In January 2024, an Instagram user named Osan Bilgi shared a new film simulation recipe called Classic Cuban Negative on Reddit. It quickly captivated the entire Fujifilm community, myself included. This recipe is based on the Classic Negative film simulation, which itself is inspired by the well-known Fujifilm Superia films. According to its creator, Classic Cuban Negative was designed to shine during sunny summer days.
What sets this simulation apart are its warm and vibrant tones, with a special treatment of highlights that reduces reds. This effect makes the
images more balanced and less harsh, especially under direct sunlight. Additionally, clarity is reduced by four points, giving photos a nostalgic,
almost dreamy look reminiscent of old film photographs.
When I discovered this recipe on Reddit, I immediately knew it would be perfect for my summer vacation in Greece. And it was. From the very first photo, which I chose as the cover for this article, I realized there was something special about this simulation. I instantly fell in love with how Classic Cuban Negative handles light: it creates a soft glow and light diffusion that gives the images a warm, enveloping atmosphere.
However, I noticed that in certain situations, such as during a portrait shot in very intense light (like a sunset), the reds can become a bit too saturated. This was the only “limitation” I found (for that particular photo, I actually opted for black and white).
Here’s Osan’s recipe:
Film Simulation: Classic Negative
Dynamic Range: DR400
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
White Balance: Auto, -5 Blue & +4 Red
Highlight: -2
Shadow: +1
Color: +4
Sharpness: 0
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: -4
ISO: Auto, ISO 500 up to ISO 6400
All the photos in the gallery were taken with my Fujifilm X-T5 and are JPEGs straight out of the camera (SOOC), with no post-processing. I believe this recipe is ideal for those who want to capture vibrant and nostalgic images, especially in outdoor and sunny settings. If you're looking for a film simulation that adds warmth and a vintage touch to your shots, Classic Cuban Negative might be the perfect choice for you.
