Recipex-trans-ivMONOCHROME

B&W Negative

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Sample framesStraight out of camera

See how it looks before you set it.

A black and white image of a vintage lamp mounted on a white wall with a security camera nearby.

Black and white urban scene with tall buildings lining a busy street and traffic signals.

A woman in a hijab and a man exchanging something outside a house with a gated entrance.

Two men sitting at a table in a rustic outdoor setting with simple chairs and a textured backdrop.

Unedited JPEGs from x-trans-iv bodies — straight out of camera.

Section 01

Full settings

Enter every value below into a Custom (C1-C7) preset on your camera. The order matches the in-camera Edit/Save Custom Setting menu on x-trans-iv bodies.

Parameter	Value	Copy
Film Simulation	Monochrome
Dynamic Range	DR400
Highlight	0
Shadow	-2
Color	-2
Sharpness	-4
Noise Reduction	0
Clarity	0
Grain Effect	Strong
Grain Size	Small
Color Chrome FX	Strong
Color Chrome FX Blue	Strong
Monochromatic Color	WC 0 / MG 0
White Balance	Custom Kelvin (4000K)
WB Shift	R 0 / B -5
ISO	up to ISO 6400
Exposure Compensation	-1/3 to +2/3

Section 02

Compatibility

Designed for x-trans-iv, x-trans-v and gfx sensors. Tested on the bodies below.

Sensors

Cameras

Shooting notes

When this recipe shines.

This B&W Negative recipe shines in low to moderate lighting, where the strong grain and deep shadows create a gritty texture. It’s perfect for black and white street photography or portraits, but be cautious with exposure; overexposing can wash out the rich blacks. Use the dynamic range set to DR400 to maintain detail in highlights and shadows.

Tune it further

Three tweaks worth trying.

Enhance shadow detail

Adjust the shadow setting to -1 for a slightly brighter shadow area while still preserving depth.

Reduce graininess

Set grain strength to 'Weak' for a smoother image if the strong grain feels overwhelming.

Warm up the tones

Increase the white balance to 4500K for a warmer monochrome effect.

FAQ

About this recipe.

This recipe is ideal for low to moderate light conditions, as the DR400 setting helps retain detail in shadows without losing highlight information.

With shadows set to -2 and highlights at 0, this recipe offers a balanced contrast, ideal for capturing depth without harsh extremes.

Avoid using this recipe for vivid landscapes or bright colorful subjects, as the monochrome simulation may not capture their vibrancy effectively.

The strong grain setting adds a gritty texture, which can enhance the mood in black and white photography but may not be suitable for all styles.

While primarily designed for stills, this recipe can be applied to video; however, consider adjusting settings like sharpness to avoid overly harsh details.

Be careful with exposure; overexposing can lead to loss of detail in the shadows, which is crucial for the gritty look this recipe aims for.

Writing notes for this recipe…