On Top of a Desert Hill – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Nostalgic Americana
If you are a Fuji X Weekly regular, you probably know that I like to read vintage issues of Arizona Highways. For those unfamiliar, Arizona Highways is a photo-centric magazine that has been around for a hundred years. Many decades ago, Ansel Adams was a regular contributor, as were Barry Goldwater, Ray Manley, Chuck Abbott, Ester Henderson, David and Josef Muench, and Ed Ellinger, among many others. It’s a great resource for photographic inspiration!
I have a stack of these magazines in my office that I like to browse from time-to-time. This particular Film Simulation Recipe was influenced by many different pictures found in the pages of Arizona Highways issues from the 1960’s and ’70’s. This was during the American New Color movement. Sometimes extensive details were given about the photographs in the magazine, and sometimes not much at all; the pictures that inspired this Recipe were likely captured on first and second era Kodachrome, as well as E3 and E4 Ektachrome. I believe the printing process, as well as the aging of the magazines, play a roll in the aesthetic. This Nostalgic Americana Film Simulation Recipe replicates the look of those pictures, and produces an obvious retro rendering.
Old Yellow Truck – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Nostalgic Americana
Because this Nostalgic Americana Recipe uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-Trans models, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, and X100VI. I’m sure it can also be used with newer GFX models, but I’ve not tested it, and it will likely render very slightly differently (try it anyway, though). Nostalgic Americana works best in sunny daylight situations.
Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg. Dynamic Range: DR200 Grain Effect: Strong, Large Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Off White Balance: 5800K, -2 Red & -4 Blue Highlight: -1 Shadow: -1.5 Color: -2 Sharpness: -2 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -3 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Nostalgic Americana Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5:
White Brick – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
White Dome – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Old Spanish Mission – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Bell – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Horses on Allen Street – Tombstone, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Studebaker Bells – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
No Parking Vines – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Solo Cup – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
The Road is Closed – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
No Parking Garage – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Various Textures – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Reaching Down – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Fake Flowers in a Window Box – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Star Spangled Dress – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Final Sale – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Mustang – Tombstone, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Se Renta Especio – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Space for Rent – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Restrooms – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Mule Pass Tunnel – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Hall’s Trailer – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Sign for Abandoned Mall – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Caution: Desert Ahead – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Grab your Fujifilm camera and join myself and Lucas White of Nuzira THIS Sunday, May 5th, for a free photowalk in Scottsdale, Arizona! Meet us at the Arizona Canal South Bridge promenade near the Pinball Wizard Public Art display at 5:30 PM. Explore the blending of modern cosmopolitan with off-beat western heritage through pictures. There will be the potential for street/urban, architecture, automobile, and landscape photography. It will be an opportunity to meet fellow Fujifilm photographers, and to chat about Fujifilm gear, film simulations, and Film Simulation Recipes. We’re going to have lots of fun!
If you think you might attend, please RSVP by May 3rd (click here). If you are in the area, I really hope to meet you there!
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. The new Reala Ace film simulation will be excluded from this because there aren’t many Recipes available for it yet. 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 Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation is an approximation of Eterna motion picture film that has had the bleach stage of development skipped, or at least reduced. Think Saving Private Ryan. It has harsh tonality, and is the least saturated of all the color film simulations. While you can make a fairly close facsimile using Eterna (by increasing Highlight and Shadow and lowering Color), Eterna Bleach Bypass has its own unique look. Fujifilm introduced this film sim on the X-T4, so only “newer” models have it.
Golden Light on Water – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Ferrania Solaris FG 400
Eterna Bleach Bypass produces stunning results sometimes. It requires the right subject and lighting, which varies from Recipe-to-Recipe. It can be challenging to use, so I think a lot of people avoid it, and consequently it is probably the least-utilized film simulation, aside from Sepia. Personally, I like Eterna Bleach Bypass, and hope that it catches on more in the future.
The five Film Simulation Recipes below are my favorites that use Eterna Bleach Bypass as the base. Everyone has different tastes, so you might like other ones more. I count 16 Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App that use Eterna Bleach Bypass, so you have some choices. But, if you are unsure which Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe to try, let me suggest picking one from my list below.
This is, by far, my favorite Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe. I’ve used it in a variety of locations and have had good success with it. Ferrania Solaris FG 400 is best for sunny daylight situations, but I have had some good results in overcast, shade, and natural light indoors. This Recipe is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.
This is the most popular Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe. Best in sunny daylight; however, works fairly well in most light situations. LomoChrome Metropolis is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
This is one of my favorite Film Simulation Recipes for nighttime photography, but it can also be fun to use in daylight occasionally. Ektachrome 320T is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
The Pushed CineStill 800T Recipe was intended for daytime photography, but is actually most well suited for nighttime situations. This one is compatible with X-Trans V cameras; for “newer” X-Trans IV (Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II) use this version, and for the X-Pro3 and X100V use this one that has Eterna as the base.
Kodachrome Blue is currently a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe, so only App Patrons have access to it right now. It mimics the look of improperly color-corrected scans of Kodachrome film. While it does best in sunny daylight, it has some versatility, and works well in a lot of different light situations. Kodachrome Blue is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.
Come join Ritchie Roesch of Fuji X Weekly and Lucas White of Nuzira on Sunday, May 5th, for an epic photowalk around Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona! Bring your Fujifilm gear to the Arizona Canal South Bridge promenade near the Pinball Wizard Public Art display at 5:30 PM. Explore the blending of modern cosmopolitan with off-beat western heritage through pictures. There will be the potential for street/urban, architecture, automobile, and landscape photography. It will be an opportunity to meet fellow Fujifilm photographers, and to chat about Fujifilm gear, film simulations, and Film Simulation Recipes. We’re going to have lots of fun!
Please RSVP by May 3rd so that we know how many are coming. Click here for more details and to RSVP. If you’re in the area, I hope to see you on May 5th from 5:30 to 7 PM for this Fujifilm-centric event! This photowalk is free, and family-friendly.
