Camera Recipes | FUJI X WEEKLY

Agfa Scala — Fujifilm Recipe for X-Trans V Cameras

*Faded Highway Shield* – Williams, AZ – GFX100RF – Agfa Scala

Back in 2018, one year after starting Fuji X Weekly, I published my Agfa Scala Film Simulation Recipe, which was intended for X-Trans III cameras (like the X100F that I was using back then). It was the 15th Fujifilm Recipe published on this website, and the third black-and-white. It’s been a long-time personal favorite; however, I never updated it for the newer cameras. Earlier this year, I decided that this Recipe was long overdue for a refresh, so I set out to make a new iteration. I started from scratch, trying many different adjustments, but ultimately came back to those 2018 settings, with only minor changes.

Agfa introduced Scala 200 in 1992 (renamed Scala 200x shortly thereafter). It was the only commercially available black-and-white slide film ever made (although you could make slides from any B&W film, if you wanted to). It used a proprietary development process known as AP-44. I didn’t shoot much Scala personally, only a few rolls. What was great about it is that you had a finished photo straight from the lab. With black-and-white negative film, the darkroom printing process played a major role in the finished picture; Agfa Scala removed that requirement. Obviously, the intention was that you’d project the pictures onto a screen, which we don’t do anymore (most film you see today are scans). In 2005, Agfa discontinued Scala, as well as the chemicals for the AP-44 development process. The last roll of Scala that I shot couldn’t be developed, unfortunately. Adox introduced a new Scala slide film, called Scala 50, in 2019; however, it’s a different emulsion with a different development process. Interestingly, the old Agfa Scala 200x could be processed in the new chemistry, but with slightly different results.

*Route 66 in Rural Arizona* – Seligman, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 – Agfa Scala

Scala was known for deep blacks and glowing highlights. It had a much smaller dynamic range than black-and-white negative film. Like color slides, you really had to nail the exposure, as there was very little leeway for underexposure or overexposure. If you got it right, the results were great; if not, there wasn’t much forgiveness. The film was extremely fine-grained for being ISO 200—it was sharp and looked beautiful when projected. This Agfa Scala Recipe mimics the film pretty well. The camera’s histogram can be very helpful to prevent overexposure. This Recipe is compatible with most fourth-generation and all fifth-generation cameras (as well as newer GFX models), which includes the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, X-T30 III, GFX100S, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Film Simulation: Acros (including +Ye, +R, or +G)
Monochromatic Color (Toning): WC 0 & MG 0 (Off)
Dynamic Range: DR100
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance: Auto, 0 Red & 0 Blue
Highlight: +4
Shadow: 0
Sharpness: +1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: +2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Agfa Scala Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E5, X-T5 and GFX100RF:

*Buick in B&W* – Seligman, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Truxton Gas Station* – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Rural Mailboxes* – Antares, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*End of the Road* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*Herbie on Route 66* – Antares, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Tom’s Orlando Motel* – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*God Bless America* – Kingman, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Ranchero* – Antares, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Frontier Motel Restaurant* – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*Welcome RT 66* – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Arizona American* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*Happy for Lunch* – Kingman, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Bougainvillea Growing Over Backyard Wall* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100RF

*Monochrome Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

*Coyote Pass* – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Apartment Row* – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Church Steeple* – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Flagstaff Station at Night* – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

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Fujifilm Recipe Starter Pack — 7 Recipes to Try First on Your X-Trans V Camera

Posted on 13 Days Ago by Ritchie Roesch

So you just got a Fujifilm camera. Which Film Simulation Recipes should you program first? With over 400 to choose from on Fuji X Weekly and in the Fuji X Weekly App, it can be difficult to know which ones to begin with. This article is a quick-start guide for those wanting to dive into the Fujifilm Recipe world.

Most Fujifilm cameras have seven Custom Settings presets, also known as C1-C7. You can program a Recipe into each of those positions, which means you’ll find seven Recipes below as your suggested starting point. Some cameras (like the X-H2) only have six presets, and some (like the X-S20) only have four. This article assumes that you’ve purchased a fifth-generation model, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III. This list also applies to the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF. In other words, these are fifth-generation Recipes, and not for older models (although I might turn this into a series if there’s enough interest in the topic).

If you are unsure how to program a Recipe into your Fujifilm camera, simply press MENU/OK, navigate to EDIT/SAVE CUSTOM SETTING in the IQ Menu set, choose the C1-C7 slot that you want to save a Recipe in, select EDIT/CHECK, enter the Recipe parameters, and hit DISP/BACK to save. If you’re stuck, check out this article (click here) or this video (click here). I also have a short set of slides below that quickly demonstrate the steps. Hopefully, between all of that, you won’t have any issues. It can be a little intimidating and confusing the first time through, but after you’ve programmed a couple of Recipes it becomes quite easy.

What makes a good set of seven Recipes? If each one in the group serves a purpose, that’s a solid group. Just throwing some random ones in might produce a good set, but most likely not. It’s better to be intentional; however, since most newcomers don’t know where to begin, that’s a near impossible task. This article is intended to help with that. If you are unsure which Recipes to try, the set of seven below is what you should use first. Once you’ve tested these out, if there were any that you didn’t love, simply replace those with something else—repeat that enough times, and you’ll end up with a set of seven that are a perfect match for you. Let’s dive right in!

C1 — Kodachrome 64

*Red Barn* – Ronks, PA – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Kodachrome 64

Kodachrome was the most iconic film, and it stands to reason that you should start with the Kodachrome 64 Recipe. It’s intended for sunny daylight photography, but can sometimes be good in other scenarios, too, just depending on the subject and lighting. It’s a good allrounder for a variety of genres. Kodachrome 64 is essential to try, in my opinion, so you might as well place it in C1.

C2 — Pacific Blues

*Misty Saguaro* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Pacific Blues

The Pacific Blues Recipe is intended for a sunny summer day at the beach; however, I have found it works wonderfully well on foggy or dreary days, too. It’s more dramatic and significantly different than Kodachrome 64, so it offers a good alternative aesthetic that’s still film-like. This is one of my personal favorite Recipes.

C3 – Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm

*Boulder Theater* – Boulder, CO – Fujifilm X100VI – Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm

With a softer tonality than the previous two, Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm is a highly versatile Recipe that can be used anytime of the day or night. Most of the Recipes in this list will do quite well in certain situations but not for everything, but this one is good almost no matter what you encounter with your camera. It’s a part of the Film Dial set, so if you have an X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, or X-T30 III, it is especially great for those cameras; however, even if your specific model doesn’t have a Film Dial, you can still use it similarly. A quick tip for those with a Film Dial model is to use a Film Simulation that’s not on the Dial (such as Eterna) instead of Reala Ace, since Reala Ace is easily accessible to you. Having a Film Dial Recipe available in your C1-C7 adds a ton of aesthetic versatility.

C4 – 1970’s Summer

*Corndog* – San Francisco, CA – Fujifilm X100VI – 1970’s Summer

The 1970’s Summer Recipe is warm with a retro aesthetic. It’s not going to work well for every subject or situation, but when it works, which is typically sunny midday light and Americana type scenes, it does especially great—some of my favorite photos have been made using this Recipe. It’s the warmest option in this list. If you want a nostalgic look, this is a must-try Recipe.

