Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Superia Summer

Fading Flowers in the Desert – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm – “Superia Summer”

I almost always have several experimental Film Simulation Recipes programmed into each of my Fujifilm cameras. Sometimes these developmental settings become Recipes and sometimes they don’t (more don’t than do). Occasionally I forget the story behind an experimental Recipe—why the settings are the way they are, and what I was intending to mimic. It might have been a film photograph I saw, or a film stock someone requested I copy, or a certain photographer’s aesthetic—whatever it was, I just don’t remember. That’s the case with this Recipe: it was programmed into C5 on my Fujifilm X-E4 with the custom name “Exp 9/21” and no further details. I suppose I initially created it back on September 21, but I don’t remember why. The story of it is a complete mystery to me.

Just recently I noticed this Recipe in my camera, and—not remembering what it was—I decided to shoot with it. And I was blown away. The results were stunning! Why didn’t I use it back in September? I don’t know. What I do know is that it produces beautiful analog-like pictures. It reminds me of Fujicolor Superia—maybe 200 or 400—overexposed by about a stop, and shot with a warming filter (such as an 81a or 81b) or maybe with a Takumar lens that has turned yellow due to the thorium coating—perhaps printed on Kodak paper, too, instead of Fujifilm Crystal Archive. It has a strong warm cast, but still retains that distinct Superia palette, so I’m calling it Superia Summer. I cannot overstate just how much I like it!

2nd Story Windows – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm – “Superia Summer”

This Superia Summer Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras. Because Blue is rendered more deeply on X-Trans V cameras, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off in order to use it on the X-T5, X-H2, or X-H2s (or any other X-Trans V camera that is released after this writing). For the X100V and X-Pro3, I recommend using the Fujicolor 100 Gold Recipe or Superia Xtra 400 Recipe instead, which produce similar results, or simply set Highlight to -1 and Shadow to 0. For best results, use the Superia Summer Film Simulation Recipe in sunny daytime light; it does alright in cloudy conditions, too, as long as it’s not thick overcast.

Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -1.5
Shadow: -0.5
Color: +1
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpness: -1
Clarity: -4
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
White Balance: 5300K, +3 Red & -6 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Superia Summer” Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:

Desert Creek – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Wildflower Creek – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Riverbed – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Rocks in the Water – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Desert Stump – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Hiding Stump – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Water & Stone – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Young Giant – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Cholla in the Flower Field – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Red-Tipped Cacti – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Saguaro Wren – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Saguaro Sky – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Palm Tree Three – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Roof Vent – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Bougainvillea Villa – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Vibrant Red – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Morning Light – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm
Falling Door – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Abandoned Building Through Broken Window – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Blurry Building – Litchfield, Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Crack of Light – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 27mm
Chairback Window – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 & 90mm

Comparison:

Superia Summer Recipe
Fujicolor 100 Gold Recipe
Fujicolor Xtra 400 Recipe

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Fujifilm X-E4 in black:  Amazon   B&H  Moment
Fujifilm X-E4 in silver:  Amazon   B&H  Moment
Fujinon 27mm:  Amazon   B&H   Moment
Fujinon 90mm:  Amazon   B&H   Moment

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 300 more on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App!

Help Fuji X Weekly

Nobody pays me to write the content found on fujixweekly.com. There’s a real cost to operating and maintaining this site, not to mention all the time that I pour into it. If you appreciated this article, please consider making a one-time gift contribution. Thank you!

$5.00

7 comments

  1. justingould · March 10, 2023

    Nice recipe, Ritchie. I like the hazy retro feel of it with that color balance and clarity setting. Of course, we are in the middle of winter storms here right now, but I’m sure I’ll give it a try when the weather warms up.

    • Ritchie Roesch · March 10, 2023

      Definitely try it once the sun comes out! 😀

  2. Bob · March 10, 2023

    Hi Ritchie,

    Do you have a recipe for shooting bands in a night club Full Color. I use your HP 5 Push for my B&W work and it’s great!

    Regards,
    Bob

    • Ritchie Roesch · March 11, 2023

      You know, I have no personal experience with that specific scenario. I think GAF 500 could work. I think Reggie’s Portra could work. Maybe Fujicolor Super HG v2. A lot will depend on the specific aesthetic you want and the lighting you encounter.

  3. Ama · April 28

    That was the recipe of the day this morning and I absolutely love it! I like warm colors, especially since I go shoot every morning or so while taking a walk and the light is nice and golden at that time. I’m not sure whether I like this one or Superia Xtra 400 more, they’re both really pretty <3

Leave a Reply