How to add Film Simulations (aka Picture Controls) to your Nikon Digital Camera

Back in October 2021 Becky & Konstantin went to the pumpkin fields for a straight-out-of-the-camera challenge using some fun picture controls!
A lot of you asked how did we add the film presets to our camera. Well here is how!
Picture Controls & Pumpkin Fields - a Halloween special!
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Special Guest: Tilly the Vizsla
Production: Konstantin Kochkin
#nikon #film #nikonz

[@robertschannel2471]

This is AMAZING! I was thinking about dropping money on the new Fuji camera just for the film emulation. So glad I searched for this! If anyone is using the ZFC, the first method works.

[@jackslater8688]

I couldn't load them to my zfc. Wouldn't accept npc files, so I sold it.

[@HoodSwami]

Yup that’s it, I’m sticking with Nikon for life

[@kaminobatto]

How did I not know about this feature?! This is amazing! You literally saved my from buying a Fuji camera!! And you can also apply it to RAW files! This is crazy! Thanks a million!

[@shortie8512]

The purpose of RAW is that you get the RAW sensor/camera data unmodified so these profiles only apply to JPG in camera. You can only apply these profiles when editing RAW images afterwards, and only with an application that recognises custom Nikon camera profiles i.e. Nikon's own software, not Lightroom (for example)

[@kaminobatto]

@@shortie8512 Yep, that was very clear from Kon and Becky's explanation. The point is that you can work with your RAW files as usual and have these effects automatically applied to your RAW files instead of you memorizing the recipe and applying it later. In other words, speedup your workflow.

[@Jason_Red]

@@kaminobatto how do you apply this to your RAW files? Do you need to load the profile in Lightroom as well?

[@kaminobatto]

@@Jason_Red yep, the ability to apply these directly to the RAW file requires you to use the Nikon software. If you need to them to work in Lightroom, you either try to simulate the recipe and save it in your custom Lightroom presets, or you can use the Nikon software to apply them first there then export them as TIFFs into Lightroom and continue editing in LR.

[@alexcranmer8317]

I’ve downloaded profiles from the website on an iPad Air and transferred them to a Zfc & Z50 using a Sandisk usb C SD card adapter. Adding the folders and copying the profiles all done using the files app. It didn’t work using Chrome browser but worked no problem using Safari.

[@Telly26]

Awesome! I was hoping this would work for my Nikon Z fc! Thanks for sharing!

[@kaxxxxx]

I have the Z6 and didn't need the second method, thanks for the video.

[@miawoodcock3512]

Thank you for posting this, I want to try film simulations with my Nikon Zf now I have a way to do it. Time to have a play around with picture settings.

[@bobhingsbergen6632]

You can also use picture controls as a Negative Digitizer, similar to the D850s Negative Digitizer Mode. This has the benefit of giving you the raw image in addition to the jpeg.

[@kshitijgajbhiye5261]

this video really deserves billions of views

[@DPhotos]

Nah this video need a billion views! My dumb a** was finna buy a whole Fujifilm and sell my nikon 😭😂😂😂

[@Martin-mt4bo]

Facts

[@InternationalBassStation]

This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for the info!!!

[@Lucidexplore]

I've been always loading picture controls to my old D3 and then some point I totally forgot about this and started using Fuji for a bit. Now back to Nikon with the Z lineup and essentially I realized Fuji has been capitalizing on this concept that Nikon as been doing years before. Not sure why #nikon doesn't market this enough.

[@korteksvisceralzen2694]

I never shot film and I never thought about film simulation until all the Fuji craze. I did end ul buying an X-A7 only to find out I can't save custom film simulations. I don't regret the buy but this video was on point for me and will now be looking to my D7200 to try shooting some film simulation. Cheers!

[@srr1887]

X-a is just a huge skip for me. Either take the XM (which is the bottomest barell of the fujifilm back then) or just dont buy fuji at all if i don't take the xtrans sensor

[@victorlim5077]

Great vid. Going to download Kodak Gold 100 simulation to try.

[@iandrucker978]

The statement that picture control profiles can only be edited using Nikon software is not actually 100% accurate.. Use Nikon transfer>NX studio. Then use open NEF/RAW with lightroom option and it will ask you to choose what conversion format, If you choose TIFF then Lightroom/Photoshop will perfectly preserve the Nikon picture control profile and can then be edited losslesly in lightroom/Photoshop

[@hertsman5]

Thanks !! Just loaded a bunch of these on my D90 !!.…excellent !!

[@TheMvae]

Excellent! Thank you so much. I will not be jaleous anymore of Fuji film simulation… 👍

[@janw.jensen2490]

If I remember it correctly you can't do this on the nikon d3000series, or the old nikons, but on the d5200, d90, d300, d700 etc.

[@ciskowatch]

Thank you Becky & Konstantin!

[@oc2phish07]

Excellent video Becky and Kon. One quick question. I just bought a Zf from you (many thanks for brilliant customer service) but after just downloading and installing Picture Control Utility 2, I find the Zf is not listed. There are no updates when I checked so do you know when the Zf will be added or could I add and use the Z8/Z9 in the meantime? Happy New Year for 2024.

[@wakeywarrior]

For video the High ISO one, slightly tweaked down on saturation is fantastic for straight out of camera video.

[@avp1781]

I just discovered this video, and the site is down...

[@michaelgeorge9525]

Fantastic !!! I wonder , does it only give us the colour rendering of Portra ( for example ) or does it also give us the grain the film would have ? Can`t wait to set this up in my D750 and compare it to the results from my F5 loaded with Portra . So exciting . Thank you Becky and Kon and Tilly .

[@venietvideo]

There is no grain simulation in Nikon Picture Control Utility 2. You could add that in post though, i.e., blend in a grain layer.

[@TheDeamonLo]

I can go straight from Nikonpc to my z5 per the first demonstrated method. Don't need to use the Nikon PC editor. Just fyi.

[@caw25sha]

That's interesting. I was quite disappointed at the end when they said the nikonoc.com files didn't work with Z cameras but now I'll try anyway. Thank you.

[@TheDeamonLo]

@@caw25sha Oh yeah, it definitely works. I've installed a few but honestly haven't used them that much because I prefer my Lightroom editing process to doing it in camera with the profiles.

[@caw25sha]

@@TheDeamonLo I agree entirely, I just wanted to be able to do it even if I wouldn't use it much!

[@TheNickt1]

Unfortunately, my Df said there was no file on the card even though I can see it on the computer and copied it to the card

[@jacquesweyers5902]

Experiencing the same thing

[@christosspanos6248]

I had the same problem, but i manage to load them. I made a folder CUSTOMPC at the root of card and also same folder inside DSC folder. Moreover i copied the picture control files both at the root and the DSC. I do not know which one of them is needed but one of them works, so you can try the same.

[@paulmontgomery6257]

I had a similar thing root - NIKON - CUSTOMPC didn't work. So I tried putting the files and CUTOMPC in every directory including the top level one (so now, there are probably 6 copies on my card). Not sure which one it was, but one of them worked :)

[@pinakintrivedi7166]

Thank you verymuch

[@buitruong6558]

OMG you guys are so wonderful, thank you so muchhh

[@vitekhradec7535]

Awesome. Eager to try it. Thx.

[@pjc3163]

Excellent utility! Which profiles would closely mimic the older D2X profiles?

[@EliZer-zt5kf]

Just to let you know I was able to download the Kodak T-MAX 400 B&W film simulation and put it on my Nikon D90 even though the D90 is not listed. :)

[@thedrunkweddingphotographer]

5:38 What is your best side Becky ??? I'm actually in heated debated with a photographer in my SEO group right about this very topic. I'm arguing people know what their best side is because they know themselves better than we do. And she's arguing it's our job to find client's best side and that most people don't even have one or don't care. But for anyone who has photographed people, we know clients/models almost always choose different photos to the ones we choose for them. Because they know how to look good in front of a mirror. And I argue we're attracted to familiarity in how we see ourselves daily.

