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What are Advanced Filters? Plus, what Fujifilm should do to make them better

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-T50 – Advanced Filters – Pop Color

There’s a feature on most Fujifilm cameras that few use—you might not even be aware that they exist—called Advanced Filters. Fujifilm introduced it in 2013 with the X100S and X20 models. With the exception of a few early models, your Fujifilm camera has Advanced Filters—find it on the Drive Dial or Drive Menu (depending on the specifics of your model). For older models, Advanced Filters are JPEG only; however, on newer models, you can save a RAW file in addition to the JPEG.

So why are the Advanced Filters so obscure and not widely used? Worse, why is it actually detested by some who have tried it? Well, the short answer is that Advanced Filters aren’t “advanced” at all, and are probably the most gimmicky and sometimes cringy thing Fujifilm has included in what are otherwise sophisticated cameras. My personal opinion is that some of the Advanced Filters aren’t half bad, and some are indeed bad and definitely out-of-date; none are especially good (although a couple have potential). Below I’ll briefly explain what each one of the Advanced Filters do. Also, this will serve as an open letter to Fujifilm, with suggestions on how to improve this feature for future cameras.

Here we go!

Toy Camera

Fujifilm describes this Advanced Filter as “a retro toy camera effect”, which is to say that it is roughly modeled after a Holga or Diana film camera aesthetic. The Toy Camera Advanced Filter is ok, but the big issue—and this is a problem with all the filters—is that it cannot be customized. You get what you get, and what you get is mediocre. I have used Toy Camera several times over the years because I like the idea, but I’m always a bit disappointed in the execution.

Fujifilm could make the Toy Camera filter much better by allowing it to be customizable. First, you should be able to choose any film simulation to use with it. Second, the vignetting should be adjustable, such as Weak or Strong, with the current amount being the Strong option. You should be able to add Grain (Weak or Strong, and Small or Large). Soft Focus—which we’ll talk more about in a moment—should be merged into Toy Camera, with the options of Off, Weak or Strong (Strong being the current Soft Focus, and Off being default). You should be able to adjust the contrast: Low, Standard, and High. Finally, Fujifilm should allow you to use any White Balance that you’d like, so that you can control the tint.

Miniature

This filter adds blur to the top and bottom of the frame, similar to using a tilt-shift lens. When you are photographing from an elevated vantage point, this Advanced Filter can give the illusion that the subject is a miniature model. It’s better to use an actual tilt-shift lens to get this effect, but if you don’t own one, this is an easy way to approximate it.

The Miniature filter, along with many of the others, are modeled after photography trends that were popular 15 years ago. By the time Fujifilm introduced Advanced Filters in 2013, these trends were already on their way out. Now, eleven years later, they’re very dated. While I don’t have any issues with Miniature being included, I also don’t think anyone would mind of Fujifilm axed it, or replaced it with something different entirely. How about a filter that gives an Aerochorme-like infrared aesthetic?

Pop Color

Pop Color is my favorite Advanced Filter; however, it suffers from the same problem that they all do—it cannot be customized. The solution for Fujifilm is quite simple, actually: make Pop Color the next film simulation. Obviously it wouldn’t be called Pop Color; instead, Fujifilm should call it Fortia, as it resembles Fujichrome Fortia 50 film. Perhaps they’ll need to fine-tune some aspects of it in some way in order to make it a film simulation—whatever it is that they need to do, I believe that Pop Color absolutely should graduate from Advanced Filters into the film simulation list as Fortia.

High Key / Low Key

Fujifilm X-T50 – Advanced Filters – High Key

Fujifilm X-T50 – Advanced Filters – Low Key

There’s nothing especially special about the High Key and Low Key Advanced Filters—both can be easily replicated using the Provia film simulation. You might occasionally use these two in lieu of having a Film Simulation Recipe programmed into C1-C7 with a similar look, but I don’t believe many people are doing that. Instead, you could use Recipes like Bright Kodak or Low Key for better results.

Fujifilm should replace these two Advanced Filters with something else entirely. How about a split-tone effect? Select any of the film simulations, have three-to-five different split-tone options (highlight and shadow with a different tints), plus have grain and contrast options for further customization.

Dynamic Tone

“Dynamic tone expression is used for a fantasy effect,” is how Fujifilm describes it. What it reminds me of is HDR photography with aggressive tonemapping, which was all the rage 15 years ago despite being hideous. This is one that Fujifilm should definitely axe, in my opinion. They could replace it with something like a high-contrast effect, where you can choose any film sim, but where the contrast is stronger than Highlight and Shadow set to +4 (Dynamic Range, White Balance and Grain should be customizable).

Soft Focus

This is kind of like setting Clarity to -20 and Sharpness to -10 on your Fujifilm camera. Obviously that’s not possible, but it it were, Soft Focus is what it would look like. Aside from being much too strong generally speaking, Soft Focus should be integrated into the Toy Camera filter instead of being standalone. A better Advanced Filter might be a faded effect similar to my Film Simulation Recipes that utilize double exposures like Faded Color, Vintage Color Fade, Bleach Bypass, and Faded Monochrome.

Partial Color (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple)

Fujifilm X-T50 – Advanced Filters – Partial Color Red

Fujifilm X-T50 – Advanced Filters – Partial Color Green

The six Partial Color filters are the Monochrome film simulation (with everything set to factory defaults), but with one color recorded (either red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple—the singular color is the Provia film simulation). This is another effect that was popular 15 years ago, and I’m sure very few utilize it in 2024. If Fujifilm wants to keep Partial Color, they should allow it to be customized similar to how I described for the other effects; however, I doubt that many would miss it if Fujifilm got rid of it entirely. I think a cross-process filter would be much more interesting—perhaps like cross-processed Velvia, with deep contrast, vibrant colors, pronounced grain, and shifted hues. Something along the lines of the picture below, which is actual cross-processed Velvia 50 film.

*FED 5c & Industar 61 lens – Fujichrome Velvia 50 cross-processed*

To conclude, your Fujifilm camera has something called Advanced Filters that are rather mediocre at best and cringeworthy at worst. Pop Color is my personal favorite—it’s the closest your camera can get to straight-out-of-camera Fujichrome Fortia 50—and it should be made into a film simulation so that it can be customized with Grain, Color Chrome Effects, Highlight, Shadow, etc., etc.. Most of the Advanced Filters should be replaced with something else entirely, and I think I offered a number of good suggestions for that (for those keeping score, that’s Aerochrome, Split-Tone, High Contrast, Faded, and Cross Process, plus an improved Toy Camera). If you find yourself bored one day, perhaps try out some of the Advanced Filters for yourself—Pop Color is my recommendation if you’re only going to try one; otherwise, just know that you’re not missing out on much. If you are Fujifilm reading this, I would suggest working right away on new-and-improved Advanced Filters for the next generation of Fujifilm cameras.