Bell Tower – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Classic Color
This Film Simulation Recipe has a fascinating story behind it… but I can’t get into all of the details of it yet. When the time is right, I will explaining everything to you. What I can say in the meantime is that I was hired to capture some photos, and to use a Film Simulation Recipe for those images, but the Recipe name shouldn’t include a brand name. Ideally for this project, because of the subject matter and light, I would have chosen my Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe, but I couldn’t because of the name of the Recipe. Instead, I created a very similar look, with an attempt to fine-tune it slightly for this specific project.
The aesthetic of this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe is bright and warm, with a Kodak-like color negative film rendering. It could be thought of as Kodak Portra 400 v3, as it has a strong Portra 400 resemblance, perhaps more similar to the old Portra 400 VC that was discontinued in 2010. This Recipe is best for sunny daylight situations, but it can sometimes produce good results in other light scenarios, too.
Birds on the Lake – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Classic Color
This Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, and X100VI, as well as “newer” fourth-generation X-Trans models: X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II. Just make sure that you are using the correct Color Chrome FX Blue setting for your camera. I’m sure it can also be used on newer GFX cameras, too, but I have not personally tried, and I’m certain that it will render slightly different (but try it anyway).
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome Dynamic Range: DR400 Grain Effect: Strong, Small Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong (X-Trans IV), Weak (X-Trans V) White Balance: 5300K, 0 Red & -6 Blue Highlight: -0.5 Shadow: -2 Color: +3 Sharpness: -2 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -2 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:
Gen Reflection – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Ten Feet – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Dam Ahead – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Water Under the Bridges – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Tempe Lake – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Reflected Sunset – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Dam Sunset – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Pedestrian Bridge – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Spirited Away – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Studio – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Mirrored Night – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Juggling Fire – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5 & X100VI:
Sign on the Roof – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Abandoned Filling Station – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Unleaded Cash – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
G S – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Half Moon – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cross on a Dome Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cross & Bell Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Church Steeple – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Old Industrial Lamp – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Abandoned Window – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Dilapidated Agricultural Structure – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cow & Reflection – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Rock Reflected in the River – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Stones in the Water – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Yellow Flowers on the Rocks – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Leaning Saguaro in the Desert – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Yellow Flowers, White Fence – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Hall’s – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
End of the Road? – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Music Box – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Lightning Strike – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Comparison:
Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe
Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Join me on a free Fujifilm-centric photowalk on Sunday, May 5th, in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona, at 5:30 PM. Explore the blending of modern cosmopolitan with off-beat western heritage through pictures. There will be the potential for street/urban, architecture, automobile, and landscape photography. It will be an opportunity to meet fellow Fujifilm photographers, and to chat about Fujifilm gear, film simulations, and Film Simulation Recipes.
Mark your calendars now! More details coming soon, so stay tuned.
A few months back Pergear reached out to me and asked if I would like to test an upcoming lens. This is actually the second time that this has happened; the first was the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8. Now this time, the lens is the TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8. Unlike the 35mm lens, which was quite obviously an early-preproduction model, the 56mm seemed very production-ready. It’s still technically a preproduction model, but I don’t think there’s much, if any, changes between my copy and the final version that is now available for purchase; however, just to be completely transparent, there could be something different that I’m unaware of.
The TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 lens is an affordable autofocus portrait lens for Fujifilm X-mount. I’m sure it’s available for other lens mounts, too, but this is a Fujifilm-centric website, so we’re specifically talking about using it with Fujifilm cameras. Because of the crop factor, 56mm on APS-C is an 84mm full-frame-equivalent focal-length, which means that it is basically an 85mm lens, a fairly common focal-length for portrait photography. I’m not a portrait photographer myself, so I mostly used it for other subjects.
The maximum aperture on the TTArtisan AF 56mm lens is f/1.8, and the minimum is f/16, with 1/3 intermediate-stops in-between the full-stops. The minimum focus distance is about 20″, which is decent. There are 10 elements in 9 groups, with 9 aperture blades. The lens accepts 52mm threaded filters. It is made mostly of metal and weighs about half a pound. It has similar dimensions to the TTArtisan AF 35mm f/1.8, which means that it is reasonably-sized for a telephoto. The autofocus motor is fairly quick and quiet, but not quite as snappy as most Fujinon lenses that I’ve used, and it has a tendency to hunt sometimes. It comes with a little lens hood. Like the 35mm lens, the firmware for this lens is updated via a USB connection in the rear lens cap, but apparently requires a Windows operating system. It has electrical contacts, which means that the lens information is recorded into the EXIF data.
This TTArtisan is pretty good optically, and I really don’t have a lot to say about it. Oftentimes with these less-expensive third-party options, there are flaws which can give your photographs character that precision-engineered glass cannot. If you appreciate that character, it might be a reason to purchase the lens, and if you don’t appreciate it, that might be a reason not to buy. The TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 doesn’t have very many flaws, so it lacks the typical character that one might expect; instead, you have good sharpness corner-to-corner without vignetting or other issues, especially when stopped down a little—wide open, there is a little corner softness and vignetting, but it’s not bad. I’m not convinced that this lens can fully resolve the 40mp sensor found in some of the latest cameras. I don’t think that really matters—for example, I sometimes use the Fujinon 18-55mm f/2.8-4 kit zoom, which also doesn’t fully resolve 40mp, and I don’t think twice about it and I’m not bothered by it in the slightest. I believe that maximum sharpness is around f/5.6, but I didn’t do any scientific tests to figure that out.
My opinion is that any and all lenses for Fujifilm X-series cameras should have an aperture ring. Of course not all of them do—not even all Fujinon lenses. Many of the low-budget options don’t have an aperture ring; a lot of third-party lenses are made for multiple lens mounts, and aperture rings aren’t necessarily common for other brands. The TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 does not have an aperture ring, which is my largest negative comment about it. My hope is that TTArtisan would someday offer a version with an aperture ring.
Something else that might be considered a complaint—or a compliment (depending on your perspective)—is lens flare, which is well controlled. I had to work at achieving it in my pictures, even with the hood off. If you like flare (which I do, personally), that might be considered a negative, but if you don’t like it, then it’s positive news. The pictures below are the best that I could get regarding lens flare.
