Can You Get the Classic Chrome Recipe on Sony Cameras?
Classic Chrome is one of the most loved Fuji base film simulations - and you can also get it on your Sony camera.
Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome is a go-to for photographers who love that nostalgic, documentary-style look. Launched in 2014, it’s inspired by the look of old-school chrome films that were big in photojournalism back in the day. It’s not a direct copy of any one film, but it goes for a cinematic feeling—muted tones and relaxed blues.
Why is Classic Chrome so Popular?
One of the defining features of Classic Chrome is its desaturated color palette. Unlike other Fujifilm simulations, such as Velvia or Provia, which are known for their vivid colors and high saturation, Classic Chrome leans towards a more subdued look. This makes it an excellent choice for capturing scenes with a vintage nostalgic feel. The simulation retains some vibrancy in blues, shifting them slightly towards cyan, which adds depth and character to landscapes and portraits alike. Photographers often appreciate how Classic Chrome can transform everyday scenes into visually compelling stories. The cooler tones and unique color shifts help convey emotions and atmospheres that resonate with viewers, making it particularly effective for street photography and documentary work.
Classic Chrome stands out for its desaturated color palette. Unlike other Fuji film simulations, like Velvia or Provia, which crank up the saturation, Classic Chrome keeps things more muted for a subtle, nostalgic feel. It still gives blues a bit of a boost, shifting them toward cyan for extra depth in landscapes and portraits.
With Classic Chrome, versatility is the name of the game
And it's super versatile. Whether you’re shooting urban scenes, portraits, or landscapes, Classic Chrome has a way of making everything feel intentional—like a still from a well-shot documentary. It strips away overly saturated colors, so the focus stays on the moment, the composition, and the story.
Classic Chrome handles light like a champ, whether you’re shooting in bright sun or under moody, overcast skies. That flexibility makes it a solid choice for all kinds of photography—weddings, travel, lifestyle, you name it. Portrait photographers especially love it because it keeps skin tones soft and natural while still holding onto detail in highlights and shadows. It’s got just enough contrast to add depth without feeling too heavy, making it a go-to for those who want a clean yet cinematic look.
It’s one of those looks that doesn’t call too much attention to itself—but that’s exactly why it works so well.
Classic Chrome is also a great starting point for custom film recipes. A lot of photographers tweak it to match their own style—dialing in contrast, saturation, or sharpness to get just the right look. It’s flexible enough to be pushed in different directions while still keeping that signature, understated charm.
Classic Chrome vs. Other Fujifilm Simulations
Compared to other Fujifilm film simulations, Classic Chrome sits in a unique spot. Classic Neg leans heavily into a film-like, contrasty look with distinctive color shifts, while Classic Chrome stays more neutral and muted. It strikes a nice balance between digital and film aesthetics, making it a great all-around choice.
If you're after bold, punchy colors—like a sunset that really pops—Velvia is the way to go. However, if you're aiming for a more subdued look that evokes nostalgia or documentary-style imagery, Nostalgic Neg or Classic Chrome would be ideal.
How to Get the Classic Chrome recipe on Sony with Creative Looks
The JPEGs in this blog post were shot using a custom Classic Chrome picture profile. But some people prefer to keep things simple.
They don’t want to mess with picture profile menus, fine-tune settings, or tweak colors—they just want a plug-and-play creative look recipe that comes close to Fuji's Classic Chrome.
So I made a free recipe.
Sony Classic Chrome - Creative Look Recipe
Creative Look: Portrait
Contrast +5
Highlights 0
Shadows -9
Fade 0
Saturation -3
Sharpness 0
Sharpness rage1
Clarity 0
White Balance: AWB B1-M1
The Portrait Creative Look is a solid starting point for getting that Classic Chrome feel—without the hassle of diving into Sony’s Picture Profile menu. It won’t be a perfect match, but it nails a similar vibe. If you want something even closer, though, you’ll need to use Picture Profiles.
Personally, I prefer Picture Profiles over Creative Looks because they give me full control to tweak each recipe exactly how I want. For those who want to get as close as possible to Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome, I’ve crafted a Picture Profile that replicates it with precision—it’s part of the full PDF Pack.
Comparing Sony Classic Chrome recipe vs Fujifilm Classic Chrome
In this section, I’m diving into a direct color comparison between my Fujifilm X-T5 Classic Chrome and my Sony a6700 with a custom Picture Profile. This way, you can see for yourself just how close the Sony version comes to Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome. These results are based on the base settings you will find in the PDF pack, and it’s pretty impressive how closely they match. Later in the post, I’ll be adjusting the settings to suit my personal taste, tweaking the colors for some subtle variations of the same recipe.
Sony Classic Chrome film recipe vs Fujifilm Classic Chrome
Sony a6700 vs Fuji X-T5
The Sony Classic Chrome film simulation closely matches Fujifilm's base recipe when used with the Sony a6700, with one key difference: the yellows and greens are more saturated on the Sony, giving it a warmer look. Despite this, the overall look is still remarkably similar between the two brands—all achieved through in-camera adjustments. This means you can get a Fujifilm-like color without needing to dive into post-processing. If you’re looking for a film simulation that captures Fuji's Classic Chrome essence while still making use of Sony’s unique characteristics, this is a solid option.
What’s great is that this whole process stays in-camera, letting you achieve Fuji-like colors just by using custom Sony picture profiles.
Newer Sony camera models (released in the same year) share very similar color science, so you’ll see minimal differences in the final look if you own a more recent model. This makes it easier to maintain consistency across devices. However, if you're working with older models—especially those from 2-5+ years ago—you’ll likely notice some color differences, mainly in the blues and reds.
At the time I wrote this article, these recipes were calibrated for the Sony a6700. If you’re using an older model (from 2-5+ years ago), your colors might not line up exactly with what’s shown here. Sony has continually updated its color science, and older cameras have a different setup. You might need to adjust a bit to get a similar look. I've written a couple of detailed blog posts on this topic that could help you out—check them out here, and here! They’ll walk you through matching colors across different Sony models more closely.
You can get the Classic Chrome and explore many more film recipes on your Sony camera, by following the link below
Tips for Using Classic Chrome
To get the most out of Classic Chrome, consider these tips:
Play with Lighting: Try using Classic Chrome in different lighting conditions to see how it shifts the vibe of your images. Early morning or late afternoon light, for example, can really bring out that nostalgic, cinematic feel.
Customize Your Settings: Don’t be afraid to tweak things like contrast, saturation, or temperature to match your style. Small adjustments can make a big difference and help you get the exact look you’re going for.
Experiment with Exposure: I always focus on how I want my subject to come across when exposing a shot. Sometimes, I choose to underexpose, while other times I may overexpose. Just like color and contrast, exposure is an essential tool for visual expression.
Samples of Classic Chrome simulation for Sony cameras
All images are straight out of camera JPGs
Shot on the Sony a6700 and Tamron 28-70mm f2.8
Sony Classic Chrome with Warmer settings
Simply raise the Kelvin to add more warmth into the image.
Final Thoughts
Fujifilm’s Classic Chrome is one of Fuji’s most beloved film simulations—and one of the most wanted film recipe for Sony cameras. Its desaturated tones, subtle blues, and versatility make it perfect for a variety of styles and subjects. Whether you’re capturing candid street moments or crafting stunning portraits, Classic Chrome brings a nostalgic vibe while still feeling fresh and modern.
As you dive deeper into using this film simulation, keep in mind that experimentation is key. Play around with settings and lighting to make the look your own. With its rich character and storytelling power, it’s a simulation that’s bound to become a staple in your creative toolkit!
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