Sony Kodachrome Film Simulations vs. Fuji Nostalgic Neg (+ My X-T5 Kodachrome Recipes)
- Jul 15, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 16, 2025
If you’ve browsed my Sony film simulations, you’ve probably seen a few different Kodachrome recipe versions… and two versions of Nostalgic Neg, which can get a bit confusing. In this post, I’m breaking down all my Sony Kodachrome film simulations: what makes them different, why there are so many, and how they compare.
I’ll also compare Sony’s Nostalgic Neg to Fujifilm’s Nostalgic Neg (they’re not the same) and share two Kodachrome recipes for the Fujifilm X-T5 to help you get that iconic Kodachrome feel,
straight out of camera.
Table of Contents
Understanding Kodachrome's Evolution
Kodachrome is one of the most iconic color film stocks ever made. Photographers like Saul Leiter, Fred Herzog, and Harry Gruyaert used it to produce timeless, rich, and colorful images. Its golden skin tones, velvet shadows, and warm reds defined an era of color photography.
To understand why I've created multiple Kodachrome simulations, you need to know how dramatically this film stock changed over its production run. It was a highly complex film stock that changed over the years, both in formulation and in how it was used. So depending on the decade, the film speed (like Kodachrome 25 vs. 64), and the development process, the final Kodachrome images could look quite different from one another. Kodachrome wasn't a fixed look.
Why I Created Multiple Sony Kodachrome Film Simulations
That’s why recreating it on digital cameras is so nuanced and why I’ve developed multiple Kodachrome film simulations for Sony and Fuji to to reflect the wide range of looks this film stock once had.
From the rich, golden tones of the 1950s to the cooler, punchier style of the 1980s, each recipe was created to capture a different Kodachrome era.
Since Kodachrome was discontinued in 2009, we can’t shoot fresh rolls anymore. So when I set out to create my Kodachrome-inspired simulations and LUTs for Sony, I went deep, studying hundreds of original slides and scans. I pulled from the film’s key traits: skin tones, contrast, color shifts, and those occasional violet-tinted skies and used those as my creative blueprint.
Here are a few reference points that influenced my recipes:
The 4 Kodachrome Eras I've Recreated
After researching hundreds of original Kodachrome slides and references, I created four different versions. Each one captures a distinct era from the film’s long history. Here's a quick breakdown of what's what.
All Kodachrome film recipes compared (V1 - V2 - V3-V4)
First off, we have Kodachrome V1 similar to Harry Gruyaert 80's Kodachromes (made after Kodachrome 64 - with high contrast, deep and overall colder tones);
Kodachrome V2 (primarily modeled after Large Format Kodachrome in the 50's and similar to Saul Leiter body of work - high dynamic range, soft tones, golden skin tones and saturated colors with soft blue-velvet cast);
Kodachrome V3 (inspired after few Kodachrome featuring Warm and Teal skies, but those are few and maybe not actually accurate. I might change it to Fred Herzog 50's Kodachrome in the new update.
Kodachrome V4 ( Created after 1976 Joel Meyerowitz style Kodachrome Film simulation) with a desaturated magenta tinted vintage look.
💡 Just like real Kodachrome film slides, these Sony Kodachrome recipes are designed to deeper richer in color when underexposed. The deeper the shadows, the richer the tones.
Why Sony's Color Science Is Perfect for Kodachrome Recipes
Interestingly, Sony’s newer color science (especially when using S-Cinetone or custom Picture Profiles) gets surprisingly close to the classic Kodachrome look. You’ll see deep shadows, soft highlight roll-off, and subtle magenta shifts that echo many of the film’s most iconic traits.
That makes Sony cameras a strong choice when recreating Kodak or vintage film looks. All while still keeping fast autofocus and strong low-light performance.
The Nostalgic Neg Film Simulations - Two Different Looks, Same Name
Alongside these Kodachrome film simulation recipes, I also built a Sony-specific Nostalgic Neg film simulation. And this is where things can get a little confusing, as these are two different looks.
Sony Nostalgic Neg - Faded Film Photos
The Sony Nostalgic Neg wasn’t based on Fujifilm’s version at all. It's an original creation, that's not intended to replicate any specific film stock.
Instead, it was inspired by something entirely different: the faded, magenta-tinted colors of old family photo prints, deep amber skin tones and soft, nostalgic blues, reminiscent of my old family photos. You know the kind: slightly washed out, a little imperfect, with that soft nostalgic warmth you’d find in old albums rather than vibrant color slides. That nostalgic warmth and subtle imperfection were what I wanted to capture.
Fujifilm Nostalgic Neg - 1950s Kodachrome Recreation
Fujifilm’s Nostalgic Neg, on the other hand, is specifically engineered to emulate the look of 1950s Kodachrome. Similarly, my Kodachrome V2 recipe also aims to recreate that era, with a focus on medium format Kodachrome and a more sentimental aesthetic.
When I created the Sony Nostalgic Neg , I hadn’t realized that Fujifilm had introduced its own “Nostalgic Neg” film simulation. Ironically, the exact era my version wasn’t trying to replicate.
Fujifilm’s Nostalgic Neg does a solid job at recreating the 1950s Kodachrome, with a vibe reminiscent of Fred Herzog’s iconic work. But Fuji’s version shifts blues slightly toward cyan. Flattering for skin tones? Yes, but it takes away some of the authentic Kodachrome magic.
If you're wondering what that Kodachrome magic really looked like, check out the work of Saul Leiter and Fred Herzog. Both photographed extensively with Kodachrome in the '40s and '50s, and their images are some of the best visual references for the film’s original color signature.