Fujifilm X-T5 + TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 + Summer of ’59
I really had to consider which Fujinon lens this TTArtisan best competes with. Of course, there’s the 56mm f/1.2, but I believe if you can afford that one, you’re going with the Fujinon, no questions asked. So maybe the TTArtisan AF 56mm f/1.8 is a good alternative to it if money is tight, and could serve as a temporary stop-gap until you can afford the better lens. There’s also the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 Macro, which might seem like a less-obvious comparison at first glance. While the TTArtisan is not a macro by any means, there are similarities, I think, between the two with regards to image quality and autofocus performance and such. If you don’t need the macro capabilities, the TTArtisan is about as good, yet with a larger maximum aperture and a significantly lower cost, at only $168.00 USD (or $158 when ordered directly from Pergear). Between the Fujinon 60mm f/2.4 Macro and the TTArtisan 56mm f/1.8, if I wasn’t interested in close-focusing capabilities, the TTArtisan is similar quality for a fraction of the cost, and is a better overall value. Otherwise, the Viltrox 56mm f/1.7 was recently released and is seemingly similar for a little less money. If you’re in the market for a good quality autofocus portrait lens for your Fujifilm camera, the TTArtsian AF 56mm f/1.8 is definitely one to consider, just as long as the lack of an aperture ring doesn’t bother you.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find these Film Simulation Recipes and over 300 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Join myself and Fujifilm X-Photographer Nathalie Boucry live tomorrow as we discuss some must-have Film Simulation Recipes for your Fujifilm camera! It’s an interactive program, so your participation makes it better. Be sure to bring any questions that you might have about Recipes or Fujifilm cameras. The show begins at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, 1:00 PM Eastern. I hope to see you there!
The show will be broadcast on our SOOC Live YouTube page. You can get to it from the SOOC Live website, and I’ve also included it below, so that you can easily find it tomorrow. Also, in preparation for the episode, there’s a poll that will run during the show, which you can participate in right now if you’d like (click here).
CineStill 800T is a motion picture color negative film with the Remjet layer removed so that it can be developed in standard C41 chemistry. It’s actually repackaged Kodak Vision3 500T, which requires the ECN-2 development process. The “T” in the name means that it’s Tungsten-balanced, and is intended for use in artificial light; in daylight, it has a strong blue cast (unless you pair it with a color correction filter, such as Type 85), so most people use it at night. Because the Remjet layer has been removed, it’s prone to a blooming effect around bright light sources, such as streetlights.
It’s really difficult to accurately replicate a CineStill 800T aesthetic because there’s only so much that can be done to approximate certain aspects of it on Fujifilm cameras. As with any film, it can produce a lot of different looks depending on a host of factors, including how shot, developed, and scanned and/or printed. I feel that this Recipe does a pretty good job considering those factors, but I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not perfect. This isn’t a new Film Simulation Recipe, but a slight modification of the X-Trans IV CineStill 800T Recipe for use on X-Trans V models. The only change is that Color Chrome FX Blue has been adjusted from Strong to Weak, since X-Trans V renders blue more deeply on certain film simulations.
This CineStill 800T Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which, as of this writing, are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, and X100VI. I’m sure that it can also be used on newer GFX models, but I’ve not personally done so, and most likely it will render slightly different (try it anyway). This Recipe is a great option for after-dark photography, and it can sometimes produce interesting results in daylight situations, too.
Film Simulation: Eterna Dynamic Range: DR400 Grain Effect: Strong, Large Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak White Balance: Fluorescent 3, -6 Red & -4 Blue Highlight: 0 Shadow: +2 Color: +4 Sharpness: -3 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -5 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this CineStill 800T Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5 & X100VI:
Nightwalker – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
GMC Van – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Street Lamp & Trees – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Corner Lamp – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Red Pill – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Lamplit Passage – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Arches in the Dark – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Red Means Stop – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Neighborhood Streetlamp – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Blue Water – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Lit Clocktower – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Misty Sidewalk – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
VW Bug – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
City Bug – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Sunrise Night – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
White Building, Dark Night – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Mainstreet – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Hall Bench – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Shadow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI – Photo by Joy Roesch
Bricks & Powerlines – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Twisted Flag – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Unexpected Prayer Flags – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Lake Grass – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Nature of Architecture – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2 – Provia Slide
This Provia Slide Film Simulation Recipe doesn’t necessarily do a great job of replicating real Fujichrome Provia 100F or 400X color transparency film. I did find some examples that weren’t far off at all, but I believe it was more in how they were scanned and edited than anything else. One film can have many different looks based on a whole host of factors, and there is a by-chance resemblance to some Provia 100F pictures, but this Recipe is not a good facsimile for most Provia transparencies. I wasn’t attempting to replicate Provia film, so the similarities that do exist are merely a happy accident. I do believe it has an analog-like slide film aesthetic, even if it’s only a moderately good match for Provia 100F.
More simply, I was going for a Recipe that’s vibrant, based on the Provia film simulation, and uses the Fluorescent 3 White Balance. I chose Provia because I’d like to have more Recipes that are based on the Provia film simulation. I decided on the Fluorescent 3 White Balance because X-Trans III cameras cannot save a White Balance Shift within the C1-C7 Custom Presets, but they will remember one WB Shift per WB type; if each C1-C7 Recipe has a different WB type, then you don’t have to remember to adjust the WB Shift when changing to a different C1-C7 preset. Since there is only one Recipe that uses Fluorescent 3 for X-Trans III (and two for the X-T3/X-T30), I thought it would be good to have another option.
This Provia Slide Recipe is compatible with all X-Trans III cameras: Fujifilm X-Pro2, X100F, X-E3, X-T2, X-T20, and X-H1, as well as the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30 (simply set Color Chrome Effect to Off). I’m sure it can also be used on the GFX 50R and GFX 50S, although it will likely render slightly different.
