Fuji X Weekly is intrinsically connected to the brand-new Fujifilm X100VI.
Let me explain.
This goes back about a year-and-a-half ago, when the Fujifilm X100V famously and suddenly became an instant hit, two-and-a-half years after its release. I later discovered that I played a significant role in that. You see, social media influencers on TikTok and Instagram began using the X100V, and when they shared their pictures, it caused a spike in interest in the camera, which led to an explosion in demand. As it turns out, those social media influencers were using my Film Simulation Recipes, and it was the film-like straight-out-of-camera pictures that ultimately caused the buzz.
Last Christmas Eve I pointed out that a number of camera stores mentioned Fuji X Weekly and my Recipes. I concluded that they were doing so because Film Simulation Recipes sell Fujifilm cameras. Many camera retailers recognize this, and so they encourage new and potential customers to check out this website.
Yesterday evening I finally had a chance to view most of the articles and videos about the upcoming Fujifilm X100VI. I caught the X Summit when it was live at 10:30 PM my time, then in the morning did a live broadcast with Fujifilm X-Photographer Nathalie Boucry discussing the event and the new camera. Then I had all sorts of things going on, and finally found some time in the late afternoon to write an article about the new camera. It wasn’t until later that I could finally take a look at what others were saying, particularly those who had early-access to the camera.
A lot of people are surprised that Fujifilm doesn’t send me their new models. This website is one of the most popular for Fujifilm (2.4 million visitors in 2023), and (as I already said) Film Simulation Recipes do more to sell Fujifilm cameras—directly or indirectly—than probably almost anyone. I pay for my gear myself, except for a few inexpensive third-party lenses that were sent to me free of charge. Fujifilm gifted me a coffee mug three or four years ago, which I still use occasionally. If I’m being completely honest, it is a little disheartening when I see others who seemingly do less for Fujifilm get the goodies; however, I never imagined that all of this would go anywhere near as far as it has (and it seems to be still growing!), so I’m just thankful to be on this ride, whatever it does or doesn’t have in store for me. If that means not getting early-access to the latest models like others did, that’s perfectly ok with me. It’s better to be grateful for what you do have than be envious of what you don’t.
As I was going through the content posted about the new camera, something caught my attention. In a number of videos, there were mentions of—or even a focus on—the JPEGs produced by the X100VI. They talked about film simulations, no need for editing (or maybe only lightly editing), and even film-like results. I didn’t catch any specific mentions of Fuji X Weekly or Film Simulation Recipes, but many hints towards it. But, in the articles, there were indeed some direct mentions, and even links to this website. The Verge said, “Ask any Fujifilm shooter, and they’ll tell you one of the company’s core strengths is JPEG processing: there are entire websites devoted to tweaking these film sims and getting the best possible straight-out-of-camera results.” They included a link to Fuji X Weekly. That’s huge! Moment stated, “If you’re interested in creating custom film recipes using film simulations, you can easily do so with the Fuji X Weekly App or by visiting the Fuji X Weekly website.” Jonas Rask wrote, “…the community that revolves around making your own custom looks from Film Simulations has exploded in popularity, largely due to the popularity of sites such as FujiXweekly.com.”
There’s a seemingly universal understanding that many of those who have already ordered (or who plan to order) the Fujifilm X100VI will be shooting straight-out-of-camera JPEGs with it. Film Simulation Recipes will be such a big part of the experience of the new camera. Even those who aren’t all that familiar with Recipes (yet) are well aware of film simulations and Fujifilm’s out-of-camera output. It’s this ability to get film-like results without the need to edit that is a big driver of all the preorders that apparently are greatly exceeding Fujifilm’s expectations. If you wanted to buy the X100VI, I hope that you ordered it quickly after preorders opened, otherwise you might have to wait a little while. I’m “sorry, not-sorry” for any role that I may have played in that. Joking aside, I hope you enjoy your new camera, for all of those who took the plunge. For those who didn’t, let’s not forget how awesome our cameras are.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm X100VI in black: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Fujifilm X100VI in silver: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Find over 300 Film Simulation Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
ChatGPT
Ritchie, I want to express my gratitude for the valuable contributions you’ve made in sharing your knowledge and expertise on FujiFilm cameras and recipes. Your content is highly valued and appreciated. Thank you for all your efforts!
Thought you might get a kick out of the creative usage of ChatGPT. However, my comment is sincere.
🤣 🤣 🤣
Thanks so much! 😀
Speaking about chatgpt, you should create a custom gpt and train it on all your recipes and then you could just ask the gpt to create random recipes just by asking for particular styles. That would be fun !
I’ve seen some attempts at training ChatGPT to better make Recipes (and even conducted that myself to an extent); however, after a certain point, things always go haywire, it seems. I think this is because ChatGPT can’t analyze anything. It rely’s on descriptions. You can paint a picture with words, but how can you describe the color orange to someone who has never seen color? Until AI can carefully analyze a picture, then carefully analyze all of Fujifilm’s camera settings, it’s all a shot in the dark, where ChatGPT is trying to match descriptions that it doesn’t truly understand. So after awhile it starts to contradict itself, and say nonsensical things, and just really exposes its weaknesses when it comes to things like making Film Simulation Recipes for Fujifilm cameras. Can it do it? Yes (kind of), and occasionally it will even provide all of the required settings on the first try. Can it do it well? Almost never, even with a lot of training.
