Film Simulation recipe

Review: Fujifilm X-E5 — Pancakes & Recipes

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm recently loaned me an X-E5 to try out for a week or so. I also got to play with one at the B&H BILD Expo last month, so I was already a bit familiar with the camera before it arrived in the mail. Included with the X-E5 was the brand-new Fujinon 23mm f/2.8 pancake lens, so I’ll also be discussing that in this review, too. Let’s dive right in!

The Fujifilm X-E5 is actually the sixth X-E camera. The X-E1, released in 2012, was the very first, and the third X-series model overall, with only the X100 and X-Pro1 predating it. The X-E2 came out only one year later, followed by the nearly identical X-E2s in 2016. A year after that, Fujifilm released the X-E3, which saw the first significant design change (although it was still pretty similar). The X-E4 came out in 2021, which was the most different, with an emphasis on minimalism, compactness, and affordability; however, it was still similar overall. We have another significant design change with the X-E5, yet it still retains the distinctive look of an X-E series model.

With the X-E5, Fujifilm quite noticeably improved the construction quality—for example, the top plate is a single piece of machined aluminum, and the camera seems less plasticky overall. It just feels more sturdy, more premium, more refined than the X-E4. With a pancake lens attached—like the new 23mm f/2.8—the camera closely resembles an X100VI, which was clearly intentional. The X-E5 is essentially an interchangeable-lens X100VI; for those who have asked for such a camera: here it is! The two models aren’t exactly the same, and they each have their advantages and disadvantages, but they’re certainly similar enough to justify the comparison.

I don’t want to dive too deeply into the specs, but some important notes are that the X-E5 has the same 40-megapixel X-Trans V sensor and processor as the X100VI, X-T50, and X-T5. Like those models, the X-E5 also has IBIS. This is a camera capable of capturing high quality photos and videos. Not surprising, the X-E5 is also much more expensive—plus a tad larger and heavier—than its predecessor.

Like the X-T50 and X-M5, the X-E5 has a Film Dial, although it’s implemented a bit differently. Instead of a knob, it’s a wheel on the back, with a little window on the top plate. This is a really cool design; however, there is a downside: it has fewer Film Simulations. The X-T50 and X-M5 have only eight of the 20 Film Sims on the knob, with three customizable slots for your favorites that were left out; the X-E5 has only six Film Simulations, with three customizable slots. The six Film Sims on the dial are Provia, Velvia, Astia, Classic Chrome, Reala Ace, and Acros. Somehow—shockingly and inexplicably—Classic Negative was left out, as was Nostalgic Negative. I know that not all of them could make the cut, but I definitely question why Classic Negative was not included—seems like a sin.

The three customizable slots—called FS1, FS2, and FS3—can be set to any Film Simulation. In addition to that, they can also be customized into Film Simulation Recipes (functionality that should be—and hopefully will be—brought to the X-T50 and X-M5 via a firmware update). This is the very first time that Fujifilm has used the term “Recipe” in a camera—amazing! You can have 11 different Recipes programmed into the X-E5: seven within the C1-C7 Custom Settings presets, one in the IQ Menu set, and three on the Film Dial. The Film Dial also works well with my Universal Negative and Film Dial Recipes, providing extra aesthetic versatility. Only the C1-C7 Recipes can be custom named, so you have to remember what the other four are.

While this is certainly a welcome evolution of this feature, it could be made even better. For example, all of the Film Simulations should have the option for Recipes, and not just FS1/FS2/FS3. One issue with this UI, though, is that Recipes are scattered: some in Custom Settings presets, some on the Film Dial, and one in the IQ Menu. I think, more ideally, you’d find them all in one place. A lot of Fujifilm users would appreciate a Custom Settings Dial instead of a Film Dial, with maybe C1-C9 or C1-C12 (more is better). There are a lot of different ways that this could be addressed, and it’s something that should be addressed for future models. Still, the opportunity to have three extra Recipes programmed into the camera at any one time is quite nice, and I’m thankful for it. This is the main reason why I preordered this camera, even though I own an X-E4 that I really like.

Included with the X-E5 was the new Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR pancake. This lens is very similar to the Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 R WR, which happens to be one of my absolute favorite lenses. I’ve been saying for years that Fujifilm should have more pancake lenses in their lineup, since a major selling point of Fujifilm cameras are their compact size and minimal weight. A camera like the X-E5 paired with a handful of tiny pancakes is ideal for traveling. This particular camera and lens combo is especially great for everyday walk-around photography.

The lens is sharp with minimal flaws. It has great close-focus capabilities; it’s not a macro-lens by any means, but with 40mp to crop from, it’s possible to use it for near-macro photography. From a technical point-of-view (and mind you, I didn’t do any serious testing), it’s pretty darn good for what it is, a marvel of engineering; from an artistic point-of-view, it seems to lack a little of the magic (a.k.a. character) that the 27mm f/2.8 and 23mm f/2 lenses are known for. Like the 27mm, it isn’t the quietest Fujinon lens. If you are trying to decide between the 23mm f/2.8 and the 27mm f/2.8, that’s going to be a tough call—personally, I like the 27mm just a bit more; however, the close-focus capabilities of the 23mm is certainly a significant plus. If you are trying to decide between the 23mm f/2.8 and 23mm f/2, that’s also going to be difficult, and your decision might come down to just how small is small enough for you. If you are buying the Fujifilm X-E5, it seems like an easy choice to get it bundled with the 23mm f/2.8, since it’s only $200 more when the lens itself is $500—if you have no intentions of keeping it, just turn around and sell it for $450, which makes the camera more affordable.

Ants & Funyun – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 & 23mm f/2.8 – Kodachrome 64

Getting back to the X-E5, the camera has a couple of really cool features, but you can only use one of them, and not both. The first, which is borrowed from the GFX100RF, is called Surround View Mode. It allows you to see outside of the frame when using an aspect ratio other than 3:2, giving a faux optical viewfinder experience (sort of). This is particularly nice when using the 1:1 aspect ratio. The XPan ratio would have been a great addition, but (sadly) it’s still missing on X-series models. The second feature is called Classic Display Mode, which turns the EVF into a really cool retro 1980’s-inspired display. I like both, but I couldn’t figure out how to activate the Classic Display Mode for some time—eventually I asked a Fujifilm tech rep for help. As it turns out, if Surround View Mode is activated, even when using the 3:2 aspect ratio, Classic Display Mode is disabled (and vice versa). Fujifilm: I suggest that Surround View Mode be automatically disabled when in the 3:2 aspect ratio, so that Classic Display Mode can be used; when changing aspect ratios to anything other than 3:2, if Surround View is activated, it would automatically disable Classic Display. This way, you don’t have to jump through hoops to use both of these cool new features.

While the X-E4 saw a lot of buttons removed in the name of minimalism, Fujifilm gave them to the X-E5 in spades. Just the new front control lever alone allows for five customizable functions. The inclusion of the rear command wheel and M/C/S switch means that you shouldn’t be short of camera controls, no matter how many functions you need quick access to. Those who disliked the direction of the X-E4 should especially appreciate its successor.

Neighborhood Fireworks – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 & 23mm f/2.8 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

What else can I tell you about the Fujifilm X-E5? It isn’t weather-sealed (although it seems to have some level of weather resistance—I wouldn’t put it under a faucet, though). It uses the “old” NP-W126S battery. I expected that, as those things would have increased the size, weight, and cost even more. The X-E5 is definitely more premium than previous X-E cameras. I had suggested that Fujifilm prioritize size, weight, and cost by keeping it nearly the same as the X-E4; however, my opinion was clearly in the minority. Most people asked for an interchangeable-lens X100VI, and the X-E5 is as close to that as you’re likely ever going to get. It’s a very nice camera.

It comes with a “nice” price tag, too. In America, it’s $1,700 for the body-only, and $1,900 when bundled with the new 23mm pancake lens. That’s pretty shocking, especially when it’s double the price of the X-E4; however, keep in mind that inflation and tariffs have impacted the price in addition to the more expensive components that Fujifilm used in the camera. Interestingly enough, the X-E1 was $999 in 2012, which is about $1,400 in today’s dollars; add to that tariffs, and you’ve pretty much got the X-E5 price tag, never mind the 40mp sensor, IBIS, and better build quality. While it seems expensive, it is not an entry-level model. And with Fujifilm raising the price (in America) of the X100VI to $1,800, the X-T50 to $1,600, the X-T5 to $1,900, the MSRP of the X-E5 makes a little more sense. I do think it’s worthwhile to buy at $1,700, which is why I have it preordered bundled with the 23mm f/2.8 lens.

Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 & 23mm f/2.8 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

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-E5 in black:
B&H, Moment, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-E5 in silver:
B&H, Moment, Nuzira

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs (with various Recipes) captured using a Fujifilm X-E5 & Fujinon 23mm f/2.8 lens:

Retro Color — FXW App Patron Early-Access Recipe for Fujifilm X-Trans V

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Savannah Central 7069 – Savannah, GA – Fujifilm X100VI – Retro Color

When Fujifilm released the X half last month, it included some brand-new filters, including Light Leak, Expired Film, Halation, and many more. One of my personal favorites is called Retro. Fujifilm doesn’t say exactly what the Retro Filter is supposed to resemble, but it’s an obvious vintage aesthetic. It reminds me a bit of Ormond Gigli’s color work of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, although I’m sure the similarities are coincidental. I do think the filter was inspired by 1960’s era Ektachrome, especially when push-processed, something Kodak began offering in 1968.

The one and only X-series camera that has the Retro Filter is the X half. You won’t find it on the X100VI or X-E5 or any other model; however, it is on Instax Evo cameras. This filter, plus a number of others on the X half, were inherited from the Instax department. In my opinion, Fujifilm should add the Retro and Expired Film Filters to the Advanced Filters section of X-series cameras. Light Leak and Halation should be added as JPEG options that can be applied to Film Simulation Recipes. I hope they do.

Above: Retro Filter on the Fujifilm X half

While the Retro Filter on the X half was the initial inspiration for this new Recipe, I leaned more heavily into a different (yet similar) picture aesthetic that I really like: the Retro Style Smart Filter on my Samsung ST76 digicam. This little pocket point-and-shoot is from 2012, and it’s not particularly great, but I really like the Retro Style Smart Filter on it, which is pretty much the only reason why I use that old digicam. The filter is intended to produce a vintage ’60’s and ’70’s look, although (again) the specifics aren’t identified. While it has some similarities to the Retro Filter on the X half, it is notably divergent—a bit softer, less bold, and more subtle (yet still pronounced). To me, it looks more like prints from that era, more so than push-processed slides.

I did consider both of these picture aesthetics when created this Retro Color Film Simulation Recipe, but I spent more time comparing my X100VI and X-E5 photos to the Samsung ST76 than the X half. That was the vibe that I wanted to emulate, more so than the X half images. I think this Recipe nails the look in certain situations, and is pretty close (but not perfectly matched) in others. I’m pretty satisfied with the end result.

