Kodak Vericolor III 160 — A Fujifilm Recipe for X-Trans V Cameras

Frontier Motel & Cafe – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Vericolor III 160

One of the first Film Simulation Recipes that I created for X-Trans V cameras was Kodak Vericolor Warm, which utilized what was at the time the brand-new Nostalgic Neg. film simulation. While I didn’t set out to replicate Vericolor film when I made it, nonetheless the Recipe had some resemblance to Kodak Vericolor III 160 Type-S film when used with a warming filter (like an 81A or 82A), so I named it Kodak Vericolor Warm. Fast forward a little over three years, and I got an email from Thomas Schwab (who has created or co-created a whole bunch of Recipes), with the idea to modify the Kodak Vericolor Warm Recipe into a normal (not extra warm) iteration of Kodak Vericolor III. The changes were simple, but it makes a notable difference. That’s where this Recipe comes from.

For those who don’t remember, Kodak introduced the Vericolor line in the early 1970’s and Vericolor III in 1983. Initially, there were two versions of the film: the daylight-balanced Vericolor III 160 Type-S and the Tungsten-balanced Vericolor III 100 Type-L. Kodak renamed the latter to Ektacolor Pro Gold 100T and later to Portra 100T, which was discontinued in 2006. In the late-1980’s, Kodak renamed the former to Vericolor III 160 (dropping Type-S from the name) when they introduced Vericolor III 400. In 1998, both of those films were replaced by Portra 160 and Portra 400 respectively. It’s my understanding that Kodak made periodic improvements or adjustments to the film during the 1980’s and 1990’s, but, overall, those changes were small.

Canyon Club – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Kodak Vericolor III 160

The Kodak Vericolor III 160 Film Simulation Recipe is compatible with all fifth-generation X-series cameras, which (as of this writing) are the Fujifilm X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5, and X-T30 III cameras. You can also use it on the latest GFX models, like the GFX100 II, GFX100S II, GFX100RF, and presumably the Eterna 55. I’m definitely a fan of this Recipe. In certain situations you might find it to be slightly too cool, and the original Kodak Vericolor Warm Recipe might be a better fit. For those who found the “warm” version just a hair too warm, you might like this one more.

Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg.
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: 3200K, +7 Red & -8 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlight: -2
Shadow: -1
Color: +2
Sharpness: -2

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 using this Kodak Vericolor III 160 Film Simulation Recipe on my Fujifilm X-T5:

Last Light Over Estella Mountains – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Short Final – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Route 66 – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Star Hotel – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Grand Canyon Hotel – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Boxcar Bridge – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
9 Arizona Motor Hotel – Williams, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Buick with Flat Tire – Seligman, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Daniel’s Moving & Storage – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Closed Gas Station – Truxton, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
San Fransisco Peaks with Dusting of Snow – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Go 2 the Train Station – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Stay – Flagstaff, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Fujifilm Photographer – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5
Rooftop Portrait – Phoenix, AZ – Fujifilm X-T5 – Photo by Amanda Roesch

Comparison

Kodak Vericolor III 160 Recipe
Kodak Vericolor Warm Recipe
Kodak Vericolor III 160 Recipe
Kodak Vericolor Warm Recipe

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Kodak Vericolor VPS — Fujifilm X-E5 (X-Trans V) Film Simulation Recipe

Mission San Xavier del Bac – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

Kodak introduced Vericolor color negative film in 1974. It was their professional emulsion for portrait, wedding, and studio photography, and was designed to work well with flashes. Vericolor was a predecessor of Portra, intended to produce pleasing skin tones. There were a handful of different versions produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and the line was discontinued in the late-1990’s with the introduction of Portra.

While this Film Simulation Recipe is called Kodak Vericolor VPS, which was an ISO 160 version released in 1979, I think it’s actually more similar to Vericolor II, released in 1977. I had a difficult time finding examples to model this after, and a couple of old photography magazines were my best source. This Recipe definitely has the right vibe for late-1970’s Vericolor, particularly printed pictures from the film. I found it to be quite versatile—excellent for sunny daylight, golden hour, overcast, natural light indoors, and even certain nighttime situations. This could definitely be the go-to Recipe for some of you, especially if you appreciate a late-1970’s or early ’80’s aesthetic.

Manitou & Pike’s Peak – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5 – Kodak Vericolor VPS

Because this Kodak Vericolor VPS Recipe uses the Nostalgic Neg. film simulation, it is only compatible with fifth-generation X-Trans cameras, which (as of this writing) are the X-H2s, X-H2, X-T5, X-S20, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, and X-E5. It’s also compatible with the latest GFX models: GFX100 II, GFX100S II, and GFX100RF.

Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg.
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: 4500K, +2 Red & -5 Blue
Highlight: -1
Shadow: +2
Color: +3
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 Kodak Vericolor VPS Film Simulation Recipe on a Fujifilm X-E5:

Pick Here – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Tree Ghost – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
North Pole – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Alleyway Photography – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Handheld Camera – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Fujifilm Photographer – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Mission – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Pikes Peak Inn – Manitou Springs, CO – Fujifilm X-E5
Gas Tanks – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Suburban Home – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Yellow Bougainvillea Blossoms – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Potted Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Cactus & Wall – Tucson, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Sunlit Leaves – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Odadiuc – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Indoor Flag – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Superguard – Waddell, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Moon over Sedona – Sedona, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
In-N-Out – Surprise, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5
Neighborhood Fireworks – Buckeye, AZ – Fujifilm X-E5

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

Fujifilm X-E5 in black:
B&HNuzira
Fujifilm X-E5 in silver:
B&HNuzira

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