Fujifilm velvia | FUJI X WEEKLY

Fujifilm X-E4 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Vibrant Velvia

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Ritchie Roesch

*Hoodoos* – Bryce Canyon NP, UT – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Vibrant Velvia”

I really like The Rockwell Film Simulation Recipe, but sometimes it’s just a hair too much for me. I decided to create a new yet similar recipe that just tones it down a tad. Don’t get me wrong: this new recipe is still wild with vivid colors and definitely not for every situation or even every photographer. It will produce similar results to The Rockwell recipe, but (by a small margin) just a little more soft and tame.

This new “Vibrant Velvia” recipe is for when you want colors to pop. It’s a vibrant recipe for bold pictures. While it’s very colorful, it has low contrast, so it works especially well on sunny days, but I also had good luck with it in grey overcast conditions and in the shade. It’s not well suited for portraits or artificial light; instead, use it outdoors for colorful landscape photography. While I didn’t try to mimic Velvia film specifically, the results do remind me a little of Velvia 50 slides as viewed through a projector, although that is an impression (“memory color”), and not anything I studied specifically for this recipe.

*Green Dew* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4 – “Vibrant Velvia”

The “Vibrant Velvia” recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm X-Pro3, X100V, X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II cameras. Because it uses Clarity and Color Chrome FX Blue, it isn’t compatible with the X-T3 and X-T30—try the Velvia v2 recipe on those cameras, which is fairly similar. Those with newer GFX cameras can try this recipe, too, although the results will be very slightly different.

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

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this “Vibrant Velvia” Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E4:

*Junk Monkey* – Amarillo, TX – Fujifilm X-E4

Rose Singular – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Rose Bloom* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Vibrant Green Garden* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Church in the Ozarks* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Waterfall Over Table Rocks* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Blue Water Fall* – Ridgedale, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Nantucket* – Branson, MO – Fujifilm X-E4

*Orange Rocks* – Bryce Canyon NP, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

*Pine Tree & Colorful Cliff* – Bryce Canyon NP, UT – Fujifilm X-E4

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Fujifilm X-H1 (X-Trans III + X-T3 & X-30) Film Simulation Recipe: Improved Velvia

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Ritchie Roesch

*Fading Light On Wasatch* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1 – “Improved Velvia”

This Film Simulation Recipe is the second in a series, in which I attempt to customize each film simulation to optimize the aesthetic that Fujifilm intended. In other words, make a nice-looking recipe that is similar to yet better than the stock look of a film simulation. The first recipe in this series was Standard Provia, and this new one is called Improved Velvia.

I used to be frustrated by the Velvia film simulation because it’s not like Velvia 50. When people talk about Velvia film, that’s the emulsion that they most commonly mean, with it’s exaggerated super-vivid colors, but Velvia 50 is not the only Velvia film. You see, Velvia 50 was a “mistake” emulsion that landscape photographers fell in love with. I shot plenty of Velvia 50 back in the day, and it was one of my absolute favorite films. But Fujifilm was frustrated by it because it wasn’t what they wanted it to be. In 2003 Fujifilm “improved” Velvia and finally “fixed” their mistake—they made Velvia look like how they thought it should have from the beginning. This emulsion was called Velvia 100F and was duller than Velvia 50 (or Velvia 100, which came out in 2005)—it lacked the classic Velvia pop, but was better for pictures of people. One of the guys who worked on Velvia 100F also worked on the Velvia film simulation. It’s no surprise, then, that the Velvia film simulation is closer to Velvia 100F film than Velvia 50. Understanding this made me better realize the intention of—and better appreciate—the film simulation. I no longer find Velvia to be frustrating, and I think even default Velvia looks pretty good.

