Fujifilm bleach bypass | FUJI X WEEKLY

My 5 Favorite Film Simulation Recipes that use Eterna Bleach Bypass

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Low Sun over Tetons* – Grand Teton NP, WY – Fujifilm X-E4 – Ferrania Solaris FG 400

Provia — Velvia — Astia — Classic Chrome — PRO Neg. Hi — PRO Neg. Std — Classic Negative — Nostalgic Neg. — Eterna — Acros

There are 20 different film simulations on the new Fujifilm X100VI. Since there are likely many newcomers to Fujifilm who aren’t all that familiar with the various film sims and Film Simulation Recipes, I thought it would be worthwhile to discuss each one in more detail, and offer my personal favorite Recipes for each. The new Reala Ace film simulation will be excluded from this because there aren’t many Recipes available for it yet. Also, I’ll combine the four Acros film sims into one article, and the four Monochrome film sims (and probably Sepia, too) into another.

The Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation is an approximation of Eterna motion picture film that has had the bleach stage of development skipped, or at least reduced. Think Saving Private Ryan. It has harsh tonality, and is the least saturated of all the color film simulations. While you can make a fairly close facsimile using Eterna (by increasing Highlight and Shadow and lowering Color), Eterna Bleach Bypass has its own unique look. Fujifilm introduced this film sim on the X-T4, so only “newer” models have it.

*Golden Light on Water* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Ferrania Solaris FG 400

Eterna Bleach Bypass produces stunning results sometimes. It requires the right subject and lighting, which varies from Recipe-to-Recipe. It can be challenging to use, so I think a lot of people avoid it, and consequently it is probably the least-utilized film simulation, aside from Sepia. Personally, I like Eterna Bleach Bypass, and hope that it catches on more in the future.

The five Film Simulation Recipes below are my favorites that use Eterna Bleach Bypass as the base. Everyone has different tastes, so you might like other ones more. I count 16 Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App that use Eterna Bleach Bypass, so you have some choices. But, if you are unsure which Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe to try, let me suggest picking one from my list below.

#1:

Ferrania Solaris FG 400

This is, by far, my favorite Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe. I’ve used it in a variety of locations and have had good success with it. Ferrania Solaris FG 400 is best for sunny daylight situations, but I have had some good results in overcast, shade, and natural light indoors. This Recipe is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Off.

#2:

LomoChrome Metropolis

This is the most popular Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe. Best in sunny daylight; however, works fairly well in most light situations. LomoChrome Metropolis is compatible with X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

#3:

Ektachrome 320T

This is one of my favorite Film Simulation Recipes for nighttime photography, but it can also be fun to use in daylight occasionally. Ektachrome 320T is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

#4:

Pushed CineStill 800T

The Pushed CineStill 800T Recipe was intended for daytime photography, but is actually most well suited for nighttime situations. This one is compatible with X-Trans V cameras; for “newer” X-Trans IV (Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4 & X-T30 II) use this version, and for the X-Pro3 and X100V use this one that has Eterna as the base.

#5:

Kodachrome Blue

Kodachrome Blue is currently a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe, so only App Patrons have access to it right now. It mimics the look of improperly color-corrected scans of Kodachrome film. While it does best in sunny daylight, it has some versatility, and works well in a lot of different light situations. Kodachrome Blue is for X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II; for use on X-Trans V, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak.

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

Eterna Bleach Bypass — Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on September 27, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*Evening on Main* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe

I was challenged by Thomas Schwab to create a Film Simulation Recipe that mimics the aesthetic of the picture in the background of Dan Bailey’s YouTube video discussing the Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation. There were indeed some challenges, including limited samples (which were viewed on a YouTube video), and the fact that I now live in Arizona and not Utah (no access to majestic snow-capped mountain scenes), but I do believe that I got in the ballpark. This is essentially a “black-and-white” Recipe for color photography—capable of producing dramatic near-monochrome images.

This Film Simulation Recipe uses Eterna Bleach Bypass, and it does, in fact, produce a bleach-bypass look. Bypassing the bleach step is a darkroom technique that produces an aesthetic similar to a black-and-white image superimposed over a color image. It’s more common in motion picture cinematography than still photography, but it’s a technique that has been utilized in still photography for a very long time. It can be done with any color film, but is more frequently done with slide film than negative film. If you are desiring a bleach-bypass look, this Recipe will produce that for you.

*Pacific Photographer* – Pismo Beach, CA – Fujifilm X-E4 – Eterna Bleach Bypass Recipe

This Eterna Bleach Bypass Film Simulation Recipe was a Fuji X Weekly App Patron Early-Access Recipe since last year, but it has been replaced by a different Early-Access Recipe, so now it’s available to everyone. Because it uses the Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation, it is only compatible with those X-Trans IV cameras that have it, which are the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II. For those with fifth-generation models—X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20—because blue is rendered more deeply on this film sim, you’ll want to set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong. Those with newer GFX cameras can also use it, although it will likely render slightly different.