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-T50 in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T50 in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T50 in charcoal:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex

PRO Negative 160C Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm X-Trans IV & X-Trans V

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Closed* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – PRO Negative 160C

After discovering that the new Reala Ace film simulation is a version of PRO Neg., and is similar to both PRO Neg. Hi and PRO Neg. Std, I decided that I wanted to replicate as closely as possible my first Reala Ace-based Film Simulation Recipe—PRO Negative 160C—for those camera that don’t have the new film simulation. Right now Reala Ace is only available on the Fujifilm X100VI (and GFX100 II), but Fujifilm has stated that they will be bringing it to the other fifth-generation models (X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20) sometimes this summer.

For whatever reason, PRO Neg. Std seems to work easier for replicating the Reala Ace film sim than PRO Neg. Hi, but they are both in the general neighborhood. Obviously Fujifilm didn’t make Reala Ace identical to either, and it is its own unique profile. With that said, it’s possible to get fairly close to it using either PRO Neg. Hi or especially PRO Neg. Std; however, the PRO Negative 160 Film Simulation Recipe has Color set to +4, which meant that only PRO Neg. Hi could be used, as Std doesn’t have enough vibrancy.

*Blossom Vine* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – PRO Negative 160C

This PRO Negative 160C Film Simulation Recipe, which uses PRO Neg. Hi, is not a perfect match to the original version that uses Reala Ace, but is probably 90-95% similar. I like the Reala Ace one just a little more, but if your camera doesn’t have that as an option, this is a good alternative. This new version is compatible with (as of this writing) the Fujifilm X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, X-T30 II, X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, and X100VI. For the X100VI, I recommend using the Reala Ace version and not this one, but you can choose whichever you personally prefer.

Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Hi
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red & -3 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: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this PRO Negative 160C Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4 & Fujifilm X-T5:

*Mountain Sunset from a Car Window* – Patagonia, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Patagonia Lake* – Patagonia, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Lake Boat* – Patagonia, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Pigeon in a Tree* – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Josh at the Park* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Abandoned Trailer Home* – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Abandoned Home in the Desert* – Arlington, TX – Fujifilm X-T5

*I Spy With My Little Eye… a Cat* – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*No Parking, One Way* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*End of the Road* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Hall’s* – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Four Palm Trees* – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Spiky Arms* – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Travel Trailer* – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Brick Steps* – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Blue Basket* – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Chevy Van* – Casa Grande, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

Comparison:

*The original PRO Negative 160C Recipe using Reala Ace*

*This new PRO Negative 160C Recipe using PRO Neg. Hi*

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

Fujifilm X-T5 in black: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X-T5 in silver: Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira

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.

How to Program Film Simulation Recipes to your Fujifilm Camera

Posted on February 27, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

My Film Simulation Recipes are popular, but programming them into your Fujifilm camera can be confusing for those trying to use them for the first time. A little over three years ago I published an article explaining how, but I think, with the new X100VI coming out, it would be worthwhile to try again, and perhaps offer a little more clarity. If you are new to Film Simulation Recipes, then this article is for you!

To start with, there are some variances between models. It’s important to read your camera’s manual, which thankfully Fujifilm makes easy: click here to find your owner’s manual online. For most cameras, within the manual, navigate to the Shooting Menus set, select Image Quality Setting (Still Photography), and finally Edit/Save Custom Setting. For example, click here to view this for the X-T5. Also, I’ve included a screenshot of this section from the X100V manual below. Everything you need to know for your specific camera is found in your manual, so that’s why it’s important to review it first.

There’s an easy shortcut for navigating to the Edit/Save Custom Settings Menu. Simply press the Q-Button, which brings up the Quick Menu, then press-and-hold the Q-Button, which activates the Edit/Save Custom Settings Menu. This shortcut works on most Fujifilm cameras. A shortcut to edit the Quick Menu is to press-and-hold the Q-Button from outside of the Quick Menu.

A Film Simulation Recipe is simply a set of JPEG parameters that produce a certain look straight-out-of-camera, mostly inspired by film stocks. Each Recipe contains a specific set of settings that must be programmed into your camera, either in the Edit/Save Custom Settings Menu or the IQ Menu. The newer the camera, the more options and parameters there are to program.

*Duck Pond* – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – 1970’s Summer Recipe

On the latest cameras, a Film Simulation Recipe contains: Film Simulation, Dynamic Range, Grain Effect, Color Chrome Effect, Color Chrome FX Blue, White Balance and WB Shift, Highlight, Shadow, Color, Sharpness, Noise Reduction, Clarity, ISO, and Exposure Compensation. All of those settings together make up a Recipe. The older the camera, the fewer parameters there are, and might only include: Film Simulation, Dynamic Range, White Balance and WB Shift, Highlight, Shadow, Color, Sharpness, Noise Reduction, ISO, and Exposure Compensation. On the newer models, Noise Reduction was renamed High ISO NR (it is the same thing) and Highlight and Shadow were combined into Tone Curve.

One parameter that cannot be saved is “Typical Exposure Compensation.” On most Fujifilm cameras, there is an Exposure Compensation knob on the top of the camera, which is where this is adjusted (unless you are in Manual Mode, in which case you’ll have to do it manually). An important note is that the suggested Exposure Compensation in each Recipe is only meant to be a starting point, and not a rule; each exposure should be judged individually. Also, most often I use Auto-ISO, but it is certainly alright to manually set the ISO. You might prefer different ISO parameters than what I like, and that is perfectly fine. It’s always ok to “season to taste” any Recipe to make it work better for you.

*Pacific Poppies* – Montaña de Oro SP, CA – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues Recipe

Most Fujifilm cameras have seven Custom Settings (sometimes called Custom Presets), that are often referred to as C1-C7. The X-S10 and X-S20 have only four (C1-C4), and I believe there are some GFX cameras with six (C1-C6). Edit/Save Custom Settings is where you’ll program Film Simulation Recipes into your camera; however, some older Fujifilm models don’t have Custom Settings. In that case, you’ll program the desired Recipe parameters into the IQ Menu subset. Also, the newest Fujifilm models will allow you to program a Recipe into the IQ Menu subset in addition to the Custom Settings presets (basically, a bonus Recipe).

An important side note is that the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30 (however, not the X-T30 II), along with all of the cameras that came before it—X-Trans I, X-Trans II, X-Trans III, and older GFX—cannot save a White Balance Shift within the Custom Settings. Only the newer cameras can: X-Trans IV (except for the X-T3/X-T30), X-Trans V, and newer GFX. For those models that cannot save a WB Shift within the Custom Settings, you’ll have to program it from within the White Balance Menu found within the IQ Menu set. Also, those cameras will only remember one WB Shift per WB type, so choosing Recipes that either share the same WB Shift or use different WB types will make the user experience more enjoyable.

*Autumn in a Mountain Meadow* – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X100V – Fujicolor Superia 100 Recipe

I don’t have any step-by-step instructions to program a Film Simulation Recipe into your specific camera, because there are variances between some models, and each step can be slightly different. It’s not difficult to program a Film Simulation Recipe, and once you’ve done it a couple of times it becomes quite easy. It’s just getting through the first time or two that can be confusing. Should you find yourself stuck, there are a few videos on YouTube that walk you through the process. If you are a visual learner, you might find these especially helpful to you: How to Save Fujifilm Simulation Recipes by Scott Dawson, Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipes — How to Find & Save Them by Craig Pitts, and What are Fuji Film Simulation Recipes — Getting Started by TB-Photography. Even if you have a different model than what’s in those videos, the process for most cameras is similar enough that you should be able find your way through.