Film Simulation: Provia/STD Dynamic Range: DR200 Grain Effect: Weak White Balance: Fluorescent 3, -1 Red & -8 Blue Highlight: -1 Shadow: +1 Color: +3 Sharpness: -1 Noise Reduction: -4 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Provia Slide Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-Pro2:
Patio Pot – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Dying Plant – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Spring Wildflowers & Dead Wood – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Suburban Bougainvillea Blossoms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Closed Sidewalk – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Green Leaves & Rose Blossom – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Backlit Tree Leaves Abstract – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Bright Green Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Potted Green – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Peace & Happiness – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Water Fountain Rainbow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-pro2
Vines in the Arches – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-Pro2
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
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. The new Reala Ace film simulation will be excluded from this because there aren’t many Recipes available for it. 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 Eterna film simulation is (somewhat loosely) modeled after Fujifilm’s line of motion picture films of the same name. It has the softest tonality of all the film sims, and second lowest saturation (only Eterna Bleach Bypass has less). As you might expect, it has a cinematic quality to it. It’s also the best color film simulation for high ISO photography. For cameras that don’t have Eterna, PRO Neg. Std is the next closest, and can be used to approximate Eterna. Also, there are some similarities between Eterna and Nostalgic Neg., so if your camera doesn’t have Nostalgic Neg., you can sometimes approximate it with Eterna.
Windmill – Prefumo Canyon, CA – Fujifilm X-E4 – Vintage Color
Eterna is one of my favorite film simulations; only Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Nostalgic Neg., and Acros rank higher for me. I think it’s often overlooked by Fujifilm photographers, and is one of the less popular film sims, which is a shame because it’s really good. A few of my absolute favorite pictures were captured with an Eterna-based Recipe.
The 10 Film Simulation Recipes below are my favorites that use Eterna as the base. Everyone has different tastes, so you might like other ones more. I count 28 Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App that use Eterna, so you have some good choices. But, if you are unsure which Eterna Recipe to try, let me suggest picking one from my list below.
The Vintage Color Film Simulation Recipe is one that is kind of hit-or-miss; however, when it hits, it really hits! Some of my top favorite pictures of all time were captured with this Recipe. Vintage Color is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras (except the X-T3/X-T30); for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.
This is the newest Eterna-based Recipe, and it’s especially great for sunny daylight situations. It’s compatible for both “newer” X-Trans IV (X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II) and X-Trans V cameras.
I shoot with the Timeless Negative Recipe a lot during the November and December holiday season. It’s highly versatile, and can be used for a large variety of subjects and light situations. This version is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras (except the X-T3/X-T30); there’s a version for X-Trans V that uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation.
Summer of ’59 is currently a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe, so only App Patrons have access to it right now. While it does best in sunny daylight, it has some versatility, and works well in a lot of different light situations.
This Recipe is specifically intended for nighttime photography, where it excels. It’s compatible with X-Trans IV cameras (except the X-T3/X-T30); for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.
A lovely film-like rendering. This Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-H1, X-T3, and X-T30; for “newer” X-Trans IV cameras, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, Grain size Small, and Clarity to 0.
Great for replicating a motion picture aesthetic. This Recipe is compatible with the X-T3 and X-T30; for “newer” X-Trans IV cameras, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, Grain size to Small, and Clarity to 0.
My favorite color Recipe for high-ISO photography. Compatible with X-Trans IV cameras (except the X-T3/X-T30); for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.
Recently, a lot of people have asked me which Fujifilm cameras do I recommend. Should they buy an X100VI? X-T5? X-H2? X-S20? You get the idea. This is an impossible question for me to answer because it is personal; what I might like in a camera you might dislike, as each person’s needs, experiences, and priorities are different. Still, I’ll try to give some thoughtful answers.
To make this even more challenging, some Fujifilm cameras are difficult to get. As the saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Should you patiently wait for the Fujifilm X100VI? Or should you get an X-T30 II or X-T5 instead? I cannot tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, I can only offer my opinions, which should be taken with a grain of salt.
I learned photography during the film era, and used full-manual cameras for many years. Because of this, PASM mode-dial cameras never made sense to me and were always an awkward experience. Fujifilm’s retro designs and tactile controls are like home to me. For this reason, I’m not personally a big fan of the Fujifilm’s models that trade those for mode dials, such as the X-S10, X-S20, X-H2, and X-H2s. This is not to say that those are bad cameras (because they’re not), only that they’re not for me—you might, in fact, love them very much.
This article is specifically about new cameras, and not models that have been discontinued and are now only available used. I might make a part two that covers used models; there are so many to choose from, that’s a different beast altogether. For the sake of simplicity, I’m just talking about what is currently available brand-new.
Now, let’s get to it!
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Best Overall: Fujifilm X-T5
Whether you are a photographer, videographer, or both, the Fujifilm X-T5 is the top allrounder. It’s Fujifilm’s most premium model with retro tactile controls. It has a 40mp X-Trans V sensor, IBIS, weather-sealing, dual-card slots—just excellent specs. There’s so much to love about this camera, but no camera is perfect; however, this is in my opinion the closest to perfect among the current interchangeable-lens options. I’ve been using mine for about a year-and-a-half now, and still really enjoying it.
The Fujifilm X-T30 II is currently Fujifilm’s most entry-level model, but don’t be fooled: this camera is highly capable. It has a 26mp X-Trans IV sensor, which is my personal favorite Fujifilm sensor generation. It’s not as feature rich as other models—it doesn’t have IBIS, weather-sealing, or dual-card slots—but it is more than good enough for most people, especially if you plan to use it more for still photography than video. The X-T30 II can sometimes be difficult to find—it was purportedly discontinued at one point, but new copies seem to appear now and then. If you have less than $1,000 to spend, the X-T30 II is definitely your best bet.