C5 — Vivid Velvia

*Roaring Fork* – Great Smoky Mountains NP, TN – Fujifilm X-E5 – Vivid Velvia

Boldly colorful, Vivid Velvia is intended for landscape photography where you want the scene to pop. It’s fairly versatile, but probably not the best option for portraits. If you are primarily a landscape photographer, you might find yourself using this one the most.

C6 — CineStill 800T

*Quiet Corner* – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – CineStill 800T

While C3 will do quite well for nighttime photography due to its versatility, CineStill 800T is specifically intended for photographing after dark. You can use it during the day if you should desire a cool cast, but for the most part you’ll want to save it for after sunset.

C7 — Kodak Tri-X 400

*Pool Remnant* – Rodanthe, NC – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Kodak Tri-X 400

No C1-C7 would be complete without at least one B&W Recipe, and Kodak Tri-X 400 is my go-to option. I love monochromatic photography, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better Recipe than this one for it. This might be my all-time personal favorite.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

7 Fujifilm Recipes for Dramatic Street Photos

Posted on 18 Days Ago by Ritchie Roesch

*Photographing in Phoenix* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – BewareMyVelvia – Triple Exposure

The Fuji X Weekly App has a Category feature for App Patrons that allows you to Filter Recipes by different genres, styles, or situations. For example, you can Filter By Travel. Or Cloudy. Or Landscapes or Street. There are 17 different Categories, and you can choose however many you’d like. For example, if you’d like a retro Americana aesthetic that’s good for midday light, you can find that. For this article, I chose Dramatic and Street, because I was interested in a Recipe for dramatic-looking images in an urban setting.

What makes a street photo dramatic is often not the Recipe, but the light and whatever is going on inside the frame. You don’t need a dramatic Recipe for a dramatic photo. I was after something that was inherently going to bring some hoopla, though, so I chose Dramatic as the first Category, and Street as the second (because I was heading into the city). I was presented with a number of options, including the seven below. I chose three—BewareMyVelvia, Xpro ’62, and FRGMT B&W—and programmed them into my camera. Unfortunately, it ended up raining pretty hard, and my photography opportunity got cut short by some other circumstances, so I didn’t come away with much. But I did want to illustrate another situation in which the Category feature was helpful.

If you are looking for some Recipes for street photography that’s going to accentuate or create drama, the seven below are good options. Not all of these Recipes are ones you’d use for every subject or situation, but in the right circumstance you can get excellent results. Five of the ones below are color, and the last two are black-and-white.

BewareMyVelvia

Created by Tom Baumgaertel, a.k.a. bewaremyfuji, the BewareMyVelvia Recipe is specifically intended for multiple-exposure photography; however, it can be used for single-exposure pictures, too. It produces a cross-process look similar to Velvia 50 film developed in C41 chemistry. This is likely the ultimate dramatic street photography Recipe. It’s compatible with fourth and fifth generation X-series cameras, as well as newer GFX models.

Xpro ’62

Xpro ’62 is another Recipe that produces a cross-process look, although with a notably divergent aesthetic. This is compatible with fourth-generations cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II); for fifth-generations models (X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III), simply reduce Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak (instead of Strong).

Expired ECN-2 100T

The Expired ECN-2 100T Recipe mimics the look of a motion picture stock that’s intended for use in artificial light that has long since expired, and was spooled for still photography and developed in C41 chemistry. The results are certainly unusual. This Recipe is for newer fourth (X-E4, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II) and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as newer GFX models.

GAF 500

Mimicking the aesthetic of the highest ISO color slide film of the ’60’s and ’70’s, the GAF 500 Recipe requires using an ultra-high ISO: 12800! You’re either going to love or hate how grainy this one is. GAF 500 is compatible with fourth-generation X-series cameras; for fifth-generation, simply reduce Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak (instead of Strong).

Expired Slide

A facsimile of slide film that’s been mishandled in some way, the Expired Slide Recipe produces a lomography-esque aesthetic that you might appreciate in the right situations. It’s compatible with fourth and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as newer GFX models.

FRGMT B&W

Fujifilm’s first official Recipe, FRGMT B&W—created by fashion designer, producer, and artist Hiroshi Fujiwara—was included in a limited edition of the GFX100RF. I asked for and received permission to publish it on Fuji X Weekly. This is a contrasty black-and-white Recipe that produces dramatic results. It’s compatible with fourth and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as newer GFX models.

Kodak T-Max P3200

Last but certainly not least, Kodak T-Max P3200 was a collaborative effort between Anders Lindborg and the late John Sevigny. This is one of the best black-and-white Recipes, producing dramatic and grainy images. It’s compatible with fourth and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as newer GFX models. If you’ve never tried this one, you should do so today!

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

12 Fujifilm Recipes for Rainy Days

Posted on February 4 by Ritchie Roesch

*Pouring Rain* – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T50 – Pacific Blues

I get asked fairly regularly which Film Simulation Recipes are good for overcast days, perhaps when it’s rainy or foggy. I live in Arizona where the sunshine seems endless, and dreary weather only occurs every now and then. Like film, the majority of Recipes are intended for sunny daylight conditions. When the sun is hidden by clouds, which Fujifilm Recipes should you use?

There are definitely a lot of great options. Much will depend on the lighting (thin or thick clouds?), photographic subject, and desired aesthetic. I might like a certain Recipe for rainy days, but you might not, and vice versa. Everyone has their own tastes. Having a large number of options allows you to discover what works best for you, but where do you even find them?

*Bryan Minear getting soaked* – Windham, NY – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Tri-X 400

A recently added feature to the Fuji X Weekly App is Categories. One way to use Categories is—if you are a Patron subscriber—to Filter By Category, and one of the Categories is Cloudy. So I did just that: I selected Fujifilm X-T5 as my camera and Cloudy as a Category (you can select as many Categories as you’d like, to really narrow it down). When I did this, I was presented with 40 results. You might not like all 40, and that’s ok—different strokes for different folks—but there’s a good chance that a few will match well with your light, subject, and desired aesthetic.

I went through the 40 results—Recipes that are good for cloudy situations and are compatible with my Fujifilm X-T5—and picked my favorite 12, which you’ll find below. If you are unsure which Recipes to use on rainy days, these 12 are ones to strongly consider. Surely one or two will be a good fit for you and your specific situation and style. Or, open up the Fuji X Weekly App, and Filter By your camera and whatever Categories you’d like. For example, if you choose X-Pro3 plus Cloudy, Film-Like, and Street, you’ll get 10 results.

PRO Negative 160C

The PRO Negative 160C Recipe, which uses the Reala Ace Film Simulation, produces slightly vibrant and warm pictures that are overall pretty true-to-life, with a color negative film aesthetic. Because it uses Auto White Balance, it’s very versatile, making it an excellent choice for dreary days.

Kodak Pro 400

Another Reala Ace-based Recipe, Kodak Pro 400 has a Portra-like look that’s a little less warm than the other Portra-like Recipes. While it’s daylight balanced, it does quite well in rainy weather.