Some Kodachrome slides featured light, dusty blue skies that shifted towards blue or, at times, cyan. These cooler skies were often paired with golden skin tones and warm, orange-leaning reds, creating a rich, deeply nostalgic palette that’s hard to forget.
Recreating Fuji Nostalgic Neg in a Sony camera
Eventually, I decided to recreate Fuji’s Nostalgic Neg look on a Sony camera, using the Picture Profile menu. It was tricky, but I managed to get pretty close. This was particularly hard because, much like Sony’s Classic Negative, it features a strong shift in the reds and blue-tinted shadows.
While it’s not a perfect match, it comes remarkably close. All of it’s done in-camera (no post-processing, no LUTs), and the results come surprisingly close to that classic Kodachrome look. Take a look!
👉 You can check out the results for yourself and see how close we can get to Fuji colors with a Sony camera. Overall, I’m really very happy with the results I’m getting straight out of the camera!
Fuji’s system delivers great colors right from the start, but it’s more limited when it comes to fine-tuning. I’ve found that Sony’s Picture Profile menu gives me more in-camera control, allowing me to get closer to specific Kodachrome looks.
All of these recipes are included in my Full Film Simulation Bundle. The PDF makes it easy to recreate Fujifilm’s base film simulations, and other film stocks on your Sony camera. You’ll still get Sony’s great autofocus and low-light performance. Best of all, you won’t need to rely heavily on color grading in post.
Sony Nostalgic Neg vs Fuji Nostalgic Neg - Key Differences
Let’s clear up the confusion: Sony Nostalgic Neg and Fuji Nostalgic Neg may share a name, but they’re totally different looks.
I created Sony Nostalgic Neg before I even knew Fujifilm had a film simulation with the same name. Mine was created to capture the look of aged or faded film, with a distinct magenta tint inspired by my old family photos and childhood memories.
Fujifilm’s Nostalgic Neg, on the other hand, was intentionally designed to replicate 1950s Kodachrome.
Sony Nostalgic Neg vs Fuji Nostalgic Neg
The differences are clear from the start.
QUICK TAKEAWAY
Sony Nostalgic Neg = Unique vintage feel
Fuji Nostalgic Neg = Fujifilm 50s Kodachrome replica
Fujifilm Kodachrome Film Simulations for X-T5 (X-Trans V Sensor)
While Fujifilm’s Nostalgic Neg provides a strong foundation for achieving Kodachrome-inspired looks, it’s worth noting that many well-known Kodachrome recipes aren’t actually based on it.
In that same spirit, I’ve created two Fujifilm X-T5 Kodachrome film simulation recipes.
One has a soft, deep blue tint across the image with warm amber skin tones, giving it a nostalgic, cinematic feel.
The other leans cooler and more desaturated, with stronger contrast for a moodier, classic Kodachrome look. Both are designed to make the most of the X-Trans 5 sensor and deliver rich, film-inspired colors straight out of camera. Enjoy!
50's Kodachrome - Medium format Kodachrome in the 50's and similar to Saul Leiter Kodachrome
Soft contrast, golden skin tones, high saturation.
Film Simulation: Nostalgic Neg
White Balance: 3600K R:7 B:-7
Grain Effect: Strong, Large
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
Dynamic Range: DR400
Tone Curve: H-1 S-2
Color: +4
Sharpness: -4
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: 0
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Warm Kodachrome - Similar to Fred Herzog style Kodachrome, but warmer
Higher contrast with warm, but desaturated tones.
Film Simulation: Classic Neg
WB: 8300K R:-4 B:7
Grain Effect: Weak, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Off
Color Chrome FX Blue: Off
Dynamic Range: 400
Tone Curve: H-2 S-0.5
Color: +2
Sharpness: -2
High ISO NR: -4
Clarity: 0
ISO: Auto, up to ISO 3200
Real life comparisons - 50's Kodachrome vs Warm Kodachrome
Additional Resources
Fuji’s base colors are solid, but I often find their options more limited compared to Sony. A Fujifilm camera mostly relies on color filters to shape their film simulations, while Sony lets you fine-tune images and colors much more deeply.
👉 Sony’s Creative Looks are a great if you're just starting out. They offer some Fuji-style looks right off the bat. But they're still limited. If you want to dial in a specific film look or to replicate classic film stocks like Kodachrome, Sony give you more in-camera control.
👉 I’ve written a full article that dives deeper into comparing Fuji’s film simulations with Sony’s Picture Profiles. I also bust the common myth that Sony’s color science is “inferior”—something I think deserves to be put to rest.
👉Interested in Fuji-style Creative Looks for Sony? I’ve created a few Creative Looks inspired by Fujifilm simulations. Try them out!
Want more control? You can check out my free custom Picture Profiles designed for film-inspired looks right here.
Wrap-up
Sony’s color science has come a long way. What used to be considered a weak point is now one of its greatest strengths—especially when paired with the Picture Profile menu. This hidden gem gives you the flexibility to create truly complex and refined film simulations, sometimes even beyond what Fujifilm offers.
Sony’s color science has come a long way. What was once seen as a weak point is now one of its biggest strengths, especially when combined with the Picture Profile menu. This often-overlooked feature gives you the flexibility to build complex and refined film simulations that sometimes even go beyond what Fujifilm offers.
The key is understanding how to use it effectively. You can create your own simulations over time—many people do. But if you want to skip the trial and error, the full film simulation bundle includes over 84 custom looks that give you film colors, straight out of camera.
Thank you for reading!
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