X-Trans VNostalgic Neg.Colour4 photos

Retro Summer Recipe

Capture the essence of a sunlit, nostalgic summer day.

Fuji Pic StudioTested on real gear · X-E5 · Updated October 19, 2026

Unlock in the app

A vintage red car with a shiny chrome bumper parked under colorful flags against a clear sky.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Film simulation

Nostalgic Neg.

Tested on

X-E5

Sample frames

The lookWhy this one earns a slot

Retro Summer delivers a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic that recalls endless sunny days and carefree afternoons. With a gentle nod to the classic filmic era, this recipe bathes your images in a soft, golden glow, enhancing the vibrancy of colours while retaining a nostalgic feel. The highlights are tender, delivering a subtle halo effect that softens the overall image. Shadows are slightly muted, giving depth without harsh contrast. The use of a cool WB shift lends a dreamy, almost pastel-like quality to the skies, while the small grain size adds a filmic texture without overpowering detail. Ideal for capturing the essence of travel adventures, it evokes a sense of timelessness, perfect for immortalising those fleeting, sun-drenched moments.

The settingsThe recipe

Nostalgic Neg. · X-Trans V

Premium recipe

Unlock the full recipe

The white balance, tone curve, grain and ISO for Retro Summer are part of Fuji Pic Premium. Get them in the app, then load the recipe straight onto your camera.

App Store Google Play

Free to download · iPhone and Android

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 Nostalgic Neg..
Enter each value from the recipe's card in the Fuji Pic app, then save the slot.
Select that slot to shoot Retro Summer JPEGs straight out of camera.

Sample framesShot on this recipe

Modern architecture with palm trees under a hazy sky, featuring unique canopy structures. — Architecture · Urban · Golden Hour

A sunny outdoor cafe scene with picnic tables and chairs on green grass. — Architecture · Outdoor · Golden Hour

Urban scene featuring modern architecture with a distinctive building and palm trees under a hazy sky. — Architecture · Urban · Golden Hour

Notes & caveatsWhat it nails, what to watch

What it nails

Warm, nostalgic tones
Soft, golden-hour highlights
Vibrant, yet subtle colours
Film-like grain texture

What to watch

Muted shadows can lose detail
Cool WB may shift skin tones
Not ideal for harsh midday light

Explore similar

VintageFadedTravel

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.

Tested sensors & cameras

X-Trans V GFX X-E5 X-H2 X-H2S X-M5 X-S20 X-T30-III X-T5 X-T50 X100VI GFX100-II GFX100RF GFX100S-II

Best forWhen to reach for it

Retro Summer shines in golden-hour light, bringing warmth and vibrancy to landscapes, nature, and travel scenes. It excels in creating a nostalgic feel, but might not be the best choice for sharp, modern architecture or subjects requiring crisp detail. Capture the essence of a sunlit, carefree day.

Best for

Scenes and subjects this recipe is tuned for.

VintageFadedTravel

Less suited to

Where another look will likely serve you better.

Sharp modern subjects

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

Which cameras support Retro Summer?

Retro Summer is designed for X-Trans V and GFX cameras. Compatible bodies include the X-E5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-M5, X-S20, X-T30 III, X-T5, X-T50, X100VI, GFX100 II, GFX100RF, and GFX100S II, giving the recipe broad coverage across current Fujifilm generations.

What tones does Retro Summer produce?

Retro Summer produces warm, nostalgic tones with vibrant colours and a soft, film-like texture. Its character suits sunlit outdoor scenes particularly well, giving a relaxed café setting a gentle golden feel while adding a vintage quality to colourful subjects such as classic cars and bright outdoor details.

Is Retro Summer good for studio portraits?

Retro Summer is better suited to natural light and travel scenes than studio portraits. Its warm rendering, soft highlights, muted shadows, and golden-hour character are particularly effective outdoors, where sunlight and open surroundings complement the recipe's relaxed, nostalgic feel more naturally than controlled studio lighting.

What scenes suit Retro Summer besides travel?

Beyond travel photography, Retro Summer works well for sunny urban and leisure scenes where its warm, nostalgic character can shape the atmosphere. Modern architecture, palm-lined surroundings, outdoor cafés, and relaxed city settings can all benefit from its soft rendering, particularly when the light has a warm or hazy quality.

Why are the full Retro Summer settings locked?

Retro Summer is a FujiPic Pro recipe, so the complete set of 15 settings is available through the Pro tier. The Film Simulation, compatibility information, and the recipe's described visual character remain available, while unlocking Pro provides access to every setting needed to recreate the full recipe.