Chrome City

Chrome City is found in the Universal Negative Recipe set. Really, any of the 14 Recipes within that set are good for cloudy days, but Chrome City, which uses Eterna Bleach Bypass, is my personal favorite.

Reala Ace

Despite the name, the Reala Ace Recipe does not use the Reala Ace Film Simulation; instead, it’s based on Classic Negative. Because it uses Auto White Balance, it’s highly versatile, and does well in overcast light.

Emulsion ’86

Emulsion ’86 is based on the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation. While it uses Daylight White Balance, it is quite good for cloudy situations.

Kodachrome 25

Another Daylight White Balance Recipe, Kodachrome 25, which uses Classic Chrome and produces a sharp slide-film aesthetic, is a good option for overcast days.

Thommy’s Ektachrome

Thommy’s Ektachrome is intended for sunny daylight, but its overall cool cast combined with the warmth of the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation make for an excellent rainy day Recipe.

Nostalgic Americana

While the Nostalgic Americana Recipe, which uses the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation, is warmer and intended for sunny daylight situations, it can produce good results on dreary days; however, it definitely depends on the situation, as this one can easy be a little too warm.

Kodak Vericolor VPS

One of my personal favorites for overcast light is Kodak Vericolor VPS, which uses the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation. Even though it’s intended for sunny daylight, I love how it looks when the sky is covered with clouds.

Appalachian Negative

Another Nostalgic Neg.-based Recipe that is daylight-balanced, I have had good luck using the Appalachian Negative Recipe on overcast days.

Superia Xtra 400

While Superia Xtra 400, which uses the Classic Negative Film Simulation, is the warmest of the Superia-like Recipes, because it uses Auto White Balance, it’s also the most versatile, and is great for use on rainy days.

Pacific Blues

My overall favorite Recipe to use on foggy or dreary days is Pacific Blues. Even though it was made for a sunny day at the beach, I just love how it works in the rain. It’s not a Recipe that everyone will appreciate for those situations, but I do, and I know some of you will, too.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

26 Fujifilm Recipes to try in 2026

Posted on February 3 by Ritchie Roesch

*Cruiser’s Cafe 66* – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – PRO Negative 160C

Those who have been around Fujifilm for awhile likely have a good idea of which Film Simulation Recipes they like, and probably have their favorites programmed into their camera. But there are many newcomers to the system, as well as some who have been around awhile but are looking for a new Recipe to try. If you are unsure, you’ll find some solid suggestions below.

The idea for this article has been in my head since the beginning of the year—now that January is over, I figured I better get to it before it’s too late. For this post, I didn’t want to offer the usual set, and I also didn’t want to fill the list full of the most popular Recipes; instead, I wanted to include some that were overlooked, that maybe you haven’t yet tried even if you’ve been around for awhile. I also didn’t want it to be strictly Recipes for the newest models (although I focused much more on the newer cameras than the older ones because that’s what most are using).

Without further ado, and in no particular order, below are 26 Fujifilm Recipes to try in 2026!

PRO Negative 160C

The PRO Negative 160C Recipe uses the Reala Ace Film Simulation, which means that it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF. But, there is a version that uses PRO Neg. Hi, which is compatible with “newer” fourth-generation models. This Recipe is quite versatile, producing a negative film aesthetic similar to Fujicolor PRO 160C that works well in most situations. While it leans slightly warm and vibrant, overall it remains fairly neutral and true-to-life.

Agfa Ultra 100 v2

Agfa Ultra 100 v2 is a warm Recipe that leans towards green, and is best for sunny daylight situations, although I’ve had some good luck using it in natural-light indoor situations, as well as at night. Because it uses the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Kodak Vericolor VPS

Another Nostalgic Neg.-based Recipe, Kodak Vericolor VPS is good for both sunny and cloudy situations. It produces a late-1970’s to early-1980’s color negative film vibe. It is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Kodak Vision3 250D v2

The Kodak Vision3 250D Recipe uses Eterna, and there’s a version for both the X-T3/X-T30 and “newer” fourth-generation models; however, this Kodak Vision3 250D v2 Recipe has Nostalgic Neg. as the base instead of Eterna. It produces a warm look that is great for sunny daylight situations. This version of the Recipe is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Nostalgic Americana

Nostalgic Americana is one of my favorite Nostalgic Neg.-based Recipes. It produces an aesthetic similar to color photos printed in magazines (such as Arizona Highways) back in the 1960’s and ’70’s, with a lot of grain and a warm cast. This Recipe is best for sunny daylight situations. It’s only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Classic Color

Fujifilm has displayed two of my photographs at some of their events, and both were captured with this Classic Color Recipe. It has similarities to my Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe, but isn’t identical. It’s most ideal for sunny daylight situations, but I did have some luck with it at night. This Recipe is compatible with “newer” fourth-generation models (X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II), fifth-generation cameras (X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III), and recent GFX releases (GFX100S, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, GFX100RF).

Kodak Portra 400

This Kodak Portra 400 Recipe is for fourth-generation X-series cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—plus the GFX100S. There’s also a version for the X-T3/X-T30 (plus GFX100). To use this Recipe on fifth-generation cameras, simply set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak. It produces a warm look similar to the iconic film of the same name. If you’ve been around awhile you’ve likely already tried it, but if you are new to Fujifilm you might not yet have programmed it into your camera.

Elite Chrome 200

The Elite Chrome 200 Recipe is a facsimile of Kodak’s low-budget version of Ektachrome E200, a “high ISO” consumer-grade slide film from the 1990’s and early 2000’s. It’s best for sunny daylight situations. This Recipe is for fourth-generation X-series cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—plus the GFX100S; for use on fifth-generation models (plus newer GFX), simply set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.

Kodak Pro 400

Kodak Pro 400 is an approximation of Portra 400 using Reala Ace instead of Classic Chrome. It’s best for sunny daylight situations, although I did have some good luck with it in natural-light indoors, as well as at night. It’s warm, but less warm than other Portra-like Recipes. Because it uses Reala Ace, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Classic Amber

Classic Amber, which is the first in this list that uses Classic Negative, is a very warm Recipe that produces striking results in the right situations (mainly, sunny daylight). When it works, it really works; when it doesn’t, it really doesn’t. This Recipe is compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF. For “newer” fourth-generations cameras, blue won’t be quite as deep, but the results will be quite similar overall, so feel free to try it anyway.

Fujicolor 100 Gold

This is another warm Recipe that utilizes Classic Negative, and is best for sunny daylight situations. Fujicolor 100 Gold is for fourth-generation X-series cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—as well as the GFX100S. For fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), it will render blue just a little more deeply, but the results will be quite similar overall, so feel free to try it anyway.

Old Kodak

The Old Kodak Recipe has similarities to Vintage Kodachrome and Kodachrome 1. It’s compatible with “newer” X-series models—X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—as well as the GFX100S. For fifth-generation cameras (and the latest GFX), simply set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong. While this Recipe is warm, it’s quite versatile, and can be used in a lot different situations.