The Fujifilm X100VI is the camera that everyone wants but few can actually get. It’s the wildly successful successor to the X100V, which was also hard to find after it became a social-media sensation two-and-a-half years after it was initially released. The X100VI has a 40mp X-Trans V sensor, IBIS, and is (for the most part) weather-sealed. It has great stats; most importantly, it’s a lot of fun to use. The fixed lens, leaf shutter, built-in ND filter, and relatively compact size make it a joy to use. My wife gifted me an X100V for my birthday four years ago; just three weeks ago my X100VI arrived in the mail—these are my desert island cameras, and if I could only have one for the rest of my life, I’d be quite happy with either one of them. If you can get one, in my opinion it’s worth doing so; however, they’re definitely not for everyone, so only you can determine if you’ll appreciate it or not. Aside from that, the X100VI is not easy to get, and you might have to wait awhile for one to become available.
The easiest way to recreate a ’90’s film aesthetic, which is really popular right now, is to use a Fujifilm camera loaded with a Film Simulation Recipe, plus utilize a flash. The nostalgic snapshot pictures from that era were often captured with cameras—whether a disposable QuickSnap or FunSaver, or a cheap point-and-shoot—that had a built-in fill-flash; the use of a flash plus a Fujicolor or Kodak print film palette are essential elements of the look. I have a number of Film Simulation Recipes that will produce a convincing aesthetic, and for this project I used Kodak Max 800, which is one of my favorites for flash photography.
The kind folks at Godox sent me a Lux Cadet retro-styled flash to try out. This flash pairs well visually with Fujifilm X-series cameras (such as my X-E4), and flash photography in-general couples well with Film Simulation Recipes, so Godox offered me one for free. I’m familiar with Godox flashes, because I already own and use a Lux Junior (which I paid for… almost all of the gear that I talk about on this website is purchased by me out of my own pocket). Even though Godox gifted me the Lux Cadet, they didn’t put any stipulations on what I could or couldn’t say about it; these are my thoughts and opinions, and they’d be the same if I had purchased the flash myself.
My grandfather was an amateur photographer of sorts. He shot a lot of slide film, mostly Kodachrome. He had a flash that looked quite similar to the Lux Cadet; I think it might have been from the 1960’s, but I’m not sure. Anyway, Godox gave the Lux Cadet a beautiful vintage design that looks especially great on Fujifilm cameras. While it might appear that it’s from a bygone era, the flash is definitely modern.
The Lux Cadet works the same as my Lux Junior, which means that it’s super simple to use. If you are new to flash photography, there are some important things to know. Whole books have been written on this topic, which might be worthwhile to read, but I’ll try to keep this as simple and brief as possible, and just know that there’s a lot more to this topic.
First, most cameras don’t have high-speed flash sync, so there’s a limit on how fast your shutter can be. The X100-series has a leaf shutter, so it can do high-speed flash sync (it also has a built-in flash); for other cameras, look for an X next to a shutter speed on the knob, and that’s the upper limit. On my X-E4, “180X” on the shutter knob tells me that 1/180 is the fastest that I can sync my flash, so I need to use that shutter speed or slower. Because of this, using a flash in bright daylight can be challenging—you might have to use a small aperture like f/11 or f/16, or try an ND filter.
Second, the flash is quite powerful; because you are adding in a bright light source, you might have to significantly underexpose compared to what the meter says. It’s not uncommon that I have the exposure compensation dial set to -2 or even -3. The flash can be set to A (Auto) or M (Manual); I prefer M, and often choose the lowest setting (marked by 1/64 on the flash). Each situation is unique, so the exact camera and flash settings can vary significantly picture-to-picture. What works in one scenario won’t in another, so each should be judged individually. Once you get a feel for it, the process becomes easy and natural.
Using the Lux Cadet in bright midday sunlight
The best time to use the flash is right around sunrise or sunset and during blue hour, which is the 30 minutes immediately before sunrise and the 30 minutes immediately after sunset. After dark is also a good time, as well as anytime indoors. In those situations, using the Godox Lux Cadet on a Fujifilm camera with a Film Simulation Recipe—such as Kodak Max 800—will produce a ’90’s film look that can be quite striking. If that’s the aesthetic you’re trying to achieve, this is probably the easiest and one of the most convincing ways to do it. You can get creative with the flash, such as intentional movement—the bright flash will freeze close objects, while things further away will be a streaky blur. There’s a lot of potential fun that you can have with flash photography.
My only complaint—if it’s even a complaint—is that a flash adds bulk and weight to the camera, so it’s less convenient to carry around. The Lux Cadet is pretty compact and lightweight compared to many other flashes, but it still adds some notable girth. Between the Lux Cadet and Lux Junior, I prefer the Lux Junior because it is slightly more compact, but I like the vintage look of the Lux Cadet more. Also, the Lux Junior uses AA batteries, while the Lux Cadet has an internal battery that recharges with a USB-C cable (included). They’re both highly affordable, and you can’t go wrong with either. The Godox Lux Cadet retails for $94.90. Even if you don’t do a lot of flash photography, it’s a good idea to have one around, and the Lux Cadet is a solid option to consider.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
You might have noticed that I began including affiliate links for Nuzira. Most likely you’ve never heard of them, so let me introduce you—it’s actually a fascinating story.
Located at 9420 East Doubletree Ranch Road—a nondescript industrial business park in Scottsdale, Arizona—is Nuzira. Walking in the door to Suite 107, I was immediately greeted by Lollipop, a kind and gentle dog with a short tail that wags quickly. As I stepped inside, I shook hands Lucas, who has a warm smile and an affinity for fedoras. This isn’t a typical camera store.
Nuzira began in 2009 when Lucas and Jennifer White, a husband-and-wife team, began supplying materials for government contracts. When certain agencies, such as the U.S. military, need specific items that they don’t normally have on hand, Nuzira can find and supply those. They’re a purchaser, a middleman between manufacturers and organizations. One day, they were contracted to provide some videography equipment, and that was an aha moment for them. You see, Lucas and Jennifer are hobby photographers, and they thought, why don’t we sell cameras? Why not include their personal passion in their business? So they decided that their company could also be a camera store.
