Matching Digital with Film - 5 Plugins, Techniques & Tools

[@WillemVerb]

So useful! Thanks for taking the time to make this.

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌

[@REMY.C.]

Willem that's digital ;-D

[@binhlai8590]

1:55 pro-mist filters 4:22 modified fuji profiles 8:31 archetype presets 11:15 file halation 12:56 film grain

[@linibellini]

Thanks for sharing! Also I want to say that I really appreciate how you always get straight to the point (we Germans are a bit obsessed with that!), no over-sensationalising, no click bait, no over editing, no posing and all that. And at the same time your videos are entertaining and easy to watch. Awesome work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Really appreciate that. Thank you!

[@MYSTIQUEMOAZ]

We often underestimate the magic of vintage lenses on modern digital cameras. Once you’ve got your gear right you can come so close to mimicking most of film stocks. On the other hand, I think most people who shoot film realises that it is not about the result most of the times, but the fun & experience of making it. Developing film is a handcraft. Many great photographers from the old days did the developing process themselves and got famous for doing both the process itself and/or the result. Many others, on the contrary just did it for the results. It is the same now! shooting film and mimicking film is perfect for the times we live in my perspective; It is doing great to many of us which is unleashing creativity. It is all about trying different things to explore/express yourself. Just like sex… keep trying new stuhff ;-) Lastly, great video and I’m thankful for the valuable skills & inspiration you share 🙏

[@ChrisVidouras]

It's amazing how in tune with your audience you are, colour photography is definitely becoming a strictly digital endeavor for me. Always love your content. - Cheers from Greece! ✌🤓

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Christos!

[@ricomichel]

Those color film grain scans yield excellent results! The best so far. Thanks Kyle!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Eric. Glad you enjoy them!

[@michaelbennettphoto]

Amazing video Kyle!! Seriously you’re one of my favorite people to watch on KZbin. You’re videos are always very relaxing and super informative. Thanks for making these videos!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that, Michael. Thanks for watching!

[@blackxthink]

The archetypes presets are actually amazing. (the same one that you are using or the +1) It gives you the shadow colors that film gets but you cannot get straight out of a digital camera Editing from that point is much more satisfying. I was using built in JPG presets from fuji camera.... I am going back to RAW !

[@Stesalti]

I saw that you mounted a zeiss 45mm f2.8 on the Fuji. can you tell me the adapter ring you use if you don't mind? A thousand thanks. beautiful content that is very inspirational to me

[@KyleMcDougall]

I use the Kipon Contax to Canon EF, and then have just a cheap Contax to Canon EF adapter as well. Bit of a stack, but works fine.

[@Stesalti]

@@KyleMcDougall I did not understand which adapter you use for Fuji. ok for canon but then what? do you use two adapters? contax / Canon and then Canon / fuji? 🧐

[@KyleMcDougall]

Yep. Two of them. The Contax 45mm has a Fotodiox Contax to Canon EF adapter on it. It's just a very small ring that fits over the contax mount. Then I have a Kipon Canon EF to Fuji GFX adapter. So i'm basically converting the Contax lens to Canon EF mount, and then using a Canon EF to GFX adapter to mount it to the Fuji.

[@Stesalti]

@@KyleMcDougall 👍👍👍

[@timbreen1623]

Useful. Thnx for letting me look over your shoulder. I look forward to viewing more of your work and your techniques.

[@BillyKeeney]

Nice vid as always, Kyle! Thanks for everything you do for the film photography community. And for anyone looking for the halation effect, I found that the Tiffen Glimmer Glass filters also do a pretty good job. Used Black Pro-Mist filters for the last three to four years for a more filmic look, but sold them all after using the Glimmer Glass. Also, they’re a bit cheaper

[@KyleMcDougall]

Been eyeballing those!

[@DesignGuy17]

Hey Kyle - I just downloaded your portra 400 preset (my first time even using Lightroom really) and just wanted to tell you how much of a game changer this is for me! Thanks so much for supplying it + the tutorial video for free

[@KyleMcDougall]

Happy to hear that! Cheers.

[@dda.visuals]

Lovely video Kyle. I'm also a huge fan of Fuji's Film Simulations. For BNW, I love to play with DXO Silver Efex PRO 3, incl. their grain.. and generally for grain I use Capture One's.

[@timsouter1]

Great stuff man, that Halation trick is really something else.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Tim. It's a good one!

[@blackentrepreneur244]

I'm switching from a Sony a6400 to a Fuji XT3 or XT30 II. Film stimulations, & the colors are 🔥🔥

[@KyleMcDougall]

Fuji really has done a great job.

[@patrickjclarke]

Agree especially if you shoot film and digital. I am currently using DXO Film Lab 6 for my digital work and they are great and the film grain simulations are really really good and based on scans like you showed. I too only really use a couple that match what I shoot with on film, but they are invaluable to matching everything. Oh, and the latest DXO Film lab has a lot of the Fuji Sims built in now for those that want to match what's usually only available on Fuji camera's.

[@jvermillion1052]

I have spent years working with techniques and plugins to emulate film. The best I have found is a MAC RAW developer called Raw Photo Processor 64. It does everything from cross processing to Velvia 50 to cinama film emulation. It’s MAC only and replaces Adoibe Camera RAW for many of my images. It outputs Tiff files that I can tweak with photoshop to get what I want.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for sharing. Never heard of that one.

[@samprstn]

Very interesting video especially as I’ve started to shoot digital again after getting an xt4 which has really made me love digital again.

[@SynthsStories]

Nice video! And what about Dehancer Photo Kyle? Have you tried it?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Haven't tried it, yet.

[@davidpalermo4695]

Dehancer Film is great for a version 1.0. I hope they continue developing it. I also wish that when you choose a film profile that grain would also be emulated. Right now it just emulates colors and grain is a separate function. If I choose Ilford HP5 for instance the grain is not applied. I have to try and figure out what HP5 grain looks like.

[@h0rstmann]

These are some great tips Kyle! Never really gave much thought to using film stock specific grains and overlaying them in photoshop. Feel like that makes a huge difference compared to LR's grain. Something else that has made a big difference for me is using the same lenses I shoot on my film bodies on my digital bodies. Modern lenses are just too damn sharp and clinical. I know that's tough with the medium format GFX, but for full-frame sensors, it's great.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Kevin. Actually have a video coming out soon comparing vintage vs modern glass on the GFX.

[@Leondrian]

You arr the best! So nice listen to your thoughts and look through your process. Love that you give credit the right way. Seen to many how wouldn't do what you did. Kudos! You're truly a role model!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Robert.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thank you, Robert.

[@finn4240]

Using old glass can also be a big help! I love shooting my canon a-1 with just a cheap adapter i can use all my FD lenses on my Fujifilm :))

[@joshhenderson9492]

Old glass is great, also for anyone that doesn't know, you can adapt pentax k mount lenses to Canon apsc bodies without losing infinity focus

[@KyleMcDougall]

Have a video coming out very soon comparing vintage and modern glass on the Fuji.

[@finn4240]

@@KyleMcDougall oehh can't wait!! absolutely love your content Kyle

[@b3arodactyl]

Do you use any grain in camera? Curious if the Fuji grain is colored or at least more real looking than photoshop

[@KyleMcDougall]

I don't use grain in camera. The Fuji grain isn't coloured, which is a shame.

[@xinsaneartist93x]

Have you tried glimmer glass? I personally find it a little less extreme compared to a pro mist and I love the look it gives. I’ve tried both.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I haven't, but have heard good things. Hoping to do a comparo with a number of different diffusion filters soon.

[@AnthonySmith-iz3jn]

Helllo Kyle. I enjoy your videos very much and appreciate your good advice. You mentioned film grain images but I cannot find the link. Can you provide please.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks, Anthony! The link is in the description below. There is a list of all of the things in the video.

[@AriIsenberg]

Great video! Just curious if you’ve ever used Mastin Labs presets? I use their Fuji 400H preset on 99% off my work!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Years ago I used them. It's been a while.

[@beneett6800]

Awesome video, regarding the high film prices now adays. There is aslo the Gilmmer Filter 1 which is similar to the 1/8 Pro Mist, maybe a bit more subtle. Also a great filter for daylight shooting, stays on my digital all the time.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely going to check out the Glimmer Glass!

[@BurlapandLight]

Bitly has blocked the link to your presets. Outstanding video Kyle! Love how your combining both mediums and giving/showing us the journey to make them all work together seamlessly.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll check the links!

[@bianx817]

Hi Kyle! Thank you so much for this video. So helpful! I’ve got a question- have you ever translated your Fuji profile modifications into customized film simulations so that it’s already baked into the jpegs? If not, do you just drop the contrast?

[@ja12n05]

Awesome video once again! Question regarding the GFX. From previous videos I've seen that you've had a nice selection of Contax Zeiss lenses. As both a Contax and Fujifilm user myself (XT-2), I'm very interested to see how this Contax Zeiss glass renders on the GFX. Did you already test this out? I'm thinking the combo of the 50 1.4 and the GFX would be really nice.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I've only tested them a bit. I actually just shot a entire video with the 45mm 2.8 Contax on the GFX. That should be up in a couple of weeks. The 50mm covers as well, but has slight vignette. Most of these 35mm lenses (except wides) will cover but performance won't be great in the corners. The 45mm works really nice, but does have some corner smear.

[@mortenthesbl5535]

Great one Kyle - your approach is very inspiring!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I appreciate that!

[@DE0USA]

That’s. Looking forward for the podcast

[@joeypruitt6002]

Love the videos. I'm also starting to go back to digital more and I'm missing the film aesthetic. It's a shame film prices are kinda killing shooting film.

[@frankwu1713]

Same man, I want to shoot film as well, but those film price increase is killing my will to do so

[@franz1068]

I know the pain. I remember ordering portra 400 (120) for around 6€ in 2017. Now the price just doubled (13€ per roll).

[@blackxthink]

Not only film is expensive but developping and scanning in Quebec, Canada is mad expensive. $7-8 to dev / roll $20~ to scan full-roll it's complete madness lol...

[@LarryDockeryPhotography]

I love your Classic Neg look. However, it is grayed out in LR. I have an X-Pro 3 which has the classic neg sim but for some reason it wont work with my camera. Is it a special version that only works with the GFX? Love your videos!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Hmm, that's strange. Try clicking the preset and then manually selecting classic neg profile. That should work. Not sure why it's greyed out!

[@sethpotterphoto]

Awesome video. I was surprised to see I’m already using most of these tools or tools analogous to these!

[@REMY.C.]

Absolutely nice video. Did you try to tweak monochrome instead of using Acros? I did many tests with some RAW photos, by connecting my xpro3 and xt4 directly to Fuji raw studio so it does it in-camera and I ended up liking the monochrome simulation better than the Acros. Acros already has grain baked in whilst monochrome doesn't, this means I could have a better control adding grain myself and controlling noise reduction. I would like to hear your opinion on this one.

[@24Exposures]

Hey Kyle, super useful video! Thanks so much or the presets! I've been trying to get that "film look"! Cheers!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome. Cheers!

[@bebedaily]

thanks you are wondering and so kind to share

[@PeteEdmunds]

Thanks Kyle. Appreciate these helpful ideas.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Pete. You're welcome.

[@iang265]

Another great video, Kyle. I use the Archetype Process profiles for HP5 and I really rate them, they are on sale right now for anyone that needs them. I've struggled with the lack of grain so I will try out the options you mentioned in the last part of the video. Be good to see how and what you use TKactions for in a future video. Have a great day 👍👍

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Ian. Been using the TKactions for a long time. Nowadays I mostly just use the web sharpening. The masks I used to use more back in my landscape days.

[@stephenlloydco]

Useful video, Kyle, Thanks. I had not considered the coloured grain issue.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed, Stephen.

[@jasonbokar7482]

Hi Kyle! Loved the video as always! Super! However, I just wanted to let you know I downloaded your Fuji (Acros and Class Neg) modified presets - but the Class Neg one doesn't seem to have something set correctly. Of course, I can just switch to it, but something wasn't right in the file!

[@timeandtides8701]

have you got a camera with Classic Neg available in camera?

[@jasonbokar7482]

@@timeandtides8701 yes, this is why I said I could switch it. I have both x100v and xT4.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks Jason. Couple other people mentioned that as well. I'll have to take a look and see if I can figure out why.

[@curly3632]

picked up a xpro-1 since film prices are so high, thanks mate!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome.

[@haakon.borgen]

Supert information! Thanks for making this one kyle!

[@ForestCinema]

Give Dehancer a try. Its grain generation is extremely complex, and not a simple overlay with tonal distribution controls. They actually disassemble the image into emulsion layers, map the crystals based off of those channels, and do a reassembly. I’ll be honest, if you shoot carefully, Dehancer gets scary close. I shoot motion picture film, and still film, Dehancer feels like working with a scan.

[@KyleMcDougall]

They actually reached out to me recently to test it out. May have to check it out!

[@SkydelLP]

Hey :) does the adapted lens have full sensor coverage?

[@KyleMcDougall]

This one does, yes, with a slight vignette.

