Fujifilm X-T4 IR

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

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infrared Photography on Fujifilm Full Spectrum Cameras

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Did you know that you can photograph invisible light? Full spectrum infrared cameras can see beyond what you and I can perceive with our eyes, providing a unique way to view the world.

Lightwaves within the visible spectrum are between about 380-780 nanometers, but there is light outside of what the human eyes can see. On one end is Infrared, also called Thermal Radiation, which is from 780nm to 1 millimeter (700nm to 780nm is sometimes referred to as near-IR). On the other side is Ultra Violet, which is from 380nm to 10nm. Camera sensors are sensitive to these lightwaves, so manufacturers place a filter over the sensor to block the invisible light. If not for this filter, your pictures would look abnormal compared to what your eyes see. Full spectrum cameras don’t have this filter, and are sensitive to the full range of lightwaves.

Above: Full spectrum images without filters, photographed on a Fujifilm X-T4 ES.

Fujifilm has made several full spectrum cameras. First was the S3 Pro UVIR in 2006, followed by the IS-1 (infrared version of the FinePix S9100) in 2007, then X-T1 IR in 2015, then GFX100 IR in 2020, and finally the X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) in 2024. Typically, Fujifilm does not offer these models to the general public; instead, they are strictly only for “forensic, scientific, and cultural preservation applications.” The X-T4 ES is the first full spectrum model that Fujifilm has sold to the general public, albeit quite quietly. As of this writing, I believe that the only place you can buy the Fujifilm X-T4 ES is from B&H, but it requires a phone call or in-person visit, and cannot be ordered from the internet. If that changes, I’ll be sure to let you know.

For those unable to buy a Fujifilm X-T4 ES (which is a standard X-T4 just without the infrared/UV filter over the sensor), you can convert any Fujifilm camera to full spectrum. It requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor like LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera (there are others, too). Sometimes you can find an already converted camera for sell. You can also get a specific infrared filter over the sensor in place of the removed filter, but that is a much more limiting approach than a full spectrum conversion, and you have to know that you’ll be happy with your filter choice before committing to it, or else you might find yourself regretting your decision. The easiest option—if you can find it, which might be a big if—is the X-T4 ES. I hope that Fujifilm makes this model (or something similar) more easily available to purchase.

One consideration for full spectrum cameras is the lens. Many lenses suffer from IR hotspots, and can perform less than optimally when used with a full spectrum camera. Many lenses are good wide-open at maximum aperture, but as you stop down the hotspot appears. The Fujinon 35mm f/2 is good at all apertures, and that is the one that I most commonly use with the X-T4 ES. There are several databases (here, here, here) for which lenses are good for full spectrum cameras, and which ones to avoid.

Another consideration is filters. You don’t need a filter to use your full spectrum camera, but you can use various filters, such as the Kolari Vision IR Chrome, to control the wavelengths of light that hit the sensor. You can achieve many various looks by the filters you use in conjunction with the camera settings, including film simulation and white balance. These filter and camera setting combinations are called Full Spectrum Film Simulation Recipes, which allows you to achieve striking photos without editing. As of this writing, I have published five Recipes: Aerochrome v1, Aerochrome v2, PurpleChrome, Cotton Candy Chrome, and Agfa 400S. More are in the works, so stay tuned for that.

Clockwise, from top-left: Aerochrome v1, Aerochrome v2, PurpleChrome, Cotton Candy Chrome, Agfa 400S.

Capturing the invisible light spectrum is extremely fun and rewarding because it transforms an ordinary scene into something truly extraordinary. The world becomes a fanciful place filled with unexpected colors. It’s like a crazy dream, except that it’s real, if only you could see it—full spectrum cameras allow you to peel back the curtain and take a peek.

Interestingly, you can actually do infrared photography with non-converted Fujifilm cameras, because the X-Trans sensors are sensitive to near-IR light. My Full Spectrum Film Simulation Recipes won’t work, because those require a full spectrum camera like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, but nonetheless you can still do IR photography with a 720nm IR filter (which blocks most visible light) on a regular, non-converted model. It’s fun to try! Since most of the light is blocked, you will be using high-ISOs and/or longer exposure times. If you do this, be warned: you might get bit by the IR bug, and find yourself converting a camera, or searching out an X-T4 ES.

Above: B&W IR photo from a non-converted Fujifilm X-E4 & 720nm filter.

See also:
Photographing in Aerochrome
Philadelphia in Aerochrome — Infrared Photography in the City of Brotherly Love

Philadelphia in Aerochrome — Infrared Photography in the City of Brotherly Love

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

A Fall Day in Philly – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

I had a great time in Philadelphia this last weekend with Allan Ali at Unique Photo as a part of their two day Camera Show. Allan and I led a photowalk through the Old City. There were about 70 in attendance, which was amazing—it just edged out Denver as the largest photowalk that I’ve hosted. It was such an honor to have been a part of the Camera Show. I don’t know if there are very many other stores that are doing what Unique Photo is doing. The photographers in Philadelphia are incredibly fortunate.