Eterna Summer

Eterna Summer produces a warm, cinematic aesthetic that’s best for sunny daylight situations. This Recipe is compatible with “newer” fourth-generation models (X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II), fifth-generation cameras (X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III), and recent GFX releases (GFX100S, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, GFX100RF).

SantaColor

This SantaColor Recipe is not necessarily for Christmas, but for sunny daylight situations. While warm, it leans more red-orange than yellow. This Recipe is compatible with fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S. For fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), it will render blue just a little more deeply, but the results will be quite similar overall, so feel free to try it anyway.

Ferrania Solaris FG 400

The only Eterna Bleach Bypass-based Recipe in this list, Ferrania Solaris FG 400 produces striking results. This is another warm Recipe that’s intended for sunny daylight situations. It’s for “newer” fourth-generation cameras—X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—as well as the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.

Nostalgia Color

A “memory color” aesthetic of photographic prints from the ’90’s, Nostalgia Color uses Classic Negative and has a warm cast that’s perfect for sunny daylight. This Recipe is compatible with fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.

Superia Premium 400

Superia Premium 400 might be the most overlooked of the various Superia-like Recipes. It leans warm, more towards red than yellow. This Recipe is for sunny daylight situations, but I’ve also had good luck with it on dreary days. It’s compatible with fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.

Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled

Probably my favorite Recipe for indoor artificial light situations, Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled is a great allrounder if you want a subdued aesthetic. This might be the most underrated Recipe in this list. It’s for fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak.

AgfaChrome RS 100

For a slightly cool color cast, try the AgfaChrome RS 100 Recipe. In situations where other Recipes are too warm, this is a good one to use. It’s compatible with fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.

Fujicolor C200 v2

The Fujicolor C200 v2 Recipe somehow seems both warm and cool simultaneously. It’s best for sunny daylight, but I’ve had good luck with it in overcast situations, indoors, and at night. This Recipe is for fourth-generation cameras—X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II—and the GFX100S; for fifth-generation models (and the latest GFX), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.

Vivid Velvia

The most vibrant Recipe in this group, Vivid Velvia produces dramatically colorful pictures. It’s quite versatile, just as long as long as you’re after a vibrant aesthetic. This Recipe is compatible with fourth (except X-T3/X-T30) and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as “newer” GFX models.

Fluorescent Night

Fluorescent Night is the only Recipe in this list that’s specifically intended for nighttime photography. Because it uses the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III—as well as the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Moody Monochrome

Moody Monochrome is a contrasty black-and-white Recipe that uses Acros+Ye. Compatible with fourth (except X-T3/X-T30) and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as “newer” GFX models.

FRGMT B&W

This is Fujifilm’s first official Recipe—created by fashion designer, producer, and artist Hiroshi Fujiwara—which was included in a limited edition GFX100RF. I asked for and received permission to publish FRGMT B&W on Fuji X Weekly. It’s for fourth (except X-T3/X-T30) and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as “newer” GFX models.

Agfa Scala

Agfa Scala is one of the older Recipes on Fuji X Weekly, published in 2018. It’s modeled after a B&W slide film that was discontinued, then later brought back. This Recipe is for X-Trans III cameras, plus the X-T3/X-T30; however, I’ve used it on newer models, setting Grain size to Weak, Color Chrome Effect and Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, and Clarity to 0 or +1.

Classic B&W

Classic B&W, which uses Acros+G, is great for everyday monochromatic photographs. Compatible with fourth (except X-T3/X-T30) and fifth-generation X-series cameras, as well as “newer” GFX models.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Using X-Trans IV Recipes on X-Trans V Cameras

Posted on January 26 by Ritchie Roesch

*Streaming Light Through the Mountains* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Portra 400

When Fujifilm first introduced the fifth-generation of X-series cameras, I spent some time updated fourth-generation Film Simulation Recipes for the new models. There are several small differences in how fourth and fifth generation cameras render images, most notably how deeply blue is on the Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, and Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulations. It’s an easy fix: if a fourth-generation Recipe uses one of those four film sims, reduce Color Chrome FX Blue by one (Weak instead of Strong; Off instead of Weak) on the fifth-generation camera. Or don’t make that adjustment, because you might not notice the difference anyway, and you’re perfectly happy with the results.

After republishing a number of “old” Recipes for use on the new cameras, I began to receive some feedback: stop rehashing existing Recipes. “You’re just publishing ones you’ve already made,” is one example. So I stopped. There are about 100 Recipes that I could do this with (make an X-Trans V version of an X-Trans IV Recipe). Not only would that take a lot of time to accomplish, but it would end up constituting most of the Recipes published for a couple of years. In other words, I totally get why some people would get annoyed by it. Still, there are a lot of fourth-generation Recipes that people want to use on their fifth-generation cameras.

*Uptown at Sunset* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Portra 400

One such Recipe is Kodak Portra 400, which is quite popular. Although I prefer Kodak Portra 400 v2 just a little more (that’s just my personal taste), which I did make an X-Trans V version of, I still really like this one and use it sometimes. I never did make a fifth-generation version of Kodak Portra 400, though; however, the Recipe can be used on the new cameras simply by either 1) leaving the Recipe as-is and accepting the results for what they are (which is nearly the same), or 2) do what I do, and adjust Color Chrome FX Blue to Off instead of Weak. There are a lot of people with newer models that have no idea that they can use the Kodak Portra 400 Recipe.

In other words, if you have a fifth-generation camera, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III (plus the GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF), you can use any fourth-generation Recipe—if it calls for Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, or Eterna Bleach Bypass, simply adjust Color Chrome FX Blue down one position (or don’t make that adjustment, it’s ok if you don’t). Even though I didn’t make an updated version specifically for the new cameras, the Recipe is still available for you to use. So, if you have a newer model, take a look at the X-Trans IV Film Simulation Recipes, because your next favorite might be found there, just waiting to be discovered.

Comparing Six Film Simulation Recipes

Posted on January 6 by Ritchie Roesch

Yesterday I published Film-Like Recipes for Americana Pictures that’s good for Landscapes & Street Photography, in which I used the new Filter By Categories feature in the Fuji X Weekly App. By selecting Americana, Film-like, Landscapes, and Street, along with Filter By X-Trans V Sensor, I was presented with six Recipes: Kodachrome 64, Kodak Ultramax 400, Kodak Gold 200, Kodak Portra 800 v3, Summer of ’59, and Ektachrome E100. The intention of the article was simply to demonstrate how Filter By Categories can be a useful tool for finding Film Simulation Recipes that match your specific desired aesthetic and shooting situation. A heck-of-a-lot of work went into it, and it can be quite handy. It’s far from perfect, though, but hopefully it will only get better with time.

Someone asked for a direct comparison of the six Recipes from the article. That wasn’t really the intention of the post, but I understand why that could be helpful. I’ve had requests for years to photograph the same scene with each Recipe so that direct comparisons can be made (maybe something like the DPReview Studio Shot Comparison Tool, except with Recipes). That would be a daunting task to say the least, but I get why people might want that. Personally, I prefer to see how things work “in real life” in a variety of situations, and I don’t find test charts or static studio scenes to be particularly useful (or at least they tend to miss the most important things). I wanted to fulfill the request for a direct comparison for these six Recipes, so I reprocessed in-camera two exposures using each of the six Recipes. You’ll find those images below.

