Cracking the X-Pro3 Classic Negative Film Simulation Look on Your X-T2 (and other Fuji Cameras)

The ONE trick Fuji doesn’t want you to know.

Cracking the Classic Negative look

Hardly any other company puts that much effort in creating really beautiful and useful color profiles like Fujifilm.

Fujifilm calls them “film simulations”: inspired by the look of old film stock, they try to bring some of that magic into the digital era.

In fact, Minami-San, the Fujifilm employee responsible for colors back in the film days, is still today working at Fujifilm and in charge of the digital film simulation development. You can see his story here.

One more nice thing: Fujifilm film simulation can be fine tuned ad libitum:

  • read here – How to Fine Tune Your Fujifilm Film Simulation to Get the Ultimate Vintage Look
  • read here – This Guy Fine Tuned his Fujifilm Film Simulation Settings Inspired by the Work of Great Film Photographers. See “Chrome Eggleston” & More
  • read here – Fujifilm X-Pro3 Development Story: Classic Negative Film Simulation – Learning from Film

And now we come to the Fujifilm X-Pro3.

  • X-Pro3 offers more in camera editing options than any other Fuji camera
  • X-Pro3 offers a new film simulation called Classic Negative (inspired by Superia)

Of course we all demand for this firmware update, which should give us Classic Negative and other X-Pro3 goodness also these Fuji X/GFX cameras.

But some can’t manage their impatience, and tried to emulate the Classic Negative film simulation look, as it’s the case of Jean-Pascal Remon.

How to get the Fuji Classic Negative Look to your X-Pro2/X-T2
And save yourself to buy a new camera.

by Jean-Pascal Remon – website – instagram – blog

From what I’ve seen, the new Fuji Classic Negative film simulation is generous on the blue and green level, while remaining somewhat warm and keeping a low contrast.

Here is how to achieve this look.

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Let’s Talk Film Simulations: Are they Really Good only For JPEG Shooters? Vote Your Favorite Film Simulation!

Let’s Talk (and Vote) Film Simulations

Given the recent Fujifilm announcement of a new film simulation Classic Negative coming to Fujifilm X-Pro3, and the latest rumor that says older X-Processor 4 cameras will get it via firmware update, the Film Simulation talk is again en vogue here on FujiRumors.

Also the recent Canon vs Fujifilm colors shootout has raised the color science topic again.

In fact, film simulations are a much loved feature among the Fujifilm community, and we have written several articles about them in the past:

  • click here – An Introduction to Fujifilm’s Film Simulation Modes
  • click here – Meet Minami-San, Fujifilm’s Color Guru Since 50 Years and Who is Now Bringing Fuji’s Color Science from Film to Digital
  • click here – CLASSIC CHROME or “The Art of Omission!”
  • click here – An Ode To ACROS: “A Game Changer, My Favorite Film Simulation by far!” :: And about the Best ACROS (or B&W) Settings!
  • click here – VELVIA. The world of film simulation (link inside mixed zone)
  • click here – X-Trans III :: All Film Simulations Improved :: See Conventional Velvia Vs. X-Pro2 Velvia!
  • click here – PRO NEG, ASTIA and PROVIA. The World of Film Simulation
  • click here – Fujifilm Rethink RAW :: JPEG is Your Friend and Fuji’s Film Simulations Rock
  • click here – This Guy Fine Tuned his Fujifilm Film Simulation Settings Inspired by the Work of Great Film Photographers. See “Chrome Eggleston” & More

Now, some say film simulations are only for JPEG shooters, but I don’t agree.

Many love to work with Fujifilm RAW files by first applying a film simulation profile in Lightroom or Capture One and then edit from there. I do it like this too, and it saves me a lot of time. Fujifilm gets the colors right for me, and I just fine tune the rest of the image (contrast, sharpening, etc).

And Classic Negative?

Well, the very first samples look promising for me, and I am curious to see if it can climb high in the favorite ranking of Fujifilm X Shooters.

The current most loved film simulations can be seen (and voted) down below.

Personally, I am in love with Classic Chrome. But there is one film simulation, that I kind of re-discovered this summer, and is now often replacing Provia and Velvia in my photography: Astia!

Astia sits kind of between Provia and Velvia, giving colors a bit more pop compared to Provia, but not as much punch as Velvia.

Astia replaces Velvia also in my landscape photography, whenever I have a person (mostly my wife) in my frame, as Astia gives me the best balance between punchy colors and good skin tones.

But there are film simulations for every taste, and I am happy to see Fujifilm committed to deliver more of them. Classic Negative looks awesome, and I look forward what the future brings :).

Down below you’ll also find a video of Dan Bailey, saying why you should use film simulations.

My Favorite Film Simulation is...

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Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4: Lots of Distortion, Exposure Inconsistency and Yet a Recommended Lens

Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4

As a free and independent space, here on FujiRumors we report just everything, the good and the not so good, not matter if Fujifilm likes it or not, as my only boss are FR-readers, and I owe you the best service I can deliver.

Hence, today, in this Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 roundup I chose to highlight some aspects of the lens, that are not really that good.

And yet, despite not being a perfect lens, those who review the Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 still end up recommending it, as a great all rounder lens.

At the end, it’s all about finding the right balance, keeping in mind what’s the target group of a certain lens. And I guess in order ot keep size, weight and price down, Fujifilm had to rely more on digital correction in the case of this lens.

Previous Roundups

  • fujirumors – Fujinon XF 16-80mmF4 Compared to XF14mmF2.8, XF35mmF1.4, XF56mmF1.2 and XF90mmF2
  • fujirumors – Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4: Pros and Cons, First Looks and Thoughts

New Roundup

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All APS-C Shortcomings Exposed in this Image Roundup, and How I Couldn’t “Recover” my Wife – #photosfujicanttake

Photos Fuji Can’t Take

Sometimes I wonder, why do I stick with APS-C and plague myself into a world full of photographic shortcomings?

It’s frustrating, for example recently, when I edited an image of my wife watching a sunset.

I exposed for the highlights, and my wife turned out basically pitch black, you can’t even see her shiny yellow dress.

Now watch the image below (or link to the video) and see how impossible it was to recover her with my APS-C Fujifilm X-E3 file. I needed hours and hours of editing, but it turned out completely unusable anyway. A memory thrown away due to my underperforming APS-C camera.

But my case is just one of many that fall under the section #photosfujicanttake.

So, I will list a few more images exposing the terrible shortcomings of Fujifilm APS-C, all shared at our Fujifilm X-T User group, which is full of depressed photographers dreaming of full frame or even medium format.

Sure, some brave guys try to compensate for the immense APS-C limitations with creativity and skills, but that’s not going to work at the end. We all know true photography is all about specs, 500% magnification and 10+ stops push.

I know it’s hard to digest, but the images below show that APS-C simply can’t deliver. Luckily Apple gave us a Pro photographer iPhone 11 Max. I think I am going to try with that one.

NOTE: I hope your sarcasm detector is ON ;)

Images Below

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Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4: Pros and Cons, First Looks and Thougths

Let’s try to kill the endless waiting time with a little Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4 roundup.

Rico’s Coverage

Rico’s full XF16-80 coverage is online, and it has been tested also on the brand new Fujifilm X-A7.

Rico’s Conclusions (from Part 8 of his coverage)

Pros

  • Ideal focal length range for an “always on” and travel zoom lens
  • Excellent image quality over the entire focal length range
  • Low minimum focus distance (MFD)
  • Appealing Bokeh (my subjective opinion)
  • Solid build and weather-resistant
  • Constant aperture and marked aperture ring
  • Fast and silent autofocus
  • 6-stop-OIS with automatic tripod and panning detection
  • No hotspots with infrared photography (R72, X-T3)

Cons

  • Slightly larger and heavier than the XF18-55mm kit zoom: ideal for cameras like the X-T3 and X-H1, but maybe a little too bulky for the X-T30, X-T100 or X-A7
  • The pronounced digital barrel distortion correction at 16mm results in a minor but visible sharpness reduction at the edges and in the corners

Additional XF16-80mm f/4 coverage

  • bjornmoerman – Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f4 REVIEW – Comparison with XF18-135
  • ivanjoshualoh – XF16-80mm
  • billfortney – The New Mid-Range King
  • myfujifilm – Thoughts on the Fujinon 16-80mm f/4 by Anton Bosman
  • fujifilm-x – A Quick Look at XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR by Huseyin Aldirmaz

The lens itself will ship soon:

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Promo Videos

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Fujinon XF 16-80mm F4 Review: It Performs Better than More Expensive Professional Lenses

 

Fujinon XF16-80mm f/4

I don’t know you, but I hate it when Fujiiflm announced gear, and then lets us wait 3 months to finally ship it.

This is the case with their “July” announcements. X-T2, XF200, XF8-16 and now XF16-80 and GF50 were all announced in July, but shipped only in much later, between September and November.

In case of the Fujinon XF16-80mm f/4, we still have to wait until the end of September, to finally see it shipping.

As a consequence, we are meager on independent third party reviews…. but a fellow FujiRumors has found one, and shared it with us!

The review with lots of high res samples comes from the Slovakian page ephoto, and here are their conclusions of the lens (google translated):

Fujinon XF16-80 / 4 R OIS WR filled a hole in Fujifilm’s portfolio. This is a lens that everyone who starts Fujifilm should buy and is not sorry to pay for a more versatile lens.

The aperture F4 makes it more suitable for outdoor use. In slightly poor lighting conditions, the photographer is assisted by effective optical stabilization. The scope of the lens allows you to comfortably shoot landscape, nature, architecture.

At the same time, he handles the details and does not fear portraits. When taking pictures in poor weather conditions, you will appreciate the seal. It is the ideal lens for trips, vacations, trips anywhere. The weight is only 440 g.

If you want to shoot with a single lens, this is him. I hope we will meet him, as it will be cost-effective with the X-T30, X-T3 and X-H1.

Personally, I find no mistake on the lens that would make sense to bother. In terms of parameters and price, it provides above-average user value and optically exceeds one of the more expensive professional lenses. Such a good and generally balanced zoom is not easy to see. There is no need to hesitate for a moment.

Make sure to check out the full google translated review at ephoto.

It includes a series of brickwall-test images shot wide open from 16mm to 80mm. Once you access the gallery, click on “Zobrazit” to open the high resolution version.

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LEAVING LIGHTROOM: Vote Your Favorite RAW Converter Alternative to LR

I will be one of those, who in not so distant future will leave Lightroom forever, and use only one of the below mentioned RAW converters.

Now, I doubt I could influence your decision at all, but anyway I decided not to tell you here, which RAW converter I am going for, in the illusion of what I would say could influence the vote down below :).

So now I want to hear from you guys, if you consider to leave Lightroom forever, which one would be the RAW converter of your choice?

Vote down below… I did already.

LEAVING LIGHTROOM: Which RAW Converter will You Go For?

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Sony launches A7rIV and Says it Rivals Medium Format Image Quality – Signs of Confidence or Nervousness?

Sony launched the Sony A7rIV. You can read the facts and see the live stream again here.

It has a 61 MP full frame sensor, that offers 26 MP in APS-C crop mode. Anyone knows an APS-C Fuji camera with 26 MP out there? It’s all the same sensor wafer, just cut in differnt sizes for X-T3 (26 MP), A7rIV (61 MP) and GFX100 (102 MP).

The Sony A7rIV is a very fine camera, and I know at least one guy, who won’t be able to resist the temptation of buying it.

But one thing really grabbed my attention during the official presentation: the regular reference to medium format image quality.

The first reference comes from a Japanese Sony manager, who says:

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