*Misty Mountain* – Sandy, UT – Fujifilm X-H1 – “Improved Velvia”

For this recipe, I didn’t want mimic Velvia 50, so I didn’t want to mess with the settings very much. I have other Velvia recipes that I quite like (here, here, & here), and those could very easily “stand-in” for this. I felt like a subtly-different option is what was needed. This recipe is compatible with X-Trans III models, plus the X-T3 and X-T30. For newer X-Trans IV, consider setting Color Chrome Effect and Color Chrome FX Blue to Off, Grain to Weak Small, and Clarity to 0.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -1
Shadow: 0
Color: +1
Sharpness: 0
Noise Reduction: -4
Grain: Weak
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this “Improved Velvia” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-H1:

*Reflection in Lake* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Wall & Reeds* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Net Fish* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Not Wanting A Picture* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Pelican* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Yellow Sky Sunset* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Soft Sunset Light on Francis Peak* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Sunset Sky & Water* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Reed Sunset* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

*Marsh Sunset* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-H1

Comparison:

The top image (above) is this recipe, while the bottom image (above) is Velvia with everything set to 0 or Off, except for Dynamic Range, which was DR200, and Noise Reduction, which was -4. The White Balance was Auto 0R & 0B. You can see that both images are quite similar. My recipe is slightly more vibrant, has a little more yellow and slightly less red, and protects highlights a tad more. I also added a little Grain to my recipe to give it a more film-like appearance. Overall, though, the differences are fairly subtle.

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Fujifilm X-Pro1 (X-Trans I) Film Simulation Recipe: Punchy Velvia

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Blooms Despite Adversity* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – “Punchy Velvia”

Thomas Schwab sent me an X-Trans I recipe to try, which he calls Punchy Velvia. Whenever Thomas sends me a recipe to try, I’m always excited to program it into the camera, because they’re often great. He’s a friend, and has a good eye for Fujifilm settings. He created the X-Trans I Kodachrome I and Kodachrome II recipes. Thank you, Thomas, for sending this!

I recently went on a hike with this new recipe programmed into my Fujifilm X-Pro1. My kids were with me, and my daughter, Joy, ended up shooting with the camera much more than I did. A couple of these pictures were captured by me, but most were captured by her. This recipe was a great option for photographing the vibrant colors we encountered. For colorful scenes where you want punchy pictures, this recipe or Vivid Color are the ones to use.

*Yellow Oak* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – “Punchy Velvia”

If you have an X-E1, X-Pro1, or X-M1, be sure to give this recipe a try. You can also use this recipe on X-Trans II and Bayer cameras, but the results will be slightly different; however, feel free to it anyway, because you might like the results.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2 (Hard)
Shadow: +2 (Hard)
Color: +2 (High)
Sharpness: +2 (Hard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight/Fine, 0 Red & 0 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured by Joy using this “Punchy Velvia” film simulation recipe on my Fujifilm X-Pro1:

*Rock Outcrop* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Boulder in the Forest* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Mountain Forest* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Branches and Blue* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*One Leaf Turned* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Oak Leaves* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Backlit Autumn Tree* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

*Autumn Trees* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-Pro1 – Photo by Joy Roesch

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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

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Fujifilm X-Trans II Film Simulation Recipe: Yosemite Velvia

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

Photo by Joy Roesch – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X-T1 -“Yosemite Velvia”

On a recent trip to Yosemite National Park, my daughter, Joy, created a new film simulation recipe for X-Trans II cameras, which I’m calling Yosemite Velvia. Joy has made two X-Trans I recipes, Superia Xtra 400 and Winter Blue, but this is her first for X-Trans II. On this trip I let her use my Fujifilm X-T1 camera, and I told her that she could use whichever settings she wanted—this recipe is what she came up with.

I asked her why she chose these settings. She told me that she wanted the pictures to be colorful but without too much contrast. She decided on the Shade white balance because the forecast was for overcast sky, although it ended up being mostly sunny; however, she liked how it looked, so she stuck with it. Besides photographing in Yosemite, she also used these settings in Reno, Nevada.

