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)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs made using this Cross Process film simulation recipe on a Fujifilm XQ1:
SkyWest Sunset – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Eagle TT-12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
SkyWest Carts – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Ford Truck – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Ranger – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Warehouse Deliveries – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Stop! – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Cross Process Red Roses – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Yellow Stump – Salt Lake City, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Sand Toys Without Sand – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Spirit of Photography – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Blessed – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Message From Space – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
Green Leaves – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm XQ1
See also: Film Simulation Recipes
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