How to: Install and Use Fujifilm Recipes

Fujifilm ‘recipes’—preset combinations of settings—are an easy way to give your JPEGs a special look without having to edit RAW files. But how do you use them on your Fujifilm camera?

We asked freelance photographer Michael Schulz, aka Berlinstagram, who has used the Fujifilm X100V on trips abroad for a variety of brands, to demonstrate how Fujifilm recipes work.

Take a look at the recipes Michael used for his pictures from Bangkok, Koh Chang, Kyoto and Naples, and read on to learn more about Fujifilm recipes. 

This article will cover: 

• What are Fujifilm recipes?

• Why would I need Fujifilm recipes?

• What are SOOC-JPEGs?

• How do I use Fujifilm recipes?

• Programming your own presets

• Fujifilm X100V and Film Simulation Recipes

• Michael’s Recommendations

• MPB’s Fujifilm recipes

Over to you, Michael.

What are Fujifilm recipes?

If you have a Fujifilm X-Series camera, you can load combinations of settings into your camera to create photography in a range of styles. These presets are called recipes. 

The settings include the choice of built-in film simulation mode, white balance, and adjustments to the tone curve, sharpness and saturation. 

The main advantage of Fujifilm recipes, over traditional RAW shooting, is that they provide ‘finished’ images straight from the camera as JPEGs. You don’t need to edit your RAW files. 

Why would I need Fujifilm recipes?

In recent times, Fujifilm recipes have gained massive popularity on social media. These recipes simplify the photography process and can create stunning results with ease. 

Among Fujifilm enthusiasts, the Fujifilm X100V in particular has become a sensation due to its compact form factor and exceptional image quality. Compatibility with these recipes have made the X100V a favourite among photographers seeking both convenience and creativity. This surge in popularity has sparked a vibrant community of photographers sharing their X100V film recipes online, further fueling the trend.

So, why use Fujifilm recipes at all? If you have a Fujifilm camera and you don’t want to edit RAW images, then recipes make it easy to create lightweight JPEGs straight from the camera (also known as SOOC-JPEG). 

Plus, if you prefer not to play around with your camera settings, these recipes handle everything for you. So, you can concentrate on your framing and other aspects of photography. 

What are SOOC-JPEGs?

A SOOC-JPEG (straight-out-of-camera JPEG) is a JPEG image captured by a digital camera and saved without further editing required. 

The main advantage of SOOC-JPEGs is that they are ready for use immediately after capture and do not need to be edited with image editing software. This can save a lot of time and effort.

However, it is important to know that the final appearance of the image largely depends on the camera settings at the time of capture. This limits the scope for subsequent adjustments compared to shooting in RAW format.

Some Fujifilm cameras allow you to capture JPEGs and RAW files simultaneously, so you have the best of both worlds. 

How to Set Up and Use Fujifilm Recipes

Now, let’s look at how to use Fujifilm recipes. Imagine a recipe book filled with ingredients that transform your photos into works of art. Fujifilm recipes allow you to give your images a unique visual character—that might be timeless elegance, high-contrast black-and-white, or rich and dramatic tones. 

To use Fujifilm recipes and explore a variety of creative styles, follow these steps:

1. Find a Fujifilm recipe 

Websites like Fuji X Weekly provide collections of curated presets, each developed for specific visual styles and effects, often simulating classic analogue films. You can find the recipes I used in many of my images on this site. Remember to choose the right recipe for your model of Fujifilm camera. 

2. Add the recipe to your Fujifilm camera

Hold the Q button, and the ‘Edit/Save Custom Settings’ submenu will appear. Although the exact steps can slightly vary depending on the camera model, this method is generally applicable to most Fujifilm cameras.

Select the custom storage slot you want to use for your recipe. Enter the required parameters for your recipe, including settings like film simulation, highlights, shadows, color, dynamic range, and others.

Save your settings by pressing the back button. On some camera models, you can—and should—also name your custom presets. For simplification, use a uniform naming format for your recipes to quickly find your settings.

You can usually add and switch between seven custom presets via the Q button. Alternatively, you can also customize any button or dial on your Fujifilm camera to quickly select one of your programmed presets.

3. Create your own recipes 

Once you are familiar with the pre-made recipes, try customising and experimenting with the parameters—like film simulation modes, white balance, sharpness and more—to create your own recipes. Adjust the settings to match your specific preferences and artistic vision. As you further refine your Fujifilm recipes, share your creations with others. 

