Film simulation modes

Steve

Steve

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So I'm playing around with a friend's Fuji X100 digital camera and it's really quite nice.

But then he shows me that it has film simulation modes to try and copy the effect of Velvia and Provia and some others that I forget.

My first thought was that this was an abomination. If you want Velvia get a roll and put in a film camera. But don't get a digital camera to try and simulate something that is unique to film.

I don't know if this kind of feature is common in digital cameras or limited to certain models/manufacturers, but to me it's just plain wrong.

So am I just a head in the sands Luddite, or is there something inherently wrong with digital cameras trying to mimmick film? Not sure why I reacted so strongly to this; I'm not usually bothered about such things, but on this occasion it struck a nerve.
 
I personally tend to agree with you Steve. These so called imitations frankly get on my nerves a little. For goodness sake, if people want their photos to look like these films, why not just shoot them?! Also, I am yet to see a filter effect that actually does any justice to these films what so ever! I appreciate the opinion of "oh it's just a bit of fun". Fine, then call it something else. Call the velvia 50 filter the "saturation magenta mental filter" or something like that :D
 
BUT ... every digital camera's output has a certain rendition - what's the problem with making this variable?
 
I ruined my last roll of Velvia as I messed up the exposure. Wouldn't mind so much if the digital simulation was as unforgiving. :)
 
I don't see much wrong with it. If people wanted a direct replica of a certain film, chances are they would use the actual film. It's just a fun feature to play with on a camera, for most it's nothing more than that. For others, it's a real usable feature whether it's attempting to replicate something or not.
 
It's a bit odd to me, too, but it's all in pursuit of profit I guess. Fuji are perhaps the only manufacturers of digital cameras still with a hand in the film-making industry, and have the film brands to do this with, so putting Velvia or Provia simulators on their digicams is a USP that Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic et al don't have.

At the same time, does it not cheapen their film brands to make poor simulations of them in this way? I guess they just make a lot more money from their digicams than from film.

However perhaps a more positive way of looking at this is that it promotes film as something unique and special that digital cameras can only try to simulate. So it creates the possibility that someone might just use this and be tempted to try the real thing, something that might just keep these films in production a little longer for all of us.
 
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I think you're upset about nothing, You pick a film designed for the kind of result you desire, why not offer the same for digi? Not everyone wants to endlessly fart about wirh their raw ourput. Fuji have spent ages perfecting the look of their film to give the most pleasing image possible. Refusing to offer consumers the same in digi seems silly. Naming them after existing standards just makes sense.
With re to the question, why not just shoot velvia, surely it's not hard to see why it's something of a niche market.
 
Don't see what the problem is? Fuji cameras have been looking like Fuji film for as long as they've been making them. The S3 looked very Velvia like and the S5 has been tamed though still has a lot of Provia about it. Thanks to it's weird sensor it also has about the right grain and resolution too. It's why I use them!
 
Well for colour neg film I forgotten what film looks like (well unless I look at my old prints) as the last chemical 8X10 print I did was 9 years ago, since then it has been Boots. Jessops, Tesco and Asda for dev and small prints and from about 4 years ago all my negs are scanned to jpgs.
The point now is:- as all of us are scanning then are we truly seeing "film" when we criticize digital shots..of cos this doesn't apply to slides are B\W.
 
I have the Fuji X-E1(sorry) that has available all of the Fuji film simulation modes, although it,in my opinion does not create the same effect, I don't see how it can,what it does do is a quick effect without taking to much time when then situation is needed.
 
I'm also a Fuji fan, but I'm clear enough in my own mind that the Velvia, Provia and Astia (!) labels are just codes and a bit of advertising rather than "simulations". I haver between Velvia and Provia... or saturated and normal (as if Provia is normal"!). I certainly wouldn't spend big money on LR add-ons to emulate Tri-X etc, and the results I've seen look extremely dodgy.

Anyway, on the Fuji digericams I put this in the "mostly harmless" category!
 
I shoot film for fun....but I also have an X100 which I'm quite attached to. It's also fun, Its my go-to for walkabout when I fancy a bit of colour.
I'll put Velvia, Provia or Portra in one of my cams when I'm serious about a colour shot.

(Although I still have some 35mm Vista to get through)...come on Steve, lets just make pictures..:)
 
trevorbray said:
I shoot film for fun....but I also have an X100 which I'm quite attached to. It's also fun, Its my go-to for walkabout when I fancy a bit of colour.
I'll put Velvia, Provia or Portra in one of my cams when I'm serious about a colour shot.

(Although I still have some 35mm Vista to get through)...come on Steve, lets just make pictures..:)
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I have to admit I liked the X100 very much....would love to have a longer play with one.

And yes...I'm reacting unreasonably to a trifling matter. But if I can't be a grumpy curmudgeon in F&C...where can I?

:)
 
I have a Fuji X10 which does these modes, there's even a setting where you shoot one shot and it gives you 3 pictures, one in each colour film mode. The shame is that none of it looks right to me, I prefer the straight colours out of it as they're lovely anyway, no need for the film simulation modes!
 
Maybe folk who use this odd digi feature will like it and go buy film cameras?
 
medwaygreen said:
I have the Fuji X-E1(sorry) that has available all of the Fuji film simulation modes, although it,in my opinion does not create the same effect, I don't see how it can,what it does do is a quick effect without taking to much time when then situation is needed.
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How do you find the XE1 with regards dynamic range in the highlights? does it give Slide film a run for it's money or is it firmly in digital blown out horridness camp? (considering an upgrade to one)
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
How do you find the XE1 with regards dynamic range in the highlights? does it give Slide film a run for it's money or is it firmly in digital blown out horridness camp? (considering an upgrade to one)
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Now that is a good question,but,as I have only had the X-E1 for two weeks and not yet had a real good opportunity to put it through its paces,I really cannot answer your question with authority. What I can say is that with the 200 shots I have taken the lens,an 18-55mm just looks brilliant, I am excited about its first use in anger,but as yet the weather and light have been against me.

I will post some shots in an appropriate forum for you to look at at some time soon.:thumbs:
 
The only film simulation mode that would interest me would be one for Kodachrome. I really miss the stuff.
 
DNH said:
The only film simulation mode that would interest me would be one for Kodachrome. I really miss the stuff.
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^^^WHS^^^
 
Ah, Kodachrome... :( :( :(
 
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