For those with the newest cameras, Custom Settings saves more than just your Recipes, but literally most camera settings, including focus preferences and even sound settings. My best recommendation is to program C1 with everything just as you want it to be, then copy that preset to the other C2-C7 (or C2-C4), so that they’re all exactly the same. Then, you just have to update them with the Film Simulation Recipe parameters for the specific Recipes that you wish to program. I also recommend disabling Auto Update Custom Setting. If your camera doesn’t have those options, then disregard this paragraph.

*Arizona Barn* – Sedona, Arizona – Fujifilm X-T5 – Vibrant Arizona Recipe

A common question is what about the settings that aren’t in the Film Simulation Recipe? What should those be set to? There are some options that are user-preference, so I don’t provide those as Recipe parameters. Choose whatever works for you. Let me touch on a few of them real quick, though.

I most often choose Image Size Large 3:2. I used to shoot with Image Quality Fine, but now choose Fine+RAW, as the RAW files can be reprocessed in-camera, which makes creating new Film Simulation Recipes much easier. My RAW files are Uncompressed. I choose JPEG over HEIF because Clarity isn’t available with HEIF (by the way, Clarity causes a short storing pause when set to anything other than 0). I don’t like Smooth Skin Effect personally, so I set it to Off. Lens Modulation Optimizer is often set to On, but it can be interesting when set to Off. Color Space is sRGB, as I had a bad experience once many years ago with AdobeRGB and have avoided it ever since. I usually use Multi Mode for metering (Photometry), but sometimes I use Spot.

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

There are over 300 Film Simulation Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App, which is free (consider becoming an App Patron to unlock the best experience and to support this website), and available for both Android and Apple. Otherwise, find them here:

EXR Recipes
Bayer Recipes
GFX Recipes
X-Trans I Recipes
X-Trans II Recipes
X-Trans III Recipes
X-Trans IV Recipes
X-Trans V Recipes

If you are not sure which Film Simulation Recipes to try first, no problem! I have several articles that might help with this, including:
Which Film Simulation Recipe, When?
The Essential 7 Film Simulation Recipes to Program Into Your Fujifilm Camera First
Try These 3 Film Simulation Recipes, No Matter Your Fujifilm Camera
Helping You Decide Which Film Simulation Recipes to Choose

Kodak Vision3 250D v2 — Fujifilm X-T5 (X-Trans V) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on December 19, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*Layers of Urban Construction* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Vision3 250D v2

Recently, I published my adaptation of the Kodak Vision3 250D Film Simulation Recipe, which is for X-T3 and X-T30 cameras, for use on the “newer” X-Trans IV models, which are the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II. This is one of my personal favorite Recipes—if you have a compatible camera, you should definitely give it a try! Unfortunately, for 5th-generation models—currently, the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, and X-S20 (yes, the X-S20!)—it will look slightly differently (but try it anyway), because blue renders more deeply on some film simulations.

As I was contemplating how I might approach the use of this Recipe on my X-T5, a Fuji X Weekly reader suggested that I should modify it by using the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation instead of Eterna. Because there are some similarities between those two film sims, there is potential for crossover. Sure enough, with the right modifications, I was able to recreate the look and feel of the Kodak Vision3 250D Recipe using Nostalgic Neg.; however, it’s not an identical rendering, especially the shadows, which are a little warmer. There are other small differences, too. As you know, one film can have many different looks depending on how it was shot, developed, and scanned or printed, so you could consider this v2 version of Kodak Vision3 250D to be a divergent (yet still similar) aesthetic that replicates a different handling of the film.

*Pots & Arches* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Vision3 250D v2

If you have a camera with the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation, I invite you to try this new Kodak Vision3 250D v2 Film Simulation Recipe! You should also try the version that uses Eterna, too, and see which one you like better. While the “v1” Recipe has been my favorite for years, I think I like this new v2 version just a little more. It definitely produces an analog-like look that is easy to appreciate.

Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg.
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance: Fluorescent 1, -5 Red & 0 Blue
Highlight: +4
Shadow: +3
Color: -1
Sharpness: -2
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 Kodak Vision3 250D v2 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5:

*Public Telephone* – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Spinning Carousel* – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Snack Stop* – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Nighttime at Circle K* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Urban Bougainvillea* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Little Plant in a Courtyard* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Sitting & Waiting* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Outdoor Dining* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Vines & Concrete* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Reflected Light on a Tall Building* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*High Rise Condo* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Constructing a Tall Building* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Jon* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Photo by Amanda Roesch

*95 LED Shoes* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Parking Garage* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Urban Vine* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*No Left Turn* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Holiday Guitarist* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Cranes & Palms* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Electric Construction* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Apartment Patio* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Autumn Rooftop* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Gazebo Roof* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Rainbows & Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Bougainvillea Veiling Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

*Pink Blossoming Flowers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5

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

Fujifilm X-T5 in black: Amazon B&H Moment
Fujifilm X-T5 in silver: Amazon B&H Moment

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.

More on using AI to make Film Simulation Recipes

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

Captured with the AI-made Urban Dreams Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X100V.

In early 2023, Artificial Intelligence burst onto the Film Simulation Recipe scene, and, at the request of photographers across the world, AI began creating all sorts of camera settings to emulate all sorts of different aesthetics for Fujifilm models. I was on the leading edge of this, and in March published Using AI to Create Film Simulation Recipes, which included the ChatGPT-created Urban Dreams Recipe.

I didn’t stop there. In April I published a YouTube video (which you’ll find below) entitled Kodachrome X Fujifilm Recipe made by ChatGPT vs Fuji X Weekly Kodachrome II. I don’t publish very many YouTube videos (only three in 2023); however, I felt this topic was important enough to dedicate a video to it. Shortly thereafter, also in April, I published a companion article called Can AI Make a Fujifilm Recipe?, which included the ChatGPT-created Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1 Recipe (along with the non-AI v2).

I didn’t quit there—not even close! In June, on the SOOC Live broadcasts, Fujifilm X-Photography Nathalie Boucry and myself chatted twice (for about three hours in total) about ChatGPT Film Simulation Recipes. If you’re curious about this topic, that’s probably the most informative discussion you’ll find. I’ve included both of those videos below.

Also in June, as a companion piece for those two SOOC Live episodes, I published an article entitled Shooting with ChatGPT AI Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipes. That article included two more AI-made Recipes: Soft Blue Classic and Vivid Summer Glow. I’ve published a total of four ChatGPT Film Simulation Recipes on this website. I think two are pretty good, and two are very mediocre—only the two that are “good” are in the Fuji X Weekly App.

