Omar Gonzalez posted a hilarious YouTube video called Do You Suffer from Fujifilm Sim Depression?, a parody of pharmaceutical commercials, except that it’s about Fujifilm film simulations and not prescription drugs. It’s incredibly well done and funny! I don’t want to spoil it if you haven’t watched it, but the conclusion is that Omar likes the Provia film simulation. So watch the video if you haven’t yet seen it, and if you are suffering from “Fujifilm Sim Depression” let me offer you this cure: the PROvia Film Simulation Recipe. Perhaps someday Omar will see it and try it; if so, I hope he likes it!
Provia is one of the film simulations that I personally like least… it’s well above Sepia, but towards the bottom of the list nonetheless. Ouch. As it turns out, I was never meant to like it, yet it is the “Standard” film simulation on all Fujifilm cameras. This PROvia Recipe is my take on a “better” Provia, and is intended to not only look good, but also be versatile so that it could be one’s go-to Film Simulation Recipe (that’s why “PRO” is capitalized in the name). It is compatible with all X-Trans II cameras; those with X-Trans I and Bayer models can use it, too, but it will render slightly different (try it anyway).
This PROvia Film Simulation Recipe was a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe, but now it’s available to everyone. If you are an App Patron, you’ve had access to it for awhile. For those who are not, now you can use it, too. Perhaps it will even cure your Fujifilm Sim Depression….
Provia/STD
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -2 (Soft)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-Hard)
Color: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness: 0 (Standard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & 0 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this PROvia Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X70:
Find this Film Simulation Recipe and over 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.
Just hilarious beginning of Omar’s YouTube video 🤣Incredibly well done (would like to see the making of 😉 as I would certainly stumble in the wording). I’ll take a Provia before going to bed 😁
Thanks a lot for putting back in light.
I like a lot Omar’s YouTube channel. Especially when he put in front ‘The Noir’ camera 👌
Lucky you Ritchie to have met him in the NY event.
Omar is such a funny guy! Would love an Omar x Fuji X Weekly colab at some point….
Would great Collab indeed. Let’s see how it goes 😉
😀
I really like the rendering of this sim. It’s not overly yellow/warm. I think images like these will last longer on the wall then shots that are “what’s hot now” and go away like selective color.
I appreciate the feedback!
I used quite a lot of Sensia/Provia in the 1990s and early 2000s and I find it hard to believe the Fujifilm digital take is a genuine attempt at a film simulation. It feels more like a name they chose to attach to the default “neutral” settings.
As with all slide films it could be temperamental and unpredictable depending on lighting conditions, although a lot more reliable, consistent and versatile than Kodachrome or even Ektachrome. However, the Provia simulation doesn’t even provide the look of Provia film in ideal conditions when it’s on it’s best behaviour. I think they should have just called it Standard rather than Standard/Provia, or maybe even None (as in no simulation.) That would also leave them the opportunity to develop a real Provia simulation.
They just used the brand-name. The Provia film sim is not designed to be a replication of the film… in fact, Fujifilm has stated that those who come from a film background tend to not like the Provia film simulation… it’s meant to look good to those who come from a digital photography background. I would definitely appreciate a much more accurate film sim to actual Provia.
Well, i heard Omar saying before, that he got tired of the film simulations because it hide the real color of the light… something that he found again in Provia. But I remember that even that and he still had to tweak it a little to his taste. That made me choose the Kodak Ultramax 400 based on Provia, at least, for awhile. Nowadays I will take PRO Negative 160C (based on Reala Ace) instead. For me, this is the better “Provia,” Which I recommend it to Omar! Is the way I would have confronted him, anyway 😛
When I met him in New York City earlier this year, Omar was shooting with his old X-T20… which had Fuji X Weekly Recipes in the C1-C7. I wish I recalled which ones specifically, but I don’t remember anymore.