Classic Cuban Negative Recipe on Sony cameras?
- Veres Deni Alex
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
There's one Fujifilm recipe that made waves in 2024 - Classic Cuban Negative by @osanbilgi. This recipe is well-known for its nostalgic, slightly desaturated, yet warm, vintage tones. Aaand after experimenting a bit - I was able to recreate the Classic Cuban Negative recipe on Sony cameras by using the Creative Looks menu.
So from now on - you'll be able to get this signature look on your Sony, without having to post-process your images. In this article, I’ll break down how I achieved this, what settings to use, and how it compares to Fujifilm’s version.
What Is Classic Cuban Negative?
Classic Cuban Negative is a film simulation originally created by @osanbilgi. It's inspired by the warm, slightly faded tones typical of vintage travel photography, giving images an old-school documentary feel. Kinda' resembling classic film stocks used in the past.
The color palette is muted yet rich, with soft contrast, warm highlights, and a subtle greenish tint in the shadows—giving photos that timeless, nostalgic character.
This look works wonders for street photography, portraiture, and travel shots, where a softer, filmic aesthetic is desired.
Classic Cuban Negative recipe on Sony a6700
In my experiments, I found the FL Creative Look to come closest to Fuji's Classic Negative, so that's the one I used as a base for this recipe. Older cameras don't have this creative look!
Creative Look FL
Contrast +3
Highlights -3
Shadows -7
Fade 2
Saturation +6
Sharpness 0
Sharpness range 1
Clarity 0
AWB A3
Or if you prefer a fixed Kelvin Value.
Kelvin 4600-A7
Dynamic Range Auto
I also recommend pairing this setup with a diffusion filter to soften the image, giving it a more organic, film-like look.
Classic Cuban Negative - Fujifilm X-T5 vs Sony a6700
While Fujifilm’s color science is often considered superior, Sony’s version of Classic Cuban Negative comes close, again debunking the negative stigma around Sony colors. To give you a better idea, here's a comparison between Fujifilm's X-T5 and Sony's a6700.
Fujifilm X-T5 vs Sony a6700
Cuban Negative
There will always be differences, of course. Fuji’s Classic Neg has a built-in color shift—blue-tinted shadows and red-tinted highlights—so exposure directly affects the final look. Underexpose, and your shadows will get even bluer. Overexpose, and your highlights will take on a pinkish hue.
Sony, on the other hand, keeps things neutral in both shadows and highlights, providing a more predictable color response regardless of exposure.
Why Fixed White Balance is Better Than Auto WB
Most Fujifilm film recipes rely on Auto White Balance (AWB), while Sony's film simulations are often based on custom WB settings to ensure consistent colors and reliability.
Cuban Negative Sony a6700 - Photos taken one after another with AWB
Why does this matter? Because AWB constantly shifts colors—even from one second to another.
When you use AWB, your camera automatically decides the Kelvin temperature for each shot, adjusting it every millisecond to achieve what it thinks is the most accurate result. This means you can take the same shot twice, seconds apart, and one will look warmer while the other appears cooler. Frustrating, right?
While AWB seems convenient at first, it becomes a hassle when you constantly have to tweak the color filter to maintain warmth as the WB keeps shifting. At that point, it’s no longer convenient at all.
That’s exactly why, in my recipes, I use a fixed Kelvin value—ensuring consistent colors without the unpredictability of AWB. This way, you can focus on shooting without worrying about white balance shifts, only adjusting it when there’s a major light change (like transitioning from day to night).
And, of course, Fuji fans will say, "That’s just a Sony problem!"—but it’s not. Any camera that relies on AWB will have the same issue. You point your camera towards a yellow wall, it will try to balance it out. It’s simply how automatic white balance works across all brands. The camera is constantly recalculating WB based on the scene, which leads to inconsistent colors. Whether you’re using Fuji, Sony, Canon, or Nikon, the moment you let AWB take control, you’re at the mercy of its ever-changing decisions.
That’s why using a fixed Kelvin value is the best way to maintain color consistency and avoid unnecessary corrections in post.
More SOOC with the Classic Cuban Negative Creative Look
Does This Recipe Measure Up to the Original Classic Cuban Negative?
Sony cameras may not have the built-in film simulations like Fujifilm, but with the Creative Look feature (or the Picture Profile menu), you can create your own unique film styles. By adjusting contrast, color balance, and shadows, I was able to replicate the Classic Cuban Negative look on Sony cameras—giving you a quick way to achieve a vintage aesthetic in-camera.
Give this recipe a try and let me know how it works for you! Feel free to tweak the settings based on your shooting conditions, and don’t forget to experiment with white balance to fine-tune the tone.
Like this recipe? Share the article - it really helps!
P.S. - Want to experiment with the Picture Profile menu? Grab the full PDF pack and get 70+ film simulations for Sony cameras!
What a great recipe!
I'll be honest I had never heard of that film.
Will this recipe be added to our PDFs?