I want to thank you for your work, for your wonderful recipes and I hope that Fujifilm will give you a wonderful gift for your work. The mug is just not serious.
Thanks for your kindness! 😀
I first read your site years ago and even today, Scala is still my favorite recipe! I used your links to buy my GFX 50R. Wherever I mention my Fuji cameras in forums, or post my images, I ALWAYS link to your site as ‘giving credit where credit is due.’ I’m sorry I don’t have the resources to gift you the gear I think you deserve/need to help keep creating for us. I do give you my thanks and best wishes for you and your family’s future successes.
Barry
I appreciate all of your kindness and support! It really means a lot. Best wishes to you, as well!
Every time I meet someone who is new to Fuji cameras and eager to have a unique experience, I will recommend them to visit fujixWeekly.com. People can always find recipes that suit them here. I can guarantee that this is the most suitable website for Fuji players！
Thanks so much! I appreciate your kindness and support! 😀
I had my first Fujis years ago. An X100S then an F. Only used the standard sims and eventually moved on and sold them. Fast forward to last year and I came across your website and together with my ever-growing dislike for editing non wildlife related photos (my main genre) you single handedly influenced me to get back in the Fuji train and got an X-S20 and an X100V (retail price, from an actual store and brand new if you can believe it!). Even “worse'”, the downward spiral didn’t end there and your film sims made me miss shooting actual film. So now I’m back at the lab. It’s the healthiest most creative period in my photography career by far. Unless I’m shooting wildlife, for which I value the outcome over anything else, it’s just pure creativity and a process-centered experience. It’s a “what matters is the photo” vs “what matters is taking the photo” if that makes any sense to anyone other than me 😀 Thanks for all your hard work!
That’s awesome! Thank you for sharing!
I’ve heard something like this many times: was going to sell their Fuji until they discovered Recipes, then they fell in love with their Fuji, then they got curious about film and started shooting analog.
That’s great! It’s about finding what works for you and enjoying the process, whatever that is.
Hi Ritchie!
I am just here to support you opinion! Your site really works for Fuji, and hope they will appreciate it! It also works for us – the people with Fuji cameras, making our experience real fun 🙂
I have a small blog with photos and in it, I try to mention all the recipes I use (95% are yours) with links.
Regards!
What’s your blog? I’d love for there to be a link to it here, so that I can check it out and others might discover it. 😀
You, Richie with Fuji X Weekly, are a honest and down to earth website and contribution. and i appreciate this far more than those commercially oriented blogs or youtubers. Thanks so much for all the excellent work on Fuji X Weekly. And you showed a pic from me on the SOOC kodachrome II episode – thank you very much! Keep it up.
I appreciate all of your kindness! Oh, and thanks for participating in that episode of SOOC Live! 😀
Love my V Ritchie, don’t know if I’ll upgrade as I’ve never thought that the X100 line needs IBIS, and unless you’re in to heavy cropping,I don’t think we need 40mp, on top of that it’s offshored to China?
How is the build quality of your XT5 compared to the XT1 and XT2?
My X-T5 seems solid; however, I have received a number of reports of issues, where the camera had to be returned or repaired. Maybe I’m more careful? Or maybe just lucky? I’m not sure, but so far so good with my X-T5, after 15 months of use (keeping my fingers crossed).
Hi Ritchie,
Greetings from the Netherlands. Thank you so much for all your inspiration and your enormous share in the love for X-photography! The coffee mug was a nice touch. An invitation for a cup of coffee in Japan would be more appropriate. Fujifilm owes you a lot.
Best regards,
Martijn
I was thrilled by the coffee mug when it arrived, quite unexpectedly. I’d love for them to fill it, though… and in Japan would be a dream come true!
Thank you for the excellent work you’ve been doing Ritchie! I (like everyone) have got so much mileage from the website; using Fujifilm would not be the same without you! I hope Fujifilm see how valuable you are and help you out!
I appreciate all of your kindness! 😀
You do an awesome job – your recipes are in daily use on my X-Pro 3! I also definitely think Fuji should include you in new releases. I wonder if they’re hesitant to “endorse” non-official film sims in general? I know they are particular about their official ones.
All that to say, even if they don’t appreciate you the way they should, we all do! I hope you know that. Thanks man!
I think there are three aspects to Fujifilm hesitancy:
1) They don’t like that I use competing brand names (Kodak, Kodachrome, Portra, etc.)
2) They didn’t create the Film Simulation Recipe community and have zero control over it, so they want to keep it at arms length (avoid direct association)
3) I speak critically of the company occasionally
Anyway, I appreciate all of your kindness and encouragement!
Ritchie, You are doing a great service to Fujifilm community with your awesome recipes and I want you to know that. Thank you so much.
Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement!