X-Trans IVAcrosBlack & White4 photos

Acros Smoke Tone Recipe

Capture urban life's gritty calm with Acros Smoke Tone.

Fuji Pic StudioTested on real gear · X-E4 · Updated October 26, 2026

Black and white photo of a building facade with classical architectural features and a neighboring structure.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Film simulation

Acros

Tested on

X-E4

Sample frames

The lookWhy this one earns a slot

This recipe conjures the gritty, yet calming essence of urban life, reminiscent of classic black and white street photography. The Acros simulation delivers deep blacks and subtle greys, while the reduced shadows and sharpness soften the overall contrast. This creates a sense of calm even in bustling scenes. The strong grain adds a nostalgic texture, bringing a tactile feeling to architectural and street scenes. The cool white balance shift lends a muted quality, perfect for overcast days or minimalistic compositions. Acros Smoke Tone shines in environments where the interplay of light and shadow tells its own story, creating a timeless monochrome look that feels both nostalgic and fresh. When used in midday sun, it captures the harshness of urban grit beautifully, adding character to everyday moments.

The settingsThe recipe

Acros · X-Trans IV

Film Simulation: Acros
Dynamic Range: DR400
White Balance: Custom Kelvin, 4000K, −5 B
Highlight: 0
Shadow: −2
Color: −2
Sharpness: −2
Noise Reduction: −4
Clarity: 0
Grain: Strong, Small
Color Chrome Effect: Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue: Strong
ISO: 6400
Exposure Comp.: -1/3 to +2/3

How to copy it to your camera

Open the Image Quality (IQ) menu and select an empty custom setting slot (C1–C7).
Set the base film simulation to Acros.
Enter each value from the settings above, then save the slot.
Select that slot to shoot Acros Smoke Tone JPEGs straight out of camera.

Sample framesShot on this recipe

A solitary street lamp against a cloudy sky in black and white. — Architecture · Urban · Unknown

A black and white photo capturing a camera reflected in a car's side mirror with a road in the background. — Street · Urban · Unknown

A busy urban street scene with a taxi in the foreground and pedestrians crossing in the background. — Street · Urban · Harsh Midday

Notes & caveatsWhat it nails, what to watch

What it nails

Excellent for capturing dynamic urban life.
Strong grain adds a nostalgic texture.
Subtle greys enhance architectural details.
Perfect for overcast lighting conditions.

What to watch

Avoid for vibrant colour scenes.
Not ideal for high contrast portraits.
Cool WB shift may not suit all moods.

Explore similar

Black & whiteArchitectureStreet

CompatibilityWill it work on your camera?

Tested across the X-Trans IV, X-Trans V and GFX generations — compatibility is defined by sensor, so any body on these generations can run it. The X-T3 and X-T30 don't offer Clarity, Grain Size or Color Chrome FX Blue — skip those values on those two bodies.

Tested sensors & cameras

X-Trans IV X-Trans V GFX X-E4 X-E5 X-H2 X-H2S X-M5 X-Pro3 X-S10 X-S20 X-T30-II X-T30-III X-T4 X-T5 X-T50 X100V X100VI GFX100-II GFX100RF GFX100S GFX100S-II

Best forWhen to reach for it

Perfect for capturing street and architectural scenes with a calm, gritty feel. Excels in overcast or harsh midday light. Avoid for vivid colour scenes or high contrast portraits, where its monochrome subtlety may not complement the subject. Ideal for creating a nostalgic narrative in urban environments.

Best for

Scenes and subjects this recipe is tuned for.

Black & whiteArchitectureStreet

Less suited to

Where another look will likely serve you better.

Vivid ColorsHigh Contrast Portraits

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Which Fujifilm cameras are compatible with Acros Smoke Tone?

Acros Smoke Tone is designed for X-Trans IV, X-Trans V, and GFX sensors. Compatible bodies include the X-E4, X-E5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-M5, X-Pro3, X-S10, X-S20, X-T30 II, X-T30 III, X-T4, X-T5, X-T50, X100V, X100VI, GFX100 II, GFX100RF, GFX100S, and GFX100S II.

What is Acros Smoke Tone best suited for?

Acros Smoke Tone suits urban street photography and architectural scenes where texture, structure, and atmosphere matter more than colour. Its monochrome rendering and strong grain work well for city environments, while the subdued tonal character gives everyday street moments a calmer, more reflective quality.

How does the white-balance shift affect Acros Smoke Tone?

The recipe uses a custom Kelvin white balance of 4000K with a shift of R 0 and B -5. Because Acros is a black-and-white simulation, the shift adds no colour cast; the restrained mood comes from its subdued tonality and fine grain rather than from any colour treatment.

Is Acros Smoke Tone suitable for portraits?

Acros Smoke Tone is less suited to portraits that rely on soft tonal transitions, particularly when strong contrast is part of the scene. Its monochrome rendering and strong grain give images a textured character, making it a more natural fit for street and architectural work than delicate portraiture.

What makes Acros Smoke Tone different from a high-contrast monochrome look?

Acros Smoke Tone is described as gritty yet calming, with subtle greys and softened overall contrast. Its shadow setting is reduced to -2, while sharpness is set to -2. Combined with strong, small grain, these settings support a textured monochrome style that feels restrained rather than purely stark and graphic.