Interestingly enough, for my personal tastes, the Recipe that I liked best in the first set was one of my least favorites in the second set, and the Recipe that I liked least best in the first set was one of my favorites in the second set. The lighting and subject can make all of the difference. I don’t think a single Recipe exists that’s perfect for every subject and situation (obviously, some are more versatile than others), and that’s why most Fujifilm cameras have seven Custom Settings presets. With seven Recipes available at any given time, you are much more likely to have an excellent option for whatever you encounter. In the right light and for the right subject, each of these six could be a good choice; however, there are likely scenarios where each of these Recipes would not be good, some more than others.

The two Recipes in this article that are the most similar to each other are Kodachrome 64 and Kodak Ultramax 400. In sunny daylight, they can produce a difficult-to-distinguish (but not 100% identical) aesthetic; however, they differ more in other light situations, and are easier to tell apart. The one that’s the most divergent is Ektachrome E100. Kodak Portra 800 v3 and Summer of ’59 are the most warm, with Kodak Gold 200 not terribly far behind. Which of these six is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!

Film-Like Recipes for Americana Pictures that’s good for Landscapes & Street Photography

Posted on January 5 by Ritchie Roesch

One of the cool new features of the Fuji X Weekly App is Categories. There are a couple of ways to interact with and use Categories, one of which is only available to Patron subscribers, which is what we’re discussing in this article. For App Patrons, if you select Filter you can Filter By Category, in addition to all the other Filter options. This can really help you to hone in on Film Simulation Recipes for your specific situation and desired aesthetic. Let me illustrate.

Let’s say that you have a fifth-generation X-Trans camera, like the X100VI, X-T5, X-E5, etc., and you want a film-like aesthetic for Americana pictures that’s good for both landscape and street photography, you can find that. Simply Filter By your camera or sensor generation, and choose those Categories: Americana, Film-like, Landscapes, and Street. You can select as many or as few as you’d like—the more Categories you choose, the fewer results you’ll get. While you may not see a lot of options, the Film Simulation Recipes you do see will match your request pretty well. Let’s take a look at the results.

Kodachrome 64

If there’s one film-like Recipe for Americana photography that’s good for both landscape and street photography, it’s Kodachrome 64. The film that this Recipe is based on is, of course, iconic. There are also versions for other cameras: X-Trans IV, X-T3/X-T30, and X-Trans II.

Kodak Ultramax 400

This is one of those Recipes that seems to always work no matter the circumstance. If you’ve never tried the Kodak Ultramax 400 Recipe, you definitely should. There are also versions for X-Trans IV and X-Trans III + X-T3/X-T30.

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Gold 200 is a legendary film, so the inclusion of the Recipe that is based on it should not surprise anyone. There is also an X-Trans III + X-T3/X-T30 version.

Kodak Portra 800 v3

I find that Kodak Portra 800 v3 produces a similar aesthetic to some of the pictures in Kyle McDougall’s An American Mile series. The Recipe includes instructions for both X-Trans V and X-Trans IV cameras.

Summer of ’59

Summer of ’59 is currently a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe. Those that can Filter By Category can also view and use this Recipe; for everyone else, it will eventually become available once it has been replaced by a new Early-Access Recipe.

Ektachrome E100

Ektachrome E100 is another App Patron Early-Access Recipe. It’s the most different of the six in this article. Like the previous one, this is currently only available to Patron subscribers, but it will eventually be available to everyone.

If you don’t have the Fuji X Weekly App on your phone, download it for free today—it’s available in both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. It’s intended to be a useful free tool; however, becoming a Patron subscriber unlocks the best experience, and supports Fuji X Weekly.

Fuji X Weekly App Update: Introducing Categories!!

Posted on December 14 by Ritchie Roesch

There’s a brand-new Fuji X Weekly App update that I’m really excited to share with you. The main headline is a new feature called Categories, which can be interacted with in two different ways. The goal of Categories is to help you find Film Simulation Recipes for the specific situation that you are photographing in. This update is beneficial for both Patrons and non-Patrons.

The first way to interact with Categories is if you choose a Recipe—any Recipe, it doesn’t matter which one—and scroll towards the bottom just above Notes, you’ll find a Category Tag or maybe a handful of them (the amount varies from Recipe-to-Recipe). This tells you that the particular Recipe you selected has been identified as good for those specific situations and/or aesthetics. Now, tap on a Category Tag and it opens Discover Recipes, except instead of showing you all of the photos in the entire App to browse through, it shows only those that share that tag. This can help you to find Recipes based on image aesthetic. Each time you tap on a Category Tag, the order of the photos is reshuffled. For Patron subscribers, Category Tags can be used in conjunction with Filter by Sensor or Filter by Camera.

The second way to interact with Categories is only available to Patron subscribers. If you tap Filter, you’ll see By Category has been added to the list of options. You can choose one or more Categories—as many as you like, but the more you choose the fewer results you’ll get. You can Filter By Cameras (say X100VI), Film Simulation (say Classic Negative), White Balance (say Auto, Auto Ambience Priority and Auto White Priority), and Categories (say Film-Like and Street), and you’ll get a few results that match your request quite well. You can get real specific. If you are looking for (let’s say) a Film-Like Recipe that’s good for Portraits on Cloudy days for your X-Pro3, you can find that.

This is such a fun new way to interact with Film Simulation Recipes, and I anticipate that it will be extremely helpful to those who don’t know which Recipes to try. I’m really excited to introduce Categories to you because of all that, and also because so much work went into it. I didn’t keep careful tabs on the exact number of hours spent on this project, but it was a lot! The task of categorizing the various Recipes (over 400!) was pretty daunting on its own. I’m sure that it’s not perfect, and some might disagree with a certain Recipe’s inclusion or exclusion from a specific Category, but overall I think it turned out quite well. I really hope that some of you will find it to be a useful feature.

***Update: We were able to get the bug identified, fixed, and the app update submitted and approved by Apple in record time. On your iPhone, if the Fuji X Weekly App crashes immediately, make sure that you update to version 1.12.1 (and not 1.12.0) or update the iOS to the latest version (either option will fix it). I’m sorry for any trouble that this may have caused anyone.***

The Fuji X Weekly App is available to download for free from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly. If your device didn’t update automatically, be sure to update it now.

10 Fujifilm Recipes for a 1980’s Aesthetic

Posted on November 26 by Ritchie Roesch

Last week I published 10 Fujifilm Recipes for a 1970’s Aesthetic, which I think a number of you appreciated. It seemed to be an especially well-liked article. Thomas H commented, “This theme of a collection using the look of films from a certain era or decade is very inspirational. Somehow for me this approach unlocks the mood of film looks in a more ‘accessible’ way by showing the style of a decade rather than as before showing lots of different looks that are possible with a particular sensor generation.” Well, let’s do it again!

This time we’re going to look at the 1980’s. It will require as to hop into our DeLorean, put Huey Lewis in the tape deck, and hit 88 miles per hour. I was born in 1980—great Scott!—so I have a lot of memories of the decade, especially the latter half, but I was not a photographer yet—not for awhile. I only have family photo albums, vintage magazines, and internet archives to guide the way.

*Outatime* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Royal Gold 400

You’ll notice that the majority of the Recipes below use Classic Chrome, and that’s because Classic Chrome is intended to replicate documentary photography found in photojournalism publications in the ’80’s and ’90’s. Fujifilm looked very closely at Kodachrome and Ektachrome photographs. Because of this, Classic Chrome has a distinct Kodak palette. Kodak dominated film sales during the 1980’s, so it makes sense that this film simulation would dominate Recipes intended to mimic the look of that era.

There’s a lot of Film Simulation Recipes that could potentially give an ’80’s look. The list below is not intended to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to be the “best 10” or a ranking of Recipes. It’s simply 10 that I believe will give you a 1980’s aesthetic, if that’s something you’re looking for.

Kodachrome 64

Kodachrome 64 was the iconic film of the 1980’s. It’s the third (and final) era of Kodachrome, introduced in the mid-1970’s and discontinued in 2009. That means it’s just as much a 1970’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s look as it is a 1980’s; however, it would be wrong to exclude it from this era, in my opinion, so that’s why it’s here. I shot many rolls of Kodachrome 64 in the late-1990’s and early-2000’s. It was a very sad day when Kodak announced its discontinuation. The Recipe linked above is specifically for fifth-generation X-Trans and the latest GFX, there’s also a version for X-Trans IV, the X-T3/X-T30, and X-Trans II.

Urban Dreams

This one might initially seem odd because 1) the Recipe has a weird name and 2) it’s not specifically intended as a 1980’s look. So why is it here? Urban Dreams produces a look somewhat similar to Kodachrome 200, a high-ISO version of Kodachrome introduced in 1986 and discontinued in 2006. It was never as popular as Kodachrome 64 or even Kodachrome 25, but it was certainly a well-used film during the latter half of the 1980’s.

Kodacolor

Probably the most obvious 1980’s Film Simulation Recipe is Kodacolor. Kodak used the Kodacolor name for many different emulsions beginning in 1942 and continuing to today. While not nearly as recognizable as Kodachrome or Tri-X, it’s just as historic, if not more so. In the 1970’s and 1980’s, Kodacolor was the most popular line of color films in the world. Kodacolor II (early in the decade) and Kodacolor VR (beginning in 1982) were common in the 1980’s. This Recipe is reminiscent of Kodacolor VR. The Kodacolor Recipe is for X-Trans III cameras plus the X-T3 and X-T30, but there’s also a version for X-Trans II.

Kodacolor VR

This is similar to the Kodacolor Recipe above, but more resembles Kodacolor VR that’s expired or has been improperly handled.

Kodacolor VR 200

This Recipe, which was created by Thomas Schwab, resembles faded prints captured with Kodacolor VR 200 film. Kodak introduced Kodacolor VR 200 in 1982 and discontinued it in 1986, when it was replaced by Kodacolor VR Plus 200, which was only slightly different.

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak introduced Gold in 1986 as Kodacolor VR-G. They changed the name to Kodacolor Gold in 1988, and it wasn’t until the 1990’s that they dropped the “Kodacolor” name from the packaging. Kodak still makes Gold 200, but the emulsion has been updated many times since 1986. While this Recipe isn’t intended to replicate “Kodacolor VR-G” or “Kodacolor Gold” specifically, it nonetheless produces an aesthetic that can be convincing as a late-1980’s look.

1981 Kodak

The 1981 Kodak Recipe was modeled after some old family pictures found in a photo box. These prints were made in July of 1981—a date stamped on the back—and printed on Kodak paper. The other technical details are unknown, but most likely they were captured with a cheap point-and-shoot of some sort with Kodacolor II film. Due to age and improper storage, the prints are faded, with a pronounced warm cast, and colors overall less vibrant than they once were.

Emulsion ’86

This Recipe produces a picture aesthetic that is reminiscent of photos of Expo ’86, a World’s Fair that was in Vancouver, Canada (interestingly, that was the last World’s Fair in North America). I actually went to it, but only remember a little because I was six-years-old. For some reason, the floating McDonald’s is what I remember the most.

Fujicolor Super HG

Fujifilm introduced Fujicolor Super HG in 1986, and discontinued the film in the 1990’s. This Recipe was invented by Thomas Schwab, and it does an excellent job at replicating the look of Fujicolor film from that era.

Kodak T-Max 100

I didn’t include any B&W films in the 1970’s article, which was a massive oversight on my part. Not wanting to make that same mistake, I made sure to include one in this list. Actually this is two Recipes, both made by Dan Allen: Kodak T-Max 100 Hard Tone and Kodak T-Max 100 Soft Tone. Kodak introduced T-Max in 1986, and it was immediately a huge hit. The film is still manufactured today, so it could just as easily be a 1990’s, 2000’s, 2010’s or 2020’s aesthetic.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

10 Underrated Film Simulation Recipes You Probably Skipped (but should try)

Posted on November 7 by Ritchie Roesch

*Sentinel & Merced* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V – Vintage Color

Some Film Simulation Recipes are extremely popular. Some are classics. Kodachrome 64, Reggie’s Portra, Vibrant Arizona, Kodak Portra 400 v2, Pacific Blues, and many others, are frequently used by a lot of photographers. But there are some others that just seem to get used a lot less. Website page-view statistics indicate that the 10 Recipes below are less popular, which I think is confirmed by the infrequency that I’ve seen them mentioned on social media. Just because they’re not as popular doesn’t mean they’re not good—in fact, some of them are my personal favorites.

The list below does not represent the least popular Recipes on Fuji X Weekly. A few of them are in the Top 50 (out of more than 400), which puts them in the Top 12%-15% or so. Compared to the most popular, though, they’re overshadowed. The 10 Recipes below are often overlooked, and they deserve a bit more attention. If you’ve not tried them yourself, I invite you to load them into your camera and create some photographs—perhaps one or two of them will become favorites for you, too.

Fujicolor Super HG

The Fujicolor Super HG Recipe was created by Thomas Schwab, who has made many fantastic Recipes, including a few on this list. This Recipe, which uses Classic Negative, resembles an older Fujifilm emulsion from the mid-1980’s through the late-1990’s. While it is very similar to Fujicolor Super HG v2, which was a collaborative effort between myself and Thomas, this v1 isn’t nearly as popular, probably because the v2 Recipe is more versatile (due to its white balance); however, this version is really good, and deserves more attention. Fujicolor Super HG is compatible with most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II); for fifth-generation models, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled

Another Recipe by Thomas Schwab, Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled is simply fantastic for indoor and artificial light situations. It’s been one of my personal favorite Recipes for years. I highly recommend it if you’ve never tried it. This Recipe, which also uses Classic Negative, is compatible with most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II); for fifth-generation models, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Timeless Negative

For whatever reason, Timeless Negative has been my go-to Film Simulation Recipe for holiday snapshots during November and December. It’s quite versatile, so it can be used in a variety of lighting conditions. This particular version uses Eterna and is for most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II); for fifth-generation models, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off. There’s a version of Timeless Negative that uses Nostalgic Neg., which is also really good, for those who have X-Trans V cameras.