Lucas and Jennifer put together an e-commerce website—Nuzira.com—as their main storefront. Their driving philosophy is to empower creators to thrive, and they have some big ideas for how to achieve that. While Nuzira has been around for 15 years, they’ve been a camera store for less than one, and a lot of their plans are still developing, and will take time to become reality. After speaking with Lucas, I have no doubts that it will get there. Their mission to foster a community of visual enthusiasts is in the early stages, but expect it to grow into something substantial.
Going back to Suite 107 in Scottsdale, Nuzira doesn’t look like a camera store. The front door opens to a small waiting room that is also the receiving room, where UPS, FedEx, and other curriers are the regulars. Next to that is a shipping room, where packages are prepared for transport. In the back are a couple of storage and supply rooms—the warehouse. To the right of the front door is Lucas and Jennifer’s office, which is currently doubling as the physical Nuzira store. You can walk in and buy cameras and lenses and accessories, but it’s not necessarily a good place to browse. It is, however, a great place to discuss photography with Lucas, who loves to talk shop. And if you need something specific, he might just have it in stock. One day they will have a more proper store, Lucas told me, but they’re still working out the details.
Nuzira is an authorized Fujifilm dealer. Both Lucas and Jennifer primarily use Fujifilm gear for their own photography, so that’s mostly what they carry. They also sell products by Sigma, Tamron, Tokina, Blackmagic, Manfrotto, NiSi, and more. Largely, though, it’s Fujifilm stuff. If you are anywhere in the U.S. and are buying Fujifilm gear, Nuzira.com is a great option. If you are in the Phoenix area, consider stopping in—Lollipop will give you a friendly greeting, and Lucas will be very happy to talk cameras with you.
Rock Rings – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Eterna Summer
This new Eterna Summer Film Simulation Recipe wasn’t modeled after any specific film; instead I looked at Classic Chrome for inspiration. I wanted a picture aesthetic that could hold its own placed next to various Classic Chrome Recipes, such as Kodak Portra 400 v2 and Kodachrome 64. I didn’t want to replicate a specific Recipe, but create a brand-new look that was just somewhat similar to those, and would seem consistent when placed in a photo series that also had some Classic Chrome pictures in it.
You might ask why I did this—why not just use Classic Chrome? Eterna has a unique tonality—perhaps you could describe it as cinematic—that Classic Chrome doesn’t. The PRO Neg. Std and (especially) Nostalgic Neg. film sims can be adjusted to be similar, but they’re not exactly the same. Achieving generic Kodak-like colors paired with Eterna’s tonality was the goal, and this Eterna Summer Recipe does that well, producing a lovely analog-like rendered.
Spitting Lion in Golden Light – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Eterna Summer
This Eterna Summer Film Simulation Recipe is great for sunny daylight photography, delivering warm summertime vibes. It’s compatible with “newer” X-Trans IV models—Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II—as well as fifth-generation cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20 & X100VI. Just make sure to use the correct Color Chrome FX Blue setting for your model. I’m certain that you can use it on the newer GFX cameras, although it will likely render ever so slightly different (try it anyway).
Film Simulation: Eterna Dynamic Range: DR200 Grain Effect: Strong, Small Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong (X-Trans IV); Weak (X-Trans V) White Balance: Daylight, +3 Red & -7 Blue Highlight: +2.5 Shadow: 0 Color: +4 Sharpness: -1 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -3 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Eterna Summer Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:
Warm Light on the Lions – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Palm Tree Shadow Over Window – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Potted Palm Branches – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Fujicolor 100 Industrial was a color negative 35mm film sold in bulk only in Japan—it’s not the same as the Fujicolor 100 that was widely available worldwide. It has been said that Fujifilm keeps their best film stocks in Japan, and there are two Japanese-only Fujicolor 100 emulsions: one is known as Fujicolor 100 Japan, and the other is Fujicolor 100 Industrial; however, they might be the exact same film—some say they are, while others say they are not (I’m not certain which is true, but I think they might be the same). The “Industrial” part of the name does not mean that it was for photographing industrial buildings, but simply that it was intended for commercial use by corporations who go through a lot of film—Fujifilm did not desire for it to be sold individually, but some did so nonetheless. Fujicolor 100 Industrial was discontinued by Fujifilm in 2020.
This film is unusual because it was made for daylight photography, but it is actually Tungsten-balanced. Fujifilm shifted the dyes so that it looked “normal” when used in sunny conditions. I’m not sure why they did this. Was it an experiment from their lab that they thought was cool but didn’t really know how to market? Is it that Tungsten film is cheaper to produce? I have no idea why, but it does give it a slightly different look than other Fujifilm emulsions.
Ford – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI – Fujicolor 100 Industrial
Back in 2019 I made a Fujicolor 100 Industrial Film Simulation Recipe for the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30 cameras, which uses PRO Neg. Std as the base. Ever since I published that Recipe, it has been one of my personal favorites for my X-T30; however, I never adapted it for the newer models. The solution is simple: if you have a Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, or X100VI, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, Grain size to Small, and Clarity to 0 (or -2, if you prefer). I have used that adaptation on my X100V, X-E4, and X-T5 a few times, but never made it an official Recipe.
Since the new Reala Ace film simulation is so similar to PRO Neg. Std, I decided to make a version of Fujicolor 100 Industrial using it as the base. I also used the latest JPEG options (that aren’t available on the X-T3 and X-T30) to fine-tune it just a tad more. While this new version of the Recipe isn’t identical to the old, it is still very similar. I like this new one, which uses Reala Ace, a tiny bit better than the old one, which uses PRO Neg. Std., but since they are so similar, you can go with whichever one you personally prefer.
At this time, the only X-series camera that this new Fujicolor 100 Industrial Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with is the Fujifilm X100VI; however, sometime this coming summer Fujifilm will purportedly give the new Reala Ace film simulation to the other fifth-generation models (X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20), so if you have one of those cameras, you’ll be able to use it soon enough. Also, the GFX100 II has Reala Ace, so you can use this Recipe on that camera, but it will likely render slightly differently (try it anyway).