While I’ve published four AI-made Recipes, I’ve asked ChatGPT to create probably close to 50 (using multiple accounts). Most of them weren’t good, so they never saw the light of day. I’ve talked about all of this before, but just to quickly rehash, here are some of the big issues with using ChatGPT to create Film Simulation Recipes for Fujifilm cameras:

AI will always give you an answer, but whether that answer has any value is another question entirely.
AI can’t see, and doesn’t know how the various camera settings translate to real-world use. It can only attempt to match descriptions.
If you ask it to create the same Recipe—using the same exact wording—on multiple accounts, you will get multiple answers, often quite divergent from each other.
I’ve never experienced an instance where all of the required Recipe parameters were included in the first try. Each time, I’ve had to identify the missing camera settings, and ask AI to add those to the Recipe.
AI will sometimes include nonexistent or nonsensical settings.
ChatGPT is very predictable, and will not usually stray outside of certain box. Ask it to make enough of these, and the box is easily identifiable.
ChatGPT doesn’t cite its sources, even when asked. It definitely operates unethically, and probably (in my opinion) illegally—eventually courts will make various rulings as they hear different lawsuits.

So why bring this up again? First, I’ve had several people over the last month comment that ChatGPT is a wonderful resource for Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipes. I strongly disagree with that for the reasons mentioned above, and I thought it worthwhile to discuss those reasons again for those who might be unaware. Second, someone asked if Google’s Bard AI was any better than ChatGPT at creating Film Simulation Recipes. I wasn’t sure, so I spent some time over Thanksgiving putting it to the test. So let’s find out!

Captured with the AI-made Soft Blue Classic Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X100V.

The first question I asked Bard was, “Make me a Film Simulation Recipe for my Fujifilm X-T5 that mimics the aesthetic of Kodachrome 64 film.” Well, I could tell very quickly that this wasn’t going to work out well, as the first setting it gave was the Acros film simulation. It included the nonsensical setting of Color +2 (you cannot select Color when using Acros). The settings that Bard failed to provide were Dynamic Range, White Balance Shift, Color Chrome Effect (although it did give Color Chrome FX Blue), and Clarity. I assume that it would have also missed Grain size, but it said to set Grain to Off.

Obviously that “Kodachrome 64 Recipe” will not look anything like actual Kodachrome 64 slides, even if it did somehow make sense. I asked Bard to cite its sources, and to my surprise it did! It gave me (broken) links to my website, including these articles: Kodachrome 64, Kodachrome 25, and Monochrome Kodachrome. Apparently, Bard has been trained using Fuji X Weekly (or to search for it… Bard is a Google product after all), but it’s not very good at it. In my opinion, AI should provide a bibliography of its sources upfront without being asked. Even Wikipedia does that, and apparently it’s not a reliable enough source for serious work. Bard will cite its sources when asked, which is better than nothing, while ChatGPT won’t even do that. If Wikipedia can’t be taken seriously, than AI should be taken even less so. It’s super sketchy that AI doesn’t cite it’s sources, but at least Bard will do so when prompted to.

I asked Bard to tell me why it chose the settings that it did. This demonstrates very clearly that trying to match descriptions of camera settings with descriptions of the film is an unrealistic method for achieving accurate approximations of various looks. For example, “Acros is a black and white film simulation that provides a good starting point for replicating Kodachrome’s tonal range and contrast.” And, “Kodachrome had a tendency to lift shadows, creating a slightly brighter and more open appearance. Raising the shadow setting by 0.5 replicates this effect.” And, “Kodachrome had a subtle ability to retain detail in highlights, preventing them from becoming blown out. Lowering the highlight setting by -1 helps achieve this result.” If you know even a little about Kodachrome 64 film and Fujifilm camera settings, you should have no issues identifying the problems there.

Bard’s “Kermit the Frog juggling Elmo Recipe” is not a good choice for portraits.

I didn’t stop with that one Recipe. I asked Bard to make many more. After a number of tries, I began to ask it for ridiculous Recipes, just to see what it would do. Make me a Film Simulation Recipe that mimics Kermit the Frog juggling Elmo. Make me a Film Simulation Recipe that mimics the look of digesting rotten apples that are crawling with spiders. Make me a Film Simulation Recipe that mimics the aesthetic of comedian Brian Regan hitchhiking across the Delaware River during the Clone Wars. In each case—instead of responding with “you are nuts” or “that makes no sense”—it provided me with a Recipe. It always will. For the Brian Regan Recipe, it tells me, in order to capture the essence of his adventure, I should photograph him on a rural road next to a river bank with some fog. Sounds intriguing, but there’s a problem.

You see, Bard has a bigger tendency than even ChatGPT to include nonexistent settings. Some of these are Color Chrome FX Red (which, arguably, could be just Color Chrome Effect), Color Chrome FX Green, Grain Effect Medium, WB Shift +1, and Image Enhancement On. This is in addition to the missing settings that are required for a Recipe but weren’t included, and the occasional nonsensical ones (like Color +2 with Acros). Sometimes it’s hard to make sense of what Bard provides when asked to make a Recipe.

For those wondering about Color Chrome FX Green, Bard had this to say: Color Chrome FX Green increases saturation and vibrancy of green pixels and slightly lifts green shadows for a more balanced tonal range. Use sparingly, as a subtle application of Color Chrome FX Green can produce pleasing results. Excessive use may make the image appear unnatural. Of course, there is no such thing as Color Chrome FX Green, but even if there was, it wouldn’t work as described by Bard.

Captured with the AI-made Kodak Ektachrome E100VS v1 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5.

The conclusion of this whole article is that ChatGPT and Bard are not good resources for Film Simulation Recipes for Fujifilm cameras. They are both capable of making Recipes (they will always give you one if you ask), but whether or not those Recipes are worth using or resemble what they’re supposed to is another story entirely. A broken clock is correct twice each day, and sometimes you can get a good Recipe by chance when using AI, but most often that won’t be the case. However, because these chatbots tend to stay within a box and don’t often stray outside of it, the Recipes that they make are often not terrible, they’re usually okay-ish. But you have to put up with the missing, nonexistent, and nonsensical settings. And you have to be alright with the unethical nature of it. My personal advice, if you want a Recipe that is more likely to give you good results, is to look no further than my website.

Someone said that AI will usually do a better job than a complete novice, but never as good as an expert. I agree with that assessment. I think if you ask ChatGPT or Bard enough times for Film Simulation Recipes, you are bound to get some that are trash, a bunch that are so-so, and a couple that are actually good. You could probably have as much luck rolling dice or throwing darts to create Recipes. That’s just the way it is. However, the technology is advancing rather quickly, and it’s only a matter of time before AI will be able to analyze pictures, have a good understanding of Fujifilm camera settings, and be able to approximate an accurate replication of picture aesthetics with the available JPEG settings. We’re not there yet, though. There’s a significant gap. I don’t doubt that the technology will get there eventually, perhaps in another five or ten years.

