Right now, people are talking about Fujifilm Recipes. Thanks to models like the new Fujifilm X-E5, which is the first camera to use the term “Recipe” inside the menu, more and more people are discovering the joys of Film Simulation Recipes. Interestingly enough, not only are camera-made JPEGs no longer stigmatized, they’re actually “in” right now—they’re cool.
Yesterday, DPReview posted an article by Mitchell Clark entitled Why the Fujifilm X-E5 turned me into a film recipes fan. The article specifically mentions two Fuji X Weekly Recipes: Ilford HP5 Plus 400 that Anders Lindborg created and 1976 Kodak that I created. Interestingly, it’s written from the perspective of someone who’s always dismissed camera-made JPEGs and Recipes. But, after trying some while preparing for an upcoming Fujifilm X-E5 review, not only did the author have a change of heart, but it also affected how he thought about the scene he was photographing (in a positive way). This article makes it ok for those who have never tried Recipes to do so, and explains that you might not realize what you’re missing out on.
“Photos look great right out of the camera,” Ben wrote. “Strange as it may sound to seasoned photo nerds, I went into my trip with the GFX100RF with the intention of shooting JPEGs—essentially using this $5,000 camera the way my parents documented family vacations with their film point-and-shoots. And guess what? It worked spectacularly well.” He went on to specifically mention my Kodachrome 64 and Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipes.
Above, clockwise from top-left: Kodachrome 64, Kodak Portra 400 v2, 1976 Kodak, and Ilford HP5 Plus 400 Recipes
Of course, it’s not just large photography sites or major newspapers that are talking about Fujifilm Recipes. I’ve had the privilege of visiting many camera stores recently, from the small but up-and-coming Nuzira that’s local to me in Arizona, to B&H in Manhattan, and a whole bunch of others in-between. I was even interviewed recently by Mike’s Camera. No matter the store, the story is the same: people are interested in Recipes, and they’re being talked about by both customers and employees. As one sales representative told me at a major store, “Half of my sales of Fujifilm cameras are a direct result of your App.”
I didn’t make Film Simulation Recipes to sell cameras, but nonetheless it has become a major selling point, and now even an official feature. I made Recipes to help people—including myself—more quickly and easily achieve desired picture aesthetics, in a way that’s often more fun and authentic. It’s simply a way to help others, and be a positive part of the photography continuum. As I wrote last week: Shoot more, edit less, and let your camera become your darkroom.
This article pits the Fujifilm X-T50 and Fujifilm X-T30 head-to-head on an autumn photowalk in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Just to warn you, this will likely be the most unfair camera comparison anywhere on the internet. Nonetheless, I hope that you find it worthwhile, or at least enjoyable.
Fujifilm introduced the X-T30 in February of 2019. It features a 26mp X-Trans IV sensor, and was Fujifilm’s mid-tier SLR-styled camera until it was replaced by the nearly identical X-T30 II in November of 2021. Fujifilm announced the X-T50 in May of this year. It features a 40mp X-Trans V sensor and IBIS, as well as the contentious Film Dial. While it is not the X-T30 II’s successor (I assume that means an X-T30 III is a possibility in the future), the two models are clearly in the same family. They are similar in size and design, but the X-T50 is slightly larger and heavier (to accommodate IBIS), with rounded corners and is more expensive. According to the spec sheets, the X-T50 is better in pretty much every aspect, but not necessarily by leaps and bounds. Overall, these two cameras are pretty similar for stills photography; however, for video, the X-T50 is the winner.
This last Saturday, Bryan Minear and I cohosted a photowalk in Ann Arbor in conjunction with PROCAM and Fujifilm. We had an excellent turnout: I counted 48 people, including myself and Bryan. The weather was nice—a nearly perfect crisp autumn morning—and the scenery beautiful. It was a massive success, and just a ton of fun. It was so great to meet those who came out!
One especially great aspect of this photowalk for me is that my seven-year-old daughter, Johanna, was able to join us. I gave her my Fujifilm X-T30 to photograph with, set with the Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe. I’ve let her use some of my old digicams before, but not a “nice” camera like the X-T30. I wasn’t sure how well she would do with it, but gave her a quick tutorial and let her have at it. Honestly, she stole the show.
Above left: Johanna with an X-T30, captured by me with an X-T50 using the Fujicolor PRO 160C Warm Recipe; Above right: me with an X-T50, captured by Bryan Minear with a GFX100S II.
I bet you can already see where this article is going. Yes, this totally unfair camera shootout is between myself with a Fujifilm X-T50 and Fujinon 27mm f/2.8 lens and my seven-year-old daughter with a Fujifilm X-T30 and TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 lens. Even though I had the better gear, I had absolutely no chance of winning. Johanna—with an X-T30—won in a landslide. We’ll get to the pictures in just a moment.
The Fujifilm X-T30 has a few fewer film simulations and JPEG options than the X-T50, but it is still a very, very capable camera. Even in the hands of a child, it can capture excellent images. Between the two, I’ll grab the X-T50 every time; however, if I were trying to decide to buy an X-T50 or X-T30 II, that would be a much tougher decision—the X-T30 II is a better value, while the X-T50 is a little more capable. I don’t think you can go wrong either way. Between a used X-T30 and brand-new X-T30 II, I would lean towards the X-T30 II due to Classic Negative and other firmware upgrades.
Above, top-left: by Rickey White. Above, bottom-right: by Bryan Minear. Above, all others: by my wife, Amanda Roesch. Amanda used a Fujifilm X-T5 + Fujinon 56mm f/1.2 lens + Fujicolor Negative Recipe.
The reason why I declared Johanna the winner is because I’m her dad (she was always going to win… I never had a chance—all the dads out there understand), and also because young children are oftentimes good photographers. They are naturally curious and creative. They don’t think about all the “rules” and what they “shouldn’t” do; instead, they’re just having fun. Also, their perspective is so much different—quite literally, because they are smaller, but also figuratively—so it’s a completely different take from what most adults see—they notice things that others completely overlook. If you have a child, I definitely recommend allowing them to photograph with you sometimes. Don’t be afraid to let them borrow one of your cameras (I know, it’s a risk… my oldest son dropped and broke one of mine when he was little). Those experiences might be pivotal for them, and at the least it’s something you both will remember and cherish for many years.
Below are straight-out-of-camera JPEGs captured during the Ann Arbor photowalk by Johanna using a Fujifilm X-T30 and the Kodak Portra 400 v2 Recipe and by me using a Fujifilm X-T50 and the Film Dial Recipes.
Bell Tower – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Classic Color
This Film Simulation Recipe has a fascinating story behind it… but I can’t get into all of the details of it yet. When the time is right, I will explaining everything to you. What I can say in the meantime is that I was hired to capture some photos, and to use a Film Simulation Recipe for those images, but the Recipe name shouldn’t include a brand name. Ideally for this project, because of the subject matter and light, I would have chosen my Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe, but I couldn’t because of the name of the Recipe. Instead, I created a very similar look, with an attempt to fine-tune it slightly for this specific project.
The aesthetic of this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe is bright and warm, with a Kodak-like color negative film rendering. It could be thought of as Kodak Portra 400 v3, as it has a strong Portra 400 resemblance, perhaps more similar to the old Portra 400 VC that was discontinued in 2010. This Recipe is best for sunny daylight situations, but it can sometimes produce good results in other light scenarios, too.
Birds on the Lake – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4 – Classic Color
This Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with all fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, and X100VI, as well as “newer” fourth-generation X-Trans models: X-T4, X-S10, X-E4, and X-T30 II. Just make sure that you are using the correct Color Chrome FX Blue setting for your camera. I’m sure it can also be used on newer GFX cameras, too, but I have not personally tried, and I’m certain that it will render slightly different (but try it anyway).
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome Dynamic Range: DR400 Grain Effect: Strong, Small Color Chrome Effect: Strong Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong (X-Trans IV), Weak (X-Trans V) White Balance: 5300K, 0 Red & -6 Blue Highlight: -0.5 Shadow: -2 Color: +3 Sharpness: -2 High ISO NR: -4 Clarity: -2 ISO: Auto, up to ISO 6400 Exposure Compensation: 0 to +1 (typically)
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-E4:
Gen Reflection – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Ten Feet – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Dam Ahead – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Water Under the Bridges – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Tempe Lake – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Reflected Sunset – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Dam Sunset – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Pedestrian Bridge – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Spirited Away – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Studio – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Mirrored Night – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Juggling Fire – Tempe, AZ – Fujifilm X-E4
Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured using this Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5 & X100VI:
Sign on the Roof – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X100VI
Abandoned Filling Station – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Unleaded Cash – Gila Bend, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
G S – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Half Moon – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cross on a Dome Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cross & Bell Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Church Steeple – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Old Industrial Lamp – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Abandoned Window – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Dilapidated Agricultural Structure – Palo Verde, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Cow & Reflection – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Rock Reflected in the River – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Stones in the Water – Mesa, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Yellow Flowers on the Rocks – Saguaro National Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Leaning Saguaro in the Desert – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Yellow Flowers, White Fence – Tumacacori, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Hall’s – Arlington, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
End of the Road? – Litchfield Park, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Music Box – Bisbee, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Lightning Strike – Goodyear, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Comparison:
Classic Color Film Simulation Recipe
Kodak Portra 400 v2 Film Simulation Recipe
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