X-Trans II | Fuji X Weekly

Fujifilm X-Trans II Film Simulation Recipe: Astia

*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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Film Simulation Recipe Compatibility: Bayer, X-Trans I & II

Posted on August 3 by Ritchie Roesch

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Fuji X Weekly reader Gustavo Potenza sifted through all of the film simulation recipes on this website and organized them by sensor and camera compatibility. Whoa! That was a tall task, but he knocked it out in a matter of minutes. I wanted to share this information with you, but also separate it into multiple posts so that you can quickly find the recipes you’re looking for. I’ll link this article to the recipe page for easy access, and I’ll keep it updated as I make new recipes. Thank you, Gustavo, for doing the hard work on this!

The first list, which are recipes compatible with Fujifilm Bayer and X-Trans I sensors, is very short. I really need to make it longer by adding more recipes. I hope to do that eventually. If you have a Fujifilm camera with a Bayer sensor or X-Trans I sensor, these are the recipes that you can use. The Classic Chrome recipe is only compatible with those cameras that have the Classic Chrome film simulation. At the bottom is the X-Trans II list, which is much longer.

Bayer & X-Trans I

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Velvia, Classic Chrome, & Monochrome
Golden Negative
Analog Cool
Sepia

The above recipes are intended for the Fujifilm X-A1, X-A2, X-A3, X-A5, X-A7, X-A10, XF10, X-T100, X-T200, X100, X100S, X-PRO1, X-E1, and X-M1 (I hope I didn’t miss any). Some of the X-Trans II recipes below might also work on your Bayer or X-Trans I camera, although results might vary slightly, and it will depend if your camera has the film simulation that the recipe requires.

X-Trans II

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The film simulation recipes below are compatible with X-Trans II cameras. A few X-Trans II cameras don’t have all of the different film simulations required, so some of these recipes might not work on your camera.

Kodachrome 64
Kodachrome II
Ektachrome 100SW
Portra 160
Kodacolor
Eterna
Agfa Optima
Velvia, Classic Chrome & Monochrome
Faded Monochrome
Sepia
Lomography Color 100
Cross Process
Kodachrome Without Classic Chrome
Astia

The above recipes are intended for the Fujifilm X100T, X-E2, X-E2S, X-T1, X-T10, X70, X20, X30, XQ1, and XQ2 (I hope that I didn’t miss any). Not all of the recipes will be compatible with every X-Trans II camera. Some of them might even be compatible with Bayer and X-Trans I cameras with varying results, so feel free to try.

X-Trans III
X-Trans IV

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

Posted on August 2 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

[Not] My Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodak Portra 160 Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on March 29 by Ritchie Roesch

Mitchell Mesa – Monument Valley, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1 “Kodak Portra 160”

Kodak introduced Portra film in 1998. As the name implies, this film was designed for portrait photography, as it produces pleasing skin tones. It came in three ISO options: 160, 400 and 800. The ISO 160 and 400 versions came in two varieties: Neutral Color (NC), which was less saturated, and Vivid Color (VC), which was more saturated. In 2011 Kodak did away with the Neutral Color and Vivid Color options, making a new version that was more-or-less in-between the two.

One of the top films that I’ve been asked to create a film simulation recipe for is Portra 160. I’ve tried many times, and I felt that I got close a couple of times, but I was never able to get it quite right. Fuji X Weekly reader Piotr Skrzypek recently created a Portra 160 film simulation recipe for his Fujifilm X-E2, and he gave me permission to share his settings with you! When I first looked at his pictures, I immediately thought that they resembled Portra, and I continued to think so as I used his recipe on my X-T1. Piotr has a lot of experience shooting film, and the main film that he uses is Portra 160. I’ve shot Portra before, but it’s been many years. How the film is shot, developed, and printed or scanned effects the way that it looks, so results can vary, but this recipe is overall an excellent facsimile of actual Portra 160 film. Great job, Piotr Skrzypek!

