Fujifilm XQ1 | 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

Fuji Film Simulation: Fujifilm XQ1 + Astia at Mirror Lake (Video)

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

I just posted the third video in the Fuji Film Simulation series today! This new video, which you’ll find above, is about using the new X-Trans II Astia film simulation recipe at Mirror Lake in Utah on a Fujifilm XQ1 camera. I want to give a special “thank you” to Fuji X Weekly reader Gus Potenza for loaning me his camera. It’s been a lot of fun to shoot with!

If you like this video, give it a “thumbs up!” I invite you to share it on your social media. Be sure to leave a comment—I appreciate the feedback!

If you don’t follow me on YouTube, be sure to do so! There are many more videos in the works. These projects take up a lot of time, so they’ve been slow to come out, but my hope is to release a new video each week. That may or may not happen; if you don’t subscribe you might miss them when they do come out. I appreciate everyone who has already hit that Subscribe button!

My wife, Amanda, is the one who created this video. She did all of the videography and editing. If you’re interested, the gear she used (accompanied by affiliate links; yes, I will be compensated a small amount if you purchase something using those links) is listed below. Let me know if you’d like to see more of the video side of things, and what specifically you’d be interested in. Thanks!

Fujifilm X-T20 https://amzn.to/2Beu6MM
Fujifilm X-T30 https://amzn.to/2YHKiir
Fujinon 10-24mm https://amzn.to/3i6WPnq
Rokinon 12mm https://amzn.to/2CUHPJI
GoPro Hero 8 Black https://amzn.to/2BKBwY6

Fujifilm X-Trans II Film Simulation Recipe: Astia

Posted on August 22, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

*Evergreen Sunstar* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Astia”

One of my favorite film simulation recipes that I’ve created is Fujicolor 100 Industrial. It’s not compatible with X-Trans II cameras, but I wanted to make something similar to it for the Fujifilm XQ1. This camera doesn’t have PRO Neg. Std, the film simulation that the Fujicolor 100 Industrial recipe requires. For color photographs, the XQ1 has three options: Provia, Velvia and Astia. I tried both Provia and Astia, and neither worked, but I liked how the Astia recipe looked, so I continued working with it.

What this Astia recipe reminds me of is Provia 100F film. When Fujifilm created their film simulations, the one they named Provia more closely resembles Astia film, and the one they named Astia more closely resembles Provia film, but neither are a great match. This recipe isn’t a 100% match to Provia 100F, but it is closer than the Astia film simulation out-of-the-box or especially the Provia film simulation. Confused? Well, to make it even more confusing, since it’s not really intended to look like Provia 100F and it’s not an especially close match, I named this recipe “Astia” after the film simulation it requires. Whatever the name, and whatever film it may or may not resemble, this film simulation recipe is actually pretty good for everyday use.

*Diagonal Lines on Decor* – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Astia”

The XQ1 has a small X-Trans II sensor inside, which means this recipe is fully compatible with all X-Trans II cameras. If you are using it on an APS-C X-Trans II camera, you can increase the maximum ISO to 3200. Feel free to try this recipe on X-Trans I or Bayer sensor cameras, too—it will work but the results might be slightly different.

Astia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: -2 (Soft)
Shadow: 0 (Standard)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: 2650K, +8 Red & -8 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs made using this Astia film simulation recipe on a Fujifilm XQ1:

*Mirror Lake Sign* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Floating Preparations* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Lake Boardwalk* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Blue Boat by the Boardwalk* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Fishing Blues* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Lone Pine* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Tree Silhouette* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Nature Flames* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Reaching Leaves* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Mountain Flower Blossom* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Sunlit Pine Needles* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Trunk & Log* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

*Logs in the Lake* – Mirror Lake, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

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Fujifilm XQ1 (X-Trans II) Film Simulation Recipe: Kodachrome Without Classic Chrome

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Red Greens – Kaysville, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Kodachrome”

I’ve made a lot of Kodachrome film simulation recipes for Fujifilm cameras (click here, here, here, here, here and here), and they’re very popular. Kodachrome was an iconic slide film made by Kodak for many, many years, so it’s no surprise that people want to get that look out of their Fujifilm camera. All of my Kodachrome recipes use Classic Chrome because it has a Kodak-esque slide film aesthetic, but some cameras don’t have Classic Chrome, such as the Fujifilm XQ1. Yes, the XQ1 is an X-Trans II camera, and most X-Trans II cameras have Classic Chrome, but this one doesn’t, only Provia, Velvia, and Astia for color images.

