Difficulty
Intermediate
X-Trans VReala AceColour4 photos
Expired Reala Warmth Recipe
Expired Reala Warmth recreates the nostalgic drift of old colour film, soft, grainy and gently shifted.
Film simulation
Reala Ace
Tested on
X-E5
Sample frames
4
The lookWhy this one earns a slot
Expired Reala Warmth imagines a roll of consumer colour film shot long past its date. Reala Ace provides a natural, faithful base, and the recipe then ages it: a warm Kelvin setting nudged towards magenta-blue introduces the slightly off, dreamy colour drift typical of expired stock. Colour saturation is lowered, so tones feel faded rather than vivid, while highlights are held back for soft skies and shadows are deepened for density. Softened micro-contrast and large, strong grain complete the effect, giving images a gentle, tactile quality. Because Reala Ace handles skin so gracefully, the look is especially kind to portraits and everyday moments, where faces stay natural beneath the vintage cast. Bright exposure compensation keeps the frame airy, like a slightly overexposed print, and quiet daily scenes gain a warm, remembered feel.
The settingsThe recipe
Reala Ace · X-Trans V
- Film Simulation
- Reala Ace
- Dynamic Range
- DR400
- White Balance
- Custom Kelvin, 6700K, +1 R / +4 B
- Highlight
- −1.5
- Shadow
- +1.5
- Color
- −2
- Sharpness
- −2
- Noise Reduction
- −4
- Clarity
- −3
- Grain
- Strong, Large
- Color Chrome Effect
- Strong
- Color Chrome FX Blue
- Strong
- ISO
- 6400
- Exposure Comp.
- +2/3 to +1 1/3
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 Reala Ace.
- Enter each value from the settings above, then save the slot.
- Select that slot to shoot Expired Reala Warmth JPEGs straight out of camera.
Sample framesShot on this recipe
Notes & caveatsWhat it nails, what to watch
What it nails
- Reala Ace base keeps skin tones natural beneath the drift.
- Faded colour and bright exposure feel like old prints.
- Large grain adds soft, tactile texture to daily scenes.
What to watch
- High-contrast scenes can lose the gentle, faded character.
- Bright exposure compensation risks clipping already-bright skies.
- Needs Reala Ace, so older bodies cannot use it.
Explore similar
PortraitsSkin tonesDaily
CompatibilityWill it work on your camera?
Tested across the X-Trans V and GFX generations — compatibility is defined by sensor, so any body on these generations can run it.
Best forWhen to reach for it
Expired Reala Warmth is made for portraits, everyday moments and daily-life scenes in soft or open light, where its gentle drift flatters skin. Avoid high-contrast scenes: deep shadows and bright highlights can clash with the faded, overexposed character the recipe relies on.
Best for
Scenes and subjects this recipe is tuned for.
PortraitsSkin tonesDaily
Less suited to
Where another look will likely serve you better.
High-contrast scenes
Frequently asked questions
Which cameras support Expired Reala Warmth?
It needs Reala Ace, available on X-Trans V bodies such as the X-T5, X-H2, X-S20, X-T50, X-M5, X-E5 and X100VI, plus GFX100 II, GFX100S II and GFX100RF.
Is Expired Reala Warmth good for portraits?
Yes. Reala Ace renders skin naturally, and the faded colour, soft contrast and grain give portraits a warm, nostalgic film feel.
Why use positive exposure compensation with this recipe?
Exposing slightly bright mimics the airy, overexposed look of expired film prints and keeps the faded palette light rather than muddy.
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