Film Simulation: Eterna Bleach Bypass
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: Daylight, 0 Red & 0 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2.5
Shadow: -1.5
Color: -4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: +2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -2/3 to -1 1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this “Eterna Bleach Bypass” on my Fujifilm X-E4:

*Waterless Fountain* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Lions in the Park* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Suburban Roof Abstract* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Climbing a Wall* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Wall Details* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Bougainvillea & Building Storm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Clouds Above Mesa* – St. George, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Crashing Wave Along Coast* – San Simeon, CA – Fujifilm X-E4

*Backyard Garden Sunbeams* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Garden Trumpet* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Little Bug* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Saguaro Fingers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Boardwalking* – Pismo Beach, CA – Fujifilm X-E4

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and over 300 more on the Fuji X Weekly App! Consider becoming a Patron subscriber to unlock the best App experience and to support Fuji X Weekly.

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Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Ferrania Solaris FG 400

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Light on the Rock* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Ferrania Solaris FG 400”

Ferrania is an Italian film manufacturer that’s been making photographic film since the 1920’s. For a long time they were owned by 3M. They were perhaps best known for producing films for “generic” brands, but they also had their own products that they sold. One Ferrania brand line was called Solaris, a color negative emulsion available in ISO 100, 200, and 400 varieties. The history of the Solaris line is a little vague. There have been a number of different versions produced from perhaps the 1980’s until very recently, and some of these had significantly different aesthetics. This recipe seems to be close to Ferrania Solaris FG 400, which was sold in the late-1990’s and early-2000s. It was known for having a lot of contrast (for a color negative film), low saturation, and a slight warm cast (a bit unusual for a European film). Ferrania Solaris FG 400 Plus, which came out later, definitely had a different look (more similar to Superia), and this recipe is not a close match for that emulsion.

I didn’t set out to mimic the look of Ferrania Solaris FG 400—it just so happens to look like it. This recipe is actually Kodak Portra 400 v2 (and also Vintage Vibes) except with the Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation (instead of Classic Chrome and Classic Negative, respectively). Those two recipes are personal favorites, so it’s not too surprising that simply changing the film simulation produces good results. This recipe does a good job of (unintentionally) mimicking Ferrania Solaris FG 400, but one flaw is that it’s a bit too warm (compared to the film), and it’s more like shooting the film with a warming filter attached to the lens (a common technique when shooting film).

*Bike in the Steely Sky* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

Because this recipe uses the Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation, it’s only compatible with the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras. As a reminder, Clarity slows the camera down considerably, as it takes a noticeable moment to save the exposure to the card. You could, alternatively, instead of Clarity, use a diffusion filter, such as the 5% CineBloom filter or 1/8 Black Pro Mist, with this recipe.

Eterna Bleach Bypass
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: 0
Shadow: -2
Color: +2
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -2
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
White Balance: 5200K, +1 Red & -6 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this new Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:

*Wet Berries 1* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Wet Berries 2* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Bright* *Leaves in a Dark Forest* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Pumpkin & Stem* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Leaves Around A Tree* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Leaves of Autumn* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Dead Leaf* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Blackberry Bush Under Tree Trunks* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Heart of Nature* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Girl in the Forest* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Girl with Pumpkin Head* – Fruit Heights, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Plant on Books* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Shelf Decor* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Clouds Around The Mountain* – Layton, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Hill & Storm* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Francis Peak Peeking* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

Find this film simulation recipe and many more on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App!

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Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Muted Color

Posted on October 18, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Evening Hoop* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Muted Color”

A Fuji X Weekly reader asked me to mimic the look of some photographs that he shared with me. These were digital pictures that had been edited with software, but he was hoping to achieve this look straight-out-of-camera, if at all possible. It turns out that it is possible (although I only had three images to study, so I’m not completely certain this is an exact match, but I believe it is pretty close); however, it requires the Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulation, which, unfortunately, his camera does not have. If your camera does have Eterna Bleach Bypass, than you are fortunate because you can use this very interesting recipe!

What film does this recipe most closely mimic? The most similar film might be the (now discontinued) Konica Impresa 50, although it is certainly not an exact match. There are also some similarities to Portra that’s had the bleach skipped, although I wouldn’t say that this is an exact match for that, either. I don’t think this film simulation recipe is a faithful facsimile of any film, yet it produces a nice analog aesthetic anyway. It has strong contrast and very muted colors—almost monochrome. In a way, it’s the closest thing to black-and-white in color photography.

*First Light on the Ridge* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Muted Color”

This recipe is only compatible with the Fujifilm X-E4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras. If you have one of those cameras, I invite you to give this recipe a try! I know that it will be an instant favorite for some of you.

Eterna Bleach Bypass
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -0.5
Shadow: +1
Color: -4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: 0
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
White Balance: Auto, +3 Red & -8 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this “Muted Color” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4: