Full Spectrum Photography

Aerochrome v2 — Fujifilm X-T3/X-T30 Full Spectrum Infrared Film Simulation Recipe

*Red Coast* – Fort Bragg, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – This new Aerochrome v2 Recipe

Last year, I started my infrared photography journey when I purchased a Fujifilm X-T4 ES full-spectrum IR camera. Since then, I’ve published seven infrared Film Simulation Recipes for the X-T4 ES, which can also be used on full-spectrum converted X-Trans IV (except the X-T3 & X-T30) and X-Trans V cameras. You must have a full-spectrum model to use these Recipes, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor; otherwise, the X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full-spectrum camera briefly offered by Fujifilm to the general public (it’s very difficult to find, but in my opinion totally worth owning). If you have a “normal” (non-converted) camera, these Recipes will not work.

One camera that people have commonly converted (as common as it gets, anyway) is the Fujifilm X-T3. While the X-T3 is X-Trans IV, it has JPEG options more similar to X-Trans III—it’s missing some that are available on later X-Trans IV models. Because of this, my seven infrared Recipes won’t work on a full-spectrum converted X-T3 or X-T30. Dan Allan has a full-spectrum X-T3, and he really wanted to use my Aerochrome v2 Recipe, so he modified it to be compatible with his camera. It’s not 100% the same, but pretty close, and quite nice. Those with a full-spectrum converted X-T3 or X-T30 can now join the infrared Recipe fun!

Above Left: Original Fujifilm X-T4 ES Aerochrome v2 Recipe; Above Right: This new Aerochrome v2 Recipe for the X-T3/X-T30.

Dan was kind to share his modification with me (and all of you), and also allowed me to publish his wonderful photos in this article, which you’ll find below (thank you, Dan!). If you have an X-Trans III full-spectrum model, this Recipe will work by ignoring Color Chrome Effect, but it will render a little different (feel free to try, though). If you have a Fujifilm X-T4 ES—or an X-Trans IV (other than the X-T3 & X-T30) or X-Trans V camera that has been full-spectrum modified—this Recipe will work by choosing Grain size Small, Color Chrome FX Blue set to Off, and Clarity set to 0. Depending on your preferences, you might actually like this version a bit better. The blue sky is the most obvious difference (interestingly, it seems slightly less divergent in Dan’s pictures than in the set above), but there are other more subtle variances; however, the overall vibe is the same between the original Aerochrome V2 Recipe and the new version. This Recipe requires three filters: Kolari Vision IR Chrome filter, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter and Tiffen Yellow 2 #8 filter. The IR Chrome filter is intended for infrared photography, while the Yellow-Green and Yellow filters are for B&W film. I’m not sure if the order matters, but I have the Yellow filter first (closest to the lens), the IR Chrome next, and the Yellow-Green last (furthest from the lens).

Edit: Dan informed me that he has the IR Chrome filter first (closest to the lens), followed by the G(XO), and then the Yellow 2 #8 (furthest from the lens). He isn’t sure if the order matters, but it might. He also wanted to mention that his conversion was with Kolari, with their anti-reflection glass, which might have a minimal impact on the outcome vs the X-T4 ES.

Filters: Kolari Vision IR Chrome, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & Tiffen Yellow 2 #8
Film Simulation: Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
White Balance: 5000K, +7 Red & +7 Blue
Highlight: +2
Shadow: 0
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured by Dan Allen using this Aerochrome v2 Film Simulation Recipe on his full-spectrum converted Fujifilm X-T3:

*Full-Spectrum Fujifilm X-T3 & Aerochrome v2 Recipe — Photo by Dan Allen*

Find this Aerochrome v2 and other IR Recipes in the Fuji X Weekly App, available for both Android and Apple.

See Beyond the Visible with Infrared Photography

Posted on August 12 by Ritchie Roesch

*Pacific Vista* – Elk, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

I’ve been asked about infrared photography quite a bit lately, especially after sharing pictures captured with my full-spectrum Fujifilm X-T4 ES and the Aerochrome v2 Film Simulation Recipe on Instagram. Infrared is a fascinating genre of photography because it allows you to See Beyond the Visible™ (someone should trademark that…) by capturing light that your eyes can’t see. The results can be stunning and surreal. It’s definitely abstract, but in the best way possible.

Infrared photography is not new. It dates back to the early 1900’s, when special emulsions made it possible to record wavelengths just beyond visible light. At first, infrared film was used primarily for scientific and military purposes. In the 1940s, Kodak developed Aerochrome, a color infrared film designed for aerial reconnaissance. Soldiers could spot camouflaged objects because foliage would render in vivid reds and pinks, while man-made materials appeared in other colors. Artists later adopted Aerochrome for its unique false-color palette, using it to transform ordinary landscapes into psychedelic dreamscapes. Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced? and Frank Zappa Hot Rats album covers brought infrared photography a bit more into the mainstream in the late-1960’s. While it was always a niche genre, infrared photography became less popular in the 1990’s, forcing Kodak to scale back production of their IR films. The rise of digital cameras was the final nail in the infrared film coffin.

*Bird, Watching* – Bodega Bay, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

Kodak discontinued Aerochrome production in 2009 (they continued to sell their stock for another two years, until they ran out). Nowadays, color infrared film is very difficult to find, and extremely expensive when you do find it. Digital cameras, however, opened up new possibilities. Modern camera sensors are inherently sensitive to infrared light, but an internal filter blocks it. By removing that filter—what’s called a full-spectrum conversion—you can once again see and photograph the invisible. The Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a factory-modified, full-spectrum version of the X-T4, and it’s perfect for exploring infrared photography. B&H had some available for purchase, but you had to inquire either over-the-phone or in-person; however, it’s now listed as discontinued, so they’re likely all sold out.

I have three Aerochrome Recipes for X-Trans IV and X-Trans V full-spectrum infrared cameras: Aerochrome v1, Aerochrome v2, and Aerochrome v3. Each mimics a different possible aesthetic of the film to various degrees. Of the three, Aerochrome v2 is my personal favorite. The Recipe was created specifically for full-spectrum Fujifilm cameras (particularly the X-T4 ES) paired with specific filters—in this case: Kolari Vision IR Chrome, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & Tiffen Yellow 2 #8. It’s intended to replicate the look of Kodak Aerochrome, with pink/red foliage and cyan skies—delivering bold, dreamlike colors. Like all Fuji X Weekly Recipes, the goal is to get the desired aesthetic straight-out-of-camera. No lengthy editing sessions required; just program the settings, attach the right filters, and shoot.

*Pacific Dusk* – Elk, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

I’ve used the Aerochrome v2 Recipe in a variety of locations—from the White Sands National Park in New Mexico to the streets of Philadelphia—and each time I’m amazed at how it transforms a scene. I especially love using it at the coast, which I was doing just last week (and where I photographed the pictures in this article). The way it renders foliage is stunning, and the overall color palette is wonderfully surreal. It’s a creative tool that makes you see the world differently.

If you want to dive deeper into infrared photography, go get yourself a full-spectrum converted camera, or have one you already own converted. The Fuji X Weekly App includes full-spectrum Recipes; in addition to the three Aerochrome options, you’ll find PurpleChrome, Cotton Candy Chrome, and Agfa 400S. Whether you’re chasing the look of discontinued films or just exploring unseen light, there’s likely a Recipe to suit your style; if not, I’m sure I’ll create several more over the coming months and years.

Infrared photography lets you step into a hidden world—one where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. With the right Fujifilm cameras and Film Simulation Recipes, you can experience the excitement of seeing beyond the visible yourself. No channel swaps or extensive edits. You can achieve the look straight-out-of-camera, just like Aerochrome shooters did decades ago… only now, you don’t need a darkroom (or patience as your film is at the lab), just a little curiosity and the right settings.

Travel Adventure: Charleston, South Carolina — Part 3, Day 4

Posted on April 4 by Ritchie Roesch

*White Bridge across Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

Part 1 — Part 2

On the fourth day of this trip, which was the third full day in Charleston, we spent the entire afternoon and evening at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. This spot was picked by my wife, Amanda, and I really didn’t know what to expect. Learning my lesson from the prior day, I brought along my Fujifilm X-E4 with the 27mm pancake lens attached, as well as my Fujifilm X-T4 ES infrared camera with the 35mm f/2 lens. The X-T4 ES is currently my favorite model, but it does require the right subjects and light to really do well. Although spring was just beginning to appear, there were still a lot of dormant trees, and a lot of them looked like winter or even late-fall, so I wasn’t sure how well the infrared camera would do.

I was blown away by the beauty of this location—it’s a nature and wildlife photographer’s playground! It seemed like a place you can return to over and over again, and not exhaust the picture opportunities. I can also understand why it is one of the top choices in the area for weddings. From a photographer’s point-of-view, this is a must-see location in Charleston.

The Fujifilm X-E4 with the 27mm pancake lens was perfect. It never got in the way—I kept it in my sweater pocket—and it delivered excellent results. This camera-lens combination is not talked about enough, perhaps because both items have been difficult to find. In my opinion, Fujifilm should prioritize a successor to the discontinued camera, and consider producing another pancake lens or two to go with it. The X-T4 ES was hit-or-miss. I think if we had been there a few weeks later, it would have done better; however, I still got some good photos.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is pretty much all we did on this day, but it was definitely a highlight of the trip. If you ever visit Charleston, make sure that this place is on your agenda. This spot alone made the trip from Arizona worthwhile, and I hope to return someday.

*Train, Truck & Cart* – North Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Flower Garden Blossoms* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Velvia Film

*Tulips* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*White Tulips* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Cabin in the Swamp* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Bathroom View* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Cabin* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Sunlit Red Leaves* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Azaleas* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*Azalea Blossom* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Superia Negative

*Rhododendron Buds* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Superia Negative

*Be(ing)Real* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Superia Negative

*Hanging Moss* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Cabin by a Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Hidden Alligator* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Common Camellia* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Superia Negative

*Azalea Branch* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Velvia Film

*Magical Stump* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Velvia Film

*Colorful Path* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Velvia Film

*Swamp Gator* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Superia Negative

*Ashley River Boat* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*River Boating* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Banks of the Ashley River* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Bridge over Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*Sunlit Rhododendron* 1 – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Sunlit Rhododendron* 2 – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*See You Later* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*Red Island* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Lurking* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Hiding* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Swamp Trees* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Hanging* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Grass Field* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Swamp Forest* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Kodak Tri-X 400

*Forest Path* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Forest Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Natural Circle* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Red Tree, Reflection* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*White Bridge, Red Forest* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Bridge over still Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Ethereal Dream* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*White Bridge over Pond* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Pond, Bridge, Forest* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*White Bridge, Reflection* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Fujicolor 100 Gold

*Bridge in the Forest* Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

*Magnolia Bridge* – Charleston, SC – Fujifilm X-E4 – Pacific Blues

Part 4

This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.

Fujinon 27mm f/2.8:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex
Fujinon 35mm f/2 in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujinon 35mm f/2 in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira

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

Posted on February 11 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.

Full Spectrum Infrared Recipes are now in the Fuji X Weekly App

Posted on January 26 by Ritchie Roesch

*Red Yucca in the White Sand* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

The Full Spectrum Infrared Film Simulation Recipes are now in the Fuji X Weekly App! If your phone didn’t automatically update to the new version, I recommend manually doing so now (Android, Apple). Because those Recipes are different than those for “normal” (non-infrared) cameras, a lot of little tweaks had to be made to the App in order to display them correctly. It was significantly more work to get these into the Fuji X Weekly App than I had anticipated, but I’m happy they are available there now.

So far, I have published six Full Spectrum Infrared Recipes for Fujifilm cameras: Aerochrome v1, Aerochrome v2, Aerochrome v3, PurpleChrome, Cotton Candy Chrome, and Agfa 400S. These Recipes require a full spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model. Converting a normal camera to full spectrum is an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor, such as LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera (to name a few). Otherwise, the Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full spectrum camera (is sensitive to light outside the visible gamut) 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. Additionally, these Recipes require specific filters.

I know that the vast majority of people don’t own a full spectrum camera like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, but I have seen a growing interest in infrared since I started posting these Recipes last summer. The general rule of thumb was that extensive editing was required—including channel swaps—in order to achieve good infrared results, particularly for color images. Thankfully, with the right filters and camera settings, that’s just not true, and excellent straight-out-of-camera infrared photography can be quite easy. While the number of people who will use these Full Spectrum Recipes will always be small, I do believe it will grow significantly in the coming months and years—I suspect there may be a small infrared resurgence of sorts.

Also, for those who may have missed it, I added several GFX cameras to the Fuji X Weekly App. If you haven’t opened it in the last few days, you’ll likely notice some changes. There are many more improvements in the works, and hopefully those will be ready in the coming months. While the Fuji X Weekly App has come a long ways since it was first released, it will continue to get better and better.

Aerochrome v3 — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on January 21 by Ritchie Roesch

*Red Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v3

This is a brand new Aerochrome-like Infrared Recipe. It’s not for “normal” cameras; you must have a full spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor like LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera (to name a few). Otherwise, the Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full spectrum camera (is sensitive to light outside the visible gamut) 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.

Aerochrome v3 sits in-between—and bridges the gap between—Aerochrome v1 and Aerochrome v2; however, it is notably different from both, and even has some surprising commonality to Cotton Candy Chrome upon close inspection. That’s because it uses the Classic Negative film simulation instead of Velvia, which gives it a more pronounced analog feel, but also is more of a negative film look than slide film (real Aerochrome was a slide film). In that sense, this might be viewed as the least accurate version, but it’s also very easy to appreciate the aesthetic of this Aerochrome v3 Recipe, which is just lovely. While v2 is my personal favorite, I think some of you are really going to like this one. Because X-Trans V renders blue more deeply on some film simulations, including Classic Negative, if you have a full spectrum converted X-Trans V camera, set Color Chrome FX Blue to Weak instead of Strong.