Film Simulation: Reala Ace Dynamic Range: DR400 Grain Effect: Weak, Small Color Chrome Effect: Weak Color Chrome FX Blue: Off White Balance: 3100K, +8 Red & -8 Blue Highlight: +0.5 Shadow: +1.5 Color: -1 Sharpness: -1 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -2 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Fujicolor 100 Industrial Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X100VI:
Sunkissed Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Sunlight Pouring on the Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Easter Bunny – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Looking for Hidden Eggs – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Main Street Fountain – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Oleander Parking – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Exit 137 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Two Men at Breakfast – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Suburban Roof – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Roofline Abstract – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Rural Backyard – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Building in Ruins – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Little Yellow Flower at the Base of a Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Small Outdoor Table – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Mudflap – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Palm Shadow on Window – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Tower Reflection – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Coffee Cove – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Patriotic Neighborhood – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Lion Spitting Water – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Yellow Wall – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Sunset out the Window – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Dusk Lamps – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 350 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Tumacacori Ruins in Spring – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Astia Azure Recipe
I mentioned in My 5 Favorite Film Simulation Recipes that use Astia article that—personally—Astia is one of my least-used film simulations. It’s not that the film sim is bad, because it’s not; for me, I think there are four reasons: 1) Astia doesn’t much resemble the film that it is named after, 2) it sits as a kind of a happy medium between Velvia and Provia, but doesn’t necessarily stand out as a better option than either, 3) it is most similar to PRO Neg. Hi, yet I prefer PRO Neg. Hi just a tad more, and 4) there are other film sims that I like significantly more (Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Nostalgic Neg., etc.). Still, Astia can be a good option, particularly for vibrant portraits. I decided that I needed to create a new Astia-based Recipe, one that I would especially like—one that I would be happy to use regularly.
The majority of my Film Simulation Recipes are modeled after specific analog emulsions and/or film processes, but this one is not. I simply wanted a light and bright aesthetic with lovely blue sky, perhaps something vaguely negative-film-like. After a number of attempts, this Film Simulation Recipe, which I have named Astia Azure, is what I came up with. I’ve used it quite extensively over the last month.
The Astia Azure Film Simulation Recipe is especially great for golden hour and blue hour photography. It’s good for many other situations, but from roughly 30 minutes before sunrise to an hour after, and an hour before sunset to 30 minutes after, is when this Recipe really shines. Astia Azure is compatible with all X-Trans V cameras, plus newer X-Trans IV models, but not the X-T3, X-T30, X-Pro3, or X100V. I’m sure it can also be used for the latest GFX models, too, although I have not tried personally and it will likely render slightly differently (try it anyway).
This Astia Azure Film Simulation Recipe is an App Patron Early-Access Recipe. If you are a Fuji X Weekly App Patron, you have access to it right now. If not, no worries, as it will eventually be made available to everyone, once it is replaced by a new Early-Access Recipe.
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Astia Azure Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4, X-T5, and X100VI cameras:
Salt River & Mountain Reflection – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Night Lake – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Studio Mirror – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Photographers – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Level 4 – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Sunset Glow & Salt River – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Three Cows on the River Bank – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Qaudcycle – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Skateboarder – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Eat – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Gallery – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Grain – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Bridges & Wires – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Unfinished Business – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Cross & Bell – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Church Cross – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Yellow House – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Abandoned White House – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
White Fence – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Leaning Saguaro – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Rocks & Flowers – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Small Palo Verde – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Lonely Desert Road – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Little Shack on the Hill – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and over 300 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.
Bougainvillea Day – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – “Reminiscent Print”
This Film Simulation Recipe came about as an experiment after reading that film photographers weren’t meant to like the Provia film simulation because they’d find it to be too hard. So, I thought, maybe that’s true, and perhaps I can make it less hard, and more like something that film photographers might find to be “just right” (as Fujifilm put it). It took some trial-and-error, but I do believe that I have succeeded! This is a much, much better “standard” setting than default Provia, and, if you have a background in film photography, you’ll appreciate this recipe.
I find this new recipe to be reminiscent of cheap color negative film shot in point-‘n’-shoot cameras and printed at a one-hour lab, probably on Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper. It’s not intended to resemble that, but to me it does. I’m reminded of the 4″ x 6″ prints from 20+ years ago that are sitting in a box in the closet, or are carefully arranged in a photo album at my parent’s house. That’s why I call it Reminiscent Print.
Classic Car Denim – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – “Reminiscent Print”
This Reminiscent Print Film Simulation Recipe is compatible the Fujifilm X-Pro1, X-E1, and X-M1 cameras. Those with X-Trans II and Bayer cameras can also use it, although the results will be just a little different. This was a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early Access Recipe, but now it’s available to everyone.
Provia Dynamic Range: DR400 Highlight: -2 (Low) Shadow: -2 (Low) Color: +1 (Medium-High) Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft) Noise Reduction: -2 (Low) White Balance: Auto, -4 Red & -1 Blue ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200 Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Reminiscent Print Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-M1:
Pier Post – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1– Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Light & Water – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Fine Morning for Fishing – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Line in the Lake – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Pier Reflections – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Better Days Behind – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Church Bells – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Unlit Canopy – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Red Bougainvillea Blossoms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Backyard Bougainvillea – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Autumn Orange – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Oranges – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Bucket Blossom – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Pink Rose Bud – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Peace & Minecraft – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Ball Toss – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
All the World’s a Stage – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-M1
Round Window – Pismo Beach, CA – Fujifilm X100V – Kodak Tri-X 400
I get asked fairly regularly which Film Simulation Recipes are the most popular. For me, this is a fascinating topic, but it’s definitely hard to know definitively. While I get a glimpse on social media, my best gauge is the Fuji X Weekly website statistics; specifically, which Recipe articles are viewed the most. I don’t collect any data on the Fuji X Weekly App, so that’s no help—although, if I did, it would likely offer the most accurate picture; however, it would still be impossible to know which Recipes people programmed into their Fujifilm cameras, or how often they used each. Perhaps a survey would be particularly useful, yet even it has its limitations. While certainly a flawed method, page-view website statics offer the best glimpse at which Film Simulation Recipes are the most popular, so that’s what I’m using for this article. These are simply the Top 25 most-viewed Recipes on the Fuji X Weekly website last month (March 2024).