Above: Retro Style Smart Filter on a Samsung ST76

You might ask why I replicated the Retro look from a cheap digicam over the Retro look from the X half. Initially, I was attempting to replicate the X half aesthetic, but I encountered some difficulties early in that process. If I kept at it, perhaps those things could have been overcome. My hope is that Fujifilm brings the Retro Filter to X-series cameras, which might make the Recipe obsolete if I made it. Aside from that, while the Retro aesthetic from the Samsung ST76 and Fujifilm X half both have their positive and unique characteristics, overall I prefer Samsung’s version, as Fujifilm’s can be a little too strong sometimes for my tastes. I like both, and they’re both somewhat similar, but the one that I like best is what I ended up mimicking.

This Recipe produces an aesthetic reminiscent of some photo prints from the 1960’s and ’70’s, maybe captured using Ektachrome X or Ektachrome 200. I did find a few examples of Ektachrome prints from the 1970’s (for example, this one), which aren’t terribly dissimilar, and maybe sit halfway in-between the Retro Color Film Simulation Recipe and the X half‘s Retro Filter. As with anything in film photography, there are a lot of variables that can significantly affect the outcome. I would say that it is the “general aesthetic” that the Recipe recreates more so than a specific film or process.

Triton – Tonopah, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI – Retro Color

This Retro Color Recipe looks great on sunny days, and can be especially nice during golden hour. Try both a slight underexposure and overexposure—the results are notably different, and you might prefer one over the other. It produces a certain look with overcast sky, which you could either love or hate (most people probably won’t like it). I would avoid this for nighttime situations, but early blue hour is fine. This Recipe wouldn’t be my first choice for portrait photography, although situationally specific, it might be ok for that. If you appreciate a warm, vintage aesthetic, give the Retro Color Recipe a try, as you might really like it.

This is a Patron Early-Access Recipe. If you are a Fuji X Weekly App Patron, you have access to it right now. If not, no worries, as it will eventually be made available to everyone, once it is replaced by a new Early-Access Recipe. It is compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, and X-E5. It can also be used on the latest GFX models, including the GFX100 II, GFX100S II and GFX100RF.

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Retro Color Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X100VI and X-E5:

7 Eleven – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Dusty Steering Wheel – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Sparkless Plug – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Eye Closed – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Inspection – Arlington National Cemetery, VA – Fujifilm X100VI
The Porter Machine – Savannah, GA – Fujifilm X100VI
2715 – Savannah, GA – Fujifilm X100VI
Mission Arch – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Storm over Mission San Xavier – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Treasury Department – Washington, DC – Fujifilm X100VI
Big Flag – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Bashas on Main Street – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Vacancy at the Motor Hotel – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Afternoon Palm – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Craftsman – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Bougainvillea Sunset – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Tire Pile – Waddell, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Fireplace – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Fading Sunset – Somewhere over Arizona (I think) – Fujifilm X100VI

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Pro Neg — Fujifilm X-T3 & X-T30 (+ X-Trans III) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Small Clouds Above the Roof – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 – Pro Neg Recipe

I worked on this Film Simulation Recipe for some time. It wen’t through a lot of iterations, with small tweaks here and there over a few month period, before I landed on the final settings. The idea was to create a generic Kodak-ish color negative film aesthetic, perhaps something similar to ColorPlus 200 or Pro Image 100. While I did look at both of those emulsions a number of times during the development of this Recipe, I didn’t set out to strictly emulate either of them. I think there can be similarities at times to both of those film stocks, but generally speaking this Recipe isn’t a replication of either—or any—film. I hope that makes sense. I do think it does a good job at producing a generic color negative film aesthetic that is by-and-large Kodak-esque, with occasional similarities to both ColorPlus 200 and Pro Image 100.

Pro Neg was a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe. The Fuji X Weekly App is free, yet becoming a Fuji X Weekly Patron unlocks the best App experience! One benefit of being a Patron is you get early access to some new Film Simulation Recipes. These Early-Access Recipes will eventually become available free to everyone in time. This one was just replaced by another, so now it’s available to everyone. Patrons help support Fuji X Weekly and, really, without them there would be no App. So I want to give a special “thank you” to all of the Patrons!

Beautiful Bougainvillea Blooms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30 – Pro Neg Recipe

This Pro Neg Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-T3 & X-T30, plus all X-Trans III cameras, which are the X-Pro2, X100F, X-E3, X-T2, X-T20, and X-H1. For newer cameras, you’ll have to decide on a Grain size (Small or Large), set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, and Clarity to 0. This Recipe is also compatible with the GFX100; it can be used on “older” GFX models (50R and 50S), but will render slightly differently (try it anyway).

Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Hi
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect: Off/NA
White Balance: 9100K, -7 Red & +7 Blue
Highlight: +1
Shadow: +1
Color: +1
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Pro Neg Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T30:

Empty Schoolyard – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Backyard Wall View – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Hidden Triangle – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Gila River Hat – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Tree by Field 4 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Bougainvillea Petals – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Little Cloud Between the Trees – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Twin Palms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Palm Behind Bougainvillea Blossoms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Suburban Colors – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Bougainvillea in the Sky – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Basketball Hoop at Dusk – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Hoop & Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Court Cycle – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Dusk Saguaro – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
One Fallen, One Standing – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Window Reflection – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Yellow Trumpet – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Backyard Rose Blossom – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30
Backlit Bud – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30

My Five Favorite Fujifilm Film Simulations

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm’s Film Simulations are not mere digital filters. Harnessing more than 70 years of knowledge and experience making photographic and cinematic films, Fujifilm set out to infuse their X and GFX cameras with an analog soul. With a combination of complex elements, these Film Simulations provide a wide variety of looks inspired by film or darkroom techniques. There are 20 different Film Simulations on the latest models, and it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. I like some more than others, but which are best is personal—my preferences might be different than yours. For me, five Film Simulations have emerged as iconic, and are my personal favorites. There are others that didn’t make this cut that I also appreciate and use regularly. Each Film Simulation has its moment when it works really well.

My five favorites are Acros, Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Nostalgic Neg., and Reala Ace. We’ll take a look at each of them. I will also recommend a few Film Simulation Recipes, selected for those who want to experience the full power of Fujifilm’s renown JPEG engine. Recipes use the various JPEG parameters made available by Fujifilm to customize the aesthetic of the Film Simulations, producing a variety of looks that are often based off of classic film stocks.

Acros – The Soul of Black & White

Top: Fujifilm GFX100S II & Kodak Tri-X 400; Bottom Left: Fujifilm X-T5 & Kodak T-Max P3200; Bottom Right: Fujifilm X100F & Agfa Scala

Acros is Fujifilm’s crowning achievement in monochrome photography. This Film Simulation replicates the tonal response and grain structure of real panchromatic film. It features smooth gradation, deep blacks, and beautiful highlight roll-off. Acros is unique because Grain is applied algorithmically and varies depending on ISO and exposure, giving it an organic analog-like feel. Fujifilm offers three filter variants: Acros+R (simulates the use of a red filter), Acros+Ye (simulations the use of a yellow filter), and Acros+G (simulates the use of a green filter), further mimicking the tonal rendering of black-and-white film.

This Film Simulation shines in genres where texture and tone are essential, especially street photography, portraits, documentary, and minimalism. Acros is ideal when you want to eliminate the distraction of color and focus purely on light and form. When paired with the right Recipe, it can evoke the gritty spirit of classic film stocks like Tri-X, or deliver a softer tonality for quieter moments. The Acros Recipes below are some of my personal favorites.

Kodak Tri-X 400
Kodak T-Max P3200
Agfa Scala

Classic Chrome – A Kodak Aesthetic

Top: GFX100S II & Kodachrome 64; Bottom Left: Fujifilm X100VI & Kodak Portra 400 v2; Bottom Right: Fujifilm X-T4 & Reggie’s Portra

Classic Chrome was modeled after classic photojournalism photographs, and produces a documentary-style look. The reference pictures were emulsions like Kodachrome and Ektachrome. While Fujifilm will never say Kodak, Classic Chrome has a distinctive Kodak-like color palette. With a slightly lower saturation and stronger contrast than many other Film Simulations, it can be used for a bold-yet-somehow-subdued look.

Classic Chrome is great for many genres. It can be adapted for landscapes, portraits, travel, street and urban scenes, or storytelling photography. It’s the most popular Film Simulation for those who use Recipes, and the most iconic Recipes use Classic Chrome as their foundation. Below are the most popular Film Simulation Recipes—not only that use this Film Sim., but out of all Recipes.

Kodachrome 64
Reggie’s Portra
Kodak Portra 400 v2

Classic Negative – Fujicolor Superia Film

Top: Fujifilm X100VI & Fujicolor Superia 800; Bottom Left: Fujifilm X-E4 & Pacific Blues; Bottom Right: Fujifilm X100V & Fujicolor Reala 100

Classic Negative is based on Fujicolor Superia, a line of consumer films known for rich colors and its 4th layer technology, which provided versatility in a variety light situations. It’s a bold Film Simulation with a unique ability: the way it renders is dependent on the brightness of the picture, behaving somewhat similar to the film when overexposed or underexposed—delivering complex, sometimes unpredictable color shifts. Greens can appear silvery, reds can pop or fade depending on the lighting, and skin tones have a nostalgic rendering. The results are reminiscent of pictures found in many photo albums from the 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Classic Negative is especially well suited for snapshots of daily life and family vacations—really, any subject where you want a stylized, analog-inspired aesthetic. It exaggerates contrast in a way that feels emotionally driven, almost like how memory transforms color and mood. It’s one of the most fun Film Simulations to experiment with, and the Recipes built on it often have strong personalities.

Pacific Blues
Fujicolor Superia 800
Fujicolor Reala 100

Nostalgic Neg. – Classic Americana

Top: Fujifilm X-E5 & Kodak Vericolor VPS; Bottom Left: Fujifilm GFX100S II & 1970’s Summer; Bottom Right: Fujifilm X-T50 & Nostalgic Americana

Introduced with the GFX100S and later made available in fifth-generation X-Trans V cameras, Nostalgic Neg. was designed to mimic the aesthetic of New American Color prints from the 1970’s. It was inspired by the works of William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld and Richard Misrach, among others. Like Classic Chrome, Nostalgic Neg. has a strong Kodak-like rendering, albeit from a different era. Nostalgic Neg. gives the feeling of looking through an old photo album filled with warm memories, especially prints from the ’60’s and ’70’s.

This Film Simulation excels in storytelling, and is especially great for travel and documentary photography. Nostalgic Neg. is an emotional Film Simulation, and Recipes built on it often lean into the sentimental, creating photos that feel more like visual poetry than true-to-life renderings.