That will put me out of business. I understand that day is eventually coming, and that’s ok. It is what it is, as they say. The sad thing is that AI is using my own words and work against me. The more I publish, the more resources OpenAI and Google have to train their AI. It’s a type of theft. I do think that the courts will eventually rule that much of what they’ve done doesn’t qualifying as “fair use” under the law, but the damage will already have been done, and folks like me wont be compensated a dime for it. That’s the way life goes sometimes. The big guy walks all over the little guy. But, when life throws you punches, bob and weave (I’ve heard that quote attributed to Joe Frazier, but I’m not certain), which simply means that I have to evolve. As Bob Dylan sang, the times, they are a changin’. They always have been, and always will be. That’s why I spent so much time this year exploring the topic of AI Film Simulation Recipes. I had to know where Fuji X Weekly stands in all of it. This website has evolved a whole bunch since its launch in 2017, and it will continue to do so in the coming months and years. I appreciate all of those who have come along for the ride, and I look forward to seeing where this Fuji X Weekly thing goes as the future unfolds. If anything, it will be an interesting adventure, perhaps like Brian Regan’s hitchhiking escapades along the foggy Delaware River during the Clone Wars.

Xpro — Fujifilm X-Trans III + X-T3 & X-T30 Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*Suburban Abstract* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1 – “Xpro”

This Xpro Film Simulation Recipe came about after some experiments with white balance and shifts. It went through several iterations before I settled on these settings. The results remind me of cross-processed Fujichrome Sensia or perhaps Elite Chrome. Cross processing film (also called Xpro) is developing it in chemistry that it wasn’t intended to be developed in, most commonly color slide film (E6) in color negative film (C41) chemistry. Different films can give different results when cross processed. I have several other cross-process inspired Film Simulation Recipes (here, here, here, and here); this one is simply a little different aesthetic.

This was a Patron Early-Access Film Simulation Recipe in the Fuji X Weekly App, available to App Patrons for over a year. It’s been replaced by a different Early-Access Recipe, so now it’s available to everyone. It’s not one that you’ll want to use all of the time, but occasionally for a different look it is great. It’s more of a “fun” Recipe. If you are a Fuji X Weekly App Patron, be sure to look for the new Early-Access Recipe!

*Storm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1 – “Xpro”

This Xpro Film Simulation Recipe is fully compatible with X-Trans III cameras, which are the X-Pro2, X100F, X-E3, X-T2, X-T20, and X-H1, plus the X-T3 and X-T30. 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 can also be used on the “older” GFX models (50R and 50S), but will render slightly differently.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -1
Shadow: +3
Color: +4
Color Chrome Effect: N/A (X-Trans III) or Off (X-T3/X-T30)
Sharpness: -1
Noise Reduction: -4
Grain: Weak
White Balance: 3400K, -6 Red & -9 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 to +1 1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Xpro Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-H1 and X-T30:

*Associated Fence* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30

*Structured Abstract* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30

*Roof & Fence Lines* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30

*Tile Roof* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T30

*Cactus Hotels* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Barrel Cactus* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Secret Garden Gate* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Don’t, This Way* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Light Bulb* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Closed Window* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Pigeon Pipe* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Pergola in the Rain* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Arizona Architecture* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Hanging Blossoms* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Dark Flowers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

*Light Pink with Green* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-H1

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.

Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2023 (so far…)

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

*No Cigarettes* – Avila Beach, CA – Fujifilm X-E4 – Kodachrome 64 Recipe

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 use 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.

There’s a lot that can be gleaned from this exercise, but also a grain of salt must be consumed, too. For example, Vibrant Arizona actually has four Recipes in that article (two versions of two), so it would certainly rank lower if it only had one; also, it was published near the end of April, so it has a time disadvantage, as do all of the other Recipes published after January 1st. But, setting those limitations aside, there are still some fascinating trends to be explored. Some of these rankings are quite surprising to me, and others are not surprising at all.

Classic Chrome is the king of film simulations. The five most popular Fuji X Weekly Recipes all use Classic Chrome, as do 21 of the Top 25. Second place, which is Classic Negative with two, is a very distant second. Acros and PRO Neg. Std have one each. The other film simulations don’t even chart on this list. For those who use Film Simulation Recipes, Classic Chrome is clearly the film sim of choice for most.

Not surprisingly, Recipes with Kodak brand names are the most popular. 13 have Kodak in the name, eight have Portra in the name, and five have Kodachrome in the name. Kodak was the most popular film brand, so it should be expected that Film Simulation Recipes that mimic those emulsions would also be popular. What is surprising to me is that none with Fujifilm, Fujicolor, Superia, Provia, Velvia, etc., in the Recipe name made this list, as some of those are my personal favorites.

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

10 of these Recipes use a Kelvin White Balance, eight use Auto White Balance, six use Daylight, and one uses a Custom White Balance measurement. Almost all of them are warm, at least a little. Only one B&W Recipe made this list, which isn’t a shock to me because the color Recipes are typically far more popular than monochrome. Only one Recipe specifically intended for night photography made this list, and I’m actually a little surprised by which one and how high it ranks. 10 Recipes use DR200, nine use DR400, five use DR-Auto, and one uses D-Range Priority Strong.

Most people who use Recipes do so on X-Trans IV cameras, specifically the X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II models. Of the Top 25 Recipes, 16 of them are for those specific X-Trans IV cameras, including each of the Top 3. Six are for X-Trans III cameras plus the X-T3 and X-T30, two are for X-Trans V, and one is for X-Trans II (the very last one). But it’s a little more convoluted than that, because some Recipes (Vibrant Arizona and Kodak Tri-X 400 for sure, and probably others) are being used on X-Trans V cameras. Some of the X-Trans III plus X-T3 and X-T30 Recipes are likely being used on X-Trans IV and X-Trans V models to some extent. The majority of X-Trans V Recipes are at a disadvantage because they were published after January 1st, and there are only four fifth-generation X-Trans models anyway. I think the biggest takeaway is that the majority of people who shoot with Film Simulation Recipes in 2023 are doing so on X-Trans III and newer cameras, and X-Trans IV is the largest group within that. Recipes are not as popular on EXR, X-Trans I, X-Trans II, Bayer, and GFX models, although there are certainly many who do use them.

There are some rankings that surprise me. Vibrant Arizona is the only one published in 2023 to make the Top 25, although the fact that there are actually four Recipes in that article certainly affect its page-views. The X-Trans III version of Kodak Portra 400 requires a hard-to-get-right custom White Balance measurement, so it’s always surprising to me that so many use it. Kodak Portra 400 Warm and Bright Summer are especially warm, and their use case is more narrow than the others. If you had asked me what the second-most popular Recipe that uses the Classic Negative film sim, I would not have guessed Kodak Max 800, yet here it is! The X-Trans III version of Kodachrome II was ranked #7 last year, the X-Trans IV version of Kodachome II was ranked #8, Nostalgic Negative was #9, and Kodak Ektar 100 was #10, so those have fallen significantly, now ranked #12, #19, #24, & #16, respectively. I’m a little surprised that Classic Kodak Chrome is the most popular X-Trans II Recipe.

Anyway, I’ve held you up long enough. Let’s get to the list!

