Fujifilm X-T1 | FUJI X WEEKLY

Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Ektachrome 100SW Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Windows & Reflections – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1 “Ektachrome 100SW”

What I love about my Ektachrome 100SW film simulation recipe is that it reminds me of a film that I used to use. Just like the original Ektachrome 100SW recipe, which is compatible with X-Trans III & IV cameras, this recipe is identical to my Kodachrome II recipe, except that it uses Velvia instead of Classic Chrome. This version of Ektachrome 100SW is compatible with X-Trans I & II cameras, as well as Fujifilm Bayer cameras.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +2 (High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: -1 (Medium-Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured on my Fujifilm X-T1 using this Ektachrome 100SW film simulation recipe:

Instamatic – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Throw Pillow – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Striped Pillow – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Indoor Decor Near a Window – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Grass & Concrete – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Little Steps – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

February Forest – Layton, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Lizard – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Penguins On A Rock – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Swimming Penguins – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Coral Fish – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodachrome II Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 12, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Rural Grass – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

One of my favorite film simulation recipes, and one of the most popular, if not the most popular, on Fuji X Weekly, is my Kodachrome II recipe. This version of that recipe is adapted for Fujifilm X-Trans II cameras, such as my X-T1. It will work on all cameras with an X-Trans II sensor, plus Bayer sensor cameras, such as the XF10, X-T100 and X-A7. Because it requires the Classic Chrome film simulation, it is not compatible with X-Trans I cameras, or the original X100.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +2 (High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: -1 (Medium-Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured on my Fujifilm X-T1 using this Kodachrome II film simulation recipe:

The Wetlands of Farmington Bay – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Pallet Dump – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Old Wood – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

February Thistles – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Francis Peak in February – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Succulents – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bright Apple – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Kodak Film Canisters – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bolsey on the Camera Shelf – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Longing For Another World – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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My Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodacolor Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Man in Red – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodacolor”

Yesterday I published my Kodachrome 64 recipe for X-Trans II cameras, such as my Fujifilm X-T1, and today I will share with you my Kodacolor recipe for X-Trans II! Because this Kodacolor recipe requires the Classic Chrome film simulation, those with X-Trans I cameras can’t use it, but those with X-Trans II or Bayer sensor cameras can. While I got the overall aesthetic pretty darn close to the original Kodacolor recipe for X-Trans III and IV, the one thing that I wish I could change is the grain. Newer Fujifilm cameras have faux grain options, but older ones don’t. If you want to mimic the grain in-camera, your best option is to use a higher ISO, such as 3200 or 6400, and let the digital noise act as faux grain. Otherwise, I’m quite pleased with how this Kodacolor film simulation recipe turned out.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +1 (Medium-High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: 6300K, -3 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Kodacolor recipe on my Fujifilm X-T1:

Front Runner – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Fro – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Cross at Crosswalks – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Look Both Ways – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Pipe – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Rusty Shadows – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Stop by the Rack – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Nord’s Stop – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Mall Across the Mud – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Pond Among Reeds – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Grass on the Water – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Lake Reflection – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Antelope Island Beyond Farmington Bay – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Camera Shelf – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Green is Good for My Soul – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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My Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodachrome 64 Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Sun Roof – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodachrome 64”

One of my favorite film simulation recipes is Kodachrome 64. It’s also one of the most popular recipes on Fuji X Weekly. Those with X-Trans III and IV cameras, such as the Fujifilm X-T30 that I created it on, have been enjoying it since August, but those with X-Trans II cameras—X-T1, X-T10, X-E2, X-E2s, X100T, and X70—have been left out of the fun. Those with Bayer sensor cameras, such as the X-T100, XF10, X-A7, etc., have been out of luck, too. That all changes, starting now. I have cracked the code, and created a Kodachrome 64 recipe for my X-Trans II camera! Unfortunately, it won’t work on the X100, X100S, X-E1 or X-Pro1 because it requires the Classic Chrome film simulation, which those cameras don’t have. But those who own a Fujifilm X-Trans II or Bayer camera, which do have Classic Chrome, I’m sure will appreciate this Kodachrome 64 recipe.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2 (High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: 0 (Medium)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight, 0 Red & -3 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Kodachrome 64 recipe on my Fujifilm X-T1:

Watered Tree – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reflection in the Grass – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reed Grass – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reeds In Water – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Sisters on a Bridge – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red Mustang – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wrangler – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Parking Lot Sunset – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

January Evening Hill – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Rooftop Birds – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Suburban Silver Lining – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Coffee Cup – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Prerequisite – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Yellow Pillows – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Smiling Jon – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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Comparing JPEGs: Fujifilm X-T1 vs X-T30

Posted on January 29, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-T30 with Astia film simulation.

Fujifilm X-T1 with Astia film simulation.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my Fujifilm X-Trans III & IV film simulation recipes compatible with my X-T1 camera, which has an X-Trans II sensor. The X-T1 has the same film simulations as my Fujifilm X-T30, minus Acros and Eterna, but many of the customization options to fine-tune the image are different. For the X-T1, everything maxes out at plus and minus two, while X-Trans III & IV cameras can go to plus and minus four on many settings. There are other tools that the newer cameras have that the older ones don’t. The simple fact is this: X-Trans III & IV recipes aren’t directly compatible with X-Trans I & II cameras; can I recreate those recipes for the older models?

When I looked at the pictures that I captured with the different film simulations on my X-T1, it seemed like the results were different than with the same film simulations on my X-T30. Do the film simulations look different on different sensors? I did some tests to determine what is the same and what is not. I think there are some subtle changes, and you won’t get precisely the same results from X-Trans II as you will from X-Trans III and IV. It’s close, but not exact.

Fujifilm X-T30 with Monochrome film simulation.

Fujifilm X-T1 with Monochrome film simulation.

Something that I determined is that, with everything set at 0, X-Trans II has slightly darker shadows and X-Trans IV has slightly lighter highlights. It makes it seem like the pictures from my X-T30 are brighter than those from my X-T1, although mid-tones are identical. I made the mistake in the test below (with the exception of Provia) of trying to compensate for that by dropping the exposure by 1/3 stop on my X-T30, which made it darker than the X-T1. That overcompensated for the highlight and shadow difference, while making the mid-tones all wrong. Instead of lowering the exposure on the X-T30, I could have adjusted shadow and highlight by one (-1 Shadow and +1 Highlight) on the X-T1 to get a closer match. Actually, if I had adjusted shadow and highlight (+1 Shadow and -1 Highlight) on the X-T30, it would have been an even closer match, as I also discovered that +1 on the two cameras are different. I think that +1 on the X-T1 is equal to about +1.25 on the X-T30 (if it could adjust in 1/4 increments), and +2 is equal to about +2.5. I think that, because highlights have a brighter starting point on the X-T30, +2 Highlight is about the same on both cameras, while +2 Shadow on the X-T1 is actually closer to +3 on the X-T30. Interestingly enough, I think that -1 and -2 highlight and shadow on the two cameras are similar to each other, and with the same exact minus settings applied to both cameras, the X-T30 will have lighter highlights and shadows than the X-T1. Color on the X-T1 seems to move in +/-1.25 increments when compared to the X-T30, which means +2 Color on the X-T1 is in-between +2 and +3 on the X-T30, while -2 Color on the X-T1 is in-between -2 and -3 on the X-T30.

There’s another difference that I discovered between X-Trans II and X-Trans IV: the white balance is not the same. The X-T1 is actually slightly warmer, leaning towards yellow or yellow-green. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s not exactly the same, which means a slight adjustment will be required to the white balance shift for recreating recipes. What I anticipate as I attempt to translate X-Trans III & IV recipes for X-Trans II is that some will be easy, and some will be difficult or maybe impossible. Because there are less tools to work with on my X-T1, the aesthetic won’t be as precise, as it’s not as fine-tune-able. Despite that, I hope to have some good film simulation recipes very soon for those with older Fujifilm X cameras.

Provia:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

Velvia:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

Astia:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

Classic Chrome:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

Pro Neg. Hi:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

Pro Neg. Std:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

-2:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

-1:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

+1:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

+2:

Fujifilm X-T30

Fujifilm X-T1

+3:

Fujifilm X-T30

+4:

Fujifilm X-T30

Project: Farmington Bay, Part 2

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Farmington Bay Lake – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Part 1

My project this year is to photograph the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area in Farmington, Utah. My goal is visit this place with a camera at least once per month throughout 2020, but hopefully more often than that. I especially want to make it to Farmington Bay when there’s some interesting weather or a chance of great light. This was my second visit.

The Farmington Bay is a wetland along the Great Salt Lake, where freshwater meets saltwater. There are creeks and small lakes and lots of tall grass. It’s a popular spot for bird-watching. Farmington Bay is massive, and I’ve only explored maybe 10% of it at most, but probably not even that much. There’s a road that takes you fairly deep into the wetland, but the rest is accessible only by foot or bike or boat.

I captured these photographs using my Fujifilm X-T1 and Fujinon 35mm f/2. I used my Velvia and Monochrome recipes, plus a couple of experimental settings, but mostly Velvia. Farmington Bay is both beautiful and lonely. There are great expanses and fantastic views. I feel like I stumbled across a great treasure when I found this place. I look forward to returning with my camera in hand.

B&W

Dike Road – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Dirt Road – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Gate – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wasatch From Farmington Bay – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Cloud Reflection – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Ice in the Water – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Shore Post – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Color

Cattails On The Shore – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red Door – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Tree in January – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red Gate – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red Cloth on Fence – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Greenland – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Green & White – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Eye of the Beholder – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Drain – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wetland Grass – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wetland – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wetland Lake – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bridge to Nowhere – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Eagle on Bridge – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Road Along The Water – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

First Fujifilm X-T1 Film Simulation Recipes

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-T1 Blog

I’ve had my Fujifilm X-T1 for less than two weeks. I plan to create many different film simulation recipes for it, but that takes time, so they’ll likely trickle out over the coming months. I did create three film simulation recipes, which you’ll find below. I like to mimic the aesthetic of vintage films with in-camera JPEG settings, as I learned photography in the film era. These three X-T1 recipes aren’t intended to mimic the look of any particular film; I just like how they look.

The in-camera JPEG options on the X-T1, which has an X-Trans II sensor, are different and much more limited than X-Trans IV or even X-Trans III cameras. Fujifilm continues to provide more and better features to achieve desired looks straight out of camera. While the X-T1 doesn’t have as many options, it’s still possible to get very nice pictures right out of the camera, no post-processing needed. Actually, sometimes it’s nice to have fewer choices as it makes things more simple.

Even though these recipes were created on a Fujifilm X-T1, they’re compatible with all X-Trans II cameras, such as the X100T, X-E2, and X-T10, as well as Fujifilm Bayer cameras, like the XF10, X-T100, and X-A7. The Velvia and Monochrome recipes are compatible with X-Trans I cameras, such as the X-Pro1, X100S and X-E1. I should also point out that my Fujifilm XF10 film simulation recipes are compatible with the X-T1 and other X-Trans II cameras.

Some of you have been asking me to create recipes that are compatible with the older models for some time now, and I’m happy to finally be able to share some. You’ve waited awhile! These three film simulations are just the beginning for the X-T1. I will be creating more. I hope to recreate some of my other looks with the X-Trans II sensor, but we’ll see how that goes. Some future recipes might require unconventional approaches. I can’t wait to see what I come up with! In the meantime, enjoy the recipes below.

Classic Chrome

Praying the Order is Right – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
White Balance: Auto, -1 Red & -1 Blue
Color: +2 (High)
Highlight: +1 (Medium-High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness: 0 (STD)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200

Rural Road In Winter – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Winter Boxcar – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Flaming Lemon – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Joyful Dining – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Opening a Soda Bottle – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Egg, Bowl & Rice – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Grill Fire – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Velvia

Pink Penguin – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Film Simulation: Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
White Balance: Auto, 0 Red & -2 Blue
Color: +2 (High)
Highlight: -1 (Medium-Low)
Shadow: -1 (Medium-Low)
Sharpness : 0 (STD)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200

Kobe Cold – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Sushi Lamp – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

For Goodness Sake – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Anchored Caboose – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red In The Woods – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

When The Season Is All Wrong – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Rudy Drain Winter – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Monochrome

Rebuilt 24 – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Film Simulation: Monochrome (+Y, +R, +G)
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +1 (Medium-High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness : +1 (Medium -Hard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400

Monochrome Lines – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Metal – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

When Life Gives You Lemons – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Soup – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Jo With Chopsticks – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Drinking Soup – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Eating Rice – South Ogden, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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My Fujifilm X-T1 Arrived!

Posted on January 11, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-T1

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I purchased a used Fujifilm X-T1 for only $300. The condition of the camera said “low shutter count” and “in like-new condition.” When you’re purchasing things off the internet, my experience is that it’s rarely exactly as described. Oftentimes the condition is overstated. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find when the package arrived. Well, the packaged was delivered a couple days ago; I opened up the box with anxious curiosity and found inside…

…a near mint Fujifilm X-T1. Yea! It looked brand new except it was missing the sync cap. It really did appear unused! It even had the original firmware installed. I don’t know the story behind it, but it seems like maybe someone used it a couple of times and didn’t like it, so they boxed it up and it sat on a shelf for four or five years. It’s very difficult for me to believe that I snagged this beauty for only $300. This was a $1,300 camera not very long ago. I remember seeing the X-T1 on sale for “only” $1,000 and that was considered a bargain at the time. At $300, the camera’s a steal!

Fujifilm X-T1 Fujinon 35mm f/2

Fujifilm X-T1 Blog

Unfortunately, digital is disposable. People buy cameras and use them for a year or two or maybe three, and then they move on to whatever is new. It’s a byproduct of technology that advances quickly, and also habits formed when digital photography was new and not especially good. There were significant leaps when new camera models came out. There are still big leaps happening today, but we’ve reached a point of diminishing returns, and those leaps don’t mean as much in practical application.

My first SLR was a 20-year-old Canon AE-1, which I purchased over 20 years ago when I was in Photography 101 in college. I used the camera for a number of years. Can you imagine someone buying a 20-year-old digital camera today to use as their main camera? And using that camera for five or more years? That’s unheard of, but it used to be normal in the days of film. Roughly 10 years ago digital camera technology reached a point where people could keep it and use it for years to come because the quality was there. There’s no reason that a five-year-old camera can’t have 15 or more years of life in it as long as the mechanical components continue to work. People often don’t keep them around long enough to find out.

Fujifilm X-T1 Dials

Fujifilm X-T1 Blog

The Fujifilm X-T1 is downright fantastic! It’s plenty quick. The image quality is great. The camera is weather sealed and feels very solid. It’s a little smaller than the X-T2 and X-T3 and not all that much bigger and heavier than my X-T30. I do wish it had the focus joystick and some of the JPEG options that the newer cameras have, but it’s not a big deal that the camera lacks those things. It’s still a very good camera capable of capturing beautiful pictures.

The photographs below are the first images captured with my new Fujifilm X-T1. These are camera-made JPEGs. I don’t have any recipes yet, but you can rest assured that I will be creating some, and when I do I will share them on Fuji X Weekly. Even though the camera is five-years-old, I’m very excited to go out and shoot with the brand-new-to-me X-T1.