1970’s Summer
Nostalgic Americana
Kodak Vericolor VPS

Reala Ace – Negative for a New Era

Top: Fujifilm X100VI & Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm; Bottom Left: Fujifilm X-E5 & Summer Sun; Bottom Right: Fujifilm X-T50 & Pushed Analog

Reala Ace is the newest Film Simulation in Fujifilm’s lineup. It blends natural color fidelity with enhanced contrast and shadow depth, aiming to strike a balance between documentary realism and artistic expression. The tones are clean and accurate, but never sterile—just enough pop to give photographs life without looking overly processed. It’s most similar to PRO Neg. Std, but isn’t exactly like it, either, with an obvious nod to Fujicolor PRO 160C color negative film.

Reala Ace is an excellent choice for all-purpose photography—whether you’re shooting travel, street, portraits, or landscapes. It can be adapted to a wide range of subjects, lighting, and moods. As a base for Recipes, it can be made to produce a variety of different looks. It’s not surprising to me that Reala Ace is becoming a go-to Film Simulation for many photographers.

Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm
Pushed Analog
Summer Sun

These five Film Simulations—Acros, Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Nostalgic Neg., and Reala Ace—represent the heart of Fujifilm’s JPEG magic. Each offers a unique way to see the world. They allow you to create finished straight-out-of-camera photographs that look great and don’t need to be edited, especially when combined with Film Simulation Recipes. Film Simulations and Recipes are tools of expression, just like film stocks. Shoot more, edit less, and let your camera become your darkroom. Wow, I need to use that last sentence as a tagline or something.

Are the Fujifilm X-M5 and X-S20 X-Trans IV or V? Yes.

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Coastal Arches – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-S20 – Kodacolor VR 200 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch

I’ve received a lot of questions lately about the Fujifilm X-M5 and X-S20. Specifically, people want to know what generation these two cameras fall under, and which Film Simulation Recipes they should use on their model. I’m not sure why this question has been asked so much lately, but there has definitely been a noticeable spike. Let’s get right into the answer, which is simple and complicated.

Both the X-M5 and X-S20 feature the same 26-megapixel X-Trans IV sensor found in the previous-generation models, such as the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, and X-T30 II. So it might seem obvious: they must be fourth-generation cameras, right? Not quite. Despite the sensor, both the X-M5 and X-S20 have the new X-Processor 5, the same as the X-T5, X100VI, X-H2, and X-T50, among others. In other words, these two cameras have a foot in both the X-Trans IV and X-Trans V worlds.

While sensor generation typically defines the era of Fujifilm cameras, it’s not just about the sensor itself—it’s also about the image processor, the firmware, and the JPEG engine. The X-Processor 5 brings with it some new Film Simulations, and a slightly divergent rendering (namely, the color blue on Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, and Eterna Bleach Bypass). Even though the sensor on the X-M5 and X-S20 are from the prior generation, the JPEG options and rendering are more in line with the latest generation.

Flowering Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Summer Sun – Photo by Jonathan Roesch

The most appropriate Film Simulation Recipes for the X-M5 and X-S20 are X-Trans V and not X-Trans IV. Recipes designed for X-Trans IV that use Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, and Eterna Bleach Bypass might not look quite right, and will need a Color Chrome FX Blue adjustment. If the X-Trans IV Recipe (that uses one of those four Film Sims) calls for Color Chrome FX Blue set to Strong, use Weak instead; if it calls for Weak, use Off instead. With that simple adjustment, those X-Trans IV Recipes are fully compatible with the X-M5 and X-S20, as are all X-Trans IV (except those intended for the X-T3/X-T30) that aren’t based on those four Film Simulations.

While it’s a bit convoluted, the answers aren’t terribly complicated. Even though the X-M5 and X-S20 are a bit both X-Trans IV & V, they are indeed fifth-generation models. The Recipes that are most appropriate for these two cameras are the ones intended for X-Trans V cameras, like the X-H2s, X-T5, X100VI, etc., etc., but some X-Trans IV Recipes—those that don’t use Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, and Eterna Bleach Bypass—are also fully compatible, and some are made compatible simply by reducing Color Chrome FX Blue down by one. Clear as mud? I hope this makes sense for those wondering which Recipes to use on their camera.

Kodak Vericolor VPS — Fujifilm X-E5 (X-Trans V) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

Kodak introduced Vericolor color negative film in 1974. It was their professional emulsion for portrait, wedding, and studio photography, and was designed to work well with flashes. Vericolor was a predecessor of Portra, intended to produce pleasing skin tones. There were a handful of different versions produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and the line was discontinued in the late-1990’s with the introduction of Portra.

While this Film Simulation Recipe is called Kodak Vericolor VPS, which was an ISO 160 version released in 1979, I think it’s actually more similar to Vericolor II, released in 1977. I had a difficult time finding examples to model this after, and a couple of old photography magazines were my best source. This Recipe definitely has the right vibe for late-1970’s Vericolor, particularly printed pictures from the film. I found it to be quite versatile—excellent for sunny daylight, golden hour, overcast, natural light indoors, and even certain nighttime situations. This could definitely be the go-to Recipe for some of you, especially if you appreciate a late-1970’s or early ’80’s aesthetic.

Manitou & Pike’s Peak – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

Because this Kodak Vericolor VPS Recipe uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, and X-E5. It’s also compatible with the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg.
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: 4500K, +2 Red & -5 Blue
Highlight: -1
Shadow: +2
Color: +3
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Kodak Vericolor VPS Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E5:

Pick Here – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Tree Ghost – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
North Pole – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Alleyway Photography – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Handheld Camera – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Fujifilm Photographer – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Mission – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Pikes Peak Inn – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Gas Tanks – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Suburban Home – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Yellow Bougainvillea Blossoms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Potted Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Cactus & Wall – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Sunlit Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Odadiuc – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Indoor Flag – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Superguard – Waddell, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Moon over Sedona – Sedona, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
In-N-Out – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Neighborhood Fireworks – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

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-E5 in black:
B&H, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-E5 in silver:
B&H, Nuzira

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and 400 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2025 (So Far…)

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Mennonite Plow – Ronks, PA – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Nostalgic Film

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 so far in 2025.

It’s been awhile since I did one of these articles—the last time was for January. 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. For this reason, I might wait until the end of the year before I do another.

Subway Stability – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI – Kodak Tri-X 400

Those Recipes with Kodak brand names in the title—Kodachrome, Portra, Gold, Tri-X, etc., etc.—are usually the most popular. Classic Chrome is the king of film simulations, as the majority of the most-viewed Recipes are based on that film simulation. Classic Negative and Reala Ace are battling for the second and third positions. Acros, Eterna, and Nostalgic Neg. are neck-in-neck-in-neck for fourth, fifth, and sixth places.

Without any further delay, below are the most popular Recipes at the halfway point of 2025!

Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2025 (so far…)

#1:

Reggie’s Portra

Reggie’s Portra 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. Reggie Ballesteros created it 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. This is for X-Trans IV cameras; for X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.

#2:

Kodachrome 64

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.

#3:

Vibrant Arizona

A Wes Anderson inspired Recipe based on Classic Chrome for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras.

#4:

Kodak Portra 400 v2

A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that was the long-time #2 most-popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly (it was #2 in 2024).

#5:

Kodak Portra 400 v2

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Portra 400 v2. This is one of my personal favorites.

#6:

Kodak Gold 200

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Gold 200. The X-Trans III/IV version is found later in the list.

#7:

Kodak Portra 800 v3

A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras.

#8:

Pacific Blues

Pacific Blues and Reala Ace go back-and-forth for which is the most popular Classic Negative Recipe; currently, it’s Pacific Blues. This particular version is compatible with X-Trans IV models, but there is also an X-Trans V version that’s further down the list. This is another of my personal favorite Recipes.

#9:

Kodak Portra 400

This version of Kodak Portra 400, which 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 as high as it once did, it’s still quite popular.

#10:

Kodak Tri-X 400

This is the long-time most popular B&W Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. It’s based on the Acros film simulation, and has compatibility with X-Trans III, X-Trans IV, and X-Trans V models. This is one of my absolute top-favorite Recipes.

#11:

Kodachrome 64

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodachrome 64.

#12:

Kodak Gold 200

Another Classic Chrome based Recipe, for use on X-Trans III models, plus the X-T3/X-T30.

#13:

Fujifilm Negative

This is a somewhat newish Recipe, published on October 31st. It uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means that it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras.

#14:

CineStill 800T

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.

#15:

Reala Ace

Reala Ace, which is for X-Trans V cameras, predates the Reala Ace film simulation, and is based on Classic Negative.

#16:

California Summer

This is currently the highest-ranked Recipe that uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation. It’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras.

#17:

14 Film Dial Recipes

It is probably unfair to include the Film Dial Recipes in this list because it is not one Recipe, but 14. When it showed up in the Top 25, I was faced with the choice to included it (as unfair as that might be) or not. The Vibrant Arizona article is technically four Recipes, so there is a precedence for its inclusion. I have no idea which of the 14 are the most used.

#18:

McCurry Kodachrome

This Recipe is reminiscent of scanned Kodachrome 64 slides, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras.

#19:

Universal Negative

Like the Film Dial Recipe set, this is actually 14 Recipes and not just one. Its inclusion is a little unfair, but here it is. I have no way of knowing which of the 14 are the most used.

#20:

Easy Reala Ace

This Recipe uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras.

#21:

Classic Color

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 at events over the last year, and both were created using this Classic Color Recipe.

#22:

Vintage Kodachrome

Vintage Kodachrome, which is based on Classic Chrome, is one of the older Film Simulation Recipes on Fuji X Weekly, and is compatible with X-Trans III cameras.

#23:

PRO Negative 160C

This was the first Recipe I published that uses the new Reala Ace film simulation.

#24:

Classic Chrome

The very first Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly, this Recipe is compatible with X-Trans III cameras.

#25:

Pacific Blues

This is the X-Trans V version of the Pacific Blues Recipe.

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!

Summer Sun — Fujifilm X-E5 (X-Trans V) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Buckeye Motor Hotel – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 – Summer Sun Recipe

Back when I was creating the Provia Summer Film Simulation Recipe, which was back in January, I was also working on another summer-like Recipe using the Reala Ace Recipe. Like that Recipe, this one is in the same vein as  Bright Summer, Bright Kodak, Eterna Summer, Summer of ’59, 1970’s Summer, California Summer, Texas Sun, Kodak Portra 800 v3, and others. It wasn’t the right time of year, so I set it aside and (quite literally) forgot about it for awhile; however, I recently rediscovered it, and it just so happens to be the perfect season for it.

This new Recipe, which I’m calling Summer Sun, is bright and warm. If a hot summer day was a picture aesthetic, it’s this. It has a vintage film-like charm, maybe along the lines of Kodak Ultra Color 100UC used with a warming filter (maybe 81C). It’s not specifically modeled after that, but has some similarities nonetheless.

