
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 2025.
It’s been awhile since I did one of these articles—the last time was sixth months ago. There’s always some movement from month-to-month, but overall it’s pretty predictable. Taking a six-month view offers more clear picture than a 30-day snapshot. That’s why I waited until the end of the year before doing another. Even though it’s not December 31st, there’s unlikely to be any movement over the next two weeks, so it’s safe to conclude the order.

Twenty four of the Recipes below were also in the Top 25 at the mid-point of 2025; twenty of them were in the Top 25 of 2024. The order did change a little, but otherwise it’s the usual suspects. Those Recipes with Kodak brand names in the title—Kodachrome, Portra, Gold, Tri-X, etc., etc.—are typically 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. Classic Negative and Reala Ace are battling for a distant second and third place. Acros, Eterna, and Nostalgic Neg. are neck-in-neck-in-neck for the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions.
Without any further delay, below are the most popular Recipes of 2025!
Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2025
#1:
Reggie’s Portra, which uses Classic Chrome, is now the number one top Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly! It’s always been popular, but interest in this Recipe has soared this year. Last year it was in third place, pretty far behind first. In 2025, it edged out the long-time reigning champion. Reggie Ballesteros created it in 2022 by modifying my Kodak Portra 400 Recipe to better suit his style and needs. Of the various Portra Recipes, this is the most versatile, and the most popular for portrait photography. Reggie’s Portra is compatible with X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras.
#2:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that was the long-time most popular Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm cameras on this website. It’s one of my personal favorites, and, really, a lot of people’s favorites. It moved down one position since 2024.
#3:
A Wes Anderson inspired Recipe based on Classic Chrome for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras. It moved up one position since last year.
#4:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Gold 200; the X-Trans III/IV version is found later in the list. The Kodak Gold 200 Recipes uses Classic Chrome. Ranked #15 last year, it has moved up quite significantly.
#5:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Portra 400 v2; the X-Trans IV version is found below. This is one of my personal favorites. It uses Classic Chrome. This Recipe climbed two positions since last year.
#6:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that was the long-time #2 most-popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly, including in 2024.
#7:
The Kodak Tri-X 400 Recipe, created by Anders Lindborg, 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. This is one of my absolute top-favorite Recipes. In 2024 it was ranked 10th.
#8:
A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras. It climbed one position since last year.
#9:
This is the X-Trans V version of Kodachrome 64. I use this Recipe quite often. It moved up four positions since last year.
#10:
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 awhile. This is the first Recipe in this list that doesn’t use Classic Chrome. In 2024 it was ranked 24, so it’s moved up quite a bit.
#11:
Pacific Blues is currently the most popular Classic Negative Recipe. This particular version is compatible with X-Trans IV models, but there’s also an X-Trans V version a little further down the list. This is another of my personal favorite Recipes. It fell three positions since last year.
#12:
It’s probably unfair to include this Recipe in the list because it’s not one, but 14 Recipes. Its inclusion is a little unfair, but here it is. It’s intended to be used with the Film Dial, or with any X-Trans V camera by mapping Film Simulation to customizable button. I have no way of knowing which of the 14 are the most used. This Recipe was published in 2025.
#13:
This Recipe uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means that it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras. It wasn’t in the Top 25 last year; it’s position remains unchanged since June.
#14:
This version of Kodak Portra 400, which uses Classic Chrome and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, was once commonly the third most popular Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. While it doesn’t rank nearly as high as it once did, it’s still quite popular. Last year it was ranked #6, so it has fallen quite significantly over the last year.
#15:
The Film Dial Recipe, which is for X-Trans V cameras with a Film Dial, is another one that’s a bit unfair to include since it is actually 14 Recipes. I have no idea which of them are the most used. This is another personal favorite. It climbed three spots since 2024.
#16:
Another Classic Chrome based Recipe, for use on X-Trans III models, plus the X-T3/X-T30. This one fell two positions since last year.
#17:
This is currently the highest-ranked Recipe that uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation (not including Universal Negative or the Film Dial Recipe sets). It’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras. It fell one spot since June; it was unranked in 2024.
#18:
Reala Ace, which is for X-Trans V cameras, predates the Reala Ace film simulation, and is based on Classic Negative. This is also a personal favorite Recipe. In 2024 it was ranked #5, so it has fallen a lot over the last year.
#19:
This Recipe is reminiscent of scanned Kodachrome 64 slides, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras. It’s another Recipe that uses the Classic Chrome film simulation. It fell five spots since 2024.
#20:
This Recipe, which was created by Nathalie Boucry, uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras. It didn’t crack the Top 25 in 2024; it’s position remains unchanged since June.
#21:
This is the X-Trans V version of the Pacific Blues Recipe. Last year it was unranked; it’s climbed four spots since the mid point of this year. This is another personal favorite Recipe.
#22:
This Recipe uses Classic Chrome and is compatible with both X-Trans IV and X-Trans V models. Interestingly enough, Fujifilm has displayed two of my images (one was displayed twice) at events, and both were created using this Classic Color Recipe. It’s position remains unchanged since last year.
#23:
Vintage Kodachrome, which is based on Classic Chrome, is one of the older Film Simulation Recipes on Fuji X Weekly (it was the fifth one published), and is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. It was ranked #11 in 2024, so it’s fallen quite significantly. Just a couple of months ago I stated that this was the most pivotal Recipe.
#24:
This was the first Recipe I published that uses the new Reala Ace film simulation. It’s fallen three spots since last year.
#25:
A Classic Negative based Recipe co-created by Thomas Schwab that’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras (there’s also an X-Trans IV version). It was ranked #18 last year.
Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!



























Great article, thanks for the yearly recap.
Hypothetical question: if you had to choose only 7 Film Simulation Recipes for a one-year round-the-world trip (landscapes, cities, everyday life), and you could not change them during the trip, which 7 would you keep and why?
I’m curious what your “minimal but versatile” set would be.
I’m not sure what camera we’re discussing, but I’ll assume a fifth-generation model (let me know if it’s not).
C1: Kodak Portra 400 v2 — love the aesthetic, but it doesn’t work for every subject or situation.
C2: Kodachrome 64 — another aesthetic that I love, but also doesn’t work for every subject or situation; interestingly, there is some significant overlap with C1, but sometimes when one doesn’t work the other does.
C3: Pacific Blues — another favorite that’s much different from the previous two.
C4: Reala Ace — a versatile Classic Neg. Recipe that is a contrast to C3.
C5: Film Dial Recipe – whether or not the camera has a Film Dial, this Recipe adds a ton of aesthetic versatility.
C6: 1970’s Summer — probably my favorite Nostalgic Neg. Recipe, but it requires the right situation.
C7: Kodak Tri-X 400 — I never leave home without this Recipe.
That would be a great set to for seven set-and-forget Recipes to use for an extended period. You can, depending on the situation, temporarily replace one with another. For example, if you know you’ll want a super vibrant Recipe for a certain situation, you could replace one with Vivid Velvia, and switch it back when you’re done with that location.
Thanks a lot for the thoughtful breakdown.
For reference, I’m shooting with an X-T5, and this “minimal but versatile” approach is exactly what I was hoping for. I really like the idea of a stable set that still allows some flexibility depending on the situation.
I’m genuinely looking forward to testing these recipes during my trip. Thanks again for sharing your perspective.
i want to know your opinion,is it a good idea if trade my ricoh gr iii to xm5+27mm lens?