5 minute read
Get to Grips With Film Simulation Modes
Film Simulation modes are part of what make X Series cameras so special. Find out why and how they can help you make better photographs
FUJIFILM cameras are great at reproducing color. Images look superb straight out of the camera thanks to accurate skin tones, big blue skies, and lush green foliage. Our knowledge of color science dates back many decades, drawing on our considerable experience in analog photography.
We have made color and black & white films that are the gold standard in many genres of photography, from landscapes to portraits, and much more. Based on this, we developed FUJIFILM Film Simulation modes, so photographers using X Series and GFX digital cameras can experience the same performance.
Our Film Simulation modes mimic not only the color of some famous analog films, but the tones and contrast, too. You can access them through your camera’s main menu system, but it’s faster through the Quick Menu (just press the Q button), or a dedicated function button (Fn) assigned to Film Simulation modes.
You’ll see the effect of the currently selected Film Simulation mode on the camera’s screen and in its viewfinder as you make pictures. Each one has its own unique characteristics and – although some are definitely more suited to a certain style of photography – it’s really fun exploring the differences between each mode.
Let’s take a look at each Film Simulation mode and discover what it’s best for. However, some of our cameras don’t feature every mode – see your instruction manual for details.
Color Film Simulation Modes
PROVIA/STANDARD
Velvia/VIVID
ASTIA/SOFT
CLASSIC CHROME
REALA ACE
PRO Neg. Hi
PRO Neg. Std
CLASSIC Neg.
Nostalgic Neg.
ETERNA/CINEMA
ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS
PROVIA/Standard
This is your camera’s default Film Simulation mode and is a good general-purpose setting that’s suitable for most subjects. It provides faithful color reproduction with moderate contrast and sharpness.
Just like its analog namesake – the professional quality transparency (slide) film FUJICHROME PROVIA – this mode is suitable for a wide variety of tasks, from landscape and portrait to still life, nature, and fashion.
Velvia/VIVID
One of our most famous films is FUJICHROME Velvia: a reversal film that delivers vibrant images with lots of impact. The Velvia Film Simulation mode does the same, with a boost in color saturation and contrast that’s great for landscape and nature photography.
PROVIA versus Velvia
ASTIA/SOFT
Just like Velvia, the ASTIA Film Simulation mode also delivers vibrant colors with extra saturation but a softer contrast, making this a good choice for fashion, interiors, and even portraits. The original FUJICHROME ASTIA boasted the softest tonal reproduction in its class and was able to reproduce the most delicate of details.
PROVIA versus ASTIA
CLASSIC CHROME
This Film Simulation mode is not named after a specific FUJICHROME or FUJICOLOR product, but instead mimics the ambience of documentary-style magazine photography from decades past. It has slightly desaturated colors (especially reds and greens) with harder shadow contrast, resulting in a timeless, subdued look that works well with dramatic lighting and retro-style subjects, as well as reportage projects.
PROVIA versus CLASSIC CHROME
REALA ACE
With incredibly true-to-life color reproduction and a hard tonality, this versatile Film Simulation adds a slight analog edge. Its natural rendering is well suited for capturing all subjects and environments.
PROVIA versus REALA ACE
PRO Neg. Hi
Designed for fashion and portrait photography, PRO Neg. Hi features soft skin tones, but offers a little more color saturation and harder shadows than its sibling, PRO Neg. Std. It’s great for emphasizing line, form, and texture, and offers slightly enhanced contrast across the board.
PROVIA versus PRO Neg. Hi
PRO Neg. Std
This Film Simulation mode is a good choice for portraits, as it’s known for delivering soft contrast and beautiful skin tones. Colors are somewhat muted, making it a good option for lifestyle images and even street photography. This is a subtle option, able to record the most delicate of differences between colors, and works best when the photographer has complete control over lighting.
PROVIA versus PRO Neg. Std
CLASSIC Neg.
Like CLASSIC CHROME, CLASSIC Neg. has a vintage feel, and has been carefully developed to simulate the everyday color-negative film that, for generations, was loaded into cameras all over the world. Color is expertly controlled across the picture’s tonal range, giving delicate contrast with improved definition. Colors are slightly more saturated than CLASSIC CHROME, and shadows are deeper.
PROVIA versus CLASSIC Neg.
Nostalgic Neg.
For a more characterful, old-school aesthetic, Nostalgic Neg. imbues your images with amber-tinted highlights and vibrant shadow tones. This Film Simulation has a classic printed photograph look, for distinctive image making.
PROVIA versus Nostalgic Neg.
ETERNA/CINEMA
One for the filmmakers, ETERNA is named after the classic film industry emulsion of the same name. It delivers understated colors, extended dynamic range, and flat contrast. A perfect choice when color grading in post-production is desired.
PROVIA versus ETERNA
ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS
Conjuring a high-contrast, low-saturation aesthetic for evocative imagery, this Film Simulation has been enriched by a bleach-bypass effect. The muted palette is ideal for adding depth and drama to your subject and is suited for both stills and movies.
PROVIA versus ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS
Black & White Film Simulation Modes
MONOCHROME
MONOCHROME+Ye FILTER
MONOCHROME+R FILTER
MONOCHROME+G FILTER
ACROS
ACROS+Ye FILTER
ACROS+R FILTER
ACROS+G FILTER
SEPIA
MONOCHROME
For a black & white image with a smoother character, the MONOCHROME Film Simulation is based on the default PROVIA setting. It offers a classic monochromatic look, with a neutral color reproduction that empowers your creativity in every shot.
It also offers options that simulate the effect of a color filter being used over the camera’s lens:
Yellow: slightly darkens blue skies and enhances contrast.
Red: darkens skies even more and enhances contrast further.
Green: reduces the appearance of blemishes on skin – popular with portrait photographers.
ACROS
Inspired by our NEOPAN 100 ACROS film, which was known for its fine grain, rich gradation, and outstanding sharpness, this black & white mode is rich in clarity, with an embedded print-like texture that matches the original film emulsion.
Like MONOCHROME, it’s also available in yellow, red, and green filtered versions.
MONOCHROME versus ACROS
SEPIA
The SEPIA Film Simulation mode adds a reddish-brown color cast to images and is great for giving your photos that distinctive vintage look.
MONOCHROME versus SEPIA
