X-Trans V · X-Trans IV
Autumn Velvia
Velvia with the brakes on, for forests in October.
Short answer
This recipe tames Velvia with Highlight −1, Shadow −1 and Colour −1, then locks white balance to Daylight for consistency across a walk. It keeps Velvia’s deep greens and hot reds without the clipped skies it usually produces.
Camera settings
| Film simulation | Velvia / VIVID |
|---|---|
| Dynamic Range | DR200 |
| Highlight | -1 |
| Shadow | -1 |
| Colour | -1 |
| Colour Chrome Effect | Strong |
| Colour Chrome FX Blue | Weak |
| White Balance | Daylight |
| WB Shift | R 0 / B -1 |
| Sharpness | 0 |
| High ISO NR | -2 |
| Clarity | +1 |
| Grain Effect | Off |
| ISO | Auto up to 1600 |
| Exposure Compensation | -1/3 |
Velvia is the reason a lot of people bought their first Fujifilm and the reason a lot of them turned it off again. It clips. This recipe takes three steps away from the edge and leaves the character intact.
Pulling it back
Highlight −1 and Shadow −1 flatten the tone curve, which is the opposite of what people usually do to a landscape. Velvia has so much contrast built in that reducing it just brings the picture back into range.
Colour −1 sounds wrong on a saturation simulation. It is not: Velvia at −1 is still more saturated than PROVIA at +2, and pulling one step back stops reds from turning into flat blocks with no detail.
Why Daylight white balance
Auto white balance in a forest chases the green. Every frame comes out slightly different, and a set of photographs from one walk will not match.
Fixed Daylight with B −1 keeps everything consistent and adds a touch of warmth that autumn light usually has anyway. Grain off and ISO capped at 1600 because landscape wants clean files.
Works on
Common questions
Can I use this in bright sun?
It is much better in flat and overcast light. In hard sun, even a tamed Velvia clips. Classic Chrome or PROVIA handle midday better.
Why no grain?
Grain competes with fine foliage detail, which is usually the subject. If you want texture, add it in editing where you can control the scale.
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Last updated August 28, 2026