I created this recipe by capturing an image on my X-T1 using my Kodachrome 64 recipe for that camera, and then as best as possible recreated the look not using Classic Chrome. While I tried Velvia and Astia, I ended up using Provia. It’s a surprisingly close match, although not exact. I think you’ll like this Kodachrome recipe if your camera doesn’t have Classic Chrome.

!!! Ride !!! – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Kodachrome”

Provia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +2 (Hard)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-Hard)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Standard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight (Fujifilm calls it “Fine” for some reason), -1 Red & -4 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs made using this “Kodachrome Without Classic Chrome” film simulation recipe on a Fujifilm XQ1:

Lights & Reflections – Kaysville, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Flag Poles – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Drive Thru Gas & Wash – Kaysville, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Flowers in a Pot on Concrete – Kaysville, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Horse Ranch – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Closed Umbrella, Threatening Clouds – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Drawing Jonathan – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Breakfast – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Fujifilm XQ1 (X-Trans II) Film Simulation Recipe: Lomography Color 100

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

Backlit Backyard Leaves – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Lomography 100”

My second attempt at a film simulation recipe for the Fujifilm XQ1, which has an X-Trans II sensor, was Lomography Color 100. I have a recipe for this film for X-Trans IV cameras, such as my X-T30, and this is a conversion of that recipe for X-Trans II cameras. Honestly, this version isn’t quite as good as the X-Trans IV version (because the newer cameras have more JPEG options), but it’s still a good all-around, everyday film simulation recipe.

As I explained in my X-Trans IV recipe, there are three and perhaps four different emulsions that have been sold under the Lomography Color 100 name. Making a recipe that matches the film is impossible for that reason. Besides, people who use this film also often use alternative techniques, such as push-processing. Lomography Color 100 can have many, many different looks; despite that, this recipe is in the general ballpark of the film.

Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2 (Hard)
Shadow: 0 (Standard)
Color: -2 (Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Standard)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Cloudy/Shade, -3 Red & +7 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs made using this Lomography 100 film simulation recipe on a Fujifilm XQ1:

Green Leaves & Blue Sky – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Rooster Roof – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Promenade – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Towing – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Yellow Hitch – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Rusty Ford – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Camper Special – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Grate Airport Bus – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Major Award – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Abandoned Truck Trailers – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Graffiti Truck – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Yucca Leaves – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Sunlight Through The Green Tree – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Evening Tree & Reeds – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Red Berries – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Irrigation Cover – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

White Thistle – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Rocky Landscape – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Single Reed – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Reeds Reaching To The Sky – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

Jonathan Outside – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1

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Fujifilm XQ1 (X-Trans II) Film Simulation Recipe: Cross Process

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Ritchie Roesch

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A Fuji X Weekly reader sent me his camera, a Fujifilm XQ1, so that I might create some film simulation recipes for it. For those who don’t know, the XQ1 is a premium compact-zoom that Fujifilm made six or seven years ago, and it has a 2/3″ 12-megapixel X-Trans II sensor. While the sensor is much smaller than APS-C, it has the same processor and software as other X-Trans II cameras, although it is missing some options (Classic Chrome, PRO Neg. Hi and PRO Neg. Std, for instance). I discovered that some of the X-Trans II recipes I’ve created, such as Ektachrome 100SW, Agfa Optima, Velvia and Monochrome, all work great on the XQ1. My intentions are to create some more recipes that will work on this camera, and, really, all X-Trans II cameras.

The first film simulation recipe that I created for the XQ1 (and, again, it’s compatible with all X-Trans II cameras) is Cross Process. I have a couple Cross Process recipes that I’ve created for newer camera models (here and here), but never for older models. This one was rather easy to make, and so that’s why I started with it. While I set the maximum ISO to 1600, if you are using an APS-C X-Trans II camera, I’d go as high as ISO 3200. Feel free to try this recipe on X-Trans I or Bayer cameras, if you have one of those, and see how it turns out.

Summer Evening Dream – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1 – “Cross Process”

Cross processing is a technique where you develop a film in chemicals intended for another film. For example, the most common cross process is to develop color transparencies, which require the E-6 process, using color negative film chemicals, which is known as C-41 process. For slide film, the photographs typically increase in contrast and grain and the colors shift dramatically. There are other types of cross processing, as well. I’ve done cross processing before, and the results can be fun. Different films will look different when they are cross processed. Overexposing or underexposing or even how the development is handled can effect how the image is rendered. The aesthetic can vary significantly, but usually you can spot a cross processed photograph when you see it.

Provia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +2 (Hard)
Shadow: +2 (Hard)
Color: +2 (High)
Sharpness: -1 (Medium-Soft)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, -3 Red & -9 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 1600
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 (typically)