[@SuperD1249]

Kyle absolutely love all of your videos! I have a quick question. When you’re using either the Fuji X100V or the GFX do you have film simulation that you start with in camera? Like Classic Chrome or another of the Fuji film simulations? I know you edit the raw files as do I. I just wanted to know if you had a starting simulation. Like in this video I assume you started with Classic Neg in camera and then made the adjustments in post.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Hey David, since i'm shooting RAW, the only thing the film sim is doing in camera is giving me a preview on the back of the screen while I'm out shooting. But with that being said, I usually have it set to CC. :)

[@SuperD1249]

@@KyleMcDougall Thanks Kyle. I’ve tried a few film simulations from FujiXWeekly‘s site but I still find myself going back to the raw file and making some tweaks. I do get some SOOC jpegs. I agree with your philosophy of editing until I get the look I want for my images. Thanks again.

[@landocycle]

Looks like I'm buying a pro-mist filter today. Thanks for the tips!

[@RyanLearoyd]

Hey man you should try Alien Skin Exposure for adding grain. I’ve been using it for years on every image I deliver as my special sauce. I use it for sharpening too 🖤

[@fellusch]

Super nice Kyle. Thank you!

[@KyleMcDougall]

My pleasure!

[@yazazan]

When I apply the classic negative preset it does not apply the classic neg profile. I have to choose it manually. I am editing GFX50R raw photos.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Thanks. Not sure what's going on there.

[@CarlJohnson-eu3jk]

I bought a Kodak Portra 400 preset by Floriano Mugnaio and it is awesome. There is no difference between a fuji frontier scan and the preset. It is based on the fuji frontier portra colors.

[@jeric3857]

hell yeah kyle! another amazing video!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Jeric!

[@upload2see]

What is about filmsimulations and the settings i need for filmlook sooc?

[@peterfarr9591]

Great video! I tend to not be a huge large grain fan (and hence why I shoot a lot of low speed large format film, where it's almost imperceptible). Medium format grain size can be nice for some kinds of shots, but 35mm grain size for me, in something like a 400 speed film, is just too big and dominating. So I think that might be the only thing I do differently for my own edits when applying that technique (dial the grain size down quite a bit)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers, Peter. Yeah, grain is definitely a personal preference thing.

[@dxps26]

RE: Pro Mist Filters - On the GFX sensors (at least on my 50R) I find that turning Sharpness and Noise Reduction down to -3 provides a very subtle effect not too dissimilar to the Pro Mist filter. There's enough resolution available in the files that this deliberate loss in quality works well enough, even for the almost clinically perfect GF lenses. It may be too much when using adapted film lenses, though. Like Kyle, I also noted the Classic Negative simulation is much easier on the eyes when Contrast is turned down - I usually knock back both highlights and shadow to -1, but It's a finicky preset - some shots just don't work well with it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Good to know. Thanks!

[@tomislavmiletic_]

Interesting indeed how you add grain to your digital photos. We, (old) photographers who used film back in the day where willing to give away an arm and leg just to get rid of it. Funny how times are changed...

[@keithsimpson7205]

Thank you Kyle. That’s helpful!

[@KyleMcDougall]

No problem!

[@d.idowuolutosin4250]

Kyle, curious as to your thoughts on the DxO FilmPack? It seems to be very similar to the Archetype Presets and costs just a little less. I've used the DxO Nik Collection which has some of the same film simulations in it and their black and white sims in Silver Effects are ridiculously good. Just curious if you've used either product and your thoughts on them if you haven't already made a video about them.

[@RussellAlboroto]

Archetype matches with really good Frontier and Noritsu scans. They both have a certain look and color bias. If that’s the film look you’re going for, then you should definitely try it. Most film labs scan on Frontier, so that might have influenced in some way.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I tried a demo version very briefly and didn't like it as much. Just my personal preference though. I found the colours to not be as accurate to what I would expect.

[@d.idowuolutosin4250]

@@KyleMcDougall far point. Considering how much actual film you shoot, develop and scan, I trust your perspective with this. Thanks for sharing.

[@vijayagrawal3811]

Is the portra 400 gone? I don’t see it in description

[@Kokorba6iqta]

Thank you! Very useful video!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You are welcome!

[@ddsdss256]

Thanks for the time and effort producing this and other videos. Technology has gotten to the point where digital photos are too "perfect" and have lost some of the "soul" of film (similar to what's happened to music--an analog record or tape played through a tube amp and great speakers will always sound better--more "natural" than a compressed digital file through earbuds). Using mist filters is one way to partially address this, but you can easily replicate that effect in post, so why paint yourself into a corner (as you can't "un-mist"--I prefer a "clean" RAW file)? Also, DxO FilmPack 6 Elite (and the various Nik Collection plug-ins--which can be used as plug-ins for LR, and other programs) offer very convincing film looks, which are lab-based and probably at least as accurate as Fuji's own presets (plus you can of course easily tweak them and save your own presets). Further, DxO PhotoLab 5 Elite is FujiFilm-compatible (older versions didn't support X-Trans) and includes many FujiFilm presets, plus there are adjustable grain effects that can be adjusted to whatever degree you wish. In fact, your can mix/match/modify films/grains (e.g., Astia 100F with Tri-X grain at 73% intensity on a medium format scale). Not everyone uses Adobe (mainly because there are better programs like DxO and Capture One you don't have to "rent"). It would be interesting to see a comparison between Archetype Process and TKactions with DxO, but hey, whatever you're comfortable with that helps you realize your vision... ;)

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

Thanks for so useful video!!

