Fujifilm ACROS Film Simulation Recipe by Ritchie Roesch

I have been shooting using the defaults on my Fujifilm X-T2 and getting good results. However, I want to shorten the path between the defaults, experimentation, and finding my own settings. I discovered Ritchie Roesch's website via a Google search for "Classic Chrome Film Simulation Recipes". Ritchie has created an incredible set of recipes for his XPro2 and X100F. I think this ACROS Film Simulation Recipe is a good starting point for me to learn how these film simulations works, tweak them and find my own recipe.

I will most likely use this recipe for most of my street photography and general photography.

All of the images here were SOOC JPEGs.

Standard ACROS—FujiFilm X-T2 + XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm, f/2.8

You find this Fujifilm X100F ACROS film simulation recipe on Ritchie's website. The version I am using is below.

  • Acros+G
  • Dynamic Range: DR200
  • Highlight: +2
  • Shadows: +2
  • Noise Reduction: -2
  • Sharpening: +2
  • Grain Effect: Off
  • ISO: Auto up to 12800

Beach Haus Brewery

Before we left Belmar, Bhavna reminded me that Beach Haus Brewery is located on Main Street. I could not resist. I had to visit.

It took us longer than we expected to get to the brewery. Bhavna thought that we should drive down the length of Ocean Avenue, but I wanted to use Apple Maps. The mapping software took us on what felt like a circuitous route. However, we arrived at the correct spot. Apple Maps had taken us along a more scenic route along Shark River.

Beach Haus Brewery
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 36.5 mm | 18000 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

From the outside, we could see the inside. The brewery is all glass. The inside is decorated in an understated industrial style with stained picnic tables along one side.

Beach Haus Brewery
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 24.9 mm | 1350 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

Our friendly greeter explained some details about the brewery and told us to head upstairs to the taproom.

Beach Haus Brewery merch
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 29.2 mm | 160 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 500

The retail area offered some brewery swag for sale.

A group of men were off to one side, finishing up what appeared to be a craft ale tasting party.

indoor picnic
Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 28.3 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200

I continued to explore the brewery with my camera. The second floor was decorated similarly to the first floor—more bench-style seating. We could see the outdoor rooftop patio but did not go outside. Something to explore on our next trip in late summer or early fall.

Beach Haus Brewery | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 28.3 mm | 1200 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 200
beer menu
The Menu | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 160 sec at f/3.2 | ISO 640

I had a flight of the following:
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA (Mosaic and Citra)
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA Featuring Huell Melon And Mandarina Bavaria Hops
* Test Dept.™ New England IPA (Merkur & El Dorado Hops)
* American Pale Ale (unfiltered With Mosaic And Citra Hops)

I also tried a sip of the Test Dept.™ Grapefruit Radler that Bhavna had in her flight. I loved the Radler and the mosaic and Citra New England IPA. We got a six-pack and four-pack of each to take home.

Bradley Beach

The clouds are mostly gone and we can feel the sun. Finally!

After lunch at FINS Tropical Cuisine, we drove on 2nd Avenue toward Bradley Beach. We parked on Ocean Avenue and crossed the street to enter the beach.

One thing I don’t like about New Jersey is that one must pay to access the beach. It just feels wrong. The rationale is that the beach must be cleaned and maintained, and the fees help with the cost of that. Ok, fine, but it also pays for the salaries of people like this woman pictured who collect the beach access fees. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to install a turnstile? In states like California, the beach is public access and are a part of the state parks system. New Jersey could do the same and ensure that ALL New Jersey residents, not just the ones who can afford the $9 fee. Some beaches in New Jersey are free. Belmar and Avon-on-the-Sea, and Bradley Beach are not among them.

beach scene
Lawn | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 16 mm | 1200 sec at f/16 | ISO 200
seagull
beach rat | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1240 sec at f/16 | ISO 200

The clouds were mostly gone, and we could feel the sunlight. Finally!

Bhavna
Bhavna, Bradley Beach | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 1/1400 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

It’s a beach scene.

chairs | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13500 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

We set up our beach chairs and sat down to enjoy the smell and sound of the ocean, the warmth of sunlight on our skins, and the salty sea breeze.

treasure hunter | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200
peace | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 32.1 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200

The day didn’t start on a good note, but it turned out better than I expected. I had a few hours to chat with my family and forget about work. My only regret is that we didn’t do this earlier in the summer and that our daughter, Kiran, could not join us.

beach scene
Hat | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 55 mm | 13200 sec at f/4.0 | ISO 200
The Bradley Beach Trio?
The Bradley Beach Trio? | Tuesday 21 August, 2018 | FujiFilm X-T2 | XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR @ 33.2 mm | 1800 sec at f/5.6 | ISO 200