This film simulation recipe is compatible with all Fujifilm X-Trans II cameras. You can use it on X-Trans I and Bayer sensor cameras, too, but the results will be a little different (feel free to try, though).

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -1
Shadow: -2
Color: +2
Sharpness: -1
Noise Reduction: -2
White Balance: Shade, -2 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured by Joy on my Fujifilm X-T1 using this “Yosemite Velvia” film simulation recipe:

Photo by Joy Roesch – Yosemite NP, CA – Fujifilm X-T1

Photo by Joy Roesch – Reno, NV – Fujifilm X-T1

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Fujifilm X-M1 (X-Trans I) Film Simulation Recipe: Winter Blue

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-M1 – Farmington, UT – Photo by Joy Roesch – “Winter Blue”

I handed a Fujifilm X-M1 to my 13-year-old daughter, Joy—gave her a brief tutorial on how to use the camera, and let her have at it. Attached to the camera was a Pergear 10mm f/8 Fisheye lens, which is challenging to use, but can also be rewarding. I thought that maybe the lens would be too difficult for her, but it turns out that I had nothing to worry about, as she did great with it.

I had my Provia recipe programmed into the camera, but Joy changed the settings, making up her own film simulation recipe. I asked her why she chose her settings, and she answered that snow looks nice with lots of blue, so she wanted to create a blue-look. When I asked her what she would name the recipe, she replied, “Winter Blue.” It has sort of a Fujichrome 64T aesthetic, but really it’s too warm for that, so maybe it loosely resembles if you used that film in conjunction with a warming filter? I don’t know how well this recipe might do in other conditions, but it certainly looks good on a blue-sky winter day.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -1 (Medium-Low)
Shadow: 0 (Normal)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Normal)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight (“Fine”), 0 Red & +2 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured by Joy using her Winter Blue film simulation recipe on a Fujifilm X-M1:

Fujifilm X-M1 – Farmington, UT – Photo by Joy Roesch

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Fujifilm X-T30 (X-Trans IV) Film Simulation Recipe: Velvia v2

Posted on February 16, 2021 by Ritchie Roesch

*Sunset Cyclists* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – “Velvia v2”

I’ve been wanting to create a new Velvia recipe for awhile now. The previous version is bold, but sometimes produces too much contrast. This recipe is actually a little closer to my original Velvia recipe, but with even less contrast yet with more saturation. This Velvia v2 recipe doesn’t closely mimic any specific version of Velvia film, yet it still retains an overall Velvia-like aesthetic.

Velvia is a high-saturation, low-ISO color reversal (slide) film introduced in 1990. I’ve shot many rolls of it, mostly the original ISO 50 version, but also the “new” Velvia 50, Velvia 100F and Velvia 100 emulsions. Of those films, this recipe is probably closest to Velvia 100, but not exactly like it.

*Brown Reflection* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30 – “Velvia v2”

This film simulation recipe is intended for the Fujifilm X-T30 and X-T3 cameras. If you have “newer” X-Trans IV cameras, you might consider Color Chrome Effect Blue set to Weak, Grain set to Weak and Small, and Clarity set to +2 perhaps. If you have an X-Trans III camera, which doesn’t have Color Chrome Effect, you can still use this recipe, but the results will be slightly different. Those with GFX cameras can also use this recipe, and it will look very close but not exactly the same.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: -1
Shadow: -1
Color: +4
Noise Reduction: -4
Sharpening: 0
Grain Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
White Balance: Auto, 0 Red & 0 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs, captured using a Fujifilm X-T30 with this Velvia v2 film simulation recipe:

*March Reeds* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Reeds in Evening Light* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Water Under The Bridge* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Muddy Water* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Ducks in the Shallow Water* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Flying Seagull* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Evening Gull* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Utah Reeds* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Evening Cloud Over The Ridge* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Grass, Pond & Mud* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Sunset Puddle* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

*Marsh Sunset* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T30

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