*Iowa Water* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v3

Aside from having a full spectrum camera (like the X-T4 ES), this Recipe requires three filters: True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise), Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter and Tiffen Yellow 2 #8 filter. The True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise) filter is simply a QB19 Blue filter and LB18 Green filter combined into one, and can be found on AliExpress. If you choose to use a QB19 and LB18, then you’d have four filters instead of three. I was a little hesitant to buy the Autumnizer (Turquoise) filter (because I had never purchased anything from AliExpress before, and saw mixed reviews regarding the platform), but thankfully the process turned out to be smooth. The Autumnizer is intended for infrared photography, while the Yellow-Green and Yellow filters are for B&W film. I’m not sure if the order matters, but I have the Yellow filter first (closest to the lens), the Autumnizer next, and the Yellow-Green last (furthest from the lens).

Filters: True Color Infrared Autumnizer (Turquoise), Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & Tiffen Yellow 2 #8
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: Daylight, +9 Red & +8 Blue
Highlight: -1.5
Shadow: -0.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Aerochrome v3 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

*Air Dancer* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Four Lamps* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Tree Fingers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Bright Tree, Dark Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Pink Leaves* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Hidden Craftsman* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Two Palms in the Suburbs* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Little Flag* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Backlit Infrared Joy* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Joshua, Indoor Infrared* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Jon, A Cut Above the Rest* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Not Abbey Road* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Brick Staircase & Jeep* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Brick Staircase* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Parking* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Nike Walk* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Buckeyes* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Chicken* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Cardinal* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Lonely Chair* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Sunlit Bougainvillea Branch* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Desert Bricks* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Cool Cat* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Skyjack* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Descending Stairs* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Globe* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

10 Frames: Infrared in the Desert — White Sands National Park with Aerochrome v2

Posted on January 20 by Ritchie Roesch

A few weeks back, in-between Christmas and New Years, I briefly stopped in White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico for a couple of hours. Since it was the holiday season, the park was very crowded. There were so many cars, and people were everywhere! It was difficult to capture images without someone somewhere in the frame, and it was nearly impossible to find scenes without footprints.

My main objective for this stop was to photograph the White Sands with the Fujifilm GFX100S II at golden hour, with the hope of achieving one or two good XPan pictures. Secondarily, I wanted to create a few images with my Fujifilm X-T4 ES full spectrum infrared camera. I love using this camera, especially for the unusual pictures that it makes. My favorite Film Simulation Recipe for the X-T4 ES is Aerochrome v2, which I’ve used coast-to-coast and many places in-between, so that is what I chose for the White Sands.

The 10 frames in this article were made during about a two hour window in White Sands National Park using my Fujifilm X-T4 ES camera with a Fujinon 35mm f/2 lens and the Aerochrome v2 Recipe. It was partly overcast. Winter probably isn’t the best time to do infrared photography at this location, since much of the vegetation is dormant. Still, I came away with a couple good pictures, so I’m happy. But I know that I need to revisit the White Sands—hopefully next time I can dedicate a little more time to it. In the meantime, I hope that you enjoy these pictures.

*Pink Brush* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Yucca on a Sand Hill* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Yucca & Brush* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Yucca at the Top of a Hill* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Yucca Hanging Over* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Bush in the Sand* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Desert Yucca* – White Sands NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

*Infrared Yucca* – White Sand NP, NM – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

Infrared Photography on Fujifilm Full Spectrum Cameras

Posted on January 13 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.

Agfa 400S — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on January 9 by Ritchie Roesch

*Monochrome Founders* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Agfa 400S

This is my first B&W Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm full spectrum cameras, like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”). It’s not for “normal” cameras; you must have a full spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor like LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera. Otherwise, the Fujifilm X-T4 ES is a full spectrum camera (is sensitive to light outside the visible gamut) 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 stopping by in-person, and cannot be order from the internet.

The reason why it took me so long to publish a B&W Recipe for full spectrum IR cameras is because I had trouble creating one that I was fully satisfied with. I experimented with many different filters and settings, but just couldn’t find the right combination that produced the results that I desired. Initially, this was another one of those failed experiments, until I added a third filter (QB2), and instantly fell in love with the aesthetic that this Recipe creates.

*Water in the Desert* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Agfa 400S

The emulsion that this Recipe is most reminiscent of is Agfa AviPhot 400S, which is also sold under Rollei Retro 400S, Rollei 400 IR, Japan Camera Hunter Street Pan 400, Astrum Foto 400, and Svema Foto 400. This film was made for aerial surveillance—hence: AviPhot, which is short for “Aviation Photography”, and “S” for surveillance—and is both infrared and UV sensitive, although only a little. In order to get good IR results, the film requires a 720nm filter and adding two or three stops to the exposure.

This Agfa 400S Film Simulation Recipe doesn’t use a 720nm filter; instead, it requires three filters: Kolari Vision IR Chrome, Tiffen Deep Yellow 15, and QB2 blue. The QB2 was given to me and I have no idea what brand it is, but here are some that I found online: JTSF, PMP, Nantong, Shanghai Longway, Tangsinuo. This is a fairly uncommon filter (that’s why none of the name brands make it), but it is used by some in the IR world (my Cotton Candy Chrome Recipe also uses the QB2 filter). I’m not sure if the order matters, but I have the Deep Yellow filter first (closest to the lens), the IR Chrome next, and the QB2 last (furthest from the lens).

