This is a simple update to the Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe, which was originally made for X-Trans IV cameras. I discovered that a slight tweak is needed for X-Trans V models, because the new sensor renders blues just a little deeper on some film simulations, including Classic Chrome. For this recipe, simply setting Color Chrome FX Blue from Weak to Off makes it compatible with (as of this writing) the Fujifilm X-T5, X-H2, and X-H2S.
Kodak Portra 400 is a popular professional-grade color negative film introduced in 1998. There’s been a number of revisions and improvements to the emulsion over the years, so the Portra that’s available today is slightly different than the original Portra from roughly 25 years ago. As the name suggests, it’s intended for portraitures, but is also a popular option for many other genres of photography. One film can have several different aesthetics depending on many factors, and this particular Film Simulation Recipe is modeled after the Kodak Portra 400 pictures from a specific photographer. It’s one of my absolute favorite recipes for daylight and especially golden hour photography, and it does pretty well in several other light conditions; however, it’s probably not the best option for indoor artificial light, unless you want especially warm pictures.
This Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe is intended for Fujifilm X-Trans V models. It’s compatible with newer GFX cameras too, but will likely render slightly different. If you have an X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, or X-T30 II, try the Kodak Portra 400 v2 recipe for those models (click here). If you have an X-T3 or X-T30, try the version for those cameras (click here).
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance: 5200K, +1 Red & -6 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: 0
Shadow: -2
Color: +2
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Kodak Portra 400 v2” Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5:
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Fujifilm X-T5 in black: Amazon B&H
Fujifilm X-T5 in silver: Amazon B&H
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Thanks so much for this Ritchie. I used this recipe yesterday on my X-H2s on a sunny summer down in Tasmania, Australia. Exposing for highlights in high contrast settings, it yields stunning results.
Awesome!! I appreciate the report! 😀
Such a good recipe it really looks exactly like an leica m3 with portra 400. My god is this recipe fire🔥🔥
Awesome! So happy to hear this feedback!
I dont have an option to set white balance to 5200K, i was wondering how i can set that. (Fuji Xt-5)
Thanks,
Prabs
https://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x-t5/menu_shooting/image_quality_setting/#white_balance
👆 Look for “K Color Temperature”
does it work with the x100vi ? would love to have the original portra 400 filter
Yes! This is fully compatible with the X100VI. For the Kodak Portra 400 (v1) Recipe, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.
https://fujixweekly.com/2020/06/10/fujifilm-x100v-film-simulation-kodak-portra-400/
Does this film simulation work for the X-M5?
Yes! 😀
Hey!
I’m filmming with fuji since 2018 and only now I was able to get an H2s for personal use as a still cam (after I dropped it to the ground and had to buy a new reliable one for work). Fuji recipes are a blessing for this purpose and I appreciate your work.
Till now I tried portra 400 and 800 (for x trans V) and Classic Color. I noticed my shadows are quite green and vibrant colors are a little less saturated too if compared to the sample pictures from the fujiweekly. I saw your tips about FX blue and checked it twice, but I think my problem is the WB not matching the suggested settings. Any tips?
Thanks and I’m looking forward to subscribe the app!
I’m not sure. I have heard this before and kind of brushed it off as just the lighting being different. Perhaps it is a calibration issue, or simply the environment (elevation, latitude, dominant scene color, etc.). Consider moving the WB Shift away from green, maybe one spot towards Red? +2 Red instead of +1? If that’s not enough, also move one spot towards Blue (-5 Blue instead of -6). See if that resolves it.