Top 25 Most Popular Film Simulation Recipes of 2023 (…so far)

#1:

#2:

#3:

#4:

#5:

#6:

#7:

#8:

#9:

#10:

#11:

#12:

#13:

#14:

#15:

Kodak Portra 400 Warm

#16:

#17:

#18:

#19:

#20:

#21:

#22:

#23:

#24:

#25:

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

Fujifilm X-Pro1 (+ X-E1) Film Simulation Recipe: Color Analog

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Ritchie Roesch

*109* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – “Color Analog”

For this Film Simulation Recipe I didn’t attempt to model any specific film; instead, I wanted a low-saturation, low-to-mid contrast recipe that would remind me of color negative film. I wanted it to be warm, but not overly warm. After several tries, I landed on some settings that I liked. While I didn’t have any film in mind when I created this recipe, it is vaguely reminiscent of Kodak Portra 160 NC, which was a “neutral color” (low-saturation) version of Portra film that was around from 1998 to 2010, when it was discontinued. It’s not an exact match to that film, but is simply by chance in the neighborhood of it. As Lefty Gomez famously said, “I’d rather be lucky than good.”

This recipe is a good daylight and golden hour option, and does alright in overcast conditions, too. If I were to suggest C1-C7 Custom Presets for the X-Pro1, this is one that I would include. I would also consider Color Negative Film, either Kodachrome I or Kodachrome II, Vivid Color, Superia Xtra 400, and Monochrome. I know that’s only six (not seven), but you wouldn’t have to remember to change the White Balance Shift when switching presets because each of these calls for a different White Balance type—you could pick one other recipe (but you’ll just have to remember to switch the shift when changing presets) or leave the seventh spot empty.

*Sunset Branch* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – “Color Analog”

This Color Analog recipe was an Early-Access Recipe on the Fuji X Weekly App, and Patrons have had access to it since April. It’s been replaced by a different Early-Access Recipe (look for that one in the App!), so now this Color Analog recipe is available to everyone! It’s compatible the Fujifilm X-Pro1 and X-E1 cameras, but not the X-M1 because that camera doesn’t have PRO Neg. Std for some reason. Those with X-Trans II and Bayer cameras can also use it, although the results will be just a little different.

PRO Neg. Std
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-Hard)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight/Fine, -1 Red & -4 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this “Color Analog” Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-Pro1:

*Daffodil Garden* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Daylight Pines* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Pear Blossom Sky* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Creek Rocks* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Newly Bloomed* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*White Fruit Tree Blossoms* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Round & Red* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Aperture Artifact Apparition* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Sunlight Through Tree Branches* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Suspended Sun* – Bountiful, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Reflection Structure* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

*Train 16* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1

Find this Film Simulation Recipe and over 250 more on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App!

Help Fuji X Weekly

Nobody pays me to write the content found on fujixweekly.com. There’s a real cost to operating and maintaining this site, not to mention all the time that I pour into it. If you appreciated this article, please consider making a one-time gift contribution. Thank you!

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Reminder: SOOC Episode 02 This Thursday!

Posted on August 7, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

As a reminder, Episode 02 of the live interactive video series SOOC will be this Thursday, August 12, at 11 AM MST (10 AM Pacific, 1 PM Eastern)!

SOOC is a collaboration between Tame Your Fujifilm (Fujifilm X Photographer Nathalie Boucry) and Fuji X Weekly (Ritchie Roesch). It is a monthly live video series, and each episode focuses on a different film simulation recipe. It’s a fun and educational experience where we will not only talk about Fujifilm camera settings, but also answer your questions. This is an interactive program, which means that we need your participation! Mark your calendar and be sure to tune in!

I’m really looking forward to Episode 02. Among other things, we’ll take a look at your pictures captured with the Kodachrome II film simulation recipe, and discuss the Fujicolor C200 recipe! I really hope you’ll tune in!

If you missed Episode 01, you’ll find it below:

Fujifilm X-Trans IV Film Simulation Recipe: Super HG Astia (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Cacti Wall* – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Super HG Astia”

When Thomas Schwab shared with me his Fujicolor Super HG film simulation recipe, he also sent me an alternative recipe that uses Astia instead of Classic Negative. I gave it a try and thought that it worked quite well for landscape photography, particularly in sunny conditions. It can produce interesting results indoors or on cloudy days, but I think it really shines in sunshine. It’s called “Super HG Astia” because it is a modification of the Super HG recipe, but with Astia.

This “Super HG Astia” recipe wasn’t intended to mimic any particular film; however, it does have some resemblance to Fujichrome Provia 100F. For whatever reason, Fujifilm programmed the Provia film simulation to look more like Astia film, and the Astia film simulation to look more like Provia film, although neither are an exact match. This recipe brings the Astia film simulation closer to resembling Provia film (albeit unintentionally). It’s definitely not a perfect facsimile, but it does nonetheless produce a very nice Fuji color-reversal film aesthetic.

*Green Pines* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Super HG Astia”

This recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, and X-E4 cameras. I accidentally used Large grain for some of my pictures, and the results were fine, but Small grain is better in my opinion—feel free to use whichever Grain size you’d prefer. For the X-T3 and X-T30, you can use this recipe by ignoring Grain size, Clarity and Color Chrome FX Blue—the results will be slightly different, but pretty close. For X-Trans III cameras, you’ll have to additionally ignore Color Chrome Effect; again, the results will be a little different but still very similar. If you’ve got an X-Trans III or newer camera, I invite you to try this recipe. I want to give a special “Thank you!” to Thomas for creating and sharing this recipe!

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

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Super HG Astia film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:

*Blue Dumpsters* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*This Sucker’s Electrical* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Gas Pipe* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Ms Pac-Man* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Missing Boxer* – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Watching A Two-Screen Movie* – Scottsdale, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4

*Lake Harbor* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Lake Payette* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

Part 1 – Fujicolor Super HG Film Simulation Recipe
Part 2 -Fujicolor Super HG v2 Film Simulation Recipe

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

Help Fuji X Weekly

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Two Fujifilm X-Trans IV Film Simulation Recipes: Expired Slide + Expired Slide v2

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*United Carrier* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Expired Slide”

*United Carrier* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Expired Slide v2”

I set out to recreate the look of expired slide film. Perhaps expired is the wrong term, because the aesthetic that I was after is more like mishandled slide film—not stored correctly or developed promptly. Maybe it passed its expiration date because it sat in a drawer for so long, or maybe it was in a hot car for a couple of hours, but, whatever the reason, it definitely doesn’t look right.

Why would I want to create this look? Because it’s an interesting vintage aesthetic that was somewhat common in the film era. While most people would not want this outcome, interestingly enough, there are some film photographers (a.k.a. Lomographers) who do this kind of thing on purpose specifically because they want this look. The two film simulation recipes below are for those people seeking something different. Neither of these will likely be anyone’s “go-to” recipe, but if you want something that’s a bit unusual, these are ones to try.

The film simulation recipe called Expired Slide was actually the second one, as I created (what I now call) Expired Slide v2 first. I liked the original settings, but thought that it might be a bit too much, so I toned it back slightly. I posted examples of both recipes to Instagram and let you guys decide which one was best. The Expired Slide recipe won hands-down, but there were some who passionately preferred Expired Slide v2, so I’m posting both. The only difference is the white balance (and shift), otherwise they’re identical. Expired Slide has more of a red-orange cast while Expired Slide v2 has more of a red-purple cast. Both recipes (as of this writing) are only compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10 and X-E4 cameras.