Death of a Chevy – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 – Summer Sun Recipe

This Summer Sun Recipe is very warm, so it’s definitely not for every subject or light situation. It’s best on a bright sunny day, but can still be okay in partly-sunny situations. It’s compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, and X-E5. It’s also compatible with the latest GFX models, specifically the GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Film Simulation: Reala Ace
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance: 7200K, -2 Red & +2 Blue
Highlight: -1
Shadow: -2
Color: +4
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -3
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Summer Sun Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E5, X100VI & X-S20:

Manhattan from Hotel Window – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI
Fruits & Vegetables – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI
Building Backsides – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Spirits of the Past – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Green Mack – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
It’s Corn – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Newly Planted Palms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Evening Palm Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Suburban Palm – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Flowering Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Brooklyn Bridge between Trees – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI
Bridge, Runner – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI
It’s All Greek to Me – Washington, D.C. – Fujifilm X100VI
Red Dumpster – Washington, D.C. – Fujifilm X100VI
Summer Joy – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Hidden Tower – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Fireworks Stop – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and 400 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

New: Fujifilm X-E5 — Fujifilm’s First Recipe Camera

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

On Thursday in the early morning hours, Fujifilm announced the brand-new X-E5. I’ve been traveling in an RV up the east side of America, and just got home late last night. Preferably, I would have posted something about it on announcement day, but aside from being on the road, it was also my wife’s birthday. Because of that, I’m just now getting this typed out—I’m pretty much the last to the Fujifilm X-E5 party.

This upcoming Tuesday and Wednesday I will be at the B&H BILD Expo in New York City. A few weeks back Fujifilm invited me to be a part of their booth—specifically, to help with a “Film Simulation Station” (without any details of what that would be)—which, of course, I am honored to be a part of. Fast forward to a few days ago, just before the announcement of the X-E5, I had a conference call (while in the RV stopped in the middle of nowhere in Pennsylvania) that explained what my specific role was going to be: Fujifilm will have X-E5 cameras to touch-and-try, and I’m there to talk about Film Simulation Recipes with anyone who wants to. It’s going to be a great time, so I hope some of you can stop by. It was on that call that I first learned the camera not only has the ability to save three Recipes in the Film Simulation Dial, but that Fujifilm is using the term “Recipe” in the camera and manual.

Back in early 2017 (before I had even started Fuji X Weekly), I published two Film Simulation Recipes on a blog that I used to have prior to this one. When I showed my wife, she thought the term “Recipe” was a bit cringe, but I liked it, so I continued to use it, including when I launched Fuji X Weekly in August of 2017. Mostly by word of mouth, this website grew and grew (10 million page views two years in a row, and still growing), largely because people had an interest in my JPEG Recipes for Fujifilm cameras. Even though Fuji X Weekly began as a Fujifilm X100F journal, very quickly it became most known for Film Simulation Recipes.

In the summer of 2020, I received a message from a talented cinematographer, who had a funny conversation with Fujifilm North America that he wanted to share with me. They had loaned him an X100V for a few weeks; when he returned it, they asked for his feedback. He told them, “I really like shooting with Portra 400 and Tri-X.” They replied, “What do you mean? It’s a digital camera.” He was very surprised that Fujifilm had no idea about Fuji X Weekly, so he informed them.

Jon Fishing (2020) – Townsend, MT – Fujifilm X100V – Kodak Tri-X 400 Recipe

Shortly after this, Fujifilm North America reached out to me. They were more curious about what I was doing than anything else. They wanted to know what a Recipe is. It was a very positive phone call, and I was thrilled to talk with someone at Fujifilm for the first time. A few emails went back-and-forth, and I was asked to write an article for them. Excitedly, I got it typed out and over to them quickly. They said it was great, and they would forward it up the chain. When it came back down, I was told that they liked my article, but they had to reject it because I had used competing brand names (like Kodak, Portra, Ilford, etc.). There wasn’t much communication after that, except that they wanted to use one of my pictures in an article. In December, Fujifilm sent me a coffee mug for Christmas.

A year later I was invited to be a guest on a Fujifilm tech webinar (did you know that Fujifilm does regular webinars?). The tech team is great. They’re all very knowledgable and helpful, and otherwise good people. They are big fans of Film Simulation Recipes, too. I enjoyed that experience. It was my last interaction with the brand until January of 2024, when Fujifilm North America called out of the blue, stating that they’d like to start working with me.

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

Last year was epic. Fujifilm invited me to be a part of various things, including a release event for the X-T50 and GFX100S II, a creator retreat, and their annual Create With Us event. I traveled across the country from coast-to-coast, leading photowalks. Incredible! It was such an honor. I will always remember 2024 fondly.

During that time I noticed Fujifilm began to use the term “Recipe” occasionally on their website and social media accounts. A certain X-Photographer noted to me that after years of promoting Recipes with pretty much zero interest or help from Fujifilm, suddenly Recipes were “the thing” within the company. Now, in 2025, “Recipe” is an official Fujifilm feature, and the term is found within the camera menu.

Summer at Oak Creek – Sedona, AZ – Nikon Zfc – Vintage Color Recipe

Nikon beat Fujifilm to the punch when they began using the term Recipe a year ago for their JPEG settings. I’m not sure if it will catch on within that community or not (it will be interesting to see), but it is noteworthy that they are trying to capitalize on it. This whole Recipe concept—whether by name or not—is certainly growing and spreading across photography. I think we will see it more and more in the coming years.

I didn’t invent the word “recipe” and I certainly wasn’t the first to use it within the photo world. Apparently, user-created Capture One presets have been called recipes for some time now (I became aware of this last year, I had no idea). Specific darkroom chemicals and development times have been called recipes for many decades. I discovered that a couple people had used the word when describing their Fujifilm JPEG settings before I ever published my first Film Simulation Recipe. I’m not sure if I coined the term Recipe for JPEG camera setting combinations (I might have, but it doesn’t matter if I did or didn’t). What is certain is that if not for this website and the wonderful community that formed around using Recipes (which is the best community in all of photography, IMHO), the word would not be found in the Fujifilm X-E5 today (and it probably wouldn’t be used by Nikon, either). I’m still in disbelief at where we’re at today, I never imagined it would go this far. Some people will read that and think I’m bragging and taking too much credit, but believe me that I’m writing this in all humbleness.

Haugen (2017) – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X100F – Classic Chrome Recipe

I won’t get to see the Fujifilm X-E5 until Tuesday morning, about two hours before the BILD Expo doors open. Fujifilm tried to get me a loaner camera a little earlier, but due to travel, it just didn’t work out (it’s not their fault—they really did try). Right now I know as much about the X-E5 as the next person (maybe less), so I don’t have any real insights. I’m going to spend this weekend learning more so that I don’t sound completely ignorant at BILD. Once I’ve had a chance to touch it, and maybe even capture a couple of pictures (hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to do that), I’ll be able to speak more about it, so look for a more thorough article in a couple weeks.

What I can say is that the Fujifilm X-E5 is basically an interchangeable-lens X100VI. It’s not exactly that, but it’s as close as you’re going to get. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The X100VI has an optical viewfinder, shutter/ISO combo dial, leaf shutter, flash, built-in ND-filter, and can be weather-sealed; the X-E5 has a Film Dial, selfie-capable LCD, and you can change lenses. Otherwise, the two cameras are a lot alike. For those that have asked for an interchangeable-lens X100VI, here it is! You are unlikely to get closer to that wish than this camera.

White Bridge across Pond – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues Recipe

As a more premium iteration of the X-E line, it obviously has seen a price increase. Add to that inflation and tariffs, and you get a $1,700 price tag. That seems like a lot of money (because it is), but remember 1) every major camera maker has indicated that they will be raising their prices soon (Fujifilm is just the first, beginning with the X half and X-E5), and 2) cameras used to be a lot more expensive—for example, the Canon A-1 was $625 in 1978, which is over $3,000 when adjusted for inflation; the Pentax K-5 was $1,750 in 2010, which is nearly $2,600 in today’s money. The X-E1 was $1,000 in 2012, which is $1,400 today when accounting for inflation—add tariffs on top of that, and it’s the same cost as the X-E5. So maybe the price isn’t so unreasonable after all. People will say, “But I can get an X-T5 for the same money!” Or, “For just a few hundred dollars more, I can get [insert camera name here]!” That’s true, for now. Either the prices of those models will increase shortly, or something will happen with the tariffs, and Fujifilm will be able to reduce the price of the X-E5 to what it was intended to be. Those who wanted 40mp and IBIS and the camera to be more premium but didn’t want the cost to go up were not being realistic. Even the X-E4, when accounting for inflation would be over $1,000 today.

The final thing I’ll say about the Fujifilm X-E5 is that, with C1-C7, plus the “bonus 8th Recipe” that you can program into the IQ Menu, plus the three Recipe slots on the Film Dial, it’s possible to have up to 11 Film Simulation Recipes loaded into the camera at any given time. You can only name seven of them, so you’ll have to remember what the other four are. If you use one or both of my “universal” Recipes (here and here), that adds even more flexibility. Awesome! We’ll see if Fujifilm brings that functionality to the X-T50 and X-M5 via a firmware update—I hope they do.

Fujifilm at Javits – NYC, NY – Fujifilm X100VI – Kodak Tri-X 400 Recipe

If you are in New York City on Tuesday and Wednesday, be sure to stop by the Fujifilm booth and touch-and-try the X-E5. I’d love to chat Recipes with you, so be sure to look for me. If you are in Colorado Springs on June 28th, I’ll be leading a photowalk with Mike’s Camera (click here for the details and to register); while I won’t have an X-E5 with me, I’d still love to chat with you about it, or any other Fujifilm or photography related topics. I hope to see you 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-E5 in black:
B&H, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-E5 in silver:
B&H, Nuzira

Velvia Slide — FXW App Patron Early-Access Recipe for Fujifilm X-Trans IV, X-Trans V & GFX

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Mountain Grass & Flowers – Boulder, CO – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Velvia Slide Recipe

Back in January, I published the Provia Summer Patron Early-Access Recipe, which was supposed to kick off a series of Early-Access Recipes to help clear out the backlog. I never intended for the Early-Access Recipes to be locked for as long as they have been, so I decided to fix that in 2025. My goal for this series was to publish a new Recipe every three to four weeks; however, it’s now May, and this is only the second one. I will try to do better moving forward.

My intention for the Velvia Slide Recipe was a replication of Velvia 100 color reversal (slide) film, which should not be confused with Velvia 50 or Velvia 100F (although Velvia 100 is pretty similar to Velvia 50). I never used Velvia 100 (I have used Velvia 50 many times), so I relied on online resources, as well as my Velvia 50 slides. I feel like, in the right light, this Recipe does quite well at mimicking it, but it’s not always correct. It’s sometimes really convincing and sometimes less so; however, either way, I really like the look of it.

Book & Fake Succulent – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 – Velvia Slide Recipe

While there are many Film Simulation Recipes that use Velvia, this one is not quite like any that I’ve previously published. Perhaps Kodak Ektachrome E100VS and Improved Velvia are the closest. It works best in sunny daylight, but can also be good for natural light indoors. It’s especially well suited for colorful landscape photography.

This is a Patron Early-Access Recipe. If you are a Fuji X Weekly App Patron, you have access to it right now. If not, no worries, as it will eventually be made available to everyone, once it is replaced by a new Early-Access Recipe. With the exception of the X-T3 and X-T30, it is compatible with all fourth and fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are 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, and X-M5. It can also be used on the newer GFX models, including the GFX100S, GFX100S II, GFX100 II, and GFZ100RF.

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Velvia Slide Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-T4, X-S20, and GFX100S II:

Bougainvillea in Spring – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Oleander Branch in Bloom – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Garden Flowers – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Blooming Bougainvillea – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Yellow Bougainvillea Backlit – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Palm Branch Curve – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Toyotires – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Palm Trunk – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Spring Sun – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Setting Sun – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Hawk Perched on Desert Rocks – Rock Springs, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Old Dog – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Lake Waves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Flatirons – Boulder, CO – Fujifilm GFX100S II
Mohawk Mountain – Boulder, CO – Fujifilm GFX100S II

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Kodachrome Blue — Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

American Paint Horse – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Kodachrome Blue

Kodak made Kodachrome color-reversal (slide) film from 1935 through 2009. There are three era’s of Kodachrome: 1935-1960, 1961-1973, and 1974-2009. Each era has its own look; the second and third eras are probably the most similar. Kodachrome is actually a B&W film, with color dyes added during development. It was a unique and complicated process. Because of how the film works, it’s the most difficult emulsion to scan, often producing a blue cast that doesn’t exist when viewing the slides through a projector or on a light table.

Professional labs will have a profile to color correct Kodachrome scans, but even that’s not usually a 100% match. As it used to be said, “There’s nothing like projected Kodachrome!” If the scans aren’t carefully corrected, the results are often significantly more blue than the slides. The feeling that all the world’s a sunny day (as Paul Simon sang) is completely gone. Once you know what to look for, it’s easy to spot these incorrectly color corrected Kodachrome images, and they’re prevalent.

Rebels – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Kodachrome Blue

Over the last few weeks I’ve stumbled across several sets of these incorrectly color corrected Kodachromes while perusing the web, mostly from the second era of the film. I thought that the look was interesting, so I set out to recreate it on my Fujifilm X-E4; however, the process was more challenging than I had anticipated. I had assumed that Classic Chrome would be the best film simulation to base this new Film Simulation Recipe on—it was the obvious choice, right?—but I couldn’t get it to look right. It was actually the fifth film sim I tried before I decided that I was finally on the right track.

After four different modifications, I felt I got it as close as I could, and had a reasonable facsimile of the film when not appropriately color corrected. Interestingly, I compared my Recipe to some incorrectly colored Kodachrome 64 film scans in my collection—some frames I captured on a Canon AE-1 back in 1999 that (when I later had them scanned) the lab rendered too blue—and the resemblance was striking. I made one more small change to the Recipe to get it even closer, and called it good. One thing that I wish was possible is a little more color saturation, but +4 is the highest option; if +5 or maybe +6 were available, I’d have bumped Color just a tad higher.

Actual Kodachrome 64 film — improperly color-corrected scan
Actual Kodachrome 64 film — improperly color-corrected scan
Actual Kodachrome 64 film — improperly color-corrected scan

This Kodachrome Blue Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras, as well as the GFX100S. For fifth-generation X-Trans models, as well as the GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong. This isn’t a Recipe that I suspect will be anyone’s go-to for everyday use—I’d look at Kodachrome 64 or Kodachrome II for general photography—but it’s a fun one that I think some of you will really appreciate in certain circumstances. I personally like the retro feelings that Kodachrome Blue produces. Note: this was an App Patron Early-Access Recipe, but now it is available to everyone.

Film Simulation: Eterna Bleach Bypass
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong 
White Balance: 6500K, -6 Red & +9 Blue
Highlight: +2.5
Shadow: -0.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: +1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: +3
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -2/3 to 0 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Kodachrome Blue Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:

Play Garden Tools on a Wall – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Stormy Day Bougainvillea – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Growing Bougainvillea – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Bougainvillea Day – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Bougainvillea Blue – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Building Storm over Street Lamp – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Three Palms over Building – Buckeye, AZ. -Fujifilm X-E4
Palm Lights – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Corner Tower – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Neighborhood Roof – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Concrete Roof Tiles – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Sunlight From Above – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Little Blue Rainbow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Red Umbrella on a Sunny Day – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Water Angels – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Shoda – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Fake Flowers on a Table – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Potted Palm Plant – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Fresh Flowers – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Two Way Stop – Avondale, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Underpass – Avondale, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Taillight – Avondale, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Two Shoes – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Unexpected Portrait – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Guitarist – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Peace – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Attic Window – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Yellow Honeysuckle Trumpet – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Kodak Portra do Sol — Fujifilm X-Trans IV Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Southwind – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 – Kodak Portra do Sol

This new Film Simulation Recipe comes courtesy of Gilson Teixeira. “It started with your Bright Kodak Recipe, which I loved for its energy and vibrancy. But I was looking for something softer—still warm and colorful, but a bit more cinematic and relaxed. I imagined a Recipe that could bring out a golden, mellow vibe even on grey days. That’s how Kodak Portra do Sol came to life: my go-to point-and-shoot simulation for capturing a little warmth wherever I am.”

“As a Brazilian living in London,” Gilson told me, “the long, grey winters can be tough—and this past winter hit particularly hard. I wanted to create something that could bring a bit of Brazil’s tropical spirit into my everyday life. The name is a nod to my mother tongue: do sol means ‘of the sun,’ and I liked the play between Portra and porta—as if it were a ‘Door of the Sun.’ At the same time, something shifted creatively. After years away from photography, I picked up the camera again—not just to escape the grey, but to reconnect with something I thought I’d left behind. Photography has now become part of my self-care. During my 45–60 minute daily walks, I focus on light, angles, composition, and Recipes. That attention clears my mind and helps me recharge—especially through winter, it helped me stay grounded. If anyone reading this is struggling, I truly recommend reaching out to Samaritans—they’re there to listen, wherever you are.”

“Surprisingly, it was AI that brought me back to photography,” he continued. “I work in IT and focus on AI at Microsoft. I noticed how naturally my prompts leaned toward light and composition—photography had quietly stayed with me all along. I studied digital imaging back in 1994 at the New England School of Photography in Boston, so that knowledge was still there, waiting to be revived.”

Back at the Ranch – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 – Kodak Portra do Sol

“Bright Kodak is bolder and more punchy,” Gilson replied when asked what differentiates Kodak Portra do Sol from Bright Kodak. “I wanted something calmer. I removed Grain, reduced Color from +4 to +3, and softened Clarity from -3 to -1. I switched to Auto White Balance, with a gentler Shift (+2R, -6B) for a warm, flexible look, and added Color Chrome Effect Strong to deepen tones without over-saturation.”

“I see recipes as creative tools,” he added, “not shortcuts. They help set the mood in-camera, so I can focus on light and storytelling. With Kodak Portra do Sol, I’m not just capturing images, I’m capturing how those moments feel.”

I want to give a special “thank you” to Gilson Teixeira for sharing this Recipe and the story behind it, and for allowing me to publish some of his photographs. Please check out his Instagram, and leave a kind note for him in the comments. Thank you, Gilson!

Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II — Kodak Portra do Sol

This Kodak Portra do Sol Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X100V, X-Pro3, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras, as well as the GFX100S. You can use it on newer cameras, too, but blue will render slightly deeper (try it anyway).

Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off 
White Balance: Auto, +2 Red & -6 Blue
Highlight: -2
Shadow: -2
Color: +3
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -1
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured by Gilson Teixeira using this Kodak Portra do Sol Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-T30 II:

Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II
Photo by Gilson Teixeira — Fujifilm X-T30 II

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Kodak Portra do Sol Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 and X-E4:

Easter Egg Hunting – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Easter Swim – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Tractor Back – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Feed Silo – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Horse Walker – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Seabee – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Horse, Fence – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Ready – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Horse Walker Detail – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4
Harkins at Night – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Kodacolor VR 200 — Fujifilm X-Trans V Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Coastal Arches – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-S20 – Kodacolor VR 200 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch

Kodak used the Kodacolor brand name for various emulsions going back to the 1940’s and continuing through the 1980’s. This new Film Simulation Recipe mimics a version called Kodacolor VR 200 (not to be confused with Kodacolor VR Plus 200, the predecessor to ColorPlus 200) that was introduced in 1982 and discontinued in 1986. It has a bit of a faded color aesthetic, like old prints from 40 years ago not quite stored correctly in a photo album. It’s not a Recipe for everyday use, but it’s great for specific situations where you want strong contrast, low saturation, and a retro look. In the right settings, this Recipe produces striking results with a distinct analog feel.

The Kodacolor VR 200 Recipe was emailed to me by Thomas Schwab, who has created or co-created a number of Film Simulation Recipes on this website. My Kodacolor 200 Recipe for X-Trans II cameras was his starting point; however, he modified it quite extensively using the newer options to get these results. I want to give a special thank you to Thomas for creating the Kodacolor VR 200 Recipe, and allowing me to share it will you all. Both myself and my son, Jonathan, had a lot of fun using Recipe on our Fujifilm cameras. Thank you, Thomas!

Toyota – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Kodacolor VR 200

The Kodacolor VR 200 Recipe is compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, and X-M5. It’s also compatible with the latest GFX models, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF. You can use this on some fourth-generation X-Trans cameras, namely the X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II (not the X-T3, X-T30, X-Pro3 and X100V, unfortunately), as well as the GFX100S, by setting Color Chrome FX Blue to Strong.

Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Weak, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak 
White Balance: 3000K, +8 Red & -8 Blue
Highlight: +1.5
Shadow: +2.5
Color: -4
Sharpness: +1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Kodacolor VR 200 Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X100VI, X-S20, and GFX100S II:

Shell Gas Station – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Old Yellow Car – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Blue & Rust Chevy – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Old Lady Truck – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Old Truck, Old Town – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Arizona Thunder – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Parked on Erie St – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Water – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II
Old Television – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Mannequin – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Evergreen Under Bridge – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Construction Corner – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Cardinal – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Concrete Pipes – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Cross Here – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Air/Water – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Hot Air Balloon at Night – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-S20 – Photo by Jonathan Roesch
Harkins – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II

See also:
Kodacolor Film Simulation Recipe
Kodacolor VR Film Simulation Recipe
Vintage Kodacolor Film Simulation Recipe
Kodacolor 200 Film Simulation Recipe
Film Simulation Recipes for an ’80’s Look

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

Universal Negative — 14 Fujifilm X100VI (X-Trans V) Film Simulation Recipes (Yes, 14!!)

