How to Use the Fujifilm X-E5 Film Simulation Dial

The Fujifilm X-E5 reintroduces one of the most beloved features from earlier Fujifilm cameras – the ability to quickly switch between film simulations and save your own custom film recipes. This redesigned Film Simulation Dial makes experimenting with creative looks fun again, while also being more practical than previous versions.

Want a solid reference while setting up your X-E5? Grab the Setup Checklist & Quick Notes PDF. It covers the Film Sim Dial, custom settings, and more.

The X-E5 Got It Right: Custom Film Recipes Are Back

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Why the X-E5 Dial Matters

Earlier Fujifilm cameras allowed photographers to save custom film recipes – combinations of film simulations and image quality settings like contrast, color, and white balance. However, in recent years, Fujifilm has changed how custom settings work, requiring users to tie focus and shooting settings to their recipes. This made switching between creative looks frustrating, as it also altered exposure and focus settings that might not be relevant for that recipe.

The X-E5 fixes this problem by re-engineering the Film Simulation Dial, first introduced on the X-T50. It restores the flexibility of creating film recipes without forcing unnecessary changes to your shooting setup.

The Film Simulation Dial Layout

The X-E5’s dial includes six built-in film simulations and three custom slots (FS1–FS3). These slots let you save either an additional film simulation or a fully customized recipe – bringing back the creative freedom Fujifilm users enjoyed in the past.

• FS1–FS3: Save modified film simulations or your own recipes.
• ACROS: Choose a red, green, or yellow filter for the ACROS slot.
• C1–C7: Still available for saving additional recipes, though these continue to tie in shooting and focus settings.

How to Program the X-E5 Film Simulation Dial

1. Go to Menu → Image Quality Setting → Film Simulation Dial Setting.
2. Choose FS1, FS2, or FS3.
3. Select a base film simulation (i.e., Classic Chrome, Reala Ace).
4. Set FS Recipe to On to enable customization.
5. Adjust image quality settings such as Highlight/Shadow Tone, Color, Sharpness, and White Balance.

You now have a custom recipe saved to that dial position. Repeat for FS2 and FS3 if desired.

Important Quirks to Know

The dial overrides menus: Whatever the dial is set to will override film simulations in menus, Q menu, and custom settings. The C1 program here had Astia saved to it, but the dial is in Reala Ace, and Reala Ace is grayed-out:

Use the “C” position: Set the dial to C if you want to disable the override and freely change simulations in the menus.

Quick toggle: Press and hold the control lever toward the lens to switch FS Recipes on/off for that slot:

Editing recipes: You can update FS1–FS3 directly in the Image Quality Setting menu without reprogramming the dial. You’ll see the FS Recipe designation in-use in the Image Quality Setting menu:

Creative Flexibility

With FS1–FS3 plus C1–C7, you can have up to ten custom film recipes saved in the X-E5. Combined with the six built-in simulations, this makes the camera extremely versatile for photographers who love to experiment with different visual styles.

Final Thoughts

The Film Simulation Dial on the X-E5 is a big step forward for Fujifilm. It restores the simplicity and creativity of switching between recipes on the fly, without the frustrations of recent custom setting limitations. It’s easier to stay in the moment and use styling for storytelling, as we enjoyed doing with these cameras years ago.

If you’re working through setup stuff like this, the PDF guide can really help. It puts all the key info in one spot.

What are your thoughts? Do you enjoy the “film recipe” version of custom settings, or the full custom shooting banks?