0. 😀
Wow! The look of “Everyday Astia” on X-T3 is AMAZING! Only based on it, and I will say I will not miss an X-T5!!! It has a few other X-T4 – X-T5 simulations combined in it and one is Vision3…
I’m so glad that you like it! 😀
Really liking this recipe. I have made a slight change to it for my taste as I set Color to +1 instead of -1 to give it more pop. So I think I’m gonna call it “Everyday Astia +” now.
Awesome! It’s always ok to “season to taste” to make it work for you.