The Fujifilm X100V and Film Simulation Recipes

Photographers and content creators love the Fujifilm X100V for its image quality, compact design and user-friendly interface, making it the ideal choice for effortless creation of social media content. 

Compatibility with Fujifilm recipes makes it even more attractive, allowing for effortless creation of individual visual styles.

The Takeaway

Reflecting on my experiences with the Fujifilm X100V and the Fujifilm recipes, I realise that this camera has brought a new dimension and joy to my photography. 

I own a Sony A7R IV with a range of Sony FE lenses. But the X100V, with its fixed 23mm lens, has found a permanent place in my camera bag. It has reignited my passion for spontaneous and everyday photography, making that a part of my creative process again.

The Fujifilm X100V simplifies my workflow by adding in-camera recipes, which allows me to experiment with different styles during shooting and reduces the need for extensive post-processing. This preserves the joy of photography and lets me focus on capturing moments.

My recipe recommendations

Over the past six months, I've tried a variety of recipes that I've discovered online, with two absolute favourites emerging: Kodak Gold 200 and Pacific Blues (both from Fuji X Weekly).

I’ve also enjoyed photographing and experimenting with other recipes, like Kodak Portra 400 v2, Manila Sun, Classic Kodak, and the ‘Wes Anderson’ Film Simulation recipe. 

Photography is a world full of possibilities. Whether you are a purist seeking the perfection of RAW, or enthusiastically enjoying the charm of SOOC JPEGs, the beauty of photography lies in your unique vision.

If you are a Fujifilm photographer, I encourage you to explore the realm of photography, to experiment, and to capture the essence of everyday life through your lens—armed with the magic of Fujifilm recipes. 

Enjoy your photography and may your photographic journey be full of wonder and creativity. 

Thanks, Michael! 

5 Fujifilm recipes by MPB

Inspired by Michael, we asked our house photographer and videographer, Ian Howorth, to share his Fujifilm recipes. Explore his top five below.

Old Hollywood Mood 

This Fujifilm recipe is great for achieving a more muted, retro feel in your images:

•  Film Simulation: PRO Neg. Hi

•  Dynamic Range: Manual DR100

•  Highlights: +1 (Medium Hard)

•  Shadows: +1 (Medium Soft)

•  Colour: +2 (High)

•  Noise Reduction: -1 (Medium Weak)

•  Sharpness: -2 (Soft)

•  Grain Effect: Weak

•  White Balance: Cloudy Red 2 Blue 2

•  Exposure Compensation: 0

Cinematic Sepia

For a vibrant and classic tone, try our Cinematic Sepia recipe:

• Film Simulation: Classic Chrome

• Dynamic Range: Manual DR200

• Highlights: +4 (Hardest)

• Shadows: -2 (Soft)

• Colour: +2 (High)

• Noise Reduction: -3 (Very Weak)

• Sharpness: -2 (Soft)

• Grain Effect: Weak

• Colour Chrome Effect: Off

• White Balance: Cloudy Red 0 Blue 0

Legacy Charcoal

If you’re aiming for a stark, almost moody contrast, give this Fujifilm recipe a go:

• Film Simulation: Acros Yellow Filter

• Dynamic Range: Manual DR200

• Highlights: +0 (Normal)

• Shadows: +2 (Hard)

• Colour: Acros Yellow Filter

• Noise Reduction: Normal

• Sharpness: 0 (Normal)

• Grain Effect: Weak

• Colour Chrome Effect: Off

• White Balance: Auto Red 0 Blue 0

Urban Grit

Perfect for street photographers looking to achieve the perfect black and white finish:

• Film Simulation: Acros Green Filter

• Dynamic Range: Manual DR100

• Highlights: -2 (Soft)

• Shadows: +3 (Very Hard)

• Colour: Acros Green Filter

• Noise Reduction: Normal

• Sharpness: +2 (Hard)

• Grain Effect: Strong

• Colour Chrome Effect: Off

• White Balance: Red (0) Blue (0)

Classic Greyscale

To snap a clean and dreamy monotone image like this one, give Classic Greyscale a go:

• Film Simulation: Acros Red Filter

• Dynamic Range: Manual DR200

• Highlights: +4 (Hardest)

• Shadows: +2 (Hard)

• Colour: Acros Red Filter

• Noise Reduction: Normal

• Sharpness: +2 (Hard)

• Grain Effect: Strong

• Colour Chrome Effect: Off

• White Balance: Red (0) Blue (0)

Enjoy trying out these recipes!

Read more about photo editing for beginners, and find out how toedit black-and-white photography. Check out more tips and techniques on the MPB content hub.