My Favorite Fujifilm Recipes
The thing that I love most about my Fujifilm camera is the ability to use film recipes. Fujifilm recipes are created by customizing settings in your camera that control a range of parameters, such as white balance, contrast, sharpness, ect. Each recipe is designed to achieve a specific photographic goal, whether it’s enhancing greenery in a lush forest, creating smooth portraits, or capturing a gloomy day. This customization allows you to be able to use images directly from the camera instead of spending hours editing each image in other software. I do very little editing to each of my images after I capture them. The minimal edits I complete are done directly in the photos app on my iPad or iPhone, making editing very easy and portable.
Since my camera can hold 7 recipes at a time, I try out new ones every time I use my camera. I get excited every time I try a new recipe, and it almost feels like I’m playing in a way because you get to test each recipe to see what it can do. Using different recipes that create varying images allows you to take creativity to a whole new level. You can either create your own recipe, or you can choose from hundreds on internet. I’m still fairly new to Fujifilm, so I haven’t created my own recipe yet. So far, I use two resources for recipes, Fuji X Weekly (there is an app too, but you have to pay for a subscription) and Film Recipes for Fujifilm Cameras, but there are many other resources and websites out there. These are my recipes favorite so far (Each recipe listed is specific to the X-T5, if you have a different Fujifilm camera then the recipe won’t be 100% accurate, but it will be close. Try looking up the recipe specific to your camera for the best results):
- Kodak Ultramax 400
- Kodak Ektachrome E100VS V2
- Pacific Blues
- Emulsion ‘86
- 1970s Summer
- Summer of 1960
- Olive Garden
- Arthouse Cinema
- Lente Bok
- Mistychrome
- Heartland
- King Negative
- Forest Ranger
- Vintage Film
- Grizzly Bear
- Oceanic 815
- Eldorado
Kodak Ultramax 400
Fuji X Weekly
Kodak Ultramax 400 is the first recipe that I fell in love with. I’ve used it all over the world, from Washington to Iceland, in every weather condition and season. This recipe is extremely versatile and brings out beautiful natural colors. It offers a little more contrast and separation from highlights and shadows. Kodak Ultramax 400 remains in my top 5 favorite recipes.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Auto, +1 Red, -5 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR-Auto
Highlights: +1
Shadows: +1
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: +3
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1
Kodak Ektachrome E100VS V2
Fuji X Weekly
This recipe brings out pops of color and enhances it. I use this recipe whenever there is a colorful building sidewalk, statue, ect. that I want to capture because it makes colors in the image bold and beautiful. My favorite place that I have used this recipe is in Toontown in Disneyland because the colors there are already vibrant, but this recipe brought them out even more.
Film Simulation: Velvia
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
WB: 5150K, +3 Red, -3 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlights: +1.5
Shadows: +0.5
Color: +1
Sharpness: -1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: +3
Exposure Compensation: -1/3 to +2/3
Pacific Blues
Fuji X Weekly
Pacific Blues is great to use on overcast beach days, but it can be used in bright conditions as well. I used it to capture Diamond Beach in Iceland to enhance the blue tones of glacier chunks and Jökulsárlón.
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: 5800K, +1 Red, -3 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -2
Shadows: +3
Color: +4
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 to +1
Emulsion ‘86
Fuji X Weekly
Emulsion ’86 one of my favorite recipes to use in lush forests where there is a lot of water, moss, and other foliage. It enhances greenery, but also has a warming element to it that brings out browns and oranges.
Film Simulation: Nostalgic Negative
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Daylight, +2 Red, -1 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -2
Shadows: +2
Color: +4
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Exposure Compensation: +2/3 to +1 1/3
1970s Summer
Fuji X Weekly
1970s Summer is my go-to recipe when it is a sunny day out. It brings out greens and warm tones in landscapes and creates a nostalgic feeling to images.
Film Simulation: Nostalgic Negative
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
WB: 6500K, -1 Red, -4 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -2
Shadows: -0.5
Color: -2
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1
Summer of 1960
Fuji X Weekly
Summer of 1960 is another one of my favorites to use in lush forests. Like Emulsion ’86, this recipe is fantastic to use in landscapes with lots of greenery and water. It does a fantastic job of enhancing cooler tones like green and blue.
Film Simulation: Nostalgic Negative
Grain Effect: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Strong
WB: 5250K, -3 Red, -5 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: +4
Shadows: +2
Color: +3
Sharpness: -4
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +1
Olive Garden
Film Recipes
Olive Garden creates a mellow, soft vibe that gave a calming effect to images I captured on a river hike. This recipe gives the best results on overcast days, but it can be used in sunny conditions as well.
Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Standard
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Daylight, +2 Red, -7 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR100
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Sharpness: +1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: +1/3 to +2/3
Arthouse Cinema
Film Recipes
Arthouse Cinema offers a mellow, soft look to images. This is probably my least favorite on this list because I prefer more color in my images. This recipe still has its uses though and I have had great results with it on sunny days.
Film Simulation: Eterna/Cinema
Grain Effect: Weak, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Daylight, +2 Red, -7 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR100
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Sharpness: +1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: 0
Lente Bok
Film Recipes
Lente Bok is a bold recipe that enhances color. I have had fantastic results with this recipe in the rainforests on the Olympic Peninsula, on lake hikes, and when capturing colorful mushrooms and flowers. This is one of my favorite recipes to use when there is lots of greenery around because it has a natural warm hue to it that makes greens pop.
Film Simulation: Velvia/Vivid
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Fluorescent 1, -2 Red, -4 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Sharpness: -1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: +1/3
Mistychrome
Film Recipes
As the name Mistychrome suggests, this recipe is best used in overcast misty conditions. The creator of this recipe made it specifically to capture the soft paleness of mist and fog on an overcast day. This is my favorite recipe to use on a rainy day.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: 7200K, -2 Red, +2 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -2
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Sharpness: 0
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: +2/3
Heartland
Film Recipes
Heartland has become one of my favorite go-to recipes to use in nature because it enhances natural color while giving images a nostalgic look. It can be used in a wide variety of conditions from rainy to sunny days.
Film Simulation: Provia/Standard
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Fluorescent 2, +4 Red, -5 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -1
Color: -1
Sharpness: 0
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -1
Exposure Compensation: +1/3
King Negative
Film Recipes
King Negative is rich and vibrant. It enhances greenery in forests and can be used in sun or rain. I have found the best results on overcast days in rainforests when shooting mushrooms and waterfalls.
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Shade, +1 Red, -4 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: -0.5
Shadows: -1.5
Color: +3
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: +1/3
Forest Ranger
Film Recipes
Forest Ranger is a great recipe to use in the forest. It has a more muted and neutral look, but still brings out greens. This recipe works best in overcast conditions.
Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Standard
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Daylight, +2 Red, -7 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR100
Highlights: -1
Shadows: -1
Color: -4
Sharpness: +1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: 0
Vintage Film
Film Recipes
Vintage Film is a fantastic recipe to use a sunny beach day. This recipe has a nostalgic look to it that brings out soft pops of color.
Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Standard
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Auto, +4 Red, -6 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: 0
Shadows: -1
Color: -2
Sharpness: -1
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: 0
Exposure Compensation: +1/3
Grizzly Bear
Film Recipes
Grizzly Bear offers bold colors, deep shadows, and character. This recipe can be used in any condition, but I have found the best results on overcast days where it brought out greenish blue tones.
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Auto, +1 Red, -3 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: +0.5
Shadows: -1.5
Color: +2
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: +4
Exposure Compensation: 0
Oceanic 815
Film Recipes
Oceanic 815 works well on sunny days next to the ocean or overcast walks along forested lakes. It enhances the blues of the sea and brings out the greens of foliage.
Film Simulation: Classic Chrome
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Weak
WB: Auto White Priority, -1 Red, -3 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR400
Highlights: +0.5
Shadows: -1
Color: -3
Sharpness: 0
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: +3
Exposure Compensation: none
Eldorado
Film Recipes
Eldorado is a recipe that was designed for golden hour, but also works well during fall when leaves start to turn golden. I tested out this recipe during my trip to Glacier National Park and ended up using it the entire time I was there.
Film Simulation: Astia/Soft
Grain Effect: Off
Color Chrome Effect: Weak
Color Chrome Effect Blue: Off
WB: Underwater, +6 Red, -7 Blue
Dynamic Range: DR200
Highlights: -0.5
Shadows: +1
Color: -3
Sharpness: -2
ISO Noise Reduction: -4
Clarity: -3
Exposure Compensation: +2/3