Provia — Velvia — Astia — Classic Chrome — PRO Neg. Hi — PRO Neg. Std — Nostalgic Neg. — Eterna — Eterna Bleach Bypass
There are 20 different film simulations on the new Fujifilm X100VI. Since there are likely many newcomers to Fujifilm who aren’t all that familiar with the various film sims and Film Simulation Recipes, I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss each one in more detail, and offer my personal favorite Recipes for each. I don’t (yet) have access to the new Reala Ace film simulation, so that one will be excluded from this. Also, I’ll combine the four Acros film sims into one article, and the four Monochrome film sims (and probably Sepia, too) into another.
The Classic Negative film simulation is closely modeled after Fujifilm’s Superia line of films. I’m not sure why they didn’t use the Superia brand name for the film sim, because that’s what it resembles. If you want a Superia look—or, really, any Fujicolor film that has their 4th-layer technology—your best bet is to use Classic Negative as the base. It was introduced on the X-Pro3, so cameras that are older don’t have this film simulation.
Classic Negative is one of my absolute favorite film simulations, and, as far as I can tell, it is the second most popular, trailing only Classic Chrome. I had a really difficult time narrowing down my favorite Classic Negative Recipes, and even though I tripled the number from five to 15 (like I did for Classic Chrome), there were a lot of tough cuts that I would have loved to include in this list. I could have doubled the length of it, and I still would have had some hard decisions. If you like Classic Negative, there are a bunch of excellent options to choose from.
The 15 Film Simulation Recipes below are my favorites that use Classic Negative as the base. Everyone has different tastes, so you might like other ones more. I count 53 Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App that use Classic Negative, so you have plenty of choices. But, if you are unsure which Classic Negative Recipe to try, let me suggest picking one from my list below.
#1:
A highly versatile Film Simulation Recipe that uses Classic Negative to replicate the aesthetic of the new Reala Ace film sim. Compatible with X-Trans V cameras.
#2:
Perfect for a sunny day at the beach, but surprisingly great for many other scenarios, too. This is the X-Trans IV (except X-T3/X-T30) version; click here for X-Trans V.
#3:
This is the Classic Negative Recipe that I personally use the most. Highly versatile, and is especially great for artificial light situations. Compatible with X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) cameras; for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
#4:
An excellent option for sunny daylight situations. This is the X-Trans IV (except X-T3/X-T30) version; click here for X-Trans V.
#5:
This Recipe, which is great for sunny daylight, is similar to Fujicolor Natura 1600. This is the X-Trans IV (except X-T3/X-T30) version; click here for X-Trans V.
#6:
A versatile Recipe that works well anytime of the day or night. Compatible with X-Trans V cameras; click here for X-Trans IV (except for the X-T3/X-T30).
#7:
An excellent Recipe for sunny daylight photography. This is the X-Trans IV (except X-T3/X-T30) version; click here for X-Trans V.
#8:
Similar to the Reala Ace Recipe, but not as versatile. Compatible with X-Trans IV (except X-T3/X-T30) camera; click here for X-Trans V.
#9:
Great for sunny daylight photography. This Recipe is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, except the X-T3 and X-T30.
#10:
Another option that’s great for sunny daylight. This Recipe is for X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) cameras; for X-Trans V set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.
#11:
This is the only Kodak-like Recipe to make this list. It’s for X-Trans IV cameras, except for the X-T3 and X-T30.
#12:
Like the film, this Recipe can produce a few different looks depending on how much exposure you give it. It’s for X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) cameras; for X-Trans V set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.
#13:
Another Superia-like Recipe that is best for sunny daylight situations. Compatible with X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) cameras; for X-Trans V set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.
#14:
This is the only Recipe to make this list modeled after an Agfa film stock. Thanks to its slightly cool cast, it’s surprisingly versatile. Compatible with X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) cameras; for X-Trans V set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
#15:
This is an unusual option that does really well in the right circumstances. Compatible with X-Trans IV cameras (except the X-T3/X-T30); for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
See also:
How To Add Film Simulation Recipes To Your Fujifilm Camera
Why Film Simulation Recipes are BETTER than default Film Simulations
Why Shooting JPEGs Is So Popular
Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!
Same. CN and CC are my absolute favourites. Seems not many people like Fujicolor Pro 400H, I love it, especially in full sun (but I tend to dial down shadow and colour a notch).
Awesome!
It’s always ok to “season to taste” a Recipe to make it work for you.
Many successful recipes on Classic Negative! I like them mainly in a town scenery, without vegetation because I cannot stand that unnatural dark green. I love Outdoors, nature heals me. That is why I am against such a “Superia green”. The ones that I like the most have acceptable greens, an ok compromise. But I appreciate very much the vintage, filmic look that it has. As I like Eterna more for the cinematic look, on X-Trans IV processor.
Funny enough, I think the nostalgia of the disposable QuickSnap cameras has increased the popularity of Classic Negative. People want that ’90’s or 2000’s film look from when they were kids, and this film sim is the best for achieving it. Classic Negative is not for everyone, nor was Superia film… Kodak was much more popular than Fujifilm, but for some reason FunSavers were not as big as QuickSnaps.
X-Pro ’62 is my favourite for cinematographic mood. I also love Agfa Vista 100 for daylight.
Agfa Vista 100 was one of those tough cuts that I really wanted to include.
Probably the most unique and complex film sim due to strong diverging color shifts and split toning. I wish Fujifilm introduced an optional split toning setting, e.g. separate WB shift for highlights and shadows. I think that would cause a big revolution in the recipe community. (But for now I’d be happy just with Classic Neg. on my X-T3 lol.)
I would love a split toning option!
Seriously, Fujifilm should have given, and still should give, Classic Negative to the X-T3 and X-T30.