Assuming that Fujifilm’s sixth-generation cameras are right around the corner—probably five or six months out—what should be different about it? I don’t want to answer that question in this article, but it is what made me think of today’s topic: which Film Simulation should come next? Looking back, Classic Chrome was introduced with X-Trans II, Eterna with X-Trans III (sort of), Classic Negative and Eterna Bleach Bypass with X-Trans IV, and Nostalgic Neg. and Reala Ace with X-Trans V. There’s a significant chance that a new Film Simulation or two will arrive during the next generation. What should they be?
I don’t think that Fujifilm should concentrate solely on introducing new Film Simulations. There are plenty of opportunities for improvements and advancements throughout the cameras, and I’m sure they are working on all of that. Within the Recipe realm, there are a number of potential options, including split-toning (for both color and B&W), faded blacks, vignetting, halation, and light-leaks. Since there is a good likelihood that a new Film Sim is coming, let’s briefly discuss some options that Fujifilm could possibly choose from.
PRO Neg 400H
I know that there’s already PRO Neg. Hi and PRO Neg. Std, both of which are reminiscent of the Fujicolor PRO line of films. While Fujifilm has claimed that Reala Ace is modeled after the film of the same name, it really isn’t; it’s much more similar to Fujicolor PRO 160C and not Reala Ace, which is in the Superia line. Classic Negative is a much closer match to actual Reala Ace film. The Reala Ace Film Simulation is essentially a third PRO Neg., and it probably should have been called PRO Neg. C (although Reala Ace is a much better name for marketing purposes). Since there’s already three PRO Neg. Film Simulations, why do we need another? The answer is simple: none of them are quite like Fujicolor PRO 400H. That film stock is legendary, especially among wedding photographers. It famously turns pastel with overexposure. If Fujifilm can make a Film Simulation that closely resembles PRO 400H film and behaves similarly with overexposure, that would be an instant hit. Of course making a Film Simulation that can withstand a stop or two of overexposure without blowing out the highlights would be a challenge, but I have faith that Fujifilm could pull it off.
Fortia
Urban legend says that Fortia was an accident, a botched batch of Velvia 50 that was wildly vivid. Instead of trashing it, they sold it as a special run in Japan during the cherry blossoms. It was such a hit that they recreated it and sold it (only in Japan and now under the name Fortia SP) from 2005 to 2007 around the time of the cherry blossoms. Interestingly, Pop Color in Advanced Filters is surprisingly similar to Fortia. I think it’s time for it to graduate from an Advanced Filter to Film Simulation, so that we can add Grain, Color Chrome Effect, etc., to it. While the Velvia Film Simulation is indeed vivid, I think some nature and landscape photographers would welcome one that’s beyond Velvia.
Velvia XPRO
Back in the day, cross processing was a fun experiment. Cross processing, also sometimes called xpro, was simply developing film in chemistry that was not intended for that film. It could mean a lot of things, but most commonly it was developing slide film in C41 chemistry. My personal favorite film for this was Velvia 50. It would be really cool if Fujifilm made a Film Simulation that replicated cross processed Velvia. Or maybe this is something that could be added to Advanced Filters should Pop Color become a Film Simulation.
Infrared Chrome
I love infrared photography with my full-spectrum Fujifilm X-T4 ES. RNI has an app that replicates Aerochrome on any digital photo. I don’t see why Fujifilm couldn’t make a Film Simulation that resembles Aerochorme, but obviously they’d need to change the name. I think a lot of people are interested in IR photography, but full-spectrum cameras aren’t particularly common and the cost to convert a camera is expensive. This would give a faux-IR experience in a non-IR camera, and without the need of various filters.
Expired Film
Expired Film is a really cool Filter on the Fujifilm X half. It’s definitely not for every subject or situation, but it can be great occasionally. If they don’t make it a Film Simulation, at the very least it should be added to Advanced Filters on other X-series cameras.
Now it’s your turn! In your opinion, what Film Simulation should Fujifilm make next? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear your ideas.
My absolute top 3, in this particular order:
Pro 400H
Natura 1600
Super HG
For future considerations: any (Chrome) Sensa
I got a few messages on IG with the Natura and Sensia suggestions. Natura is essentially Superia 1600 (but maybe slightly tweaked for Japan). Sensia was basically Fujifilm’s budget line of slide films, aesthetically sitting somewhere in-between Astia and Provia. Those are both interesting suggestions, along with Super HG, which is a predecessor to Superia.