Expired Slide:

*Forest Flowers* – Ponderosa State Park, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2
Shadow: -1
Color: -4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpness: -2
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: 5500K, +7 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

*Limited 4404* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Free Signs* – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Construction Crane* – Boise, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Red Fence* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Tulip Blooms* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Dark Payette Lake* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Mossy Trunk* – Ponderosa State Park, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

Expired Slide v2:

*Caterpillar* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2
Shadow: -1
Color: -4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpness: -2
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: 5000K, +8 Red & 0 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

*Red Barn* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Jump Pad* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Stack of Buckets* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*The Oaks* – Ogden Canyon, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Lake Marina* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Two Dogs Swimming* – Ponderosa State Park, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Jon Fishin’* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Log in the Water* – McCall, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

*Payette Lakeshore* – Ponderosa State Park, ID – Fujifilm X-E4

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

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Best Fujifilm Film Simulations

Posted on June 18, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

DPReview listed their Top 5 Best Fujifilm Film Simulations in the video above. I think it’s great that they’re highlighting Fujifilm’s great JPEG options and give light to some of the film simulations. While I’m sure that they made adjustments to the stock settings, I feel like they haven’t discovered the joy of film simulation recipes, and are mostly using the stock settings. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, because out-of-the-box the different film simulations are great, but with some tweaking you can achieve all sorts of different looks. I think it’s something that they’d really appreciate, if they only knew.

I went on the Fuji X Weekly — Film Recipes App (available for iOS and Android) and filtered by Camera and Film Simulation. If you are a Patron on the App, you can filter the recipes by camera model or sensor, and by film simulation or color/b&w—the best app experience is reserved for Patrons. For this experiment, I chose the Fujifilm X100F and Classic Chrome. There are 15 different options, each with a different aesthetic (Vintage Kodachrome didn’t fit on the screenshot list). Those are just the X-Trans III recipes that use Color Chrome. If you don’t filter by camera or sensor, there are 45 recipes that use Classic Chrome (and over 150 total recipes)!

I know in the video they say that Classic Chrome is “gross” but perhaps it’s only because they haven’t used the right film simulation recipe. It could be that one of those 45 mentioned above produces a look that they’d love.

I don’t want to rehash DPReview’s video, so instead I will list some of my personal favorite recipes, organized by Film Simulation (they’re not ranked), which you’ll find below. There are so many to choose from, and narrowing it down is a tough task, so obviously not all of my favorites made the list. There are so many Classic Chrome and Classic Negative options that I love, so those two were especially difficult to decide what to include below. Hopefully you’ll find this this exercise helpful, or at least fun, and maybe discover a new recipe to try.

Provia

Provia 400

Cross Process

Color Negative Film

Velvia

Velvia v2

The Rockwell

Vivid Color

Astia

Astia

Superia Xtra 400

Redscale

*Corner Trunk* – South Weber, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – “Rescale”

Classic Chrome

Kodak Portra 400 v2

Kodachrome 64

Golden Negative

PRO Neg. Hi

Jeff Davenport Night

Fujicolor Pro 400H

PRO Neg. Hi

PRO Neg. Std

Fujicolor 100 Industrial

CineStill 800T

Fujicolor Superia 800

Eterna

Kodak Vision3 250D

Vintage Color

Polaroid

Eterna Bleach Bypass

LomoChrome Metropolis

Ektachrome 320T

Grizzly Ride

Classic Negative

Xpro ’62

Positive Film

Vintage Vibes

Acros

Kodak Tri-X 400

Agfa Scala

Black & White Infrared

Monochrome

Ilford Ortho Plus 80

Dramatic Monochrome

Kodak T-Max 400

Sepia

Sepia

Now it’s your turn! Which of these film simulation recipes do you like best? Which recipes that I didn’t include are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

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Fujifilm X-Trans IV (X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10 & X-E4) Film Simulation Recipe: Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Sunlight Through The Forest* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled”

Fujifilm introduced Fujicolor NPS 160 sometime in the 1990’s. It was a low contrast, low saturation color negative film intended for portrait photography. Fujifilm replaced it in 2004 with Fujicolor Pro 160S (later renamed Fujicolor Pro 160NS). I actually shot a few rolls of NPS 160 back in the day, and a picture of my parents captured with this film hangs an a wall in their house. Pulling the film, which is a technique where you overexpose and reduce development time to compensate, further reduces the contrast and saturation. This recipe looks a lot like NPS 160 that’s been pulled.

This Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled recipe was created by Thomas Schwab, who has made several film simulation recipes published on this website, including Superia Xtra 400, Urban Vintage Chrome, Kodachrome II, Kodak Portra 800 v2, Classic Monochrome, B&W Superia, and Monochrome Kodachrome. Thomas has also collaborated on other recipes, playing an important role in getting them right, including Kodak Portra 800, Kodak Ektar 100, Kodachrome 1, Kodak Portra 400, and Kodak T-Max 400. Some of Thomas Schwab’s pictures that he captured with this recipe can be found further down.

*Empty Garage* – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled”

What I especially love about this recipe is that it has a soft feel that’s just wonderful. It has a film-like quality to it that’s easy to appreciate. I really love shooting with this recipe! Because it required the Classic Negative film simulation, Color Chrome FX Blue and Clarity, it’s only compatible with the Fujifilm X-E4, X100V, X-Pro3, X-T4, and X-S10 cameras.

Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -2
Shadow: -2
Color: -4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpeness: +1
Clarity: -2
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & -4 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 to +1 1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Fujicolor NPS 160 Pulled film simulation recipe:

Thomas Schwab

Ritchie Roesch

*Evening Condos* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Country Trailers* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Farm Dirt* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Sunlight Through Forest Branches* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Forest Trail* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Fresh Leaves* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Ghost Bike Ahead* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Bunch of Blooms* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Peace* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Building Legos* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Jon on a Couch* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

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Fujifilm X100V (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Xpro ’62

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

Inspiration for film simulation recipes can come from unusual places. This recipe, for example, was inspired by a promotional photograph of Ron Howard for the movie American Graffiti hanging on the wall of Mels Diner in Reno, Nevada. A little trivia: Ron Howard shoots Fujifilm cameras—or, at least, he’s been spotted sporting an X100F. Anyway, it seems unlikely, but it’s true, that an old image of Ron Howard from 1973 hanging on the wall of a restaurant in Reno inspired a new recipe that will be used by hundreds—maybe thousands—of Fujifilm photographers across the world.

This particular picture, which you can see in the image below towards the left-side, had a cross-process look to it, like reversal film developed in negative film chemistry. Of course, cross-processed film can have many different looks, depending on several factors, including (especially) the film used. I have no idea what film or process was used for that Ron Howard picture—I tried researching it, but came up empty; however, while I was waiting for my dinner to arrive at the table, I fiddled with the settings on my Fujifilm X100V and created a facsimile to that picture aesthetic.