Portra – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1 “Kodak Portra 160”

I did alter Piotr’s recipe a little. I have Color set to +1, but he has Color set to +2, which I think more mimics Portra 160VC. Whether you set Color to +1 or +2, you are still getting a Portra look, and you can try it both ways and decide which you like better for your photographs. You can even try setting color to 0 to get a Portra 160NC look. The other change I made is to white balance, which I set to Daylight, while Piotr uses auto-white-balance. In many outdoor circumstances Daylight and AWB will produce identical results, so for the most part it doesn’t matter which you choose. I like Daylight a little more than AWB, but you can decide which you prefer for yourself. This recipe is intended for X-Trans II cameras, but there will be a Portra 160 recipe for X-Trans III and IV cameras coming soon!

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlight: -2 (Low)
Shadow: -2 (Low)
Color: +1 (Medium-High)
Sharpness: -2 (Low)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight, +3 Red & -4 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Kodak Portra 160 recipe on my Fujifilm X-T1:

Snow on the Roofs – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Roof Snow – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Faux Green – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Beside the Window – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Silver & Green – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Green Stems – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bright Blossoms – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Future Fujifilm Photographer – Monument Valley, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1

Girl, Horse & Books – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

The Peg Game – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Girl & Game – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wood Ladder – Edge of the Cedars SP, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Monumental Crosswalk – Monument Valley, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Four Desert Horses – Monument Valley, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1

Mittens Evening – Monument Valley, AZ – Fujifilm X-T1

Rural Grass – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reeds & Mountain – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodachrome II Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 12 by Ritchie Roesch

Rural Grass – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

One of my favorite film simulation recipes, and one of the most popular, if not the most popular, on Fuji X Weekly, is my Kodachrome II recipe. This version of that recipe is adapted for Fujifilm X-Trans II cameras, such as my X-T1. It will work on all cameras with an X-Trans II sensor, plus Bayer sensor cameras, such as the XF10, X-T100 and X-A7. Because it requires the Classic Chrome film simulation, it is not compatible with X-Trans I cameras, or the original X100.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlight: +2 (High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: -1 (Medium-Low)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Auto, +1 Red & -2 Blue
ISO: Auto up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs captured on my Fujifilm X-T1 using this Kodachrome II film simulation recipe:

The Wetlands of Farmington Bay – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Pallet Dump – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Old Wood – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

February Thistles – Farmington Bay, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Francis Peak in February – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Succulents – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bright Apple – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Kodak Film Canisters – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Bolsey on the Camera Shelf – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Longing For Another World – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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My Fujifilm X-T1 (X-Trans II) Kodachrome 64 Film Simulation Recipe

Posted on February 3 by Ritchie Roesch

Sun Roof – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1 – “Kodachrome 64”

One of my favorite film simulation recipes is Kodachrome 64. It’s also one of the most popular recipes on Fuji X Weekly. Those with X-Trans III and IV cameras, such as the Fujifilm X-T30 that I created it on, have been enjoying it since August, but those with X-Trans II cameras—X-T1, X-T10, X-E2, X-E2s, X100T, and X70—have been left out of the fun. Those with Bayer sensor cameras, such as the X-T100, XF10, X-A7, etc., have been out of luck, too. That all changes, starting now. I have cracked the code, and created a Kodachrome 64 recipe for my X-Trans II camera! Unfortunately, it won’t work on the X100, X100S, X-E1 or X-Pro1 because it requires the Classic Chrome film simulation, which those cameras don’t have. But those who own a Fujifilm X-Trans II or Bayer camera, which do have Classic Chrome, I’m sure will appreciate this Kodachrome 64 recipe.

Classic Chrome
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlight: +2 (High)
Shadow: +1 (Medium-High)
Color: 0 (Medium)
Sharpness: 0 (Medium)
Noise Reduction: -2 (Low)
White Balance: Daylight, 0 Red & -3 Blue
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200

Example photographs, all camera-made JPEGs using this Kodachrome 64 recipe on my Fujifilm X-T1:

Watered Tree – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reflection in the Grass – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reed Grass – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Reeds In Water – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Sisters on a Bridge – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Red Mustang – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Wrangler – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Parking Lot Sunset – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

January Evening Hill – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Rooftop Birds – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Suburban Silver Lining – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Coffee Cup – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Prerequisite – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Yellow Pillows – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

Smiling Jon – Farmington, UT – Fujifilm X-T1

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Comparing JPEGs: Fujifilm X-T1 vs X-T30

Posted on January 29 by Ritchie Roesch

Fujifilm X-T30 with Astia film simulation.

Fujifilm X-T1 with Astia film simulation.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my Fujifilm X-Trans III & IV film simulation recipes compatible with my X-T1 camera, which has an X-Trans II sensor. The X-T1 has the same film simulations as my Fujifilm X-T30, minus Acros and Eterna, but many of the customization options to fine-tune the image are different. For the X-T1, everything maxes out at plus and minus two, while X-Trans III & IV cameras can go to plus and minus four on many settings. There are other tools that the newer cameras have that the older ones don’t. The simple fact is this: X-Trans III & IV recipes aren’t directly compatible with X-Trans I & II cameras; can I recreate those recipes for the older models?

When I looked at the pictures that I captured with the different film simulations on my X-T1, it seemed like the results were different than with the same film simulations on my X-T30. Do the film simulations look different on different sensors? I did some tests to determine what is the same and what is not. I think there are some subtle changes, and you won’t get precisely the same results from X-Trans II as you will from X-Trans III and IV. It’s close, but not exact.

Fujifilm X-T30 with Monochrome film simulation.

Fujifilm X-T1 with Monochrome film simulation.

Something that I determined is that, with everything set at 0, X-Trans II has slightly darker shadows and X-Trans IV has slightly lighter highlights. It makes it seem like the pictures from my X-T30 are brighter than those from my X-T1, although mid-tones are identical. I made the mistake in the test below (with the exception of Provia) of trying to compensate for that by dropping the exposure by 1/3 stop on my X-T30, which made it darker than the X-T1. That overcompensated for the highlight and shadow difference, while making the mid-tones all wrong. Instead of lowering the exposure on the X-T30, I could have adjusted shadow and highlight by one (-1 Shadow and +1 Highlight) on the X-T1 to get a closer match. Actually, if I had adjusted shadow and highlight (+1 Shadow and -1 Highlight) on the X-T30, it would have been an even closer match, as I also discovered that +1 on the two cameras are different. I think that +1 on the X-T1 is equal to about +1.25 on the X-T30 (if it could adjust in 1/4 increments), and +2 is equal to about +2.5. I think that, because highlights have a brighter starting point on the X-T30, +2 Highlight is about the same on both cameras, while +2 Shadow on the X-T1 is actually closer to +3 on the X-T30. Interestingly enough, I think that -1 and -2 highlight and shadow on the two cameras are similar to each other, and with the same exact minus settings applied to both cameras, the X-T30 will have lighter highlights and shadows than the X-T1. Color on the X-T1 seems to move in +/-1.25 increments when compared to the X-T30, which means +2 Color on the X-T1 is in-between +2 and +3 on the X-T30, while -2 Color on the X-T1 is in-between -2 and -3 on the X-T30.

There’s another difference that I discovered between X-Trans II and X-Trans IV: the white balance is not the same. The X-T1 is actually slightly warmer, leaning towards yellow or yellow-green. It’s not a huge difference, but it’s not exactly the same, which means a slight adjustment will be required to the white balance shift for recreating recipes. What I anticipate as I attempt to translate X-Trans III & IV recipes for X-Trans II is that some will be easy, and some will be difficult or maybe impossible. Because there are less tools to work with on my X-T1, the aesthetic won’t be as precise, as it’s not as fine-tune-able. Despite that, I hope to have some good film simulation recipes very soon for those with older Fujifilm X cameras.

Provia: