Fujifilm XF1 | FUJI X WEEKLY

3 Forgotten Fujifilm Cameras Worth Remembering

With so many exciting cameras released over the last couple of years, it’s easy to forget some of the lesser-successful models from the early days of the X-series. With each new announcement, it seems that Fujifilm has hit-after-hit, and it can seem unthinkable that some of their cameras have been sales disappointments. The latest releases have features and advancements that may make older cameras seem obsolete, but they’re not. And why are they not obsolete? It’s because Fujifilm has infused each generation with its own unique charm. If you especially like that charm, the camera can never be obsolete because you need that camera in order to experience it. These three forgotten Fujifilm cameras are full of charm, and are worth remembering.

Fujifilm XF1

If you’re looking for a compact digicam that fuses vintage charm with capable image quality, the Fujifilm XF1 is an excellent choice. Announced in September of 2012, it put the X-series into your pocket. It featured a 12-megapixel 2/3-inch EXR-CMOS sensor (not X-Trans), which was larger than many compact sensors at that time, and a very useful 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9 zoom lens. The XF1 invited photographers to carry something small while still achieving good image quality.

Two things ultimately made the XF1 flop, and hence forgotten. First, it required a somewhat awkward twist of the lens to power on. Second, it was released at a time when pocket digicams were going out of style, particular thanks to advancements in cellphone cameras. Fujifilm never made a followup. Thanks to a resurgence in digicam popularity, cameras like the XF1 are cool again. In fact, this camera is recently seen in Ballad of a Small Player on Netflix. While the XF1 is a compact digicam, the character is very much Fujifilm—yet it has a unique quality that I haven’t found on any other X-series model. If you want a stylish pocketable camera that delivers enjoyable images with personality, the XF1 is definitely worth considering.

Above: Fujifilm XF1 photographs using the Golden Negative Recipe and Provia/STD Recipe

Fujifilm XQ1

Another pocketable X-series camera similar to the XF1 is the Fujifilm XQ1. Announced one year later in 2013, it has a 12mp 2/3-inch X-Trans II sensor. It also has a 25-100mm f/1.8-4.9 zoom lens. In a lot of ways, the XQ1 is the same as the XF1, but it is notably updated and improved, and feels more refined. The XQ1 was a bigger success than the XF1, but it also came during a time of market declines for its class. One-and-a-half years later Fujifilm released a nearly identical successor: the XQ2. After that, the line was discontinued. If Fujifilm has ever considered resuscitating this series, now would be a great time—people would buy it up in droves.

Above: Fujifilm XQ1 photographs using the Astia Recipe, Lomography Color 100 Recipe, and Cross Process Recipe

Fujifilm X-M1

For an interchangeable-lens APS-C model, the Fujifilm X-M1 deserves a look. Announced in June of 2013, it has a 16mp X-Trans I sensor combined with the X-Processor 2, but scaled back as an entry-level model—yet with some advancements like tilting LCD and WiFi. It was a unique model in the X-series, but sales were sluggish, and it was soon discontinued and forgotten.

If not for the X-M5 released last year, which has been quite popular, the X-M1 might still remain largely lost to time. Nobody expected this camera to ever have a successor—it was a shock! It goes to show that 1) timing is everything and 2) any camera line can be revived at any moment. The X-M1 is still surprisingly decent in 2025 considering it was a low-budget model when it came out more than 12 years ago. I can certainly understand while some still use the X-M1 all these years later.

Above: Fujifilm X-M1 photographs captured using the Vivid Color Recipe, Reminiscent Print Recipe, and Monochrome Recipe

Provia/STD — Fujifilm XF1 (EXR-CMOS) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on August 17, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

A Film Simulation Recipe for the Fujifilm XF1, X100, X10 & X-S1 cameras.

*Tower Above the Trees* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1 – Provia/STD Recipe

This Film Simulation Recipe was simply an attempt to improve the factory default Provia film sim, with the goal of creating a more analog-like rendering. On the XF1, Provia doesn’t look half bad out-of-the-box, but I thought with some adjustments, I could make it better. I think it turned out pretty well—I’m quite happy with the results I’m getting from this Recipe.

The Fujifilm EXR-CMOS sensor generation quality reminds me of analog half-frame, which are cameras that only expose half of a 35mm frame, allowing you to get twice as many pictures on one roll of film, but at the expense of image quality. For smaller prints it’s no big deal, but if you want to enlarge bigger than 8″x10″, the difference is noticeable, particularly the larger you print. For internet viewing and prints up to 8″x10″, the image quality from the Fujifilm XF1 is great, but I wouldn’t want to print large or crop deeply, because it would begin to fall apart. With that said, I do like the rendering from this camera—it’s a bit different from the other sensor generations.

*Lamps & Neon* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1 – Provia/STD Recipe

This “Provia/STD” Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with the Fujifilm XF1, X100, X10, and X-S1 cameras. You can use it on X-Trans I, X-Trans II, and Bayer models, too, but it will look slightly different (feel free to try, though)—at the bottom of this article is one picture captured on my Fujifilm X70, which is an X-Trans II model, using this Recipe.

Provia/STD
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlight: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Shadow: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Color: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: 5600K, -3 Red (R/CY) & -1 Blue (B/Ye)
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Provia/STD Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm XF1:

*Potted Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Five-Story Tower* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Block Wall Vines* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Singular Bulb* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Yellow Trumpet Blossoms* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Bunch of Blossomed Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Roof Design* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Street Lofts* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Multicolored Water in Mason Jars* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Moose Antlers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Fuji X Weekly* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

Comparison

*Captured using this Provia/STD Recipe on a Fujifilm X70*

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Golden Negative — Fujifilm XF1 (EXR-CMOS) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on August 6, 2023 by Ritchie Roesch

A Film Simulation Recipe for the Fujifilm XF1, X100, X10 & X-S1 cameras.

*Los Angeles* – Avondale, AZ – Fujifilm XF1 – Golden Negative

Right at the very beginning of the X-series, but before X-Trans, Fujifilm briefly used a different sensor called EXR-CMOS. It was a 12-megapixel Sony CMOS sensor with an array similar to Bayer, except tilted at 45° (Fujifilm had previously used this tilted pattern on their Super-CCD sensors). The advantage to this unusual arrangement was that two of each color pixels sat near each other on the sensor, allowing for pixel-binning. Of course we’re familiar with pixel-binning now, as many cellphone sensors do this, but it was pretty revolutionary when Fujifilm did it roughly 15 years ago. It didn’t really catch on because 1) Fujifilm was only binning two pixels (not the more common four that we see today) and 2) the already somewhat low-resolution sensor was cut in half in order to do it. Basically, the advantages were fairly small while the disadvantage was somewhat significant.

The advantages of EXR was an increase in dynamic range and high-ISO performance. In order to achieve that, the camera had to be switched to EXR mode, which basically took the place of the DR options. Within the EXR mode, one of the settings was called D-Range Priority. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, to unlock D-Range Priority (and the other EXR options), one had to sacrifice half of the resolution and the ability to save a RAW file. My guess is that EXR was infrequently utilized on these cameras, but I really don’t know, as I only purchased one—a Fujifilm XF1—just recently.

Of the four X-series cameras that used an EXR-CMOS sensor, only the X100 was APS-C, and the other three were 2/3″, which was much smaller. I’ve never used the original X100, and only recently the XF1 with its tiny 2/3″ EXR-CMOS. The color rendering should be pretty identical, but the dynamic range and high-ISO noise performance is likely slightly different. I know this because I have used both an APS-C and 2/3″ X-Trans II sensor, and that’s what I observed. I don’t expect a significant difference in output between the four EXR-CMOS cameras, but the X100 will be a little superior to the other three.

*Empty Restaurant Chair* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm XF1 – Golden Negative

The JPEG options on EXR-CMOS are very similar to X-Trans I, but the rendering is slightly different. You can use X-Trans I, X-Trans II, and Bayer Film Simulation Recipes that use Provia, Velvia, Astia, Monochrome, or Sepia film simulations; however, they will look a bit different on the XF1, X100, X10, or X-S1 cameras. Likewise, you can use this Golden Negative Recipe on X-Trans I, X-Trans II, or Bayer models, but it will render just a tad different. This isn’t to discourage you from trying, but to simply say that results will vary. I call this Film Simulation Recipe “Golden Negative” because I was attempting to achieve an aesthetic similar to the Golden Negative Recipe for Bayer cameras that have Classic Chrome; EXR-CMOS cameras don’t have Classic Chrome, so I used Provia instead. It’s definitely not identical, but this Film Simulation Recipe looks really good, and I think, if you have an EXR-CMOS sensor camera, you’ll truly enjoy this one.

Provia/STD
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlight: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Shadow: 0 (Standard)
Color: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness: 0 (Standard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red (R/CY) & -3 Blue (B/Ye)
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Golden Negative Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm XF1:

*Pink Bloom in Blue Sky* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Bougainvillea & Building Storm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Block Wall & Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Garden Gate* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Bougainvillea in Summer* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Yellow Trumpets* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Vines on a Cinderblock Wall* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Attic Window* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Cirrocumulus behind Tree Leaves* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Ball Field & Distant Storm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Overcast Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Dry Grass in the Park* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Shade Maker* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Young Photographer* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Car Window Boy* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Dead Flowers in a Pot* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Hanging Bulbs* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Tile Rooflines* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Illuminated Window* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Breakfast Served Backwards* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

*Vines over Birdcage* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm XF1

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