Fujifilm Venus 800 axed

[Huss]

https://emulsive.org/reviews/blind-...omography-color-negative-800-35mm#conclusions

 

[Henning Serger]

It's not so surprising, as no ISO 800/30° was on Fujifilm's film programme published last Photokina (biggest photo fair worldwide).
There Fujifilm made a very clear statement that they will continue standard film (non-instax) production. See attachment, that is their published statement.
This commitment to film was repeated by Fujifilm North America on the WPPI in Las Vegas this February.

But there are also some further Fuji films not listed in that statement, but available in certain markets (e.g. Velvia 50 in 4x5", Pro160NS 120, Industrial 100 135-36).
What is currently unknown is whether this published list (Photokina) is
- the film programme of all the films which are available globally, in all markets
or
- the complete film programme being produced for the coming years.
Maybe even Fujifilm itself doesn't know at this moment. Because if for example the demand for 160NS is significantly increasing this year, they perhaps continue production. Who knows.
I know from my talks with them at last Photokina that they've had an unexpectedly strong demand increase in Germany in 2018. Backorders for several hundred thousand rolls of film (demand surpassing supply). So that they had to increase their forecasts for 2019 significantly (double digit).
By the way, the same happened to Kodak Alaris in Germany. Fuji and Kodak in Germany together have had backorders of more than 1 million films in 2018. And there are countries in which the film revival is stronger compard to Germany (e.g. the NA market). But - unfortunately for Fujifilm - their home market Japan ist still relatively weak with demand problems.

Fujifilm is a very demand driven company. They generally do react positively to increasing demand. But it takes time, because they are a huge company. They are like an oil tank ship, which also needs lots of time to change direction. So the best solution is
- to show demand by buying the Fuji films
- to get in contact with them and showing interest/demand, and giving them feedback; e.g. via their social media accounts: https://www.instagram.com/fujifilm_profilm/?hl=de

And there is also some hope concerning a new Fujifilm BW film:

Instagram Link

I've recently had a very long talk with the responsible Fujifilm film manager in my home country and he confirmed that Fujifilm is indeed seriously evaluating the possibility of a new BW film. But no final decision made yet.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

I've recently had a very long talk with the responsible Fujifilm film manager in my home country and he confirmed that Fujifilm is indeed seriously evaluating the possibility of a new BW film. But no final decision made yet.

Sometimes positive developments fortunately happen even faster than expected. The decision is made :
https://www.fujifilm.co.jp/corporate/news/articleffnr_1430.html

But back to topic: Fujifilms ISO 800/30° film options, or their current lack of.
Superia 800 or Venus 800 can be replaced by the following 3 methods:
1. Use Superia X-Tra 400 (or Pro400H) in combination with one of the modern, much improved higher speed lenses (with 1,4 or 1,2 max. aperture). In former times with the older lenses you mostly had to stop down 1-3 stops to get reasonable performance. Most older lenses were relatively weak at open aperture. With the new and improved lens designs you often get good to very good performance already at max. aperture or only one stop stopped down. So you gain 1-2 stops with the new lens designs which means you can often use lower speed films with higher resolution and finer grain instead of higher speed films.
2. Use Superia X-Tra 400 exposed at EI 800/30° with a one stop push in processing. X-Tra 400 handles a one-stop push quite well. Advantages of that option compared to Superia 800 / Venus 800:
+ higher resolution
+ better sharpness
+ finer grain.
Disadvantages:
- less shadow detail
- higher contrast
3. Use Superia X-Tra 400 (or Pro400H) in addition with a fill-in flash instead of Superia 800 / Venus 800. One stop difference can be absolutely easily replaced by a fill-in flash. The look is so subtle that you even won't recognize that a flash was used in the final picture. Especially if modern cameras and flash systems are used. These do an absolutely outstanding job in fill-in lighting and contrast management.
Advantages:
+ higher resolution
+ better sharpness
+ finer grain
+ better shadow detail (because the fill-in flash has more power in the shadows).
And of course option 2 and 3 can also be combined with option 1.

Therefore: Those photographers who are aware of the different alternatives and methods will not be much affected by this (current) discontinuation.
And for all those who really need / want Superia 800 / Venus 800 (back):
Fujifilm is a mainly demand driven company. If the demand is increasing in a sustainable way, they will react. That means: The higher the demand for C200, X-Tra 400 and Pro 400H, the more likely (or the sooner) will be a new or reintroduced ISO 800/30° colour negative film. Therefore keep shooting the current Fuji films.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Nzoomed]

Anyway, we can keep shooting Portra 800, and Ferrania are planning to release some films even higher speed in E6 and C41 eventually

 

[Ste_S]

Anyway, we can keep shooting Portra 800, and Ferrania are planning to release some films even higher speed in E6 and C41 eventually

Also Lomo (Kodak) 800

 

[Huss]

Don't miss Fuji 800. Shooting Lomo 800 and loving it.

 

[Huss]

Same roll, Lomo 800