The Fuji X Files

I'm seriously loving using the Fujifilm system - especially the custom film simulations. In this post I'd like to outline my C2 custom setting recipe - my version of Fuji Acros. Lake Mahinapua Jetty. Fuji X-E1. f/5.6 @ 1/350th, ISO 200. C2: "Acros" Jpeg Fuji Acros just happens to be my favourite black and white film. It's a beautiful, tonal, fine-grained film, that I shoot in my film cameras whenever I can. I was gutted when Fuji discontinued it in 2017, and then elated when they said they would be bringing it back in 2019! They have also introduced an Acros film simulation into their latest digital cameras - but only in the latest with the third generation processor. It doesn't look like it can, or will, be released in earlier camera models, since the Acros 'special sauce' requires the latest processor to work. Darn! So what is a guy to do? Hey, I know... why not make my own 'Acros' film simulation recipe? What a great idea! And s

Since getting my Fujifilm X-E1 recently, I've spent a bit of time exploring and setting up my own film simulation recipes. As an old film shooter, who enjoys using film from time to time, the lure of using a digital camera that you can set to 'Velvia' is very enticing. Even though we all know that it's still only a digital file - right?! And what's even more enticing - to me at least - is having the ability to create your own film 'looks' (up to seven in the X-E1) and access them very quickly. So that's what I've been spending a good deal of time doing with my 'new' X-E1. Creating custom film simulation recipes and inputting them into the camera. I thought I'd share all seven of them over the next few months, as I get out and create images using the different profiles. And so I may as well start at the beginning - with 'C1' - a simulation that I have called "Classic Chrome". Lake Brunner Jetty, Moana. Fujifilm

Last weekend (as I write this) promised beautiful sunny weather, so I was very keen to get out and use the Fuji X-E1. I decided to head to one of my favourite spots to shoot - Lake Brunner at Moana. I'm glad I did. Early morning at Lake Brunner Jetty. Fujifilm X-E1 with Fujinon 16-50mm. f/10 @ 1/6th sec, ISO 200. Cokin ND + ND Grad It was a beautiful - picture perfect morning, and I was very excited to be out with a new camera, creating a new vlog for my Youtube channel. You can see the vlog about the morning here . In my limited time shooting with the X-E1, I've been super impressed with the 16MP x-trans sensor. I want a lightweight travel camera that I will also be happy to use for more 'serious' photography should the need arise. From what I can tell so far from using the X-E1 briefly on a couple of trips, this could very well be the answer to my prayers. I set up for the image above with the X-E1 on a tripod, and used a couple of Cokin ND filters in a 

I know I've only had the X-E1 for a few weeks, but I spent the first few days setting up the camera for how 'I' like to shoot - and thought it might be helpful to outline my process. Standard caveats apply: this is 'my' shooting style etc, etc... and your style and mileage may vary. I'll go over most of the basic settings I'm using to take my images - but what I'm not going to cover in this post are my film simulation recipes. I'm going to leave them for their own individual posts. That said, what attracted me to the Fuji system other than the retro styling, was the promise of using film simulation modes. I still shoot film occasionally, and although I get that the Fuji film simulations are just that - simulations of the analogue process - the ability to set Astia or Velvia on a Fuji camera is very enticing. And from all that I've seen and read on-line, the jpegs straight out of the camera with these film simulations baked in are exceptiona

Well hello, hello. As incredible as it may seem - and I can hardly believe it myself - after almost six and a half years of absolutely no activity, this blog finally has a new post! I began the Fuji X (10) Files (as it was called then) way back in February 2013, to chronicle my move from DLSR's to the Fujifilm X10 compact camera. It was not, however, a roaring success, and I sold the camera after only a few months and ten blog posts. It was a lovely little compact camera, but the very early EXR Fuji sensor was plagued with conversion problems i.e - third party software struggled to convert the RAF (Fuji RAW) files. That eventually got sorted, but I also personally struggled to 'downsize' to the very compact X10 after a lifetime spent using SLR-style cameras with interchangeable lenses. I liked the 'idea' of a compact camera, but quickly discovered the reality didn't match the ideal.  Over the ensuing six years I've moved around camera systems a lot. So