My Interview with Ritchie Roesch from FUJI X WEEKLY, Who Makes All Those Custom Film Sim Recipes!

[@FujiXWeekly]

Thanks for having me on, Dan! BTW, I have enjoyed listening to the Up Higher album-great stuff! 😀

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks, Ritchie! Any time, let’s do it again!! And glad you’re liking the album! 🎸🤟

[@robertlegge7766]

I'm a guy that took up photography 7 yrs ago at age 70 and found that I simply love it!!! It's been a steep learning curve, but a great deal of credit goes to you guys; my wife bought the Fujifilm X-Series book by Dan for me and later I discovered the recipes created by Ritchie (also must cite Chris from Pal2Tech and Omar Gonzales). These 4 guys taught me most everything I happen to know. Started with Fuji X-A2, currently shooting with X-T5 and X100f. Have created a Flickr page and actually won some local awards and one national award with NWF (National Wildlife Federation). I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!!

[@FujiXWeekly]

That’s so incredible, Robert! I’m truly honored to have helped in some way.

[@robertlegge7766]

Thank you. You have done a great service with your creative approach!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Robert, thanks so much for your comment and your support! Great to hear that you’ve been enjoying photography so much. Keep up the good work and keep having fun with it!

[@robertlegge7766]

@@DanBaileyPhoto Dan, I am thrilled to receive your encouraging words, this really helps me build confidence in my photography venture, much appreciated

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Good to hear, Robert!!! 👍 You're most welcome!!

[@anjavanimpe4812]

Thanks, Dan, for the X series unlimited book. A lifesaver !

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks so much for your comment and buying my X Series guide! I’m glad it’s been helpful.m! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?

[@rdbimages]

Thanks Dan and Ritchie for this interview. This was like a therapy session for me! I have been struggling with my backlog of raw captures to process (as you two mentioned in the interview). My motivation has been lagging and it disturbs me. I am finding that my joy is in making photos, not post-processing. Your talk about JPEGS and film simulations and recipes may be just the solution I have been looking for. As a Fuji shooter for the past 4 years I have ignored the film simulations and just shot raw. Go figure. No more! Tomorrow I start experimenting with JPEG (Raw + JPEG at first - baby steps 🤣) and the Fuji simulations and Ritchie's recipes. As a retired engineer, the idea of tinkering with recipes is actually quite attractive to me. Thanks again and best wishes to the two of you.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks so much for your comment! It's always great to read feedback like this, because it lets me know that all that stuff I say actually gets through to people! 😀 Even though I hadn't talked with Ritchie before this interview, I had a pretty good idea that we have a similar approach with our Fuji cameras, and even though he's more of a tinkerer, and I'm more of a "go with your gut" type of shooter, we both seem to resonate strongly with the idea of getting the shot in-camera and relishing in the joy of creative photography in the moment, and not sitting at your desk editing images later on. Nothing wrong with that approach, but I think there's a lot of creative liberation and enjoyment that people miss because they think the HAVE to shoot RAW and edit all the time in order to get good images. Best of luck on your own JPEG journey! What camera are you using lately and what do you like to shoot?

[@SergevanNeck]

Great interview, Dan and Ritchie! I love how this was an equal sharing, with both of you interviewing each other. As a photographer *and* musician (keyboards) I also love how you guys got into talking about music, instruments and pedals, and the connection between choosing a specific audio effect preset and using a Lightroom preset or Fuji recipe. I had the honor and joy of being on one of Ritchie's recent photo walks (I no longer live in Arizona but I happened to be visiting family that weekend), and I was impressed by how just completely humble he is about everything, notwithstanding that his efforts have had a huge impact on Fuji, and are now even influencing other brands including Nikon and Panasonic. It's not false humility, either, he's just a chill guy who loves what he does. I would love to see this being a regular feature, maybe not 90 minures long each time but yeah, I'd sit down for a half hour a month to watch you guys geek out about photography and music!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks so much for your comment. I wonder if you're the person he was talking about in the interview? Anyway, Ritche is indeed a very humble person and it's great to see the camera world responding in a positive way to his passion and hard work. I definitely want to do more of these talks with him, so stay tuned! BTW, What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?

[@SergevanNeck]

@@DanBaileyPhoto Based on his description I think he was probably talking about someone else. I have the X100V and the X-T5. I do a lot of street photography with both, and for the X-T5 I tend to switch between the Voigtländer 23mm f/1.2 and the "Fujicron" 35mm f/2 (the latter especially when I need weather sealing). Both are very compact and are a good match for the X-T5's size. I also love my 16/1.4 for architectural shots, the 56/1.2R for portraits, and the 16-55/2.8 red badge for shooting events.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

I absolutely LOVE that little 35mm f/2 lens!! That's the one that has basically been the body cap to my X Series cameras ever since the X-T2. That and the 16mm f/2.8.

[@WilliamWallaceRoss]

As a 70 yr old, my 1st camera was a Pentax K1000 and I don't remember how the pictures turned out back then. Like Ritchie, I have owned Sony, Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Fujifilm. After giving Olympus M4/3 a try for about a year, I decided I wanted to go back to Fujifilm, so, I purchased a used X-T1 from KEH. I now have an X-T2, X-T30 II, X-H1 and my personal favorite X100S. I have experimented with The Film Sim Recipes at times. Sadly, there aren't a lot for the X100S, so, I use them mainly on the Trans III and Trans IV Sensors. For my X100S I am shooting JPG only and processing them in Capture One Pro Fujifilm. I gave my K1000 to my son to introduce him to film, which he enjoys. Thanks for interviewing Ritchie and sharing your experiences with us.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

William, thanks so much for your comment and for sharing your own photography story! What kinds of subjects do you like to shoot, and what are your favorite film sim recipes?

[@FujiXWeekly]

I appreciate your kind words, William! Thank you for sharing your story. 😀

[@_noahrh]

So cool to see both of you in one video!! I have learned so much about photography from you guys, loved to listen to this!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks for your comment! I had so much fun talking with Ritchie! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?

[@FujiXWeekly]

It was a lot of fun to collaborate with Dan in this way. Thanks, Dan, for having me on your channel!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

It was my pleasure, Ritchie! I’m surprised we didn’t do this sooner! 😆

[@FujiXWeekly]

@@DanBaileyPhoto We definitely should do it again 😀

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Oh yea... what will we talk about next time?

[@janbroekema]

Thanks a lot ..i found Ritchy's weekly years a go ..spend a whole evening reading it all! I realy enjoyed this wonderfull conversation!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Jan, thanks for your comment! I’m glad you enjoyed this. I can’t wait to dive into Ritchie’s site myself when I get a chance. Do you have some favorite recipes of his that you like to use?

[@janbroekema]

Hi Dan at this moment i only have a X100 and X10..so i am using Astia and Vevia.I am busy​ with editingold shot's and deleting bad images..i have removed about 1Gb..when i am ready i think of buying a X-T5and change from Windowsto Apple!@@DanBaileyPhoto

[@janbroekema]

I only have a X100 and X10

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Ooooh... big changes on the horizon!! 😀 X-T5 and Apple. That sounds like me!

[@msturi2002]

Enjoyed listening in on the conversation.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch this! I really enjoyed talking with Ritchie. Have you visited his site before?

[@msturi2002]

@@DanBaileyPhoto Yessss, I use his recipes alot. My fav is Portra 160.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Although I’ve browsed through his site, I haven’t actually tried any of his recipes yet… that’s about to change, though! I’ll check out the Porta 160.

[@NJM1948]

As a RAW shooter, the main difference for me is being able to edit the data using tools that allow me to apply, say, sharpening to just one part of the image. Likewise applying background blur or other changes that either can't be done to the same standard with a jpeg....or the question arises why would you then shoot jpeg if you need to apply these edits to only certain parts of the image? - It is defeating the object...so, because in camera jpeg applies film sims and other processing across the entire image it is very limiting. I am also one of "those" who was amazed that Fuji would put a dedicated dial for jpeg users when the sims have always been available via menu, or they could have given us a sim button for easier access. The dial only gives some choices of film sim...so you have to go into the menu for the others....and, unlike the SX10, you cannot re-assign the dial to anything else - which would have been a good compromise for those like me who never use sims.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Thanks for your comment. Everyone has their own ideas approach, and so it's great that modern photography gives us the options to explore image making in the unique way that resonates most with us and our style. I used to shoot RAW all the time, but these days, I get the most satisfaction from photography by treating the JPEGs like I'm shooting slide film and trying to get the shot in-camera. Film had even less latitude than the film sim JPEGs on the modern Fujis, and so I still feel as if I'm getting more with JPEG than I used to with film in terms of exposure possibilities. Plus, I just enjoy the process in that way. I still shoot RAW and process some times, but it's not the norm... but that's just me. Regarding the Film Sim dial on the new X-T50... yea, pluses and minuses, just like everything else. As I said, some will think it's cool, and some won't be so excited about it. The dial gives you 8 fixed film sims, but you can assign 3 more to the FS1-3 settings, bringing the total options on the dial to 11 different film sims. So yea, not all of them, but more than half of them. That said, I can see why some people would want to be able to reassign the dial, but none of the Fuji cameras allow you to reassign the fixed dials, only front and rear control dials. And they do have a dedicated film sim Fn button on all the cameras, it's left D-pad by default. Fortunately, it sounds like the X Series cameras, while not perfect, have allowed you to pursue photography in a way that pleases you and inspires your creativity, and that's what it's all about. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?

[@NJM1948]

@@DanBaileyPhoto Thanks for your reply Dan. The only issue I have with it is you state that none of the fixed dials on Fuji cameras allow you to reassign them. This is not the case. The XS10 for instance DOES allow you to reassign the (blank) dedicated sim dial. I have reassigned mine!! My main camera is the XT5 and I want to sell my XS10 because I have pre-ordered the XT50 as a baby brother carry everywhere 2nd camera with the new 5th gen processor, 40mp sensor and IBIS - I was devastated to find out about that dedicated sim dial that could not be reassigned. But, I want the rest of what this camera has to offer so much that I finally decided to get it anyway and just have a dial I will never use!!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

You're right. I guess I wasn't quite clear. I meant any of the dedicated dials, like ISO, Mode and Shutter Speed. The blank Fn dial that's appeared on a couple of models over the years CAN indeed be set to your designed function. And who knows... maybe you'll actually start using the film sim dial when you get the X-T50... 🤔 Never say never! 😀

[@DanFarrar]

Great channel Dan! sub’d and found you through Ritchie

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Awesome! Thanks, Dan!! Glad to have you aboard! What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph?

[@dkiechle]

Dan, fun discussion. By the way, I'm still looking for a place where I can comment on your Fujifilm autofocus course without having to sign in to Facebook. I don't do Facebook.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Hi Dan, you can just send me your comments via email. Hope you’re doing well these days. Off to France soon, or is the other way around?

[@dkiechle]

@@DanBaileyPhoto I just resent to your email address. Hope it works this time (you may want to check your spam folder). Yep, I'm back in France until September. I'm wondering whether to replace my 18-55 with the new 16-50. I should probably be reasonable for a while as I just bought the 33mm 1.4 back in March. Great lens! I wanted something to take me back to my Minolta SR-T 303 days, my first "real" camera that I got in 1974; for a long time, all I had was the 50mm 1.7 lens it came with. I'm also waiting for the second firmware upgrade for my X-T5 which should include the Reala simulation. I really want to try that one out.

[@rogerwalton8160]

In film days Velvia was too saturated for me - preferred Provia.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

I loved PROVIA too back in the day. Still do. Funny thing, though - I still love Velvia for some things, but these days, I’m really enjoying using the more subdued and subtle film sim looks a lot of the time. What Fuji do you use and what do you like to photograph, Roger?

[@rogerwalton8160]

@@DanBaileyPhoto I use X-T5 and do mainly street here in York, UK. In the past I did landscape but am no longer sufficiently mobile for that (dodgy knee - too much rugby in my youth!) I'm a raw addict so I guess I need to give jpeg a whirl!

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Roger, I would indeed recommend giving JPEG a try. If you shot film, then you were used to the challenge of getting it right in the camera. Today's JPEGs have even more latitude than those old film stocks, so I'd say for most subjects, you should be fine. Just allow yourself to give into whatever exposure limitations you find with the film sims and let your creativity run wild!

[@Lucas8922-ho5vz]

I still have my Nikon D750-800 and many Nikons half frame such as the D500 etc. While they are good cameras they are too heavy to carry for a full day shooting at my age. Even a few of my Fuji lenses such as the 50-140 F2.8 are too heavy to carry for more than half and hour. My oldest camera is a Nikon F2 DSLR a film camera. Many like me who couldn't afford to buy a Leica M2 kept holding to Nikon and Canon.

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Lucas, thanks for your comment. I agree that there are compromises to be had all around in photography. Every model has their pluses and minuses. Fortunately, many lightweight cameras and lenses are great performers these days. You're right, the 50-140 2.8 is fairly heavy for extended shooting, which is why I prefer the 70-300 for most all-day outings these days. There are always choices, it's just a matter of finding the right combination, because in the end, most modern gear will give you excellent results. What kind of subjects to you like to shoot?

[@Lucas8922-ho5vz]

@@DanBaileyPhoto Hi Dan, thanks to respond to my comments I really enjoy : scenery; landscape; portrait; birds : still or BIF; animals; sports . I agree with you, even cheaper lenses such as the Fuji 55-200 ; Viltrox 23mm ; Viltrox 56mm for portrait. For landscape my costly Fuji 14 mm 2.8 is my prefered lens (older lens) . My X-T4 help me greatly to shoot still at much slower shutter speed than with my my older X-T2 including all my Nikon cameras that I still own. Over a year ago I spend some money to buy the lens adaptor " Fringer NF-FS " (nikon lenses to Fuji X cameras) . So far my experience was not that great (slow focusing; easily loosing focus on moving subject). I process all my images either in : DXO Photolabs 6, or in Capture One 22 My only regret is not beeing able to shoot and edit videos. My printing is on an old Epson stylus pro 3880 Thanks Dan for reading my comments, and helping us all

[@DanBaileyPhoto]

Lucas, you're right, even the less expensive Fuji lenses give surprisingly good performance, often times better than a really nice Nikon lens with a Nikon to Fuji adaptor. Anyway, keep up the good work and keep having fun with it!