FUJIFILM Film Simulations – Detailed Explanations When to Use Which

Software News

by Alexandra ThompsonMay 22^nd, 2024

If you are new to FUJIFILM Film Simulations and think you could become a fan, FUJIFILM has now added a detailed webpage that might interest you. The website delves into the different types of Film Simulations, explaining their vision and a bit of the thought that goes into how they are put together (hint: they start with a PROVIA base standard), plus, when you might choose one over the other. Let’s have a look!

Something quite unique to FUJIFILM cameras is Film Simulations that copy their analog equivalent – for example, Velvia, Provia, and Classic Chrome, among others. The range of presets mimics the look of classic FUJIFILM film stock, and photographs/filmmakers can dial in one of these distinct color profiles and tonalities directly in-camera if they know the look they want. These simulations are so popular, in fact, that the new FUJIFILM X-T50 camera even has a dedicated Film Simulation dial.

All-Around and Individualistic – when to use which

FUJIFILM Film Simulations can be divided into two categories: All-Around and Individualistic. What does this mean and when would you use one over the other? As explained on the site, the All-Around type gives priority to enhancing the subject of the photo, whereas the Individualistic simulation identifies a mood. In other words, should your subject be clear, true to life, and the focal point of your picture, or are you more like me – it’s often about the feeling a scene gives you rather than exactly what you see in front of you.

Additional options – Grain Effect, Color Chrome Effect, and Color Chrome FX Blue

Also explained is the use of the Grain Effect, the Color Chrome Effect, and the Color Chrome FX Blue. Starting with the Grain Effect, what we used to call ‘grain’ when we shot analog is now deemed necessary for the human eye to see texture in a photo, so we recognize a kind of dimensional depth through the tonal gradation. Just process one of your photos with an overdose of Adobe Lightroom’s AI DeNoise filter and you’ll see what I mean. The effect is plastic if you don’t tone it down or add some ‘grain’ aka ‘noise’. The Grain Effect can take care of that.

The Color Chrome Effect helps by adding detail to your photo if you use a Simulation like Velvia, or any of those that add vibrancy and (maybe a little too much) saturated color. It takes care of those overly saturated colors by deepening colors and creating a wider range of tones. The Effect was developed with the popular FUJICHROME Fortia film in mind, which gained a large fan base, and was, unfortunately, only available in limited quantity and only in Japan between 2005 and 2007. 

You can guess what Color Chrome FX Blue concentrates on: the blues – for example, the blues in the sky and bodies of water, like the ocean. As air causes a certain whitening effect when we take photos like these, we can use FX Blue to bring back the blue we’ve lost. This functions similarly to how a polarizing filter works on your camera.

Have a look at their website for more details about Simulations and effects here. They also have a very thorough Compatibility section so you can easily see what hardware and software fits which camera, a Learning Center, and more.

Do you use a FUJIFILM camera, and if so, do you use Simulations or in-camera effects? Or do you use them in post-processing? Let us know your experience with them in the comments!