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

When Fujifilm released the X-T50 last year, it had a new feature: a Film Dial. In my pursuit of figuring out how to use it effectively, I created the Film Dial Recipe set, a group of 14 Recipes that are really just one “Universal Recipe” (set of settings) that work well with any of the 20 film simulations (I grouped all four Acros options together, as well as all four Monochrome; hence 14 Recipes and not 20). This technique makes the X-T50—and now the X-M5, which also has the Film Dial—more versatile than the other X-series cameras for the straight-out-of-camera photographer. At least so I thought.

As it turns out, this technique can be used on any Fujifilm camera, simply by assigning one of the customizable knobs, wheels, rings, or buttons to activate the film simulation menu. The X-S10 and X-S20 have an unmarked knob on top that are factory-default set for this purpose. On other cameras, the rear command dial (R-Dial in the Fn settings menu) can be set to activate the film simulation menu. On my Fujifilm X100VI, I programmed the Control Ring to adjust the film simulation. On one hand the Film Dial is preferable: you can see what the film simulation is set to just by looking at the camera, it can be adjusted with the camera powered off, and it won’t reset when the camera is powered on. On the other hand, the non-Film Dial cameras are preferable: you have quick access to all 20 film simulations, and not limited by the 12 slots found on the Film Dial. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, and I prefer the Film Dial personally. But the light bulb moment for me was realizing that the Film Dial Recipe can be used on many cameras, and not just those with the Film Dial—I use it regularly on several different models, including my X100VI, X-T5, and GFX100S II.

Fujifilm’s film simulations are good straight-out-of-the-box, but with some parameter adjustments, they can become great. To get the most out of the various film simulations, you need to make changes to the factory-default settings (a.k.a. use Film Simulation Recipes). However, the Film Dial becomes problematic when you do this because rarely do multiple film simulations look good with the same Recipe settings. Sometimes they do, such as with Kodak Portra 400 v2, Vintage Vibes, and Ferrania Solaris FG 400, which require the same exact settings (note: set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off on X-Trans V), but use three different film simulations: Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, and Eterna Bleach Bypass. Most of the time, however, whenever you use a different film sim than what the Recipe calls for, the results are less than spectacular, such as when Omar Gonzalez accidentally used Classic Chrome instead of Classic Negative with the Agfa Vista 100 Recipe. Creating a “Universal Recipe” like the Film Dial Recipe is not an easy task.

Not content with having just one “Universal Recipe”, I set out to create another. I’ve been working on this one for more than three months now, and I’m excited to share it with you. It can be used in conjunction with the Film Dial on the X-T50 and X-M5; however, it can also be used on any fifth-generation X-Trans camera or even the latest GFX models. I created this Recipe on my Fujifilm X100VI, and all of the photos below were made using that camera. Also, if you don’t want to use it as a “Universal Recipe” but you like the results of just one of them—such as Classic Negative (a.k.a. “Fujicolor Superia 200”) below—simply use that one standalone. Or pick your favorite three and use it in conjunction with the Film Simulation Bracket feature.

I wanted this new universal option, which I’m calling Universal Negative, to be different than the Film Dial Recipe set. I didn’t want to merely repackage a small adjustment to it; I wanted something significantly divergent, and maybe a tad more film-like. Hopefully that’s what I accomplished here. My plan is to have both this Universal Negative Recipe set and the Film Dial Recipe set programmed into at least one of my cameras (right now it’s my X100VI), which really just opens up the opportunity to achieve various looks in-camera. It’s kind of like having C1-C35, instead of just C1-C7. While this is intended for fifth-generation models (currently: X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, and X-M5), it can also be used on X-Trans IV (except the X-T3 and X-T30); however, blue will render slightly less deeply on Classic Chrome, Classic Negative, Eterna, and Eterna Bleach Bypass, and some film sims won’t be available.

Film Simulation: Any (See Below)
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong 
White Balance: 4000K, 0 Red & -5 Blue
Highlight: 0
Shadow: -2
Color: -2
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: 0
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Additionally, for Acros and Monochrome, set Monochromatic Color to WC 0 & MG 0 (a.k.a. Off). Also, Color will be disabled for Acros, Monochrome, and Sepia. For Eterna and Acros, ISO can be up to ISO 12800.

Provia/STD — “Universal Provia”

This “Universal Provia” Recipe doesn’t much resemble real Provia film, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t produce an appealing aesthetic. It is true-to-life with a slight analog vibe, perhaps reminiscent of a Fujicolor Crystal Archive print. It’s kind of a Goldilocks Recipe—not too vibrant or muted, not too contrasty or flat, not too warm or cool. For best results, use in sunny daylight; however, it can do well in shade, indoor natural light, and even blue-hour with artificial light.

Velvia/Vivid — “Velvia 100F”

Velvia was the go-to film for vibrant landscape photography. If you wanted the colors to pop, Velvia 50 slide film is what you’d want to use. There were multiple versions of Velvia, and Velvia 100F (not to be confused with Velvia 100) was the least saturated of them all. This “Velvia 100F” Recipe isn’t strictly modeled after the emulsion, but it is in the ballpark, and close enough to name this after the film. This is an excellent option for colorful pictures that are not over-the-top vibrant. Great for sunny daylight landscapes, golden hour, sunrise/sunset, and even some nighttime situations.

Astia/Soft — “Indoor Astia”

This “Indoor Astia” Recipe is my favorite of all these for indoor natural light photography. It’s also good for sunny daylight, dreary overcast, and nighttime pictures. While this Recipe is more similar to actual Astia 100F film than the film simulation is when set to the factory default settings, it’s not necessarily a good match for the emulsion.

Classic Chrome — “Elite Chrome”

Elite Chrome was Kodak’s consumer-grade version of Ektachrome color slide film, produced in the late-1990’s and early-2000’s. While this “Elite Chrome” Recipe wasn’t modeled after the emulsion, surprisingly it does resemble Elite Chrome 100 film to a degree. For best results, use in sunny daylight; however, it does do well in overcast and blue hour light.

Reala Ace — “Retro Negative”

Reala Ace is Fujifilm’s newest film simulation. It’s purportedly based on Reala film, but it’s not a very close replication of that emulsion, which is in the Superia line, and more similar to Classic Negative. Instead, Reala Ace is nearer to the Fujicolor PRO 160 line, and shares similarities with PRO Neg. Std and PRO Neg. Hi. Reala Ace probably should have been named PRO Neg. C, since it is most similar to Fujicolor PRO 160C film. Of the three “PRO Neg.” film sims, Reala Ace is my personal favorite. This “Retro Negative” Recipe is reminiscent of color negative film from the 1980’s and ’90’s, and might even remind you of some photos printed in magazines from that time frame. I found it is quite excellent for golden hour and blue hour photography; however, it’s good for a lot of different subjects and situations, including rainy days, natural light indoors, and portrait photography.

PRO Neg. Hi — “Fuji Negative”

This “Fuji Negative” Recipe is generally similar to various Fujicolor negative films, without mimicking any one specifically. This is probably my favorite of this group for overcast light, but it also does well in sunny daylight and blue hour.

PRO Neg. Std — “Pulled Negative”

Pulling film means to overexpose a little, then reduce the development time to compensate. The results are lower contrast photos with less pop. You could consider this “Pulled Negative” Recipe a one-stop pulled version of the “Fuji Negative” Recipe above. This Recipe is one of the best of this group for artificial light situations, such as nighttime and indoors.

Classic Negative — “Fujicolor Superia 200”

This “Fujicolor Superia 200” Recipe is probably my favorite of this group. Inadvertently, it’s reminiscent of Fujicolor Superia 200 color negative film, which was introduced in 1998 and discontinued in 2017. I especially like this Recipe for indoor natural and artificial light situations; however, it’s good for many subjects and light scenarios.

Nostalgic Neg. – “Americana Film”

Nostalgic Neg. is the second most recent addition to the film simulation lineup, and is modeled after American New Color images from the 1970’s. The Nostalgic Neg. film simulation has a strong Kodak aesthetic, particularly photographic prints from five decades ago. This is the warmest film sim, which means that this “Americana Film” Recipe is the warmest of this group. It’s great for portraits or any situation where you want a retro rendering.

Eterna/Cinema — “Eterna Film”

This “Eterna Film” Recipe is the second lowest saturated and least contrasty of all the color options in this series. It has a lovely soft cinematic quality that is especially great for taming high-contrast scenes; however, it has a limited use-case where it does well. I had trouble finding scenarios where it was the most appropriate option for the situation, but occasionally I did.

Eterna Bleach Bypass — “Chrome City”

Eterna Bleach Bypass has the lowest saturation and highest contrast of all of the film simulations. Bleach bypass is a development technique where the bleach step is reduced or eliminated, resulting in a high-contrast, low-saturation image that almost appears like a B&W picture over a color picture. It can be used in still photography, but is more commonly found in motion pictures (think Saving Private Ryan). This “Chrome City” Recipe is reminiscent of LomoChrome Metropolis film, which is an emulsion by Lomography that mimics the aesthetic of the bleach bypass technique. The results from this Recipe can be spectacular, and it’s one of my favorites from this group; however, it’s definitely not for every subject or situation.

Acros, Acros+Y, Acros+R, Acros+G — “Acros Negative”

Fujifilm introduced Neopan Acros black-and-white negative film back in 1952. Neopan Acros came in four versions: ISO 100, ISO 400, ISO 1600, plus an ISO 400 version for C41 development that was actually repackaged Ilford XP2 Super 400. Neopan Acros was briefly discontinued in 2018, and reintroduced in 2019 as Neopan Acros 100 II. Curiously, the new version is actually manufactured by Harman (the parent company of Ilford), although it behaves quite similarly to the original.

Typically, I prefer contrasty black-and-white pictures; however, this “Acros Negative” Recipe is fairly low-contrast. It has to be used thoughtfully, or else the pictures will look slightly muddy. The Acros filter options (+Y, +R, +G) are your friend, and this Recipe thrives on high-contrast scenes. In the right situations, the results can be wonderful. For grainer pictures, use higher ISOs, as the Acros film sim has built-in Grain that increases with the ISO. If I could only pick one Acros option for the “Acros Negative” Recipe, I’d go with Acros+R.

Monochrome, Monochrome+Y, Monochrome+R, Monochrome+G — “B&W Negative”

The Monochrome film simulation is simply Provia with the color turned off. It was the standard B&W film sim until the introduction of Acros on X-Trans III. Generally speaking, I like Acros much more than Monochrome, as Acros has more of an analog feel to it; however, Monochrome does have a slightly harsher tonality, so there are times that the Monochrome film simulation could be preferable, and you might choose this “B&W Negative” Recipe. Similar to the “Acros Negative” Recipe above, this one thrives in high contrast light, and the filter options (+Y, +R, +G) are your friends.

Sepia — “B&W Sepia”

Last and least is Sepia. This film simulation has been around for a long time, but very few use it. If Fujifilm discontinued it, most probably wouldn’t even notice. Sepia is a darkroom technique where you bathe B&W prints in a chemical for archival and artistic purposes. Most commonly, Sepia baths are quick, and the toning subtle; however, the prints can be left in longer, resulting in a pronounced reddish/brown tone (this film simulation replicates that), which was popular a hundred or more years ago. For a more subtle effect, simply use either “Acros Negative” or “Monochrome Negative” with Monochromatic Color set to WC +2 MG -2. Most likely you’ll skip this one, but if you’re looking for something different, maybe give it a try.

Find these 14 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.

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

Fujifilm X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira

See also: Fujifilm X-T50 Film Dial Settings + 14 Film Simulation Recipes

Hidden Gems: 5 Underrated Film Simulation Recipes You Should Try Today

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Aspen Gold – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X100V – CineStill 400D v2

Fujifilm cameras are special. With 20 Film Simulations (on the latest models) that are crafted using Fujifilm’s vast experience with analog film, and the ability to fine-tune them into Recipes, you can achieve incredible straight-out-of-camera results. I’ve published nearly 400 Film Simulation Recipes, most of which are modeled after the aesthetics of classic film stocks. Some Recipes get all the attention, particularly those that are Classic Chrome-based, like Kodachrome 64 and Kodak Portra 400 v2. In this article, I’m going to suggest some lesser-used gems.

If you’re looking for something new to try—maybe one that is less commonly used—these five underrated Film Simulation Recipes deserve a spot in your camera’s Custom Settings. Give them a try, and you might just find your next go-to look!

  1. Fujifilm Negative
Camera Conversation – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T5 – Fujifilm Negative – by Amanda Roesch

Fujifilm has a long history of producing amazing film stocks, and this Fujifilm Negative Recipe is inspired by their color negative films of the past, particularly Fujicolor PRO 160NS. With soft contrast, balanced colors, and a subtle vintage warmth, it creates a beautiful everyday look. Whether you’re shooting portraits, street photography, landscapes, or travel, Fujifilm Negative delivers a timeless feel that works in a variety of lighting conditions. Since this Recipe uses the new Reala Ace film sim, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-series cameras, plus the newest GFX models.

  1. Kodak Ektachrome E00VS v1
Saguaro & Abandoned Building – Vulture City, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1

If you love vibrant colors, the Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1 Recipe is a fantastic choice. With an aesthetic similar to the slide film of the same name, which was one of my favorites 20 or 25 years ago, this Recipe produces deep blues, rich reds, and strong contrast that make images pop with its bold colors (thanks to the Velvia film sim that it uses). It’s perfect for colorful urban scenes, sunsets, landscapes, and travel photography. Since it uses Auto White Balance, it’s quite versatile; however, just like the film, it’s not a good choice for portrait photography. This Recipe is compatible with X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) and X-Trans V cameras, plus newer GFX models.

  1. Eterna Summer
Betsy the Burgundy Bullet – Austin, TX – Fujifilm X100VI – Eterna Summer

The Eterna Film Simulation is often associated with soft, low-contrast tones, but the Eterna Summer Recipe adds warmth, vibrancy, and contrast. Sunlit scenes have a dreamy, vintage, and almost cinematic feel, with soft shadows and bright highlights. It’s especially great for roadtrips, urban scenes, portraits, and hot summer afternoons when you want to capture the golden essence of the season. For best results, use in sunny daylight situations. This Recipe is compatible with “newer” X-Trans IV cameras, all X-Trans V, and many GFX models.

  1. CineStill 400D v2
City of Grace Tower – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – CineStill 400D v2

The CineStill 400D v2 Recipe is inspired by CineStill 400D film, which is known for its cinematic feel and warm tones. This Recipe produces soft highlights, slightly punchy colors, and a dream-like quality, making it a good choice for both daytime and blue-hour photography. CineStill 400D v2 uses the Astia Film Simulation, and is great for landscapes and street photography, especially during golden-hour. This Recipe is compatible with X-Trans IV (except the X-T3/X-T30) and X-Trans V cameras, plus the 100mp GFX models.

  1. Kodak Negative
Fall at Boulder Lake – Clinton, CT – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Negative

The Kodak Negative Recipe, which is reminiscent of some vibrant negative film stocks by Kodak, is quite versatile, thanks to the use of Auto White Balance. It has the right amount of warmth, saturation, and contrast for many subjects and situations. Because it uses the Nostalgic Neg. Film Simulation, it has a vintage feel that is easy to appreciate. This Recipe is only compatible with the fifth-generation X-series cameras, plus the newest GFX models.

Final Thoughts

Rock Rings – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Eterna Summer

These five underrated Film Simulation Recipes are waiting to be discovered! Whether you’re after a nostalgic analog look, a punchy slide film aesthetic, or a dreamy cinematic feel, there’s something here for your next photographic adventure. The best way to find out which Recipes are your favorites is to get out and try them—so load one of these Recipes into your Fujifilm camera and see what magic you can create!

See also: Hidden Gems: Underrated Fujifilm Cameras for SOOC Photography

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.

Classic Negative is Perfect for Everyday Moments and Vacation Snapshots

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Hello, I am at Disneyland – Anaheim, CA – Fujifilm X100VI – Fujicolor Superia 800

If there’s one film simulation that perfectly captures the nostalgia of family vacations and everyday moments, it’s Classic Negative. Modeled after the Fujicolor Superia line of film, Classic Negative has a way of making images feel like cherished memories straight-out-of-camera. With its unique color palette and strong contrast, this film simulation is ideal for those who want their snapshots to have analog character.

Because of its distinctive colors—with a familiar retro aesthetic—Classic Negative works quite well for family and travel photography. Skin tones are rendered with a touch of warmth. Greens are subdued, while reds lean orange. Classic Negative is unique among the film simulations in that the exposure—whether brighter or darker—affects how the pictures are rendered, similar to how Superia film behaves to overexposure and underexposure. This produces photos that are reminiscent of prints from the ’90’s and 2000’s, evoking nostalgic emotions.

When you use Classic Negative, you get pictures that feel like instant memories. If you’ve ever flipped through an old photo album—perhaps filled with pictures from your childhood—you’ll recognize the charm. The colors and tones are reminiscent of one-hour photo lab prints. For many, this film simulation isn’t just about the colors—it’s about the built-in nostalgia.

Spooner Cove – Montaña de Oro SP, CA – Fujifilm X100V – Fujicolor 100 Gold

The last thing you want to do upon returning from vacation is to spend hours and hours at a computer editing hundreds or even thousands of RAW files. Classic Negative ensures that your images have a timeless quality right from the camera. It’s well-suited for candid moments, like kids running through the ocean waves, grandparents smiling at a birthday party, or lunch along a quiet street in a new city. Whether you’re on a roadtrip, at a amusement park, or simply documenting everyday family life, Classic Negative is a storytelling tool with a film-like aesthetic.

This film simulation turns everyday snapshots into pictures filled with emotion and nostalgia. Whether you’re documenting a once-in-a-lifetime vacation or a quiet moment at home, Classic Negative ensures that your photos feel as special as the memories themselves. The next time that you’re out with your Fujifilm camera, try a Classic Negative Film Simulation Recipe—watch your photographs come to life with timeless charm. There are nearly 60 Classic Negative Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App; if you’re unsure which ones to try, below are 10 Recipes that are quite excellent for everyday moments and vacation snapshots.

Reala Ace

Pacific Blues

Fujicolor Superia 100

Fujicolor Reala 100

Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled

Superia Premium 400

Fujicolor Superia 800

Fujicolor Natura 1600

Kodak Max 800

Fujicolor 100 Gold

Classic Chrome is the Ideal Film Simulation for Travel Photography

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Across the Grand Expanse – Grand Canyon, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodachrome 64

When it comes to travel photography, nothing quite matches Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome film simulation. Inspired by Kodak’s color slide films—such as Kodachrome and Ektachrome—that were commonly used for documentary photography, Classic Chrome delivers muted tones, rich contrast, and a subtle warmth that evoke the look of classic photojournalism. Whether you’re exploring bustling cities, vast landscapes, or quiet villages, this film simulation brings a distinct analog feel reminiscent of past eras to your images.

The magic of Classic Chrome for travel photography is that it adapts well to various lighting environments, from golden-hour sunsets to harsh midday light to dreary overcast scenes to neon nightscapes. The balance of true-to-life yet expressive colors and rich contrast make it perfect for unpredictable travel conditions, enhancing the mood of a scene, and producing images with a timeless and immersive feel. Classic Chrome doesn’t exaggerate colors—it enhances them in a way that lets the subject take center stage.

Two Caballeros – Culleoka, TX – Fujifilm X-E4 – Kodachrome 64

Whether you’re capturing a quaint coastal town, the details of a historic city, the vastness of a dusty desert, the vibrancy of a street market, or the bustle of an urban sidewalk, Classic Chrome adapts beautifully. It provides a vintage, editorial look that is just as effective for street photography as it is for landscapes. This film simulation enhances the story within the image, where emotion and authenticity matter more than exaggerated aesthetics.

Classic Chrome is the most popular film simulation among those who use Film Simulation Recipes, and it’s easy to understand why. With 90 Classic Chrome Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App, there’s bound to be a few that match your style. If you’re unsure which ones to try, below are 10 Recipes that are quite excellent for travel photography.

Kodachrome 64

Kodak Portra 400 v2

Kodak Portra 160 v2

Kodak Portra 800 v3

Reggie’s Portra

Classic Color

Kodak Gold 200

Kodak Ektar 100

Kodak Ultramax 400

Vibrant Arizona

RedScale — Fujifilm X-Trans IV & V Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

The Red Desert – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI – RedScale

Redscale is an analog film technique where you load a roll of color film into the camera backwards. The film is exposed from the wrong side—through the plastic backing—exposing the red layer first. The results are photographs with a predominately red color cast. Sometimes it’s yellow-ish, sometimes it’s orange-ish, sometimes it’s peach-ish, sometimes it’s purple-ish, but mainly it is red. Results can very from film-to-film, and also how the film is exposed and developed/scanned; however, a redscale photo is unmistakable—you know it when you see it.

You can buy film preloaded for redscale photography. Lomography has Redscale XR, which is an unknown Kodak emulsion loaded into the canister backwards (some have speculated it’s Ultramax 400). On Valentine’s Day, Harman released Red 125, which is backwards-loaded Phoenix 200. Harman Red 125 is what this RedScale Recipe was inspired by. Because the film is new, there aren’t a lot of examples yet. I’m not convinced that this Recipe is perfectly accurate, but it seems to be pretty close from the limited number of pictures I found online.

Light on a Dark Wall – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – RedScale

Redscale photography isn’t for everyone or every situation—it’s a niche lomo-esque aesthetic. But if you want to get that look straight-out-of-camera, this RedScale Film Simulation Recipe will do that very convincingly. This is compatible with Fujifilm X-Trans IV (excluding the X-T3 and X-T30; use this Redscale Recipe instead) and X-Trans V cameras. While Classic Negative renders blue more deeply on X-Trans V than on X-Trans IV, because the color blue doesn’t really come through with this Recipe, it looks the same on both sensor generations. You can also use it on most GFX cameras.

Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off 
White Balance: 10000K, +9 Red & -9 Blue
Highlight: 0
Shadow: +2
Color: +4
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -3
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this RedScale Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E4, X100VI & GFX100S II:

Classic Circles – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
The Very Best – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Disc – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Tall Chair – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Red Fan – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Hat Rack – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
b – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Nature & Structure – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Chairs & Cart – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Promenade – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100V
CVS Sign – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
YJack – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Two Bikes – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Suburban Bike – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Son, Shadow – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Reflected Structure – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Red Hen – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Unlikely Friends – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II
Palm Canopy – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Suburban Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Palm Abstract – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Closed for the Evening – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Fire Flowers – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
K81 – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Red Hair – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Red Saguaro Fingers – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI

See also: Apocalyptic Glow (an April Fool’s Day) Film Simulation Recipe

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

Fujifilm X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm GFX100S II:
Amazon, B&H, Wex

Find this RedScale Film Simulation Recipe and nearly 400 more in the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

CitrusChrome — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Orange Desert – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – CitrusChrome

CitrusChrome is a brand new Infrared Recipe for full spectrum (sensitive to light outside the visible gamut) X-Trans IV or X-Trans V cameras, like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”). It’s not for “normal” cameras. The Fujifilm X-T4 ES is a full spectrum camera briefly offered by Fujifilm to the general public—as of this writing, I believe that you can still buy the Fujifilm X-T4 ES from B&H, but it requires a phone call or in-person visit, and cannot be ordered from the internet. Otherwise, you’ll have to do a full spectrum conversion—an expensive and invasive procedure—from a third-party vendor like LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera (to name a few).

This Infrared Film Simulation Recipe produces orange, red, pink, and peach false colors. What you get depends on the exact light situation and the specific materials—cloth or organic (leaves)—being photographed. As far as I know, none of the infrared films that were sold over the years produced the false colors seen here; however CitrusChrome can be in the ballpark of Aerochrome sometimes, so situationally specific it can be somewhat convincing as an Aerochrome facsimile. What this Recipe more resembles is modern (digital) IR photography, which has a much wider array of possible outcomes. With that said, I don’t believe that I’ve seen this exact look before, so it might be a brand-new aesthetic.

Light, Color, Texture – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – CitrusChrome

Aside from having a full spectrum camera (like the X-T4 ES), this Recipe requires two filters: True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise) and True Color Infrared Crimson (Light Blue), which can be found on AliExpress. The True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise) filter is simply a QB19 Blue filter and LB18 Green filter combined into one, while the True Color Infrared Crimson (Light Blue) filter is simply a QB19 and GRB3 (heat) filter combined into one. You probably could use a QB19, LB18, and GRB3 combination instead of the two True Color Infrared filters, but I have not tested that personally. I was a little hesitant to buy the Autumnizer (Turquoise) and Crimson (Light Blue) filters because I had never purchased anything from AliExpress before, and saw mixed reviews regarding the platform; however (and thankfully), the process turned out to be smooth. I’m not sure if the order matters, but I have the Crimson (Light Blue) filter first (closest to the lens) and the Autumnizer (Turquoise) last (furthest from the lens).

Filters: True Color Infrared Crimson (Light Blue) & True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise)
Film Simulation: Astia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: 9000K, +9 Red & -4 Blue
Highlight: -0.5
Shadow: -1.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this CitrusChrome Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

Photography Ideas – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Curtains and Blinds – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Book & Fake Succulent – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Red Blanket – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Red Shoes – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Toilet Trash – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Cyber – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
House Behind Wall – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Stripes – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Wall Shrub – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
CVS Exit – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Garages – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Main Street Market – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Corner – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Evening Palm Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Tempe Palm – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Palm Tree & Contrail – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Craftsman – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Forked Tree – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Yellow Bougainvillea Blooms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Leaves in a Pool – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Orange Saguaro – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Papago Road – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES
Desert Tortoise – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

Find CitrusChrome and other Infrared Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App, available for both Android and Apple.

See also:
10 Frames: Infrared in the Desert — White Sands National Park with Aerochrome v2
Philadelphia in Aerochrome — Infrared Photography in the City of Brotherly Love

25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of January 2025

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Moon Palms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm GFX100S II – Kodachrome 64

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 last month (January 2025).

I didn’t make a list for December’s statistics, but instead did a recap of the whole year. From month-to-month there’s not usually a lot of surprises, as these types of lists are pretty predictable. Skipping a month tends to reveal more interesting trends. It is unsurprising to see Kodachrome 64 in the first position, as it is the long time most popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. Reggie’s Portra seems to now be the second most popular, surpassing Kodak Portra 400 v2, which has notably slipped. There are, of course, a number of other position changes between November and January.

Window Ladder – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 – Pacific Blues

Those Recipes with Kodak brand names in the title—Kodachrome, Portra, Gold, Tri-X, etc., etc.—are usually the most popular. Classic Chrome is the king of film simulations, as the majority of the most-viewed Recipes are based on that film simulation. Classic Negative and Reala Ace are battling for the second and third positions. Eterna is fourth, followed by Acros and Nostalgic Neg., for fifth and sixth.

Without any further delay, below are the most popular Recipes of last month!

Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of November 2024

#1:

Kodachrome 64

A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that is the long-time most popular Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm cameras. In November it was #2, but for all of 2024 it was the number one most popular Recipe.

#2:

Reggie’s Portra

Reggie’s Portra is a popular Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras. Reggie Ballesteros created it by modifying my Kodak Portra 400 Recipe to better suit his style and needs. It usually ranks high, but I’m confident to say that it’s officially the second most popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. Of the various Portra Recipes, this is the most versatile, and the most popular for portrait photography. It was ranked #3 in both the month of November and in all of 2024.

#3:

Vibrant Arizona

A Wes Anderson inspired Recipe based on Classic Chrome for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras. It moved up two spots since November; in 2024 it was ranked #4.

#4:

Kodak Gold Max 400 Expired

This is a new Recipe published on December 31st. It uses the Reala Ace film simulation as the base, which means it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras. I’m not surprised to see it make this list, but I’m a little surprised to see it so high.

#5:

Kodak Portra 400 v2

A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV cameras that was the long-time #2 most-popular Recipe on Fuji X Weekly (it was #2 in 2024), but has been slipping lately. It moved down one position since November.

#6:

Kodak Gold 200

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Gold 200. It rose six spots since November, and was ranked #15 in 2024.

#7:

Reala Ace

Reala Ace, which is for X-Trans V cameras, is the most popular Classic Negative Recipe. It’s in the same position as November, and two spots below its 2024 ranking.

#8:

Kodak Portra 400 v2

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodak Portra 400 v2. It fell two positions compared to November, and was ranked #7 in 2024.

#9:

CineStill 800T

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. It’s in the same position as November, and was ranked #24 in 2024.

#10:

Kodak Tri-X 400

This is the long-time most popular B&W Recipe on Fuji X Weekly. It’s based on the Acros film simulation, and has compatibility with X-Trans III, X-Trans IV, and X-Trans V models. It climbed six spots since November, and was ranked in the same position in 2024.

#11:

Kodak Portra 400

This version of Kodak Portra 400, which is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, was commonly the third most popular Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly for a long time; however, now it is more typically found in the 10-15 range. It fell one spot compared to November, and was #6 for 2024.

#12:

Kodak Portra 800 v3

A Classic Chrome based Recipe for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V cameras. It climbed one spot since November, and was ranked #9 in 2024.

#13:

McCurry Kodachrome

This Recipe is reminiscent of scanned Kodachrome 64 slides, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras. It rose four spots since November, and was ranked #12 in 2024.

#14:

Fujifilm Negative

This is a fairly new Recipe, published on October 31st. It uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means that it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras. Surprisingly, it was ranked #1 in November.

#15:

14 Film Dial Recipes

It is probably unfair to include the Film Dial Recipes in this list because it is not one Recipe, but 14. When it showed up in the Top 25, I was faced with the choice to included it (as unfair as that might be) or not. The Vibrant Arizona article is technically four Recipes, so there is a precedence for its inclusion. In November it was ranked #8, and in 2024 it was #18. I have no idea which of the 14 Recipes are the most used.

#16:

Pacific Blues

At one time this was the most popular Classic Negative Recipe, but now it’s second (if you don’t include Superia Negative from the Film Dial Recipe set). This particular version of Pacific Blues is compatible with X-Trans IV models, but there is also an X-Trans V version. It fell five spots since November, and was ranked #8 in 2024.

#17:

Kodak Gold 200

Another Classic Chrome based Recipe, for use on X-Trans III models, plus the X-T3/X-T30. It rose one position since November, and was ranked #14 for 2024.

#18:

Kodachrome 64

This is the X-Trans V version of Kodachrome 64. It fell three spots since November, and was ranked #13 for 2024.

#19:

Vintage Kodachrome

Vintage Kodachrome, which is based on Classic Chrome, is one of the older Film Simulation Recipes on Fuji X Weekly, and is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. It usually cracks the Top 15, and sometimes the Top 10, but this month it barely made it into the Top 20. In November it was #14, and in 2024 it was #11.

#20:

California Summer

This is currently the highest-ranked Recipe that uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation (aside from Nostalgic Film in the Film Dial set). It’s compatible with X-Trans V cameras. It didn’t crack the Top 25 list for November or for 2024.

#21:

Classic Color

This Recipe uses Classic Chrome and is compatible with both X-Trans IV and X-Trans V models. It was ranked #24 in November, and #22 in 2024.

#22:

1981 Kodak

This was an App Patron Early Access Recipe that recently became available to everyone. It uses the Eterna film simulation, and is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras.

#23:

Easy Reala Ace

This Recipe was published in June, and uses the Reala Ace film simulation, which means it is compatible with X-Trans V cameras. It fell three spots since November.

#24:

Classic Chrome

The very first Film Simulation Recipe on Fuji X Weekly, this Recipe is compatible with X-Trans III cameras. It fell three positions since November, and was ranked #16 for 2024.

#25:

PRO Negative 160C

This was the first Recipe I published that uses the new Reala Ace film simulation. It fell two spots since November, and was ranked #21 in 2024.

See also:
How To Add Film Simulation Recipes To Your Fujifilm Camera
The Essential 7 Film Simulation Recipes to Program Into Your Fujifilm Camera First
Which Film Simulation Recipe, When?

Find these Film Simulation Recipes and many more on the Fuji X Weekly App!