[@maxburrows57]

I can’t find ‘manage picture controls on my d3300’ only ‘set picture controls’

[@RossVinocur]

Love this! Recently switched from a Ricoh gr iiix to a Nikon z50, so this is great! Separately, Ricoh had a wonderful "Hard B&W" filter that I can't seem to replicate in my Nikon. Unfortunately, I didn't think to note the specific settings before I made the switch. But once I find them, would it be possible to mimic the look in the Nikon somehow? Thanks!

[@ThoughtFission]

All this time and I had no idea? Thank you! Is there one that can bring the D750 close to the beautiful images of Leica's color science? Tonality, micro contrast, dynamic range, colour?

[@FedericaMarsili]

Hi guys! Thank you for the amazing tutorial. Unfortunately, my Nikon D3500 doesn't have the Manage Picture Control option in the menu, so I couldn't use any of the methods you kindly presented. Is there a way to add film simulations on my camera if it doesn't have the Manage Picture Control option? Thank you so much in advance!

[@VikasBhagwagar]

I did this last week on my nikon z5 and d5600.

[@artb4r403]

how did it go? i have z5 n want to try this

[@VikasBhagwagar]

@@artb4r403 put downloaded file into sd card and import in into Camera via Picture Control Setup.

[@jagannathang9938]

Does it work well on z50?

[@exploringthroughthelens5127]

Great information. Thank you for sharing!!

[@snap7166]

Can I use this with an old D3s? Thanks

[@burakkarademir]

Is it available for old nikon cameras such as p6000? Thanks.

[@samsonchua381]

Thanks for the informative video, I did a side by side comparison from what gear I own- D750 with the film simulation profiles compared to a Fuji x-70 simulation tweaked - the Fuji delivers much better color and tones compared to the Nikon in this “film look” aspect… this is strictly speaking off the camera jpegs - no post in light room or anything, the Nikon photos just seems a bit flat or overly adjusted, again just personal opinions- I like my Nikon, but for portraits the Fuji looks more attractive and easier to use

[@chakwong]

I was so happy to find this. I downloaded “Kodachrome 2” into my Nikon D5100. But I find the images taken flat and subdued, unlike my memories of Kodachrome 10, Kodachrome 25 and Kodachrome 64. Even Nikon’s ‘Vibrant’ setting takes more colourful pictures. Very disappointing! Back to daydreaming about Olympus Pen F!

[@frankmoloney9500]

Excellent - thank you. Very helpful.

[@yew108]

Hi , does anyone know whether these simulations also work in Nikon 1 series cameras? Thanks in advance!

[@jackslater8688]

They do! Feel like buying one again as it's cool. Switching profiles in the v2 or v3 is easy but with the v1 it's a little more cumbersome to switch quickly

[@yew108]

@@jackslater8688 Hi Jack, your reply is appreciated. It is good to hear that ! Have you ever used a J5?

[@jackslater8688]

@yew108 Have not. I like an integrated viewfinder but I'm sure it's a great camera.

[@fernandoopoka8269]

Nice feature, thanks for the video! but... im the only one that feel like it just change the Hue saturation sharpness and contrast? i don´t see any specific color correction that emulate the film... just the hue... am i wrong?

[@googlesuncle-z2v]

Nikon D3300 does not have menu to Manage picture controls. Does it mean that Picture controls cannot be added to Nikon D3300?

[@shaun_rambaran]

Edit: Yup, to make it work on Z cameras, you need to use only one card slot at a time: either the CF Express or the SD. All other steps and folder names are the same as described in Grays' video. Tested on Z6 and Z7.

[@xenzo_edits]

Does this work on a nikon D5200?

[@elliotlee233]

That's really interesting, I'll give it a go :) Thanks.

[@EduardoMendozaPhoto]

Really interesting!!! Thanks!!! Missed your stream last Friday by the way!!!

[@brianleeming8895]

You didn't. There wasn't one on Friday.

[@juankarlosroses]

Excellent, you save me to buy a Fujifilm, I love It.

[@jamesjefferson8916]

I can't download Picture Control Utility from Nikon. The website does not show it.

[@annarakannan6620]

Can you delete some of the OOTB picture controls? I don’t use most of them.

[@MrJemray2099]

Will this work with the D80?

[@iqbarhashim]

can do at nikonz30?

[@momoz88]

This should work nice with the ZF

[@khaliljamarr]

I just ordered mine and am switching from Fuji so fingers crossed these work for it 🤞🏾

[@bihproduction]

Hi guys, anyone know where to find pictures control for Nikon d850, because this camera are not on the list. Thank you for any help.

[@thememoryguardians]

Thank you so, so much for this!

[@mdfirdaus4581]

why have I made a costumpc file but when I insert the sd card in the camera I press near the picture control and it is not there nikon d7200

[@MarcoACasco]

And I just bought a Fuji camera....Can you help me sell it ??? .......Great video !!!!!!

[@migueljackson9230]

That’s a gorgeous Vishla!

[@yourartdude5898]

What an informative video!

[@caw25sha]

Some of the profiles have very cryptic names such as nl_s0 to 9. It would better if they gave them meaningful names. I might play around trying to simulate Pan F and HP5.

[@jamesjefferson8916]

so I can only download 9 files maximum? (cuz my Nikon D750 only has 9 slots)

[@nathanglynn7443]

Can anyone tell me if this works on the nikon d7500?

[@jacquesweyers5902]

Great Video, thank you. From the Nikon Picture Control Utility how do you add the Default Dream, Morning pop etc to picture control in the camera? It doesn't read them as per your video. They have different formats. NCP vs NP3 so Im guessing thats the issue. Many Thanks

[@jacquesweyers5902]

Not to worry, I found the answer. Many Thanks

[@estwern]

@@jacquesweyers5902 i have the same problem. can you help me out with solution?

[@charlesdavis6371]

cool - ty for sharing this.

[@Happy_Snapper]

Never knew that, thank you 🙏

[@royjohnson6623]

I preset possono essere caricati su Capture NX -D e seleziobarli dal Nef

[@rishikksh20]

thanks to let me know just before my holidays

[@ΑχιλλέαςΚολακλίδης]

I suppose that if I shoot RAW + JPEG, the raw file will remain raw (obviously) but its Jpeg match will keep the film look custom settings. Is that correct ? Thanks for the video guys

[@chancowboy7263]

Thank you for your sharing！

[@ronalrinaldi5625]

can i apply these on Nikon J5? pls respond my comment🙏

[@WhitePineapple-pu2cu]

Is it available for nikon d60?

[@koenraaddm2582]

Hi, can I use this on my old Nikon V1. Cheers, Koen

[@jericgonzaga2845]

Can in used that simulation also in video?

[@patricksteinmetz44]

Greetings from the US Becky. terrific videos you guys post. Any chance you can do a review of the Pentax 67ii?

[@chelseasorsa5730]

Does this work with the Nikon Coolpix L110, Photoscape On Windows 7?

[@normantrowell3767]

How doI get them into A NIKON D2X as there does not not seem to be a Manage picture control ??

[@clikimage2720]

Great. thnx

[@charlesdavis6371]

I had problems downloading in Chrome - but was able to use Firefox - didn't try any of my other browsers.

[@shmvon]

Nikon Picture Control is promising, but there should be well-studied and well-docuemented profiles on nikonpc. The power of Fujifilm recipes is that they are safe to use and recognized. Nikonpc on the other hand is easy to use but you can't really tell whether the simulations are any good and do what they claim. Even the labeling is off.

[@Whatreally123]

Thanks for this.

[@louiscyphre2555]

but what is with the white balance?

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

Thank you! SUBSCRIBED!