Most of the time these lists are pretty predictable. Those with Kodak brand names in the title—Kodachrome, Portra, Gold, Tri-X, etc., etc.—are the most popular. Classic Chrome is the king of film simulations, as the majority of the most-viewed Recipes are based on that film simulation—in fact, 17 of the 25 below are Classic Chrome Recipes. X-Trans IV Recipes, especially for the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras, tend to be the most popular, although I see a spike in interest in X-Trans V.
Reflection of a Broken Door – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold
For the month of March, there weren’t too many surprises, but there were a few. Fujicolor Natura 1600 jumped right up into the Top 10 despite being new; Bright Summer doesn’t usually rank high enough to make these lists, but suddenly jumped all the way to number nine. Some Recipes dropped—for example, McCurry Kodachrome fell from number four to number sixteen. As usual, the rankings moved around compared to the previous month.
Without any further delay, below are the most popular Recipes of last month!
Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of March 2024
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that is the long-time most popular Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm cameras. In February it was number two—a rare occurrence—but now it is back in the top spot.
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that is almost always number two in these types of lists. In February it briefly slipped to number three; however, for March it returned to its usual second place.
Reala Ace is the most popular Classic Negative based Recipe, and the most popular Recipe for X-Trans V cameras. It was ranked number one in February, but slipped to third place for March.
Published at the very end of February, Fujicolor Natura 1600 was quite surprisingly the second most popular Classic Negative based Recipe in March. This one is for X-Trans V models, but there is a version for X-Trans IV.
This version of Kodak Portra 400 was commonly the third most popular Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly for a long time; however, it’s been slowly slipping over the last half a year or so. Last month it was ranked one spot higher.
Bright Summer—another Classic Chrome based Recipe—is sometimes called Preetra 400, because it is modeled after Preet’s aesthetic (Preet himself is the one who gave it that nickname, btw). It doesn’t usually crack the Top 25, so it’s surprising that it is suddenly in the Top 10.
By far the most popular B&W Recipe, Kodak Tri-X 400 is based on the Acros film simulation, and has compatibility X-Trans III, X-Trans IV, and X-Trans V models. It was ranked number nine last month.
Pacific Blues used to be the highest-ranked Classic Negative based Recipe, but in March it was third. This particular one is compatible with X-Trans IV models, but there is an X-Trans V version. It fell one spot compared to February.
This had been an App Patron Early-Access Recipe for a long while, but in March it became available to everyone, and quickly shot up to number fourteen. It is the fourth most popular Classic Negative based Recipe currently.
Vintage Kodachrome, which is based on Classic Chrome, is one of the older Film Simulation Recipes on Fuji X Weekly, and is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. It was ranked #10 last month—this is the first time that I remember it not being in the Top 10.
This is a fairly new Recipe, published in January of 2024. It is based on Classic Chrome, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras. Last month it was ranked #4, so it fell quite a bit in March.
This is the original Kodak Portra 400 Recipe, and is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. This used to be commonly in the Top 10, but has been very slowly falling over the last year. It was number fourteen in February.
A Classic Negative based Recipe that’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras (there’s also an X-Trans IV version). It was ranked #21 last month, and has been slowly rising.
Where are the Zombies? – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Apocalyptic Glow
I was watching some old Cold War era duck-and-cover videos over the weekend. You know, there’s a flash and everyone falls to the ground and covers their heads, as if that’s going to help. The mushroom cloud and bright orange glow, reminiscent of Oppenheimer, are inescapable, for those in the path. And that made me think: here’s a potential Film Simulation Recipe for my Fujifilm camera!
If you want to replicate the aesthetic of the end of the world, I think it must have an atomic radiance. Thankfully, Fujifilm cameras are highly customizable, and it’s possible to achieve an apocalyptic glow look straight-out-of-camera, no editing needed. If that’s what you are after, this Apocalyptic Glow Film Simulation Recipe is for you!
Ruins – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Apocalyptic Glow
While many of you won’t appreciate the look of this new Recipe, I think for some of you it might be your new standard, programmed into C1. It has that right level of ominousness and uneasiness to add drama to your images. Turn a boring scene into something incredible just by using the Apocalyptic Glow Film Simulation Recipe! It’s compatible with all Fujifilm X-Trans V cameras, plus all X-Trans IV models with the exception of the X-T3 and X-T30. I’m sure that it can be used on newer GFX cameras, although it’s likely to render slightly different.
Film Simulation: Velvia Dynamic Range: DR200 Grain Effect: Strong, Small Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong White Balance: 10000K, +9 Red & -9 Blue Highlight: -2 Shadow: +1 Color: +4 Sharpness: -1 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: +4 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +1/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Apocalyptic Glow Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5:
The End of the Road – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
About to Get Leveled – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Bowl Me Over – Benson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Left is Sus – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Blood Red Water – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Sign that People were Once Here – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Flowers & Boarded Up Doors – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Empty Mall – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Can’t Pedal Fast Enough – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Chuckleheads – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
The Cat Holds the Key – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Burnt Building – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
It’s April 1st, and you probably have already figured out that this is an April Fool’s Day joke. Ha ha. I hope that you had a good laugh, or a mild chuckle at least once. It was actually my teenage daughter’s idea, and I thought it was funny, so I wen’t with it.
A few things real quick. Yes, you can use these settings if you want to—it’s a real Recipe, and will produce this look. It won’t be in the Fuji X Weekly App, because it’s a prank and not intended to be serious. The closest analog aesthetic to it is Redscale, where you load a roll of film into your camera backwards and expose the red emulsion layer first instead of last. I found (through some Internet searches) that Kodak Ektar 100 shot backwards (Redscale) and overexposed by about two stops does produce a somewhat similar aesthetic to this Apocalyptic Glow Film Simulation Recipe. If you like the look of it, feel free to try it. Otherwise, there are over 300 Film Simulation Recipes to choose from, and I’m sure there’s at least one that you’ll love.