Pro 400H seems like it would be a big hit, especially for wedding and portrait photography. That’s my top vote, too.
Thanks for the input!
I second that! Awesome suggestions!
I’d prefer to see features like split-toning, integrated ND filter, in-camera focus stacking etc.
Other features like
– choosing the aspect ratio in RAW only mode
– no limitation which functions can be assigned to a button (or to the front- or back-dial)
are software updates only, which could also come to the X-Trans V cameras.
Built-in ND filters can work well on fixed-lens cameras, but it would be much more difficult to include on interchangeable-lens models. That’s why you see it on the X100-series and not the X-Pro. But, who knows, maybe some engineering advancement will open that up.
If I understand it correctly, OM System is able to implement an ND filter in interchangeable-lens cameras.
I’m not super familiar with Olympus cameras, but my understanding is that it’s not an actual filter, but a faux effect that’s similar to Live Photos on the iPhone where a series of frames are computationally made into a “long exposure”.
Branding may preclude this, but I’d like a more vibrant/saturated Kodachrome option akin to archival quality scans or well-printed photos from, say, the 1940’s.. and with a built-in S curve that better approximates the look of Kodachrome II right out of the gate. Even with your Vintage Kodachrome and Kodachrome 1 recipes — which are among my favorites — I feel the Classic Chrome simulation itself is limiting and a could use a boost of saturation — particularly in the reds when compared to what’s easily possible with Astia or Velvia.
I think a Film Simulation based on the first era of Kodachrome, which was used by Ansel Adams, Barry Goldwater, Ray Manley, and many others, would be amazing. But they would have to come up with a name: Heritage Chrome, Timeless Chrome, Vintage Slide, something like that.
Something with colder deeper greens, but subtler than and different from Classic Neg in other areas. It’s a characteristic of many films, and not just Fuji’s, yet most simulations have slightly warm greens.
Add a strong warm highlights / cold shadows split toning. The only existing simulation that has strong split toning is also Classic Neg., but it shifts highlights so strongly towards magenta specifically (instead of warm) that the sim is extremely recognizable and obvious. Warm highlights / cold shadows are less specific to any one film and just more common in general, yet none of the existing simulations have it.
Actually I just wish they would add split toning and individual RGBCMY shifts (hue/saturation/luminosity) as image settings. Then you could actually create your own color palette – instead of just shifting all colors towards one single color and also reducing color contrast as a consequence. Not that Fujifilm ever intended WB to be used that way, it’s really just a blunt tool with bad side-effects because there’s nothing else currently.
I agree with your green analysis, and I would hope that a future PRO Neg. 400H Film Sim would address that.
Split toning would be amazing! I’ve been asking for that for years. Hopefully someday it comes.
Thanks for the input!
I think they should come with a simulation that modeled after portra 400 since it is the favorite film stock of the internet as far as I see. Obviously they can’t name it portra but that that would be an amazing marketing move. I’m personally down for anything that comes with a teal-orange tone. We can handle the rest from that.
I’m also wishing for more characterful simulations like classic negative. I love how that simulation reacts to different exposure levels.
If they made one that was obviously Portra-like, that would be a major, major hit. Interestingly enough, Dave Herring captured some actual Portra 160 film and also some images with his Fujifilm camera and my Kodak Portra 160 v2 Recipe at the same locations, and the results were essentially identical. So an accurate Portra look is definitely possible with Classic Chrome.
So much Food for Thought here… let’s hope whatever Japan comes up with will be as exciting as any of the above!
I’m sure whatever it is will be good, I have faith. Thanks for the comment, Nathalie!
What I’d like most is Instax. I think Instax has an interesting look to it, and getting a film sim that has those colors would be interesting. To be sure, it won’t look the same with a modern high-detail lens (can always swap to a less sharp lens), but it’d still be a great starting point.
That would be really cool. At the very least, it should be an Advanced Filter (which is long overdue for an overhaul). Fujifilm should do more to crossover between the two systems, it’s a shame that they are so separated (internally within the company).