I brought my Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) infrared camera with me to Philadelphia. This camera is a ton of fun, and it’s also a great conversation piece. It’s a “wow” camera, and people are really intrigued by it. I think if it were more widely known and available, people would buy it in much larger numbers. I had my Aerochrome v2 Recipe programmed into the X-T4 ES, and used it quite a bit on the photowalk.

Corn Exchange – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

Probably the top genre for infrared photography is landscapes. The false color rendering lends itself well for photos that are bold and a bit abstract, especially when there are lots of trees and other vegetation. I’m sure that there are some doing IR urban and street photography, but probably not many. I enjoy using the X-T4 ES in unexpected ways, as it’s really a different way to see the world around you, and also serendipitous, with a lot of surprising results. I don’t know if I can convey through words just how much enjoyment that I’m getting out of this camera, but I’m really loving it!

The Fujifilm X-T4 ES with my Aerochrome v2 Recipe—due to the false colors—turns spring and summer into autumn, and it turns autumn into a more rich display—it’s like fall on steroids. With this camera and Recipe, it’s not only always autumn, but an especially brilliant autumn. That’s the most obvious use, but that doesn’t mean it can’t produce striking results for other subjects and in other situations, such as indoors and even nighttime photography.

Camera Show – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Things are Looking Up – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Leaves on a Brick Road – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Crosswalker – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Three Recycle Cans – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Standing on Steam – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Photographers in Elfreth’s Alley – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Connecting – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Vertical Composition – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Photowalking – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Photographing a Photographer Photographing a Photographer – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
George’s House – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Rainbow – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Street View – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Vegan – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Fire Tree – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Red Tree in the City – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2
Urban Cowboys – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

See also: Photographing in Aerochrome

Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Extended Spectrum) Infrared Camera

Posted on by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm quietly released a special edition of the Fujifilm X-T4, and nobody noticed. Specifically, it’s the X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”), which is a full-spectrum infrared camera. Digital camera sensors are sensitive to light outside of what humans can see, and a filter is added to the top of the sensor to block those wavelengths so that you get normal-looking colors. The Fujifilm X-T4 ES is an ordinary X-T4, just without the infrared filter over the sensor, allowing the camera to capture invisible light, which dramatically transforms an ordinary scene into something dreamlike.

I’ve wanted to try infrared photography for decades. A long time ago I shot one roll (I believe it was Ektachrome EIR, but I don’t remember for certain); however, none of the frames turned out—mostly because I really didn’t know what I was doing way back then. More recently, I learned that many Fujifilm cameras have some IR sensitivity, so I made several infrared photographs with a non-converted camera; however, that was only a tease.

The problem with modern infrared photography is that (with a few exceptions) it requires you to ship out your old gear to have an expensive and invasive procedure performed in order to remove the IR filter. There are a couple of places that will do it, and at a few different times I strongly considered sending out my old X-T1 to be converted to full-spectrum. You can also buy one that’s already done, but it will either be a used model with a roughly $500 premium, or a new model with that same premium and without a warranty. Two years ago I suggested that Fujifilm should offer an IR camera, and now they have, so I bought it!

The Fujifilm X-T4 ES is not the first infrared camera made by Fujifilm. The first was the S3 Pro UVIR in 2006, followed by the IS-1 (infrared version of the FinePix S9100) in 2007, then X-T1 IR in 2015, then GFX100 IR in 2020, and finally the X-T4 ES in 2024. However, the X-T4 ES is the first made available to the general public, as the others were specifically for “forensic, scientific, and cultural preservation applications.” Fujifilm very quietly released the X-T4 ES only on their website and with almost no promotion. Nobody even noticed it! Well, almost nobody—the camera was sold out within about a week. I’m not sure how many copies were produced—whatever the number, they were gone very quickly. I think it goes to show that there is a demand for such a camera, and Fujifilm should do something similar soon, but have more units available for purchase.

Yesterday a Fujifilm X-T4 ES arrived at my doorstep. I’m very underprepared, and excitedly waiting for some infrared filters to arrive in the mail (you need various filters to control the light to achieve different outcomes) within the coming week; however, I was surprised to learn that my old color filters for B&W film photography work for infrared. Also, unfiltered full-spectrum pictures can be quite interesting, too. I have so much to learn, and a ton of experiments to do, but so far I’m thrilled and amazed by the results—there’s a ton of potential!

I’ve only captured a small number of photographs with the new camera, and just right around the house—nothing even remotely series. The general rule of thumb that I have seen online is that IR pictures require significant editing (including color channel swaps) to get good results, particularly for color images. Of course—you know me—I’m interested in straight-out-of-camera pictures that don’t require editing, so my goal is to create Film Simulation Recipes for use with the full-spectrum Fujifilm X-T4 ES. I have a long ways to go, so it will likely be awhile before I publish anything. With that said, the pictures below are all unedited camera-made JPEGs that I’ve captured with my Fujifilm X-T4 ES, so maybe it won’t take so long afterall.