Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2024

Red Rock at Sundown – Sedona, AZ – Fujifilm X-T50 – Reala Ace

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!

Dumbo Crowd – New York City, NY – Fujifilm X-T50 – Reala Ace

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!

New Year, New Project: 52 Weeks of Photography — Part 1, Introduction & 1st Week

Young Yucca – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm GFX100S II + 80mm f/1.7 – Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm

It’s officially 2025! Happy New Year’s Day, everyone!

I started a new 365 Day photo project, which I’m calling 52 Weeks of Photography, back on Christmas Eve. This article is simply the introduction of the project, and the first set of seven images. I’m pretty excited to do this, and hope you appreciate following along on this journey.

This isn’t the first time that I’ve done a 365 Day photo project—I did one from August 2018 through August 2019. I developed the habit of picking up a camera daily, and my photography improved from start to finish. Also, I captured some photographs that I wouldn’t have otherwise, a few of which I was quite happy with. There is definitely a benefit to doing this type of thing. Professional athletes and musicians practice daily, so why shouldn’t photographers?

The reason why I’m doing this now is because I noticed gaps in-between my images. I haven’t been picking up my cameras daily. On several occasions, four or five days have gone by without a single picture created. Twice in 2024, a whole week passed. I want to rectify this, and get back into the habit of daily photography. I also want to elevate the quality of my craft in 2025, and am hoping this will help with that.

Full Service – Idalou, TX – Fujifilm X-T5 + 56mm f/1.2 – Superia Negative

I’ve set some ground rules for myself. I’m taking things one week at a time. That’s a little easier mentally than looking at it as one whole year chunk. If I mess up on a week, I’ll simply extend the project by a week; however, I’m also giving myself two grace days. I’d actually like to finish this on Christmas Day, which is 367 days from the start. If I miss two days, that’s perfectly ok. If I miss three to seven days, this project will be extended by one week. I think it’s good to build-in some breathing room, because life happens.

My hope is to capture a year’s worth of notable images, either personally or artistically. Ansel Adams famously stated, “Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” It’s important to keep expectations realistic, but I’m also trying to avoid thoughtless snapshots just to fulfill the day’s requirement. I want to push myself to be better, and hopefully that will happen. Not every photo will be great—in fact, most won’t—but I hope they are all at least decent enough to be shared without embarrassment.

Below are the first set of seven pictures from this 52 Weeks of Photography project.

Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

Christmas Candle – Haslet, TX – Fujifilm X100VI – Superia Negative

Wednesday, December 25th, 2024

Fox & Jo – Flower Mound, TX – Fujifilm X-T5 + 56mm f/1.2 – Reggie’s Portra

Thursday, December 26th, 2024

Santa Display – Princeton, TX – Fujifilm X-T5 + 56mm f/1.2 – Kodak Portra 400 v2

Friday, December 27th, 2024

West Texas Sunset – Idalou, TX – Fujifilm X-T5 + 56mm f/1.2 – Superia Negative

Saturday, December 28th, 2024

Red Yucca in the White Sand – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES + 35mm f/2 – Aerochrome v2

Sunday, December 29th, 2024

Fire, Truck – Lordburg, NM – Fujifilm GFX100S II + 80mm f/1.7 – 1970’s Summer

Monday, December 30th, 2024

Cactus Pads – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II + 80mm f/1.7 – Superia Negative

Week 2

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Fujifilm X-T5 in black:
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Fujifilm X-T5 in silver:
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Fujifilm X100VI in black:
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Fujifilm X100VI in silver:
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Fujifilm GFX100S II:
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Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7:
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Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 R WR:
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