Fuji film simulations in older cameras

So, recently I've been trying to get a softer, glowy, more film-like look with my images using diffusion filters but also contemplating different lenses. I've since been out shooting again after a long spell busy with work etc and am getting good results with my current set-up. The f2 lenses are surprising me with their sharpness and rendering again.

Since I got an XT3 I've been shooting RAW and using the presets I built myself but looking back at my old X100T images where I was using custom film sims, the Jpegs have a much nicer look that I can't put my finger on which tones down the F2 contrast. This is especially evident in good light or summer photos, in bad light or difficult lighting the RAW sometimes work better. Lightroom seem to do something to the sharpening and the curve is not quite right with the LR version of the simulations.

Now I'm starting to move back to the Jpegs for most of my images but really want an XPro3 to get native Classic Neg in-camera. However, I would also like Nostalgic Neg but the XP3 doesn't have this. I read up on the reasons why these cameras don't have these but I cannot fathom a logical reason apart from Fuji want us to keep buying the latest camera for the new sim.

Surely though, at this point, sales are not going to be effected that much if the XT3 got Classic Neg and the XP3 got Nostalgic Neg. If anything, I think the community would love Fuji even more if the Kaizen approach was fulfilled and we were gifted these sims as loyal customers?

Having been with Fuji for 6 years now I know this I unlikely to happen but I wish they would just say yes or no. You can get pretty close tweaking the Jpegs or hacking the LR files but its not the same.

DomiDarko said:

Now I'm starting to move back to the Jpegs for most of my images but really want an XPro3 to get native Classic Neg in-camera. However, I would also like Nostalgic Neg but the XP3 doesn't have this. I read up on the reasons why these cameras don't have these but I cannot fathom a logical reason apart from Fuji want us to keep buying the latest camera for the new sim.

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Unfortunately you have hit the nail on the head.

I had a X-E1, and it continues to be legendary for subtle excellence in image quality, same as the X-Pro1. When I got my X-T3 I looked at the image quality carefully and liked it better, so I gave away my X-E1. I went ahead and bought an X-E4 later.

Your X100T had the second generation X-trans sensor, shared in the X-E2 and others. Hopefully you still have it. Otherwise, if you can find a used X-E2 or maybe an X-T1, you will get the same sensor with interchangeable lenses. This might be a good path for you. Check the manuals to find out (maybe) if any of these has the film sims you remember. Manuals are here:

MANUALS:camera | FUJIFILM X Series & GFX – Global (fujifilm-x.com)

You have already tried some custom film sim recipes in-camera, and you remain unsatisfied. But, at this point, these might be the only way to go.

Part of this might be the learning curve. I don't know how long you worked with your X100T, but giving just as much time to the X-T3 might be very worthwhile.

Good luck!

Sometimes older cameras just don't have the processing power to use more recent and additional film sims.

I am perfectly happy hacking the 2 sims from Lightroom (which involves deleting a camera name from 2 files when Lightroom updates). I had it in my head that Classic Neg wasn't quite right, but it is just as close as the Capture One version imho (which is supposedly done with Fuji). I didn't compare Nostalgic Negative, but love using it from LR too. Certainly beats paying thousands for a GFX camera. Along with Classic Chrome they make a great trio of free filmic sims.

Alan Hewitt Photo said:

Sometimes older cameras just don't have the processing power to use more recent and additional film sims.

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For older cameras yes that's true. I'm not sure about the XT3 though. Its a quad core with the same sensor than the XP3. Should have Classic Neg. The colours are most likely just settings in files so Nostalgic Neg could, in theory also be added quite easily. I've heard that it only works on Bayer sensors but I don't buy it. Please correct me if I am wrong.

--
The little things, there's nothing bigger.

Blood N Guts Murphy said:

I am perfectly happy hacking the 2 sims from Lightroom (which involves deleting a camera name from 2 files when Lightroom updates). I had it in my head that Classic Neg wasn't quite right, but it is just as close as the Capture One version imho (which is supposedly done with Fuji). I didn't compare Nostalgic Negative, but love using it from LR too. Certainly beats paying thousands for a GFX camera. Along with Classic Chrome they make a great trio of free filmic sims.

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Yep, they look decent enough but there is definitely a very subtle difference, especially when you change the WB mix and highlights and shadows. The way the jpeg engine works together does something that's hard to re-produce in LR. I will keep tinkering for now.
I wish the XT3 also had the ability to save custom recipes like the XP3.

I wonder if the XH2 and XP4 etc will have all these sims, I think yes plus a new one.

I remember when Acros arrived with the X-Trans3 cameras like the X-T2. People were asking Fujifilm to provide firmware updates to models like the X-E2 and X-T1 to give them Acros. Fujifilm's response was that the processors and available firmware memory in the older models was not capable of supporting Acros. True or not, I think Acros was a turning point for Fuji and its Kaizen philosophy. Somebody said if we keep adding every new feature or simulation to the older models, nobody will have an incentive to upgrade to newer models.

DomiDarko said:

So, recently I've been trying to get a softer, glowy, more film-like look with my images using diffusion filters but also contemplating different lenses. I've since been out shooting again after a long spell busy with work etc and am getting good results with my current set-up. The f2 lenses are surprising me with their sharpness and rendering again.

Since I got an XT3 I've been shooting RAW and using the presets I built myself but looking back at my old X100T images where I was using custom film sims, the Jpegs have a much nicer look that I can't put my finger on which tones down the F2 contrast. This is especially evident in good light or summer photos, in bad light or difficult lighting the RAW sometimes work better. Lightroom seem to do something to the sharpening and the curve is not quite right with the LR version of the simulations.

Now I'm starting to move back to the Jpegs for most of my images but really want an XPro3 to get native Classic Neg in-camera. However, I would also like Nostalgic Neg but the XP3 doesn't have this. I read up on the reasons why these cameras don't have these but I cannot fathom a logical reason apart from Fuji want us to keep buying the latest camera for the new sim.

Surely though, at this point, sales are not going to be effected that much if the XT3 got Classic Neg and the XP3 got Nostalgic Neg. If anything, I think the community would love Fuji even more if the Kaizen approach was fulfilled and we were gifted these sims as loyal customers?

Having been with Fuji for 6 years now I know this I unlikely to happen but I wish they would just say yes or no. You can get pretty close tweaking the Jpegs or hacking the LR files but its not the same.

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Short answer to what I think you are asking, DomiDarko, about Film Simulations for older Fuji cameras: there is a wonderful resource which contains literally dozens and scores (and more) of jpeg 'recipes' for both older and newer Fuji X-Trans sensor equipped cameras. The blog is called Fuji-X Weekly --


It was created and maintained by Ritchie Roesch, a brilliant Fuji user, who has compiled and invented and categorized a mind-boggling area of 'recipes' for different Fujifilm cameras - including ones with X-Trans III sensors like your X-T3 - which literally is like opening a treasure chest of possibilities for both newer and older Fuji X cameras.

I seriously recommend not merely checking it out - but taking the time to read through a number of posts - and then experimenting with them yourself, on your XT3. (Quick confession: I have an X-T3 myself and this website is a remarkable resource - and one worthy of supporting.)

Hope this helps.

I feel your pain. I wish Fujifilm would give us Nostalgic Neg. Classic Neg and Acros are my two most used and favourite film sims.



Lightroom does a horrible job with the colors IMO and doesn’t even come close to the jpgs on certain film sims, like Classic Neg. This is also true for other brand manufacturers too, I hardly ever use Adobes interpretation of Canon’s profiles, they are gawd awful.

Pocket Lint said:

I feel your pain. I wish Fujifilm would give us Nostalgic Neg. Classic Neg and Acros are my two most used and favourite film sims.

Lightroom does a horrible job with the colors IMO and doesn’t even come close to the jpgs on certain film sims, like Classic Neg. This is also true for other brand manufacturers too, I hardly ever use Adobes interpretation of Canon’s profiles, they are gawd awful.

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I think Lightroom does a very good job, as I was surprised how close Classic Negative on LR is to it on Capture One (where it is likely made with Fujifilm's input). I had negative bias for LR in my head which I proved wrong with a simple comparison. I haven't compared to the real thing though, so take this with a grain of salt.

It is extremely easy to get all the sims on Lightroom by editing a few files (delete the camera name in certain simulation name camera model text files next to "restricted to"). It's also possible on Capture One, as Pal2Tech and others explained in videos.

I think buying an X Trans 4 camera is not a good idea for it's film sims because of this, unless you dislike Nostalgic Negative (not on X Trans 4): I think is one of the very best and a great alternative to Classic Negative.

This is why I am so sure I am sticking with my Fujifilm X Trans 2 camera forever. I love the body (far more than newer models) and the Fujifilm colors.

Although I haven't done comparisons, there is also the Cobalt Images option, which works best for me as I get all the sims on all my devices (with the hacks you just get them on your PC). So I stopped using Lightroom's versions of the sims. This cost me though. It was something like £54 for the sims, plus £39 per camera I use it with (a Fuji and a Sony). I am a Classic Negative nut and have been happy with it via Cobalt on LR Mobile, same with Nostalgic Negative and Acros to a lesser extent.

I recommend doing a comparison as you may also be surprised with how good Lightroom's versions really are. Plus you get Nostalgic Negative and all the future ones. Maybe someone has already published comparisons online. C1, LR and Cobalt are all a million miles closer to the real thing than those on FujiXWeekly, which was awful for Classic Negative last year.

I’ve been using Lightroom for the past 5 years. I have compared in-depth the colors of Ligntroom to the SOOC jpgs and in my humble opinion, they are not close. Color is subjective and everyone has their threshold to what is close, accurate, pleasing etc.

Can I live with Lightroom’s profiles? Sure. Do I prefer them over the color rendition of my cameras? No.



And it’s not the case 100 percent of the time. I will edit some photos on as an needed basis.

Pocket Lint said:

I’ve been using Lightroom for the past 5 years. I have compared in-depth the colors of Ligntroom to the SOOC jpgs and in my humble opinion, they are not close. Color is subjective and everyone has their threshold to what is close, accurate, pleasing etc.

Can I live with Lightroom’s profiles? Sure. Do I prefer them over the color rendition of my cameras? No.

And it’s not the case 100 percent of the time. I will edit some photos on as an needed basis.

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Fair enough. I do have a feeling something is still missing with non-Fuji Classic Neg, so I will take your word for it. I am glad I didn't do a proper comparison. I think I will avoid comparisons and stick with my state of "ignorance is bliss".

Might still be worth you checking out the alternative versions of Nostalgic Negative though: surely just because LR gets Classic Neg wrong, doesn't mean Nostalgic Neg will be the same. I think it was the GFX50s Nostalgic Negative file that needs to be edited (if not it should be the GFX100S).

There are a couple of threads on the Fred Miranda Forum that talk about how good Cobalt Images colors are. Some say they also improve the starting point compared to Adobe Color, before adding any Fuji sims. You get this "better color" from the camera specific packs which you can buy without Fuji sims.