*Tree in Grey* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Agfa 400S

While this Recipe was designed on and intended for the Fujifilm X-T4 ES camera, it should be fully compatible with any full spectrum converted X-Trans IV (except the X-T3 and X-T30) and X-Trans V models. For a grainier look, use higher ISOs, such as 6400 and 12800 (Water in the Desert is an ISO 12800 image). For a cleaner look, use lower ISOs.

Filters: Tiffen Deep Yellow 15, Kolari Vision IR Chrome, & QB2 Blue
Film Simulation: Acros+R
Monochromatic Color: WC 0 MG 0 (Off)
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance: 2500K, +9 Red & -2 Blue
Highlight: +4
Shadow: +4
Sharpness: -1
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 12800
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +1/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Agfa 400S Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

*Sunlit Jon* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Sunglasses* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Flower Girl* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Photographer Jon* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Hand in Hand* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Dogs out a Truck Window* – Laveen, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Dramatic Light* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Lamp Post* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Second Floor Windows* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Neighborhood Eucalyptus* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*White Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Grey Saguaro* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*17th Green* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Closed Umbrella in Monochrome* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Second Floor* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Sunlit Stucco* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Empty Cart* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Shade* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Coffee Work* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Open Umbrellas* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*White Bougainvillea 1* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*White Bougainvillea 2* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Palm Fronds* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*V Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Evening Light* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Tis but a Scratch*– Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Desert Road* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Last Light on the Peaks* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Trees & Flare* – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Saguaro Fingers* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

Cotton Candy Chrome — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Cotton Candy Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Cotton Candy Chrome Recipe

This is a super fun Film Simulation Recipe for Fujifilm full spectrum cameras, like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, which turns trees a soft pink. It’s not for “normal” cameras; you must have a full spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor like LifePixel, Kolari Vision, or Spenser’s Camera. Otherwise, the Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full spectrum camera (is sensitive to light outside the visible gamut) 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 stopping by in person—you can’t order it from the internet.

I’m pretty new to infrared photography, and I’m still learning and experimenting. Larry Adams, a Fuji X Weekly regular, kindly mailed to me a few filters to try out, and one of those—a QB2 blue filter—was used for this Cotton Candy Chrome Recipe. I’m not certain which brand the filter is (it doesn’t say), but here are some that I found online: JTSF, PMP, Nantong, Shanghai Longway, Tangsinuo. This is a fairly uncommon filter and that’s why none of the name brands make it, but it is used by some in the IR world. I have no idea which brand might be best. The other filters I used for this Recipe are Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter and Tiffen Yellow 2 #8 filter. I don’t know if the order matters, but I have the Yellow filter closest to the lens, the Yellow-Green filter in the middle, and the QB2 furthest from the lens.

*Union Pacific 1579* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Cotton Candy Chrome Recipe

Since this Cotton Candy Chrome Recipe uses the Classic Negative film simulation, it will render blue slightly deeper on X-Trans V than on the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, which is X-Trans IV. This Recipe works best in sunny daylight conditions, but I also enjoyed it for nighttime situations, where it produces results somewhat similar to the Fluorescent Night Recipe.

Filters: Tiffen Yellow 2 #8, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & QB2 Blue
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance: Fluorescent 1, -9 Red & +6 Blue
Highlight: -1.5
Shadow: -1.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1/3 (typically)

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

*Hazy Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Bougainvillea Branch* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Closed Canopy* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Mocha House, Candy Trees* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Yellow Jacket* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Shopping Cart* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Curved Wall* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Jackson* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*CVS/pharmacy* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Mid Morning* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Grain Hopper* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Fruit Basket* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Crocodile Trail* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Library Night* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Holiday Lights 1* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Holiday Lights 2* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Red Fountain* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Civic Center* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Swirl Abstract* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Falling Starflake* – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

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

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Purple Founders* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – PurpleChrome Recipe

One of the top three films that I’ve had requests to make a Film Simulation Recipe for is LomoChrome Purple, a unique color negative film released in 2013 (and updated at least once since) that has some infrared characteristics despite not being an infrared emulsion. On regular Fujifilm cameras, it’s not possibly to emulate the film straight-out-of-camera (it would require some extensive editing), but how about on a full-spectrum infrared model? Well, it’s still not quite possible (as far as I’ve so far discovered) to accurately mimic it, but you can get in the general neighborhood.

To be clear, this PurpleChrome Recipe is IR, which means that it’s for full-spectrum infrared cameras like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, and not “normal” cameras. You must have a full-spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor; otherwise, the X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full-spectrum camera briefly offered by Fujifilm (it’s very difficult to find, but in my opinion totally worth owning)—I believe that you can still buy the Fujifilm X-T4 ES from B&H, but it requires a phone call or stopping by in person—you can’t order it from the internet.

