Provia, the film every other one is measured from
Provia is Fujifilm's standard film simulation: natural colour, moderate contrast, nothing pushed. Every Fujifilm X and GFX camera has it, and RAF Film Lab renders it on any RAF, and opens a frame shot in Provia already in it.
What does Provia look like?
Named after Fujichrome Provia, the slide film professionals relied on for accurate colour, it is the camera's default and its most neutral look. Colours are saturated enough to feel alive without leaning anywhere, and the tone curve keeps detail at both ends.
That neutrality makes it the starting point for the rest: RAF Film Lab solves a base rendering that matches the camera's own Provia, then builds each of the other films on top of it. If Provia is right, the others start from the right place.
Which cameras have Provia?
All of them. Every Fujifilm X and GFX camera has Provia, from the X100 to the newest bodies.
X-T30 III, X-E5, GFX100RF, X100VI, X-T50, X-M5, GFX100S II, X-S20, GFX100 II, X-T5, X-H2S, X-H2, X-T30 II, X-E4, GFX50S II, GFX100S, X100V, X-T4, X-T200, X-S10, X-T30, X-Pro3, X-A7, GFX100, XF10, X-T3, X-T100, X-H1, X-A5, GFX 50R, X100F, X-T20, X-E3, GFX 50S, X70, X-T2, X-Pro2, X-E2S, X-A3, X-T10, X100T, X-T1, X100S, X-M1, X-E2, X-Pro1, X-E1, X100
How close is RAF Film Lab's Provia to the camera's?
We shot 31 RAWs on an X100VI and had Fujifilm's X RAW STUDIO develop each one in Provia, using the camera's own processor. RAF Film Lab's Provia lands at a median of 2.06 ΔE from the camera's (mean 2.43), scored as CIEDE2000 colour difference over flat areas of every frame.
About 2 ΔE is roughly the smallest colour difference most people notice side by side. The films were measured on the X100VI; other cameras' RAFs are read with their own colour matrix, but we haven't published scores for their sensors yet. How we measure.
When should you use Provia?
- Mixed scenes and travel, where no single colour should take over.
- A base for recipes. Many popular recipes start from Provia and shape it with Highlight and Shadow Tone, Color and a WB shift.
- Frames you'll grade later. It leaves the most room in every direction.
In RAF Film Lab: Develop in Film Lab · Develop in camera · Applying Recipes · Recipe Management
Provia questions
Which Fujifilm cameras have Provia?
All of them. Every Fujifilm X and GFX camera has Provia, from the X100 to the newest bodies.
Is Provia the same as Standard?
Yes. Fujifilm labels it PROVIA/STANDARD in the camera's menu; it's the default film simulation on every X and GFX camera.
Is the Provia film simulation the same as Fuji Provia slide film?
It's modelled on it rather than copied from it. Fujichrome Provia was Fuji's all-round professional slide film, known for faithful colour and fine grain; the simulation takes its name and its neutral, true-colour character, tuned for a digital sensor.
Provia or Velvia for landscapes?
Velvia, if you want saturated colour and deep blues and greens. Provia when the scene is colourful already, or when you want room to grade later.
Develop your RAFs in Provia.
RAF Film Lab is in beta on TestFlight for Mac, iPad and iPhone. Leave your email and Apple will send you an invite.