[@GOekks]

App?

[@TomekKogutah]

My camera (nikond5600) doesn't see that. It says "there's no picture control file on memory card". No matter what I do...

[@frendro]

Unfortunately does not work with Nikon Z6 & Z8. The data is not recognized. What can I do to make it work...

[@kayevang5083]

I found a solution for you as I was having the same problem with my z7. Here is what I did. Before anything, you MUST customize one of the default existing picture control settings that is already in the camera. Navigate to Menu and select Manage Picture Control, next select Save/Edit option, and select one of the default existing Picture control in the list; for me I chose POP, click OK, it should take you to a screen where you can rename that file if you want ( I didn't ), I just clicked ok, You can assign that to one of the 9 slots available. Assign it to the fist slot. Once you have that edit saved to the first slot; then you can go ahead and follow this video's directions and you should be able to download your custom Picture Controls and load them in the other slots. This is the only way it will work. Try it and let me know. I was able to load all my other 8 PC files with no issues.

[@HogbergPhotography]

This is AMAZING, but I wish it supported more Nikon models, like the whole D5XXX-series and Nikon 1 J1-J4.. Its sad that most people do not understand that this beats Fujifilm simulations as you can add your own REAL curve adjustment, not just a simplified version of a curve.. Its weird that people are so uninterested in the Custom picture control utility function..

[@nathanglynn7443]

Do you know if this will work on the Nikon d7500?

[@jagannathang9938]

Will this work on z50?

[@maeu59]

Yes

[@alexc2231]

Thanks for this wonderful hack! Related question: I got these NCP files onto my Z6, now how do I get the NX Studio to recognize the same simulation? In other words how do I import these NCP files from NX Studio? Many thanks!

[@davidlr97]

I guess you probably figured it out but you can export from Nikon Picture Utility to NX Studio

[@ihatesjws669]

No longer working for my nikon d700.

[@TMDude815]

You didn't show the photo of Ms B

[@NikCan66]

This is great

[@gregoryfranz3940]

Is there a possibility to add this to NX Studio

[@gregoryfranz3940]

OK, I figured it out. Got it to work

[@noordstede6408]

For Some weird reason This doesn’t work on my D750. Camera says ‘no profile found on the Card. What am i doing wrong?

[@arnjmllr]

you might be saving [or downloading] an incorrect format, if you are using picture control utility 2. Use the add product dropdown to add your camera. I think the default is NP3 (z line of cameras). When I added my D850 it changed to NCP (750 uses this version too). When i used the website they mentioned it also downloaded in the NCP format and I was able to import like they show from my memory card with NIKON/CUSTOMPC directory.

[@noordstede6408]

@@arnjmllr thanks so much for this Aaron ill try this and see if i can get It to work. Still using my 750 as a b-cam so very welcome tip!

[@marshalltravis3217]

Use a F5,,,,

[@AshBashSneakers]

Wow this is pretty cool

[@rameshjn]

This is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@Tocy777isback0414]

How did I not know about this :O OH MY

[@radicalrenegade8528]

This was good.

[@gregwaugh8069]

Cannot get away from buying a cfexpress card reader. Cannot do it by leaving card in camera and usbc camera to computer. 😵😵😵😵😵

[@gregwaugh8069]

I am an idiot. Z8 has an SD card slot. Can someone punch me in the head please.

[@DixonLu]

Unclear on why apply Picture Controls to JPGs in camera vs applying presets to RAW in post, other than if you need to post JPGs as you shoot (untethered & via SnapBridge).

[@patrickmolloy6994]

PC's don't directly affect raw files. What you see in camera is always JPEG, so any PC change you'll see. When you import the raw into, say LR, then you won't see the PC adjustment. When you import into a Nikon app like NX studio, the app 'sees' the PC set and applied it to the raw. It like shooting unadjusted raw then adjusting in post. The beauty os that you can see the effects in camera rather than having to wait until its uploaded. Of course, as you have he raw, you can change anything you like.