SantaColor

The SantaColor Recipe, which uses Eterna, is a fun one. It doesn’t always work well, but sometimes it works really well. It’s another Recipe that’s for most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II). You can use it on fifth-generation models, but just note that it will render slightly different.

Ferrania Solaris FG 400

The Ferrania Solaris FG 400 Recipe is simply Kodak Portra 400 v2 with Eterna Bleach Bypass instead of Classic Chrome. Most Recipes don’t look particularly good when you change the film simulation, but in this case it does. This Recipe is compatible with most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II); for fifth-generation models, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.

CineStill 400D v1

Definitely not a Recipe for every subject and situation, but CineStill 400D v1 can produce really striking results sometimes. It’s the only Astia-based Recipe in this list. CineStill 400D v1 is for the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III cameras.

Thommy’s Ektachrome

As you might have guessed, this is another Recipe by Thomas Schwab. I find that it works well for both sunny and dreary weather. Thommy’s Ektachrome uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation, which makes it compatible with fifth-generation cameras.

Kodak Vision3 250D v2

This is an updated version of the Kodak Vision3 250D Recipe, but using Nostalgic Neg. instead of Eterna. This is one of those Recipes that doesn’t always work well, but when it does, it really does! Kodak Vision3 250D v2 is compatible with all fifth-generation models.

Vintage Color

Some of my favorite photographs were created using the Vintage Color Recipe. It’s another one that doesn’t always work well, but when it does, it’s really good. This Recipe, which uses Eterna, is for most X-Trans IV cameras (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II); for fifth-generation models, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

1960 Chrome

Last—but far from least—is 1960 Chrome, which uses Eterna Bleach Bypass and has compatibility with fourth and fifth generation models. The aesthetic comes from several photographs in various issues of Arizona Highways magazine from the 1960’s. If you’re looking for a vintage aesthetic, this is a great option.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

12 Recipes for Concert Photography (Part 1)

Posted on October 23 by Ritchie Roesch

*We Came From Space – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Superia Negative Recipe*

I’m not a concert photographer. I attend maybe one or two each year, and generally don’t have good seats; besides, the events often have a “no camera” policy. But I get asked quite frequently which Film Simulation Recipes are best for concert photography. I never have a good answer (only guesses), so when the opportunity came to try out various Recipes at a rock concert, I jumped at the chance. All of these pictures were captured from my seat at the back-right corner of the venue—not the best spot, but not terrible, either.

This will be a series of articles, with this post serving as Part 1. I loaded eight Recipes into my Fujifilm X-T5 (plus 11 in my X-E5), and reshuffled a bit at intermission. This was actually a three-day concert, so I did this multiple times. Later, I reprocessed some of the RAW files in-camera to see how some additional Recipes would do. For Part 1, the twelve Recipes are Superia Negative, Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm, Velvia Film, Cinematic Film (those four are all Film Dial Recipes), Reala Ace, Pacific Blues, Superia Xtra 400, Nostalgic Americana, Nostalgia Negative, Kodak Negative, Kodak Portra 400 v2, and Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1. The one requirement that I gave myself is that the Recipes needed to use DR400 to help keep the highlights in check.

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Reala Ace Recipe*

All of these 12 Recipes seemed to do well. None were busts. My favorites were the Classic Negative-based Recipes: Superia Negative, Pacific Blues, Reala Ace, and Superia Xtra 400. I can definitely recommend those, especially Superia Negative and Reala Ace. I also liked the Nostalgic Neg.-based Recipes: Nostalgic Americana, Nostalgia Negative, and Kodak Negative. My least favorite were the Velvia-based Recipes: Velvia Film and Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1. That’s not to say those Recipes were bad, only that I liked the others better. I think any of these 12 would work, but, in the future, I’d probably choose a few Classic Negative options, plus one or two Nostalgic Neg., and call it good.

The band in top photo is We Came From Space, which you’ll see a little more of in the upcoming parts (I’m not sure yet just how many posts there will be in this series, but likely three). They’re a classic rock/synth rock/blues rock/prog rock/pop fusion with out-of-this-world talent (sorry for the pun). All the remaining photos are of Cosmic Cathedral, a groove-oriented progressive rock super group featuring Phil Keaggy on guitars/vocals, Neal Morse on keyboards/guitar/vocals, Bryon House on bass, and Chester Thompson on drums (if you’ve ever seen Genesis or Phil Collins live, you’ve likely heard Chester keeping time). A number of additional musicians joined the band to complete the sound. This was their first concert as a band, and it was such a great show!

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Superia Negative Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Pacific Blues Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Velvia Film Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Nostalgic Americana Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Superia Xtra 400 Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1 Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Nostalgia Negative Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Kodak Negative Recipe*

*Cosmic Cathedral – Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 90mm f/2 – Cinematic Film Recipe*

Part 2 coming soon!

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:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T5 in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujinon 90mm f/2:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex

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15 Cool Film Simulation Recipes for Fujifilm Cameras

Posted on October 8 by Ritchie Roesch

*Backlit Lupine* – Sun City, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Thommy’s Ektachrome

I get feedback sometimes that many of the Fuji X Weekly Film Simulation Recipes produce too strong of a warm, yellowish cast. Often this feedback is specific to artificial light photography. The majority of Recipes, like film, are intended for sunny daylight conditions, and when you use them in a different light scenario the results can be a mixed bag. My best suggestion is to—again, like film—use the most appropriate Recipe for the specific situation. Other feedback I get is that some Recipes are too warm even in the most ideal daylight situations. Of course, this is a personal taste situation—what one person might love, another might hate. We each have our own preferences and styles. With over 400 Recipes on this website and the Fuji X Weekly App, there’s bound to be at least one that fits your photography well.

This article is for those who are in search of cooler Recipes—ones that are less warm, and with a blueish cast and not yellow. Of course, it should be noted that Recipes which utilize Auto White Balance are much less prone to being too warm. That might be your best option, and if you are a Fuji X Weekly App Patron, you can find those really easily using the Filter by White Balance feature in the App. For this article, I wasn’t specifically considering AWB, and only one in this list uses it. These Recipes are specifically intended to produce (to varying degrees) a cool, blueish cast in sunny daylight conditions—some much more so than others. If you are trying to avoid yellowish results, the 15 Film Simulation Recipes below are ones to consider. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many others worth trying that are not mentioned here.

Jeff Davenport Night

The Jeff Davenport Night Recipe, as the name implies, is for nighttime photography. When used during daylight, you get a strong blue cast. For sunny situations, I find that it works best during overly warm golden hour light, and especially when you want to convey that it’s literally cold outside. It should come as no surprise that it works especially well in artificial light conditions. This Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-T3, X-T30, and GFX100.

