Yes, I know the title is a bit….well bland and if course that’s the last thing you want when thinking about recipes. I can assure you the following content is anything but bland but what else could I possibly title this blog post. Of course we are speaking of the wonderful world of Fujifilm In-Camera film simulations for your jpeg files. Those in the know (discretely thumbs nose) call them recipes because your literally coming up with a sequence of “ingredients” offered to you by way of settings in camera to cook or bake in your color tones.
One thing to note before we really dive in. These settings are for JPEG files only. They will not effect your Fuji RAF / RAW files. Another work around which I go into detail with my last YouTube Video on Dialing in Classic Negative is the ability to adjust these settings for your RAW files using Fuji’s X Raw Studio application. This application can also be extremely helpful in dialing in or fine turning your recipes rather than getting caught in the dreaded circle of shoot, import , adjust in camera, then shoot again only to find the the lighting has completely changed. Enough of all that lets dive into my preferred 7 Custom Recipes for the Fujifilm X Series Cameras utilizing the X-Trans IV Sensor. I have them set up the same on both my XPro 3 as well as the X100V. I apologize in advance for the less then stellar subject matter.
Classic Negative
Film Simulation: Classic Negative…….Duh!
Grain Effect: Weak/Small
Color Chrome : Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance : Kelvin 6000 No Shift
D Range Priority : Auto
Color +2
Sharpness +3
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity +1
I shoot this at Ev 0 +/- and adjust on location as needed.
Next up taking up spot # 2
Kodachrome 64 -
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Weak/Small
Color Chrome : Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance : Auto WB Shift Red +2 Blue -4
D Range : 400
Tone Curve : Highlights +4 / Shadows -2
Color +4
Sharpness -1
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity +1
I shoot this at Negative -1/2 to -1 Ev and adjust on location as needed.
*My little tip is the added - indicator after the Preset name which helps me remember how I like to shoot the exposure with each simulation.
Kodachrome 64 +
Kodachrome 64 is based off Kodachrome 64 - but with a WB set to Daylight and zeroed out tone curve.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Weak/Small
Color Chrome : Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance : Daylight Shift Red +2 Blue -5
D Range : 200
Tone Curve : Highlights 0 / Shadows 0
Color +2
Sharpness +1
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity +3
I shoot this at Positive +1/3 to 3/4 Ev and adjust on location as needed.
Kodak Portra
This is a tough one. In my opinion it works well over exposed ( just like real portra ) and in contrasty outdoor lighting. In doors or less than stellar light yields a somewhat muted look especially on skin tones.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Weak/Small
Color Chrome : Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Weak
White Balance : Kelvin 5200 Shift Red +1 Blue -6
D Range : 400
Tone Curve : Highlights -2 / Shadows +2
Color +2
Sharpness -1
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity -2
I shoot this at Positive +1/2 to 1 1/2 Ev and adjust on location as needed.
Summer
I have no particular reason why I call it summer other then the incredibly warm tones and overall lightness of the image this recipe produces. Not really any particular film stock was referenced for this one but fun to use at times. I don’t have many examples but I plan to experiment more with this in the summer months.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome : Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance : Kelvin 7100 Shift Red -3 Blue -2
D Range : 400
Tone Curve : Highlights -2 / Shadows -2
Color +4
Sharpness 0
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity -5
I shoot this at Positive + 1 1/2 to at time +2 Ev and adjust on location as needed.
Monochrome
This black and white simulation uses the Black and White with the Red filter and give a nice balance between contrasty tones and completely crushing the blacks. I myself enjoy rich tonality in my monochrome images so if that not you then these last two may not be for you. I also at times add some warmth to my monochrome images however these examples have been left neutral.
Film Simulation: Black & White with Red Filter
Grain Effect: Strong/Small
Color Chrome : Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance : Auto
D Range : 100
Tone Curve : Highlights 0 / Shadows +3
Color 0
Sharpness +1
Noise Reduction 0
Clarity +1
I shoot this at 0 to +3/4 Ev and adjust on location as needed.
Noir
A black and white with strong contrast and a real film stock look. Similar to Pushed Kodak Tri -X. Perhaps I’ll rename it that actually.
Film Simulation: Acros with Yellow Filter
Grain Effect: Strong/Large
Color Chrome : Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
White Balance : Auto
D Range : 100
Tone Curve : Highlights +4 / Shadows +4
Color 0
Sharpness +4
Noise Reduction -4
Clarity +1
I shoot this at 0+/- Ev and adjust on location as needed.
Overall I feel that this is Custom 7 has me set up for most situations. You can obviously tell which are my favorites just by way of subject matter. Classic Chrome took a while for me but once I achieved my desired preferences it became my favorite. I really like the Portra too but like I said it can be finicky if not exposed correctly or if in less than ideal lighting. Kodachrome was an experiment and my attempt of reviving something of the iconic film stock we lost a while back. Overall I’m posed with them but I feel I achieve better result shooting RAW files then adding some of my own Presets in post to achieve a more accurate representation of the original look of Kodachrome.
As you can see below my Custom 7 displays a nice range of gradients ending in Black & White. I feel I’m covered for most situations with this set up. If you have favorites you would like to share add them to the comments below. I would love to hear from you all and experiment with new flavors.
