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 in 2024.
It’s quite fascinating comparing this list to last year’s. First and second place are the same, but otherwise there’s a lot of change, with several not making the Top 25 this year. I could have guessed the Top 10, maybe the Top 15, but I was surprised by a couple near the bottom—I didn’t think they’d make the cut, but here they are!
Those Recipes with Kodak brand names in the title—Kodachrome, Portra, Gold, Tri-X, etc., etc.—are usually 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, including the first four, as well as 12 of the Top 15.
Without any further delay, below are the most popular Recipes of last year!
Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2024
#1:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that is the long-time most popular Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm cameras. It was #1 last year, too.
#2:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that is the long-time #2 most-popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. Last year it was ranked #2.
#3:
Reggie’s Portra, a popular Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras, is the most versatile Portra Recipe. It was #9 last year—it saw a significant rise in 2024.
#4:
A Wes Anderson inspired Recipe based on Classic Chrome for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras. It was ranked #4 last year, too.
#5:
This Recipe uses the Classic Negative film simulation (and not the Real Ace film sim), and is for X-Trans V cameras. While it was published in 2023, it did not crack the Top 25 last year. Those Recipes published during the year are at a notable disadvantage compared to the long-established ones.
#6:
This version of Kodak Portra 400, which is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, fell three spots compared to 2023.
#7:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Portra 400 v2. It was ranked #17 in 2023.
#8:
This particular version of Pacific Blues is compatible with X-Trans IV models, but there is also an X-Trans V version. It fell two spots since last year.
#9:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras, published in February of this year. It has quickly established itself as one of the essential Fuji X Weekly Recipes to try.
#10:
This is the long-time most popular B&W Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. It’s based on the Acros film simulation, and has compatibility with X-Trans III, X-Trans IV, and X-Trans V models. It fell two spots compared to 2023.
#11:
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 #5 last year.
#12:
This Recipe—published in January—is reminiscent of scanned Kodachrome 64 slides, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras.
#13:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodachrome 64. It was ranked #21 in 2023.
#14:
Another Classic Chrome based Recipe, for use on X-Trans III models, plus the X-T3/X-T30. It has the same ranking as last year.
#15:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Gold 200. While it was published in 2023, it didn’t make the Top 25 list last year.
#16:
The very first Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly, this Recipe is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. It fell six spots since 2023.
#17:
Bright Summer—another Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV—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 didn’t crack the Top 25 list last year, but grew significantly in popularity in 2024.
#18:
It is probably unfair to include the Film Dial Recipes in this list because it is not one Recipe, but 14; however, the Vibrant Arizona article is technically four Recipes, so there is a precedence for its inclusion. Published in May, this is the newest Recipe in this list.
#19:
A Classic Negative based Recipe that’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras (there’s also an X-Trans IV version). While it was published 18 months ago, it didn’t crack the Top 25 last year.
#20:
This version of Kodak Portra 160 is for X-Trans IV cameras, but there are also versions for X-Trans II, X-Trans III + X-T3/X-T30, and X-Trans V. It’s another Recipe that was published in 2023, but didn’t make the Top 25 list last year.
#21:
This was the first Recipe I published that uses the new Reala Ace film simulation, published in March of this year.
#22:
I published this Recipe, which uses Classic Chrome and has compatibility with both X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras, in April.
#23:
Kodachrome II is an older Recipe made for X-Trans III cameras. It was ranked #12 in 2023.
#24:
This is an Eterna-based Recipe for X-Trans V cameras; however, it’s simply an adaptation of the X-Trans IV version that has been around for awhile. This version was published in April of this year.
#25:
This is the X-Trans IV version of this Recipe, but there’s also a version for X-Trans III plus the X-T3 and X-T30 cameras, and also a version for X-Trans V. In 2023 it was ranked #11.
See also:
How To Add Film Simulation Recipes To Your Fujifilm Camera
The Essential 7 Film Simulation Recipes to Program Into Your Fujifilm Camera First
Which Film Simulation Recipe, When?
Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!
Very interesting. I like the CC-based recipes a lot but was surprised not to see Classic Negative in there. Thanks for all your hard work and also collaboration to get these great recipes out!
There are three Classic Negative Recipes in this list (four if you count the Film Dial Recipe): Reala Ace, Pacific Blues, and Fujicolor Super HG v2.
Hi Ritchie thanks for sharing so many recipes. i’ve been using fxw recipe for just a month, just wondering should xm5 using x-trans V recipes or x-trans iv recipes.
That’s a good question because, like the X-S20, it uses the X-Trans IV sensor paired with the X-Trans V processor. I don’t own an X-S20 personally, but from reports its rendering is more like X-Trans V than X-Trans IV. I think you are alright to use Recipes from either group, but X-Trans V is most correct. I hope this helps!
I just bought a used X-T3, and have been trying many recipes you posted, I have a few questions.
1. Does the max ISO mean I should not use it above the said ISO? Cause I think the XT-3 does very well even in ISO settings, I don’t want to keep the ISO low and take blurry pictures, also, it’s difficult to remember all the max ISO of each recipe.
2. About the white balance, some white balance settings are too red or too blue for me, can I just change it to a more natural look?
3. About the exposure compensation, for example, the following suggestions said +1/3 to +1, does it mean I should at least use +1/3, and no more than +1?
+1/3 to +1 (typically)
I understand that I can change all the recipes as I want, but as a beginner, I don’t have the confidence to do that yet, just wanna hear your recommendations.
Also, I’m not very fixated on getting certain film aesthetics, just wanna take photos with much more flavor than boring smartphone photos.
Hi! I’ll answer each question below.
1. Use whatever ISO you are comfortable with. For most X-T3 compatible Recipes, the ISO maxes out at 6400 because, in my opinion, the results are less than ideal above that. A small number of Recipes max out at 12800. A couple go higher than that, but those are unusual. There are a lot of people who will cap it lower than my suggested high-end (ISO 3200 or 1600 or even 800) because they don’t like the results with the ISO so high, but if you are comfortable with ISO 12800, go for it. For ISOs higher than 12800, just be aware that there is an effect on Dynamic Range.
A couple articles you might find interesting:
https://fujixweekly.com/2023/03/10/7-film-simulation-recipes-for-ultra-high-iso-photography/
https://fujixweekly.com/2024/07/31/iso-51200-why-or-is-it-actually-useful/
2. I recommend this article to answer this question: https://fujixweekly.com/2022/01/19/film-simulation-recipes-why-pictures-are-too-yellow-how-to-fix-it/
3. For typical exposure compensation, it is meant as a suggested starting point and not a rule. Most often, in my experience, those parameters work; however, every situation is different and every picture unique, so each exposure should be judged individually. Things like the Histogram and highlight alert are tools that can assist in getting a correct exposure.
https://www.jmpeltier.com/using-mirrorless-histogram/
https://www.jmpeltier.com/fujifilm-live-view-highlight-alert/
I hope this answers your question.