Film Emulation

**PenPusher** · 05-16-2021, 01:42 PM

This may well have been asked before so apologies if it has.

Looking at my K70's Custom image setting there are 13 different settings but not one, as I understand it, that emulates any specific named film type be it black and white or colour, on the other hand my Fuji XE-1 mirrorless has 7 specific film types to choose from plus 3 generic black and white, granted Fuji is/was a film producer so that's probably not unexpected.

I'm just curious if it is possible to add a specific film type into the camera's settings - I'm not going to do it just curious.

I suspect that it is because Pentax is not tied to any film maker ?

I believe that you can do this with certain post processing software.

**Bob 256** · 05-16-2021, 02:18 PM - **1 Like**

Film emulation is just that, simulating the effect you'd get with a given film. Although emulations are available, they aren't an exact science and one emulation for Kodachrome, for example, might be somewhat different from another depending on the emulation source. I don't think Pentax is going to take the effort to get a group of film emulations "right" and then market a camera with those (they would tend to get picked apart by some who see a given emulation another way - a certain amount of subjectivity is involved). There's also the case of leaving out a favorite emulsion and the outcry that would result.

It's far easier to give a camera RAW capability and then let others deal with creating an emulation based on the RAW files. That approach also allows emulations to be later added for other film emulsions as users see fit. You're correct that this capability is built into post processing software like RawTherapee and the like. That's probably where it's best implemented.

shyrsio · 05-16-2021, 02:46 PM - **1 Like**

It would be interesting if we could compile color profiles in a PC and import them into the camera. just an idea!

stevebrot · 05-16-2021, 02:53 PM

Only Fuji offers that "in-camera" and only for Fuji films.

Steve

stevebrot · 05-16-2021, 02:55 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by shyrsio

It would be interesting if we could compile color profiles in a PC and import them into the camera. just an idea!

Isn't there a recent/active thread on the site intent on creating variations on the camera's custom image settings? That is probably as close as one might get for in-camera.

Steve

kypfer · 05-16-2021, 02:56 PM

By developing a "film emulation" using the supplied "Digital Camera Utility" software, you can take the settings directly from the program and set them into a User Mode in the camera … both the program and the cameras use the same settings

So, take an image, any image that was taken with your camera, that you consider might be "representative", load it into the DCU program and jiggle with the settings until you achieve what you want, then load those settings into your camera.
Take some more pictures, then fine-tune those settings, if needed. After a couple of iterations you should be able to achieve "perfection".
Obviously, these settings only have an effect on .jpg files, so you might want to save RAW+ in the first few instances, so if you want/need to take a step or two back it's easy to do so.
Not a feature I've played with (yet), but there is an option within the DCU to "Load Parameter" and "Save Parameter" within the "Laboratory" section, so having achieved something acceptable with one picture, one can easily apply those parameters to a second (and subsequent) pictures, thereby possibly speeding up the business of generating a profile that "works" with multiple images.
These parameter files are just text files, so might be easily shared!
Unfortunately there's not, as far as I'm aware, any opportunity to copy a parameter file directly to a camera, the details all needing to be entered manually.
It'll be interesting to hear of any success (or failures)

**caliscouser** · 05-16-2021, 02:57 PM - **1 Like**

There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer.

If you interested in modifying the existing Custom Image settings in camera to look like film then check out this thread Creating a jpeg style - PentaxForums.com

**pepperberry farm** · 05-16-2021, 04:02 PM

most image-editors offer film 'looks' now - I've seen them in Luminar and ON 1 Photo Raw...

shyrsio · 05-16-2021, 04:26 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Isn't there a recent/active thread on the site intent on creating variations on the camera's custom image settings? That is probably as close as one might get for in-camera.

Steve

Thank you for pointing that out, will try and find it!

**DWS1** · 05-16-2021, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by caliscouser

There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer.

This is probably the easiest way to do it.

aaacb · 05-16-2021, 05:37 PM

Raw Therapee and Darktable are two free options for raw processing with film simulations. This wasn't built in functionality but a plug in last time I checked, but easy enough to use and good looking. This looks like a newer project for darktable simulations, haven't tried it but I think I'll give it a shot https://blog.joaoalmeidaphotography.com/en/t3mujinpack-film-darktable/

**UncleVanya** · 05-16-2021, 07:26 PM - **1 Like**

I use DXO film emulations in post processing. The main ones I like are b&w films.

**AgentL** · 05-16-2021, 09:06 PM

Fuji's "simulations" are really just vaguely inspired by's, rather than simulations. DXO Nik Collection will get you a lot closer to films. But I think what is mostly at stake is the ability to create good, pleasing colors with a bit of a slant one way or another. Ricoh's positive film profile in the GR series is a good example. I haven't really found Pentax to be quite as on top of things with their JPEG engine in this respect.

Ishpuini · 05-17-2021, 12:02 AM

Originally posted by caliscouser

There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer.

If you interested in modifying the existing Custom Image settings in camera to look like film then check out this thread Creating a jpeg style - PentaxForums.com

Yeah, lots of YouTubers have their own set that they sell to make an extra buck. I haven't bought any of them since I try to make my own to my own taste, but if you are a Lightroom user and are looking for some, Jamie Windsor has a few nice looking sets for lovers of old film styles.

**Michail_P** · 05-17-2021, 12:23 AM

The emulations of the Fuji cameras are praised by their fans. Idk if it’s due to the “precision” but it would be nice to have the same experience with Pentax. For me 3-4 emulations should do it. Interesting idea.
Nevertheless it is also very interesting to try to achieve this in pp. Very creative and educating process.

05-16-2021, 01:42 PM	#1
PenPusher Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 1,048	Film Emulation This may well have been asked before so apologies if it has. Looking at my K70's Custom image setting there are 13 different settings but not one, as I understand it, that emulates any specific named film type be it black and white or colour, on the other hand my Fuji XE-1 mirrorless has 7 specific film types to choose from plus 3 generic black and white, granted Fuji is/was a film producer so that's probably not unexpected. I'm just curious if it is possible to add a specific film type into the camera's settings - I'm not going to do it just curious. I suspect that it is because Pentax is not tied to any film maker ? I believe that you can do this with certain post processing software.

05-16-2021, 02:56 PM	#6
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,594	By developing a "film emulation" using the supplied "Digital Camera Utility" software, you can take the settings directly from the program and set them into a User Mode in the camera … both the program and the cameras use the same settings So, take an image, any image that was taken with your camera, that you consider might be "representative", load it into the DCU program and jiggle with the settings until you achieve what you want, then load those settings into your camera. Take some more pictures, then fine-tune those settings, if needed. After a couple of iterations you should be able to achieve "perfection". Obviously, these settings only have an effect on .jpg files, so you might want to save RAW+ in the first few instances, so if you want/need to take a step or two back it's easy to do so. Not a feature I've played with (yet), but there is an option within the DCU to "Load Parameter" and "Save Parameter" within the "Laboratory" section, so having achieved something acceptable with one picture, one can easily apply those parameters to a second (and subsequent) pictures, thereby possibly speeding up the business of generating a profile that "works" with multiple images. These parameter files are just text files, so might be easily shared! Unfortunately there's not, as far as I'm aware, any opportunity to copy a parameter file directly to a camera, the details all needing to be entered manually. It'll be interesting to hear of any success (or failures) Last edited by kypfer; 05-16-2021 at 03:00 PM. Reason: Afterthought

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05-16-2021, 02:18 PM - 1 Like	#2
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	Film emulation is just that, simulating the effect you'd get with a given film. Although emulations are available, they aren't an exact science and one emulation for Kodachrome, for example, might be somewhat different from another depending on the emulation source. I don't think Pentax is going to take the effort to get a group of film emulations "right" and then market a camera with those (they would tend to get picked apart by some who see a given emulation another way - a certain amount of subjectivity is involved). There's also the case of leaving out a favorite emulsion and the outcry that would result. It's far easier to give a camera RAW capability and then let others deal with creating an emulation based on the RAW files. That approach also allows emulations to be later added for other film emulsions as users see fit. You're correct that this capability is built into post processing software like RawTherapee and the like. That's probably where it's best implemented.

05-16-2021, 02:46 PM - 1 Like	#3
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	It would be interesting if we could compile color profiles in a PC and import them into the camera. just an idea!

05-16-2021, 02:53 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Only Fuji offers that "in-camera" and only for Fuji films. Steve

05-16-2021, 02:55 PM - 3 Likes	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by shyrsio It would be interesting if we could compile color profiles in a PC and import them into the camera. just an idea! Isn't there a recent/active thread on the site intent on creating variations on the camera's custom image settings? That is probably as close as one might get for in-camera. Steve

05-16-2021, 02:57 PM - 1 Like	#7
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer. If you interested in modifying the existing Custom Image settings in camera to look like film then check out this thread Creating a jpeg style - PentaxForums.com

05-16-2021, 04:02 PM	#8
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	most image-editors offer film 'looks' now - I've seen them in Luminar and ON 1 Photo Raw...

05-16-2021, 04:26 PM	#9
shyrsio Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Tirana Posts: 780	Originally posted by stevebrot Isn't there a recent/active thread on the site intent on creating variations on the camera's custom image settings? That is probably as close as one might get for in-camera. Steve Thank you for pointing that out, will try and find it!

05-16-2021, 05:14 PM	#10
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Originally posted by caliscouser There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer. This is probably the easiest way to do it.

05-16-2021, 05:37 PM	#11
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,725	Raw Therapee and Darktable are two free options for raw processing with film simulations. This wasn't built in functionality but a plug in last time I checked, but easy enough to use and good looking. This looks like a newer project for darktable simulations, haven't tried it but I think I'll give it a shot https://blog.joaoalmeidaphotography.com/en/t3mujinpack-film-darktable/

05-16-2021, 07:26 PM - 1 Like	#12
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	I use DXO film emulations in post processing. The main ones I like are b&w films.

05-16-2021, 09:06 PM	#13
AgentL Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Seattle Photos: Albums Posts: 1,756	Fuji's "simulations" are really just vaguely inspired by's, rather than simulations. DXO Nik Collection will get you a lot closer to films. But I think what is mostly at stake is the ability to create good, pleasing colors with a bit of a slant one way or another. Ricoh's positive film profile in the GR series is a good example. I haven't really found Pentax to be quite as on top of things with their JPEG engine in this respect.

05-17-2021, 12:02 AM	#14
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Originally posted by caliscouser There are many film emulation presets available for Lightroom/Photoshop to use if you post-process your images on the computer. If you interested in modifying the existing Custom Image settings in camera to look like film then check out this thread Creating a jpeg style - PentaxForums.com Yeah, lots of YouTubers have their own set that they sell to make an extra buck. I haven't bought any of them since I try to make my own to my own taste, but if you are a Lightroom user and are looking for some, Jamie Windsor has a few nice looking sets for lovers of old film styles.

05-17-2021, 12:23 AM	#15
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	The emulations of the Fuji cameras are praised by their fans. Idk if it’s due to the “precision” but it would be nice to have the same experience with Pentax. For me 3-4 emulations should do it. Interesting idea. Nevertheless it is also very interesting to try to achieve this in pp. Very creative and educating process.