*Purple Tree* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – PurpleChrome Recipe

PurpleChrome is not my favorite infrared Recipe, but it can be fun for unique results. In the “right” situations it can be a convincing LomoChrome Purple facsimile, but much of the time it is divergent enough that it’s not going to fool anyone familiar with the film. It’s surprisingly decent sometimes for nighttime or indoor photography, but it’s great for turning vegetation false-color purple (for best results, use in sunny daylight situations). This Recipe requires two filters: Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter and Tiffen Yellow 2 #8 filter. I don’t know if the order matters, but I have the Yellow filter closest to the lens, and the Yellow-Green filter furthest.

Filters: Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & Tiffen Yellow 2 #8
Film Simulation: Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR200
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: 4500K, -7 Red & +9 Blue
Highlight: -0.5
Shadow: +4
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: 0
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 to +1 (typically)

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

*CVS Nights* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Butter* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Performance* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Two Lemons* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Fake Succulent on a Shelf* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Infrared Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Pink Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Purple Bougainvillea* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Purple Leaves* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Purple Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*House & Purple Trees* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Patriotic Horse* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Crossroads* – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

Photographing in Aerochrome + When will more Infrared Recipes get published?

Posted on November 14, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Autumn at Boulder Lake* – Clinton, CT – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

I’ve had several people inquire when the next Infrared Film Simulation Recipe for full-spectrum cameras (like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES) will drop. I mentioned that I had a few in the works and even shared some sample pictures of what those might look like. It’s been awhile, so when will those Recipes be made available?

The first IR Recipe that I published for my Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) camera was Aerochrome v1 in July. Shortly thereafter I made a discover that directly led to the Aerochrome v2 Recipe, which I published in August. So far, those are the only two that I’ve posted. The reason is simple: I like the Aerochrome v2 Recipe so much, that’s all I’ve been using. I can’t stop. I’ve waited so many years to get this look, and I just can’t set it aside. All of the photos in this article were captured with the Aerochrome v2 Recipe over the last few months.

*Yellow Car* – Provincetown, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

But I will get to work on more infrared Recipes for Fujifilm full spectrum cameras real soon. I’m excited to experiment and make new discoveries, and share it with you. This is a journey, and I just paused for a little while to appreciate the view. So stay tuned, more IR Recipes are coming soon.

For those not sure what all of this even means, just real quick: there’s light beyond the visible spectrum that digital cameras are sensitive to. A filter is added onto the sensor to block that light so that you get “normal” pictures. A full spectrum camera does not have an IR filter, which allows it to capture light beyond the visible spectrum, resulting in unusual colors (filters are used to control how the camera interacts with the light). Mostly, it requires one to send off their camera to a company that will do an invasive and expensive procedure to remove the filter; however, earlier this year Fujifilm briefly sold a full-spectrum IR camera (the X-T4 ES) in the U.S. (in the past they only made it available for “forensic, scientific, and cultural preservation applications” and not the general public). While it is no longer being sold directly from Fujifilm, I believe that you can still buy the Fujifilm X-T4 ES from B&H, but it requires a phone call or stopping by in person (can’t order from the internet). If you want one, I’d recommend inquiring sooner than later, because there are probably not very many copies available.

Anyway, below are photographs that I captured with the Aerochrome v2 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

Aerochrome v2 — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

*Yellow Bus* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

I’m in love with this Aerochrome v2 Film Simulation Recipe! It’s for full-spectrum infrared cameras like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, and not “normal” cameras. You must have a full-spectrum X-Trans IV or X-Trans V model, which requires an expensive and invasive procedure from a third-party vendor; otherwise, the X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) is a full-spectrum camera briefly offered by Fujifilm (it’s very difficult to find, but in my opinion totally worth owning). So if you have the right gear, you’ll want to try out this Aerochrome v2 Recipe today!

Not only do you need the “right” camera—a full-spectrum model like the Fujifilm X-T4 ES—but you also need the “right” filters. This Recipe requires three: Kolari Vision IR Chrome filter, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter and Tiffen Yellow 2 #8 filter. The IR Chrome filter is intended for infrared photography, while the Yellow-Green and Yellow filters are for B&W film. I’m not sure if the order matters, but I have the Yellow filter first (closest to the lens), the IR Chrome next, and the Yellow-Green last (furthest from the lens).

*Architecture* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v2

This Recipe produces Aerochrome-like pictures, but it doesn’t behave exactly like the film. Even so, the fact that you can get this look straight-out-of-camera is amazing! If this was the only Recipe that I could ever use on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES, I’d be very happy. I do have an Aerochrome v1 Recipe that has less green and yellow hues and a more pronounced blue tint, plus I’m working on a handful of others, so if this isn’t the look that you want, there are (or will be shortly) other options. But this Recipe… it’s what I hoped to achieve when I purchased the camera a couple of months ago. Oh, and surprisingly, it’s excellent for night photography.

