Raw files being "influenced" by fujifilm film simulation in Lightroom

[Clément5E3E]

I have been investigating in the internet quite a lot but I did not find a solution to this problem yet. I also check previous post and did not find the solution, sorry if it is very basic !

I have a Fujifilm x-pro3 and I shoot raw+jpeg with custom film simulations.

When shooting twice the same scene with two different custom film simulations, I would expect the jpeg files to be differents, and the raw files to look the same in the Develop module. The jpeg files are indeed obviously differents, but the raw files do not look the same at all.

I am attaching an illustration of my problem : in this case, I would expect image 2 and 4 to look the same (a "basic" raw file) in the Develop module.

I checked Lightroom's preferences and my default raw parameters are Adobe Default (not Camera parameters, in which case Image 2 would look identical to Image 1, and Image 4 would look identical to Image 3 in the Develop module).

Would anyone know what to do to get the raw files to be independant from the film simulation used ?

Thanks a lot !

[Ian Lyons]

I don't use Fuji cmaeras, but if Lightroom Classic treats film simulations in the same way as in-cameras settings from other vendors, then you'll need to configure LrC to apply the appropriate film simulation profile. This tutorial might help https://blog.thomasfitzgeraldphotography.com/blog/2020/2/automatically-apply-fuji-film-simulations-i...

[Clément5E3E]

Thank you for your answer!

I agree with you, but this do not solve the problem I have : I do not want Lightroom to apply film simulations on the raw files, I would rather like the raw files to be "neutral", so I can work on them indepentely from the film simulation I used when I shot the image if I want to.

Best

[Ian Lyons]

If you don't want the film simulations, then configure the Profile Browser to use the Adobe Neutral profile, create a preset of same, then configure the Presets panel to use your Adobe Neutral preset for your camera as shown in below screenshots.

Note - if Adobe doesn't have a Neutral profile for your camera, then try those that are available to find the one that best suits your needs.

[Clément5E3E]

Thank you! that might indeed help

[Clément5E3E · Accepted solution]

I finally found what was wrong: 

when switching to the Develop module in Lightroom, Lightroom will show you a RAW file without the film simulation adjustment BUT keeps the white balance "as shot". When shooting jpeg+raw with a film simulation that has a white balance shift, the raw file will then keep this shift, which explains the weird results I described in my first post.

By switching the white balance from "as shot" to "auto" (ctrl+maj+U in windows), I get the more neutral look of the raw file I was looking for, and I can work from scratch with it (as seen in the attached file). This is actually quite useful when shooting with several different film simulation, because if I want I can get an homogeneous look to my raw files even though they where not shot using the same film simulation.

Hope it will help someone someday!

[ntsctcam]

Thank youuuuu! Was wondering about this myself.

[David327314452vn1]

Thank you from me too! I was looking for the same because I have a X100V from Fujifilm and want to shoot JPEG 90% of the times and try to really use it analog and not edit but for the rare cases I don't like the look because of time constraints I can then use this Neutral profile and strip it all back, then start from scratch and apply what's best or maybe match the Simulation I used but tweak it and tone it down or increase the effect.

If someone knows any other tip to get it more flat let me know, I kinda don't trust the auto setting for WB but it certainly looks flat so hopefully this will work for my flow, I might compare it Astia and no settings in Xraw to see how different 'neutral' versions there are.