[@KyleMcDougall]

You're welcome!

[@borisharold]

very useful. Have you tried The plugin called Dehancer ? I think it is the best by far . replicates halation and bloom , grain etc ..worth a try

[@davidpalermo4695]

Dehancer Film is great for a version 1.0. I hope they continue developing it. I also wish that when you choose a film profile that grain would also be emulated. Right now it just emulates colors and grain is a separate function. If I choose Ilford HP5 for instance the grain is not applied. I have to try and figure out what HP5 grain looks like.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I haven't, but they actually just reached out to me to try it.

[@baladino]

For digital images , Martin labs definitely have an edge over conventional presets. Though the end results might seem clinical it does give satisfying outcomes. Presets and digital sensor tech haven’t achieved any where bears the tonality and rendition of B&W film.

[@Prashant.Khapane]

interesting and useful, Kyle. Thanks

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers!

[@kevykev555]

Great video!!!

[@ledheavy26]

But doesn't film grain really react to light and shadows differently in an image rather than it just being a blanket type effect you can throw over an image? That's what bothered me most about Lightroom's grain effect, it didn't feel real. Capture One and even Darktable do a better job at grain emulation that Lightroom did for me.

[@KyleMcDougall]

For sure. Definitely not a blanket type effect. I haven't used C2 or Darktable, but would be curious to try them out and see how they perform.

[@chevy2die]

Have you tried Glimmerglass filters? They're a little less pronounced than Promist.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I haven't, but I've heard great things!

[@samuelwilson3461]

the 1/16 you are looking for is a GlimmerGlass 1/8

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers. Heard good things about the GG.

[@messsucher]

Such an on-point video!!! The reason that I like shooting film so much besides the cameras, are the looks being already my style preference. but when I saw your photos in previous videos taken on the Fuji, I kinda started to rethink going back to digital, maybe with the same gfx medium format camera just to make things flexible and efficient. And edit towards those looks. The digital photos always looked way too clean for me, and those didnt work for me. But definitely useful methods to tryout.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed! I think so much of it comes down to whose behind the images. I can almost never tell when a photographer whose work I like shoots with film or digital. It always just ends up looking very similar, because of their personal style.

[@nicktalan]

Great video once again, very insightful! I appreciate you sharing your process.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed, Nick. Cheers!

[@sheldonspock5566]

Lightroom's film emulations for Fuji cameras are really not the same as Fuji's own in-camera emulations! I'm surprised you're not using this. You can access them via Fuji's own software, too.

[@glowingeye]

It‘s such a bummer that classic neg isn‘t available for older Fujis. Bought my X-T30 last year and a few months after that the mk2 was released - with classic neg. I think it‘s available in C1 but I use LR and won‘t switch anytime soon. Nonetheless, I love my Fuji and one picture profile would never ever be a reason to upgrade for me, I would even consider it stupid since I just bought it 😂 Work with what you have, the skills I learn are waaaaaayy more important.

[@robertgruber982]

You can mess with your EXIF info and make Lightroom think you have a different Fuji which will unlock the Classic Neg preset.

[@glowingeye]

@@robertgruber982 That sounds great, thanks for the tip! I‘ll try it asap :)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Classic Neg is definitely a fun one, but yeah, not make or break!

[@ioioioiooioioi]

Medium format fujifilm is soooo different than their aps-c raw files.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I like them both. I think the files coming out of both size sensors are great.

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

So, this is actually matching film with digital...I was hoping to see someone try to match the digital look with film, which is a whole lot harder to do.

[@jp2503]

Glimmerglass >>>>>>>>>>>>> Pro Mist

[@michaelsifford8755]

Why can't film be film and digital its own thing? Did the impressionist painters try to make their paintings look like the realist? No! That is why we have both to enjoy. This is just my opinion, and I shoot both digital and film; I think the reason that most people think all images are "faked" in photoshop is because they are. Just make "honest" art and let the viewer decide what is pleasing to them. Love your videos, cheers.

[@ivanmoreno137]

But isn’t art made for the artist themselves and nit the viewers