Filters: Kolari Vision IR Chrome, Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green & Tiffen Yellow 2 #8
Film Simulation: Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: Daylight, +7 Red & +6 Blue
Highlight: +2.5
Shadow: -0.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -2
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Aerochrome v2 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

*Grass & Sand* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Driftwood Log* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Red Beach* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Red Rock* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Boards & Boats* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Vans* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Red Trees Behind Rooftop* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*House at Dusk* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Flowers in the front Yard* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Seaweed by the Rocks* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Girl Holding a Dead Crab* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Mayflower* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Boats in the Bay* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Tree behind Columns* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Parthenon* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Parthenon Pillars* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Patina* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Kids at a Lake* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Steps to the Water* – Plymouth, MA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Reflected Red* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*CSX Train* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Turning* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*City Trees* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Boats off the Water* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Little Dam* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Palm, Architecture & Moon* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Lily Pond* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Palms & Structure* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Kelp Washing Ashore* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Surfer* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Sidecar Dog* – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Not Always Sunny* – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Autumn in August* – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Window with a View* – Philadelphia, PA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Lifeguard Tower 5* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Luke’s 32* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Cookin’ & Drinkin’* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Food Mart* – San Diego, CA – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

*Broadway* – Nashville, TN – Fujifilm X-T4 ES

Comparison:

Fujifilm X-T4 ES Available Now (sort of….)

Posted on July 29, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

I have a limited edition Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Extended Spectrum) camera that I purchased from Fujifilm a month ago (but arrived a couple weeks ago). It was briefly sold directly from the Fujifilm website, but only for a handful of days. Right now, the Fujifilm X-T4 ES is available for purchase from B&H as a special order. You have to agree to some terms and restrictions and be a resident of the USA; one such term is to be a “professional” photographer or videographer with the express purpose of creating “fine art” content. I don’t know what their definition of a “professional” is, but if you’re in America and want this camera, you should at least inquire about it. I don’t believe that there are very many copies of the Fujifilm X-T4 ES, so if you want one, you should definitely act fast, as it won’t last long, I’m certain.

*Red Founders* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v1

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Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Extended Spectrum)
B&H

Aerochrome v1 — Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Full Spectrum Infrared) Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on July 26, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

This “Aerochrome v1” Film Simulation Recipe is for full spectrum infrared cameras, and not “normal” cameras, which have an infrared filter over the sensor. Fujifilm briefly sold a limited number of Fujifilm X-T4 ES (“Extended Spectrum”) cameras, which are full spectrum infrared (no IR filter). I don’t know how many of these cameras were made, but I think it’s a very small number. I was quite lucky to get one.

While the X-T4 ES is the only infrared camera that Fujifilm has ever made available to the general public (typically, they reserve them for “forensic, scientific, and cultural preservation applications”), there are companies that will convert a normal camera into a full spectrum model by removing the IR filter over the sensor. It’s an invasive and expensive procedure, but one of the few options available. What I cannot confirm is whether or not the straight-out-of-camera results from a third-party full spectrum converted camera are identical to the Fujifilm X-T4 ES. I believe that they are likely to be identical, but there is a chance that they’re not. I hope that Fujifilm will make more native full spectrum cameras in the future, and sell them to the general public. I’m certain that there is enough demand to justify it.

*Raspberry Palm* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v1

Aerochrome was an infrared film produced by Kodak between 1942 and 2009. It’s definitely not the only infrared color film ever made, but it’s the most popular and recognizable. You could achieve various aesthetics from Aerochrome by using different filters, with red, pink, purple, or orange vegetation as the hallmarks of the emulsion (especially red and pink). As far as I’m aware, there are not currently any color infrared films in production, and the few rolls of Aerochrome that remain are extraordinarily expensive. This “Aerochrome v1” Recipe mimics Aerochrome film, but it’s definitely not perfect. I’m currently working on two other Aerochrome Recipes, but the exact aesthetic I’m after has been a bit elusive so far (I’m close, though), so expect several versions to be published.

Aside from a full spectrum infrared camera, you also need specific filters. Since you are seeing light beyond the visible spectrum, filters are used to control exactly how the light enters the camera, which greatly affects the results. For this particular Recipe, a Kolari Vision IR Chrome filter and Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green filter are required (I don’t think it matters, but I have the G(XO) filter in front of the IR Chrome). In my opinion, the Kolari Vision IR Chrome filter doesn’t produces acceptable Aerochrome results straight-out-of-camera by itself (at least not on Fujifilm); however, when used in conjunction with other filters it can be quite good.

*Painting the Town Red* – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T4 ES – Aerochrome v1

This “Aerochrome v1” Film Simulation Recipe is intended specifically for the Fujifilm X-T4 ES camera; however, I’m sure it can be used on any full spectrum converted X-Trans IV or X-Trans V camera. For the X-Pro3 and X100V, you should use Highlight +1 and Shadow 0 (since those cameras don’t have 0.5 adjustments); additionally, for the X-T3 or X-T30, ignore Color Chrome FX Blue and Grain size. You might be able to use it on older cameras, adjusting for the settings that aren’t available on your specific model, but it will definitely render differently. It likely will work on newer GFX models, but with a slightly divergent result. If you have a regular Fujifilm camera, this Recipe will not work, as it requires a full spectrum camera like the X-T4 ES (and not the X-T4). Also, I’m not including this in the Fuji X Weekly App because it requires special gear.

Filters: Kolari Vision IR Chrome & Hoya G(XO) Yellow-Green
Film Simulation: Velvia
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance: Daylight, +8 Red & +7 Blue
Highlight: +1.5
Shadow: +0.5
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: 0
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation: 0 to +2/3 (typically)

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Aerochrome v1 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T4 ES:

The Colorful World of Infrared — Experiments in Full Spectrum Photography

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Ritchie Roesch

The Fujifilm X-T4 ES is an ordinary X-T4 but without the IR filter—it’s actually full-spectrum. Fujifilm has produced several IR cameras in the past, but the X-T4 ES is the first that they made available to the general public. Despite no fanfare, the camera sold-out quickly. Hopefully Fujifilm will produce and sell some more copies of the X-T4 ES (or another similar model), because I’m certain there is demand for such a camera.

While I’ve only had my Fujifilm X-T4 ES for a few days now, I’ve been busily photographing with it any chance that I get. Already I’ve made some wonderful discoveries that I cannot wait to share with you in the coming weeks and months. 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.

Common advice found everywhere on the internet is that you need some specific infrared filters (which are often expensive), and most likely you will need to significantly edit the RAW files, which likely includes color channel swaps. With a couple exceptions, there’s not a good way to get good straight-out-of-camera results. I’m happy to report that that is not true. You will (for the most part) need some filters, but probably not the ones you’ve been told that you need. And you can get excellent results straight-out-of-camera, no editing needed.

The pictures below demonstrate several different looks that I’ve been able to achieve right out of the Fujifilm X-T4 ES. They’re unedited JPEGs (other than some cropping and straightening). Capturing striking pictures like these on a full-spectrum Fujifilm camera is very easy. You can expect some Film Simulation Recipes for infrared photography to come soon. I haven’t named the Recipes yet (or even finalized them… they still might be tweaked), so I’ve sorted them by prominent color.

Purple/Lavender

Sort of reminiscent of LomoChrome Purple film.

Raspberry/Red

An Aerochrome film aesthetic.

Salmon/Pink

Also an Aerochrome film aesthetic.

Brown

The color of late-autumn.

Yellow

Yellow fall-like rendering.

B&W

No color, but interesting nonetheless.

Fujifilm X-T4 ES (Extended Spectrum) Infrared Camera

Posted on July 16, 2024 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.

Fujifilm Full Spectrum (Or, Dreaming In Infrared Colors)

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Ritchie Roesch

This is a fake infrared picture that I captured in Yosemite National Park several years ago.

I would love a full-spectrum Fujifilm camera for infrared photography. I’ve had an interest in infrared photography for some time, but I have yet to actually try it. Yes, I shot a roll of infrared film many, many years ago, but I didn’t understand what I was doing and the results were disappointing. I’ve also used software to make faux infrared, but I don’t particularly like the results from that, either. No, what I need is a Fujifilm camera that has been modified for full-spectrum, and then a bunch of filters to achieve various affects. You can find these cameras sometimes on eBay, like this X-E3 for $900, this X-T1 for $850, or this X-T100 for $590. [Edit: This X100F is the one I want, but at $1,300 it is outside of my budget.] I would especially love to buy the X-E3, but honestly I’d be happy with the X-T100. You also need filters, which can be cheap (like this one) and can be expensive (like this one), depending on the brand, filter thread size, and the exact effect you are after. Additionally, you need to know what lenses are good for infrared, but thankfully there’s a good database, so it’s not too difficult to know which lenses will work well and which ones won’t.

It would be great if Fujifilm made a full-spectrum version of one of their cameras (the X100F, perhaps). I doubt that will ever happen, unless there’s a sudden interest in infrared photography. Sigma cameras have a removable IR filter over the sensor, which when removed turns the camera into full-spectrum. The filter just pops in and out. An option like that would be pretty cool on Fujifilm cameras, but it’s unlikely. The best bet is to buy a camera that’s had the conversion done to it. Someday, when I have some extra money burning a hole in my pocket, I will do that. Until then, I will dream in the unusual colors of infrared.