X Raw Studio: How to process Fujifilm Raw files on your computer with genuine Fujifilm processing

Image: Fujifilm

One of the big attractions of Fujifilm cameras is the company’s Film Simulations that purport to mimic various film stocks. For many, these simulations are part of the core value proposition of a Fujifilm camera.

Many Fujifilm shooters are happy using out-of-camera JPEG images. If you also capture Raw files, you retain the option to reprocess those images in-camera. However, to process Raw files on a computer, or batch-process Raw photos, most users turn to third-party software like Adobe Camera Raw or Capture One, which include color profiles meant to mimic the original Fujifilm look.

Mimic is the key word here: those programs do reasonably well at approximating Fujifilm colors. However, even if the colors are close, there may still be differences in tone curves, noise reduction, or even simulated film grain. Additionally, they’re not as well optimized for Fujifilm’s non-standard demosaicing, nor do they always understand how to interpret the camera’s DR modes correctly.

The image above is the original out-of-camera image using the Provia film simulation. Photo: Dale Baskin

This is the same image reprocessed using X Raw Studio. I switched to the Astia film simulation and adjusted other parameters, including the color chrome effect (blue), shadow tone, and push/pull processing. At each step, I was able to preview the impact of any changes. The entire process took about 30 seconds. Photo: Dale Baskin

Fortunately, there is a computer-based software solution that gets the Fujifilm look exactly right, and I’m always amazed by how few Fujifilm users even know it exists: Fujifilm’s own X Raw Studio software. And it’s available for free.

What is X Raw Studio?

A few weeks ago, I chatted with an enthusiast photographer who loves the images from his Fujifilm camera. His one frustration, he told me, was having to reprocess Raw photos in-camera one at a time if he wanted to make adjustments.

Converted from Fujifilm Raw file in X Raw Studio. Photo: Dale Baskin

This is exactly where X Raw Studio comes in, and it solves this problem.

Instead of using your computer’s hardware and third-party software to mimic Fujifilm’s processing, X Raw Studio uses the image processor inside your camera to process Raw files. This means you can reprocess Raw images using Fujifilm’s own film simulations and processing algorithms rather than another vendor’s approximations.

“X Raw Studio uses the image processor inside your camera to process Raw files.”

The one catch? Since the camera performs the processing, you must connect the camera to your computer via USB to use X Raw Studio.

Using X Raw Studio

X Raw Studio is easy to use and can be downloaded from Fujifilm. All Fujifilm cameras from recent years should be compatible, but you can find a complete list of supported models on Fujifilm’s website. You’ll need to set the PC Connection Mode on your camera to ‘USB Raw Conversion’.

Once you’ve done that, simply launch X Raw Studio on your computer, turn on your camera, connect it using a USB cable, and you’re ready to go.

It’s important to understand what X Raw Studio is and what it is not.

X Raw Studio is basically a desktop interface for the in-camera Raw conversion function on your camera. It allows you to convert Raw files saved on your computer using a tethered camera. It’s not a full-featured image editor like Photoshop, Lightroom, or Capture One. You won’t find extra tools like layers, masks or local adjustments.

The X Raw Studio interface should feel pretty familiar if you’ve used any other photo processing software. Note the Raw processing parameters in the right-side panel.

The X Raw Studio interface should feel familiar if you’ve used any other photo processing software: a left panel with file browser and image info, a right panel with processing parameters and a strip of thumbnail images across the bottom. The currently selected image appears in the center.

If you look closely at the processing parameters, you’ll notice that they are exactly the same Raw conversion parameters available in-camera. One advantage of using X Raw Studio to adjust these parameters is that it updates the image preview in real time as settings are changed, giving you instant feedback. You’ll know exactly what your image will look like with each change.

The ‘Convert’ button at the bottom of the right pane will process your image using whatever settings you’ve selected and save the processed image as either JPEG or TIFF format. Remember, however, that all processing takes place in the camera, not on the computer, so the TIFF option is only available if your Fujifilm camera model supports it.

These are the Raw conversion parameters I see when using X Raw Studio to convert Raw images from my Fujifilm X100V. They’re the same parameters I can change when processing Raw files in-camera.

There are a couple of handy features. First, custom settings saved on the camera are available in X Raw Studio. So, if you’ve saved custom settings based on your own preferences or entered settings to create alternative ‘film recipes’ published by other Fujifilm users, they will be available to convert images singly or in batches. If you find a collection of settings that you like, you can also save them back to the custom settings menu on your camera to make them accessible when shooting.

Additionally, you can save groups of settings you’ve created in X Raw Studio as User Profiles. They’re essentially the same as a group of custom settings, but they live in X Raw Studio rather than being saved to the camera.

Limitations and use

X Raw Studio isn’t without limitations. Primarily, it’s camera dependent: you must have your camera with you and connected to your computer to use it.

Since X Raw Studio uses your camera to process Raw files, you’ll see this message until your camera is connected.

Also, it’s only possible to reprocess images using the same camera model used to capture the original photo. If you have multiple Fujifilm cameras, you’ll need the right one on hand in order to process images from each.

Who’s it for?

X Raw Studio will be most helpful to photographers who want to adjust and convert more than a handful of photos to JPEG files. However, it’s also an excellent tool for the film recipe crowd as it allows you to quickly apply custom settings to a group of images.

You could also use X Raw Studio to generate files for downstream editing if you have a Fujifilm camera that supports 16-bit TIFF output, like the X-Pro3.

However, its biggest advantage, true in-camera processing, is its biggest drawback. The camera needs to be with you when using the software.

If you mainly want to adjust and reprocess images from a Fujifilm camera using genuine Fujifilm processing, X Raw Studio may be the only software you ever need. However, it’s not a one-stop solution for all editing needs. Fortunately, great third-party options exist for more complex processing and editing tasks.