*Picture of Ron Howard (left-side) that inspired this recipe… captured with this recipe.*

The photographer who captured the picture is most likely Dennis Stock. I couldn’t find a whole lot about what films he used for his color photographs or his darkroom techniques. Dennis was a legendary Magnum photographer who was best known for his celebrity photographs. His picture might not actually be cross-processed film, but it has a cross-processed look nonetheless.

The reason why I named this recipe “Xpro ’62” is because Xpro is a common abbreviation for “cross-process” and 1962 is the year that American Graffiti takes place. Promotional posters for the movie often included the question, “Where were you in ’62?” I thought that “Xpro ’62” would be a logical fit. Because this film simulation recipe uses the Classic Negative film simulation and other new JPEG options available on the newer cameras, it is only compatible with (as of this writing) the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10 and X-E4. Also, for some of the pictures in this article I used a Tiffen 1/4 Black Pro Mist filter to diffuse the highlights (such as Empty Diner at the top).

*Wharf* – Santa Cruz, CA – Fujifilm X100V – “Xpro ’62”

Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +3
Shadow: 0
Color: +4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: -4
Clarity: -4
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, -3 Red & -9 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this new “Xpro ’62” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X100V:

*Cigarettes* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*Wall Harley* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*In Bottles* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*Stay Apart* – Hollister, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Casa de Cherries* – Hollister, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Basketball Hoop Unused* – San Francisco, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Stop Turning* – Santa Cruz, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Tracks & Bridge* – Santa Cruz, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Suburban Truck* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*Electric Intersection* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*Flower by the Path* – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X100V

*Flowers & Stone* – Hollister, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Lower Yosemite Falls* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Tree & Lower Falls* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Yosemite Trees* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Sentinel Above Merced River* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*Upper Yosemite Falls* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*El Cap* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

*El Cap & Merced* – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X100V

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

Fujifilm X100V Black Amazon B&H
Fujifilm X100V Silver Amazon B&H

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Fujifilm X-Trans III + X-T30 & X-T3 Film Simulation Recipe: Chrome Bypass

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Don’t Walk Under Falling Bicycles* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – “Chrome Bypass”

There are a number of X-Trans IV film simulation recipes that I’ve had multiple requests to create versions for that are compatible with X-Trans III and X-T3 and X-T30 cameras. LomoChrome Metropolis and Bleach Bypass are two that are commonly requested. These recipes require JPEG settings that don’t exist on the “older” cameras, including the Classic Negative or Eterna Bleach Bypass film simulations. I knew it would be impossible to recreate those recipes for X-Trans III and the X-T3 and X-T30 cameras, but I wanted to get as close as I could. After much experimenting, I came up with some settings that are sometimes similar to the LomoChrome Metropolis recipe and are sometimes similar to the Bleach Bypass recipe, and sometimes not like either.

What the LomoChrome Metropolis and the Bleach Bypass recipes have in common are that they’re both high in contrast and low in color saturation. There are some other similarities between them, but there’s plenty that’s different, too. This recipe with certain subjects and in certain light situations can resemble one or the other, or neither. It’s as close as I could get. If you like the LomoChrome Metropolis and Bleach Bypass recipes, this is your best bet for X-Trans III and X-T3 and X-T30 cameras (aside from doing double-exposures). While it’s not as “perfect” as I was hoping to achieve, I think it’s a pretty good recipe for capturing dramatic pictures. It’s kind of (but not really) the low saturation version of Dramatic Classic Chrome.

*1100 Stop* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – “Chrome Bypass”

Because these settings resemble both the LomoChrome Metropolis and the Bleach Bypass film simulation recipes, I decided to name this recipe Chrome Bypass, taking a little from each name. I don’t currently have access to an X-Trans III camera, so I don’t have any samples captured with a Fujifilm X-Trans III camera, but it should look very similar.

PRO Neg. Std
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +3
Shadow: +4
Color: -4
Color Chrome Effect: Off or N/A
Sharpness: -1
Noise Reduction: -4
Grain Effect: Strong
White Balance: Auto, +2 Red & -5 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Sample photographs, all camera-made JPEGs, captured with a Fujifilm X-T30 using this “Chrome Bypass” film simulation recipe:

*Mountain Teasels* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Cloudy Branches* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Summer Tree* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Country Fence & Old Tires* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Tulip Pot* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Colorful Tulips* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Handy Dandy Grill* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Little Bit of Green* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Thrown Pillow* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Instax Table* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

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My Fujifilm X-T30 “Bleach Bypass” Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Instamatic Morning – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 “Bleach Bypass”

The upcoming Fujifilm X-T4 will have a new film simulation: Bleach Bypass. This new film simulation might eventually come to other X-Trans IV cameras, such as the X-T30, X-T3, X-Pro3 and X100V, but it might not, as Fujifilm has yet to add Classic Negative to the X-T3 and X-T30. It would certainly be nice if Fujifilm gave those of us with “older” X-Trans IV cameras the new film simulations. Even if they never do, you are in luck, as I have created a film simulation recipe to mimic the look of bleach bypass!

Bleach bypass is a darkroom technique where you skip or limit the bleach during development of color film, which causes it to retain the silver. Results will vary greatly depending on the film used and exactly how you develop it, but generally speaking what you get with bleach bypass is a high-contrast, low-saturation, grainy picture that appears as if a black-and-white and color picture were combined together. This technique is more common for motion picture film than still photography, but some people do bleach bypass with C-41 film.

I experimented with the techniques that I used for this film simulation back in June of last year. Much came out of those experiments, including both the Faded Color and Faded Monochrome film simulation recipes, as well as in-camera texturing. I created something similar to this recipe, but gave up on it before completing it. Last week Fuji X Weekly reader James Clinich reached out to me to share some experiments he had been doing, which turned out to be very similar to what I had done back in June. This rekindled my interest, and with inspiration drawn from James, I made this “Bleach Bypass” film simulation recipe.

Car’s 3 & 4 – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 “Bleach Bypass”

This film simulation recipe requires the use of the double exposure feature of your camera. You will need a tripod, and there can’t be any movement in the scene. You have to make two identical exposures, one in color and one in black-and-white. After the first exposure is made, you must change the film simulation before making the second exposure. You can have both sets of settings programmed into the custom menu as separate presets, and toggle between them, or just change the film simulation, making sure that the tone is set correctly when making the Acros exposure. It’s a bit tricky and limited, but the results are nice. If you don’t want to do double exposures, but want something that will produce similar results to this recipe, try my Dramatic Classic Chrome recipe except set color to -4. That’s about as close as you can get. Otherwise, if you want to create a bleach bypass look in-camera, this recipe is your best option.

Exposure 1
Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +3
Shadow: +4
Color: +2
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Grain: Strong
Sharpening: +1
Noise Reduction: -4
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & +3 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Exposure 2
Acros
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +3
Shadow: +4
Tone: +2 (warm)
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Grain: Strong
Sharpening: +1
Noise Reduction: -4
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & +3 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Bleach Bypass” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-T30: