In this guide
Fujifilm film simulation recipes are one of the biggest reasons so many photographers fall in love with the X-Series system. You pick up the camera, choose a recipe, and the JPEGs that come straight out of the camera look finished.
I’m no exception.
You don’t need a Lightroom preset. No endless editing. Just photography the way it should feel: simple, creative, and fun.
It made me fall in love with photography.
But if you’re new to the Fuji ecosystem, recipes can feel a bit confusing. What are they? Where do you find them? And how do you actually set them up on your camera?
This guide gives you the exact steps you need — whether you’re shooting on an X100V, X-T5, X-S20, or any other Fujifilm X-Series body.
Let’s dive in.
What Are Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipes?
Fujifilm cameras come with built-in “film simulations” like Classic Chrome, Provia, Velvia, Nostalgic Neg, Acros, and more. These simulate the color profiles of analog film.
A film simulation recipe is a custom set of settings — highlight/shadow curve, white balance shift, color, sharpening, grain, clarity, and more — layered on top of a film simulation to achieve a specific aesthetic.
Think of them like:
- Camera-native presets
- Built for JPEG shooting
- Designed to look like film stocks such as Kodak Portra 400, Fujicolor C200, or Kodachrome 64
The beauty?
Your camera saves the look in-camera, so every photo you take comes out already edited — ready to use, share, or print.
Where to Find Fujifilm Recipes
There are three reliable sources:
1. My Recipes (bryandijkh.com)
Here you’ll find:
- Recipes I personally use for travel and street work (Like cinematic gold)
- Often optimized for bright, sunny conditions (since that’s where I shoot most)
- Styles inspired by real film I love
2. Fuji X Weekly (the OG)
Ritchie Roesch created the largest, most complete library of Fujifilm recipes.
Great if you want:
- Very specific color science
- Exact reproductions of film stocks
- Multiple recipe versions for different sensor generations
3. Fujifilm Community Blogs & YouTube
Many creators share their personal looks.
Good if you want:
- More creative, experimental styles
- Looks tailored for video
- Niche environments like low light or night street photography
How to Program a Fujifilm Recipe Into Your Camera
The steps are nearly identical for X100V, X-T5, X-T4, X-S20, X-E4, X-S10, etc.
Step 1 — Open the IQ Menu
Press the MENU button → go to
Image Quality Settings → Edit/Save Custom Setting
Step 2 — Choose a Slot
Select an empty slot or overwrite one you don’t use.
Tip: Use C1 for your “everyday film,” like a Portra-style recipe.
Step 3 — Set the Base Film Simulation
For example:
- Classic Chrome for Kodachrome/Portra looks
- Nostalgic Neg for warm vintage color
- Pro Neg Std for softer skin tones
- Acros for B&W styles
Step 4 — Enter Each Setting
You’ll adjust:
- Highlight
- Shadow
- Color
- Noise Reduction
- Sharpening
- Clarity
- Dynamic Range
- White Balance + WB Shift
- Grain
- Color Chrome Effect
- Color Chrome FX Blue
- ISO Max
- Sharpness + NR
- Tone curve settings
Just copy the recipe values exactly as written.
Step 5 — Save Your Custom Settings
Press OK to save, then give it a name if your camera supports naming.
Step 6 — Select the Recipe While Shooting
Press the Q button → choose the custom slot → start shooting.
That’s it.
You’ve just “loaded a roll of digital film.”
Final Thoughts
Fujifilm recipes are one of the simplest ways to make photography more enjoyable and more consistent. They give your camera a soul — a look that feels intentional, nostalgic, and uniquely yours.
If you’re just getting started, try loading 1–2 recipes today.
Go outside.
Shoot a small series.
Let the camera surprise you.