CineStill 800T

Like the film of the same name, this Recipe is intended for nighttime and artificial light scenarios. It’s not nearly as blue during sunny daylight as Jeff Davenport Night, but it still has a strong cool cast. This Recipe is for the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF; there’s also a version for the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S, a version for X-Trans III cameras plus the X-T3 and X-T30, and a version for X-Trans II.

Kodacolor VR 200

This Recipe, which was made by Thomas Schwab, resembles a version of Kodacolor film from the early 1980’s, especially prints that have begun to color-fade. This one still has a touch of warmth, but is cooler than a lot of daylight-balanced Recipes. Kodacolor VR 200 is for the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF; for the X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Strong.

Thommy’s Ektachrome

Another Recipe created by Thomas Schwab, this one is similar to Kodak Ektachrome images printed in classic magazines like National Geographic and Arizona Highways. It’s intended for daylight photography, and still has a touch of warmth, but has a cooler rendering than a lot of other Recipes. This is compatible with the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Ektachrome E100

This Recipe also mimics Kodak Ektachrome film, but more specifically the new version of the emulsion. It was made with a little assistance from Dan Allen, and is currently an App Patron Early-Access Recipe (only available to FXW App subscribers, currently). Like the two previous Recipes, this one is also intended for sunny daylight situations, and it, too, has a touch of warmth, but less so than a lot of the other options. This Recipe is for the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Chrome Slide

This is yet another Recipe that’s intended for sunny daylight situations, but will often produce a cool cast, with a bit of an Ektachrome-like quality to it. This Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S; for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Kodachrome Blue

The Kodachrome Blue Recipe mimics improperly scanned Kodachrome slides. Due to its unique design, Kodachrome is the most difficult slide film to accurately scan, and therefor there are a lot of examples of the film with a blue cast, including some of my own that the lab did a poor job scanning. This Recipe is daylight-balanced, but often produces a somewhat cool cast. The Kodachrome Blue Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S; for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Fujicolor Blue

This Recipe is also intended for sunny daylight, but has a slight blue cast caused simply from removing some red that’s naturally in the Classic Negative film simulation. Fujicolor Blue is currently an App Patron Early-Access Recipe (only available to FXW App subscribers, currently). It’s compatible with the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Nostalgic Print

This Recipe mimics the aesthetic of prints from one-hour labs on Crystal Archive paper (at least one specific print). Like a lot of the Recipes in this list, it’s intended for sunny daylight photography, and can have a touch of warmth, but overall the photos have a slight cool cast. This Recipe is for the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, GFX100S, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Classic Slide

Kind of roughly a Kodak Elite Chrome aesthetic, this is yet another daylight-balanced Recipe with a slightly cool cast. Classic Slide is compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro2, X100F, X-T2, X-T20, X-E3, X-H1, X-T3, X-T30, and GFX100.

Standard Provia

A slightly cooler, more contrasty, and more vibrant rendering than the Provia film simulation with everything set to factory defaults. This Recipe is for the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, GFX100S, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Fujichrome Provia 100F

This Recipe mimics a popular Fujichrome slide film, and as such has a cooler cast than many that replicate Kodak emulsions. It’s compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S; for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

AgfaChrome RS 100

More of a European color aesthetic, this Recipe is daylight-balanced, but isn’t nearly as warm as a lot of the other options. This is for the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S; for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Agfa Ultra 100

This Recipe is not too dissimilar from the one above. It’s for the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, and GFX100S; for the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

Urban Vintage Chrome

This Recipe was also created by Thomas Schwab, and it has kind of a bleach bypass aesthetic. It has a tinge of warmth, but overall is not nearly as yellow as a lot of other Recipes, and the colors quite muted. This one is like a more contrasty version of the Nostalgic Print Recipe. It’s compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro2, X100F, X-T2, X-T20, X-E3, X-H1, X-T3, X-T30, and GFX100.

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What’s the Most Pivotal Recipe?

Posted on October 2 by Ritchie Roesch

*The Early Photographers* – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – Vintage Kodachrome

After publishing yesterday’s article Camera Makers are Joining the Recipe Fun, I took a moment to consider what was the most pivotal Film Simulation Recipe that ultimately kicked off the Recipe revolution. What one Recipe deserves the most credit? There are definitely a few worth considering, but one stands out to me as the most crucial, and without it, we might not be talking about Recipes today.

I considered the original Classic Chrome Recipe from August 2017 (it was the sixth article published on Fuji X Weekly). It actually predates this website (it was originally published on a now long-defunct blog), so it’s been around a long time. It was one of the very first Recipes for Fujifilm cameras—heck, maybe the first, I’m not certain (and probably depending on how strictly you define it). Right now it’s the sixth most popular Recipe of all time (based on page-view statistics). I think it would be easy to pick the original Classic Chrome Recipe as the most important; while it is clearly a crucial Recipe, I don’t think it is quite the most pivotal.

*Onaqui Horses* – Dugway, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – Vintage Kodachrome

Next up I considered the X-T3/X-T30 version of Kodachrome 64. There was a big leap in growth for this website in 2020, unlike anything before or since. While each year has seen some growth, the jump from 860,000 page-views in 2019 to 3.7 million in 2020 was incredibly massive—over 400% increase! (For those wondering, we’ve had over 10 million page-views for the last two years in a row, and we’re on track to top it again this year). By far, the most popular Recipe of 2020 was Kodachrome 64, so it obviously played a big role in the popularity of Recipes in-general.

Another one that certainly deserves some credit is the followup version of Kodachrome 64 for X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30), which is the all-time number one most popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly, viewed well over 600,000 times on this website. This has been the long-time most popular Fuji X Weekly Recipe, until very recently when it was overtaken in 2025 by Reggie’s Portra.

Above: Vintage Kodachrome Recipe

There are a number of Recipes that played a critical role in perpetuating straight-out-of-camera photography, but one stands out to me as the most important: Vintage Kodachrome. Published on October 21, 2017, it’s one of the oldest Fuji X Weekly Recipes—the fifth oldest, in fact. It’s a long-time fan favorite—the fourth most-viewed of all time—and obviously its popularity was particularly paramount in the growth of this website and Recipes in-general. What makes it the most crucial, though, are two things: it was the first Recipe that required more radical adjustments (such as maximum Highlight and minimum Shadow combined with underexposure), and the first to mimic a specific film stock from a specific era. This particular Recipe opened my eyes to what might be possible on Fujifilm cameras. I realized that I could do so much more; a lot of future Recipes would never have happened without this one first. So, yes, it’s one of the all-time most popular, but it also set the stage for future Recipes like Kodachrome 64 and many, many others. I can’t think of another Recipe that was more important than this one.

If not for Vintage Kodachrome, Fujifilm might not have given the X-E5 the ability to save three Film Simulation Recipes on the Film Dial (including using the word “Recipe” within the camera’s menu). There likely wouldn’t be a Fuji X Weekly App. I probably would never have made Ricoh Recipes. Nikon might not have Imaging Recipes. OM Systems likely would not have just announced Creative Recipes. Vintage Kodachrome was a critical step in the advancement of Fujifilm Recipes, and without it things probably would look just a little different today—not just within Fujifilm, but across the photo world.