Acros II RELEASED!

[ericdan]

I translated the announcement into English but saw nothing to indicate price or distribution schedule. Is there anything on this with respect of the U.K.?

Thanks

pentaxuser

check again. look for this:
2. 発売日 (Sale starts)
2019年11月22日
3. 価格
オープン価格 (open price)

 

[ericdan]

check again. look for this:
2. 発売日 (Sale starts)
2019年11月22日
3. 価格
オープン価格 (open price)

*Only sold in Japan for "now".
I can ship some over if you want. (at cost, just pay shipping and payment fees)

 

[GLS]

I pre-ordered mine from Yodobashi. Will ship on the 22nd.

Be sure to post a review here

 

[GLS]

By the way, here is the official statement from Fujifilm North America:
https://www.fujifilmusa.com/press/news/display_news?newsID=881726

"ACROS II will offer slightly higher contrast gradation in highlight areas when compared to the conventional ACROS film"

Sounds like the shoulder will be even more gentle than Acros, which is already exceptional in this regard.

 

[Sal Santamaura]

Fuji, cut it into sheets for crissakes!

No, please don't. I'm not interested in any acetate-based 35mm or roll film "cut into sheets." However, I did correspond directly with Fuji in Japan requesting that it coat the new emulsion on a polyester base, then cut up and sell that in sheets. I also implored Fuji to not include the damn drying hook hole that intrudes into image area this time.

For good measure, and a laugh, my final "ask" was that Fuji also offer 4x5 ACROS II in QuickLoad packets.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

No, please don't. I'm not interested in any acetate-based 35mm or roll film "cut into sheets." However, I did correspond directly with Fuji in Japan requesting that it coat the new emulsion on a polyester base, then cut up and sell that in sheets. I also implored Fuji to not include the damn drying hook hole that intrudes into image area this time.

For good measure, and a laugh, my final "ask" was that Fuji also offer 4x5 ACROS II in QuickLoad packets.

One of the reasons I enjoy working with sheet film is that it is on a good stable polyester base that stays put in the enlarger, or am I the only one to inadvertently launched strips of 35mm and 120 into flight around the darkroom?

 

[fdonadio]

I pre-ordered mine from Yodobashi. Will ship on the 22nd.

I bought from @B.S.Kumar and am anxiously waiting.

 

[Prest_400]

Was doing a late round of IG browsing and stumbled upon this story, Japan being on the 22nd already.
Interesting surprise

(Crossposted in RFF)

 

[Oren Grad]

"ACROS II will offer slightly higher contrast gradation in highlight areas when compared to the conventional ACROS film"

Sounds like the shoulder will be even more gentle than Acros, which is already exceptional in this regard.

On the contrary, they are saying that highlight contrast will be steeper, not shallower.

The set on the top is Acros I, on the bottom is Acros II. The Acros II curve set on the left is for Fujifilm Microfine developer.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I can't wait to buy a bunch when I'm over there!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

So... the film was made in the UK?

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Apparently it is. I don't think there any other UK based film company that could coat a modern grain style film. I am not surprised, Fuji was quite adamant that with the end of Neopan 400 that at that point they couldn't see making any more film and after all those master rolls of Acros V.1 eventually were used up they were fine with letting all black and white products disappear no matter the profit margin.
Its obvious that Fuji like "Kodak" (Alaris) got caught on the wrong side of the film demand thinking that there was no appeal anymore for analog photography, and either ceasing film production or creating new former users by cutting corners on the 120 backing paper. With the typical old guy point of view nobody asked the kids; the most enthusiastic film photographers I meet in person and via social media are all under 32 and are thirsty for an authentic film experience.
The fact that Fuji would outsource in order to avoid actual production of the product (and the lost of that high profit margin) says a lot to me. I think they went to Ilford in order to create Acros quickly until their own Master rolls could hit the market, if they didnt totally dismantle the coating machines).
The fact that its made at Ilford is a plus for me. Looking forward to a proper test.

 

[MattKing]

Maybe it is re-badged Kentmere 100 ?

 

[GLS]

On the contrary, they are saying that highlight contrast will be steeper, not shallower.

Yes sorry, I wasn't very clear there. I meant the straight line portion of the curve would be even longer, in effect.

The contrast bump seems to be even bigger with D76, interestingly.

 

[foc]

So... the film was made in the UK?

Normally the box would say "Made in EU" but with Brexit coming and going it was probably safer to say "Made in UK"

So Harman Ilford is making the film for Fuji, just like they did with 400CN. It really shows that Ilford is the experts in making B&W film.

 

[ericdan]

Holy crap. Fuji made in the UK.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

From Fuji's description it sound like their own technology still, so presumably Harman can make the emulsion to the Fuji spec, and it isn't just another Harman originated "own label".

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Good for Fuji, good for Ilford/Harman. Great for us!

I ordered my first 4 rolls of Ortho+ in 120 from Freestyle and will be testing it out in my Hy6 Mod 2. I will likely wait until Acros II is available from traditional dealers before I buy some. Though it's a great film for enlarging, I still wish it was made in 8x10 as it is an equally great film for contact printing.

 

[dutchsteammachine]

Holy crap. Fuji made in the UK.

I didn't know Ilford could make/coat Fuji E particle technology film?

 

[dutchsteammachine]

On the contrary, they are saying that highlight contrast will be steeper, not shallower.

The set on the top is Acros I, on the bottom is Acros II. The Acros II curve set on the left is for Fujifilm Microfine developer.

View attachment 235052 View attachment 235053

Can you link us to the complete Acros II data sheet?

[edit]
Got it!: https://fujifilm.jp/support/filmandcamera/download/pack/pdf/datasheet/ff_neopan100acros2_135_001.pdf

Looks like it has retained its wonderful reciprocity failure characteristic.

 

[GLS]

Looks like it has retained its wonderful reciprocity failure characteristic.

This was my main concern. Great news

 

[twelvetone12]

I thought it was very difficult to "port" films to different manufacture plants? If they managed to do this in one year or so let's hope they are willing to maybe maybe to think about Neopan 400 or 1600....

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I thought it was very difficult to "port" films to different manufacture plants? If they managed to do this in one year or so let's hope they are willing to maybe maybe to think about Neopan 400 or 1600....

I'd love to see 1600 come back.

 

[GarageBoy]

Surprised that Harman is not worried about a cannibalizing their own product

Can't wait til we see the first samples (from experienced reviewers)

 

[foc]

Surprised that Harman is not worried about a cannibalizing their own product

Fuji have had a business relationship before with Ilford and besides Harman Technology offer contract coating and manufacturing so it's natural for them to be able to provide a service to Fuji. Like any business arrangement, if the price is right then we do business.
I don't think it will have any repercussions for Ilford products, Ilford is a very strong brand with a wide range of products.
In manufacturing in general, this type of relationship happens very often.
Is this a sign of things to come, one specialist B&W coater & manufacturer for all the brands.
Could this concept spread to C41 & E6?