I miss Fuji 1600 every day!

[Joseph Bell]

It's really true! At some point during any given day, perhaps while I'm doing laundry or getting on a bus, I'll think about how much I miss Fuji Superia 1600! I often fantasize about Fuji bringing back my favourite colour film stock, even though of course I know this will not happen. I am a nature photographer, mostly birds, and although Portra 400 is pushable of course, it doesn't sing to me at 1600 like Fuji Superia 1600 did. I also sometimes dream about Kodak holding a press release and announcing their newest film stock: Portra 1600! Ah well, life is for the living, and we're lucky to have the film we have in 2020. Please forgive the impertinence of this post!

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I used it on and off in the 90's while living in Japan. It was a great film. I'll have to dig up those old negatives!

 

[perkeleellinen]

I feel your pain Joseph but all is not lost.

You have all those 1600 negatives. Work through them in the darkroom, find photos you overlooked before, re-print your favourites. You will still miss shooting it, but you will always be able to print it.

 

[abruzzi]

I still have a few rolls in the freezer. I got some great shots with it at 1am on the Neva river around St. Petersburg.

 

[Joseph Bell]

I feel your pain Joseph but all is not lost.

You have all those 1600 negatives. Work through them in the darkroom, find photos you overlooked before, re-print your favourites. You will still miss shooting it, but you will always be able to print it.

Yes! Absolutely! Thank you for the encouragement.

 

[Joseph Bell]

I still have a few rolls in the freezer. I got some great shots with it at 1am on the Neva river around St. Petersburg.

If you have those posted somewhere I'd love to see them...

 

[cmacd123]

higher speed film is on my FILM Ferrannia wish list. at one time they made some of the fastest (although admittedly grainiest) colour films around.

 

[Joseph Bell]

higher speed film is on my FILM Ferrannia wish list. at one time they made some of the fastest (although admittedly grainiest) colour films around.

I'm quite sure many of us are pining for a high speed colour film! I am grateful for the iso3200 black and white films, even if they're not really iso3200!

 

[ericdan]

I used it on and off in the 90's while living in Japan. It was a great film. I'll have to dig up those old negatives!

I still have a roll of Natura 1600 that only expired in Oct 2019.
Is that the same?

 

[MattKing]

I am grateful for the iso3200 black and white films, even if they're not really iso3200!

There not even described as ISO 3200 .

 

[Joseph Bell]

I still have a roll of Natura 1600 that only expired in Oct 2019.
Is that the same?

Indeed! Lucky you!

 

[Joseph Bell]

There not even described as ISO 3200 .

Ha! No, but those are the numbers on the box. Lies!

 

[MattKing]

Ha! No, but those are the numbers on the box. Lies!

No - recommendations.
They are designed to be low contrast films optimized for use when under-exposed and over-developed - thus the recommendation for use at an EI of 3200.
Most films are optimized for use when the exposure and development are targeted toward their inherent ISO speed - but not these.

 

[Agulliver]

I used to use it at gigs, and late evening/night street photography. I definitely miss it. I am aware that Fuji are considering bringing back some axed films but I too doubt this is one of them. The best we have now is the Lomography branded 800, which does work at gigs for me but it's not got the same look to it.

 

[koraks]

I used to use it at gigs

Me too, on occasion. It was a great film producing very nice results under adverse lighting conditions.

 

[Agulliver]

Me too, on occasion. It was a great film producing very nice results under adverse lighting conditions.

Indeed, and Superia was a big improvement over Super G 1600. It rendered rock bands and stage shows lit by multi-coloured lights really well. If I could have one film back, that would be it.

 

[jtk]

Scanned beautifully for B+W.

 

[Joseph Bell]

Indeed, and Superia was a big improvement over Super G 1600. It rendered rock bands and stage shows lit by multi-coloured lights really well. If I could have one film back, that would be it.

O yes I heartily agree!

 

[Agulliver]

A few of my favourite 90s photos on Super G and Superia 1600

Praktica BX20S, Prakticar 50mm f1.8 and CZJ Flektogon 20mm f2.8

 

[Ernst-Jan]

I am aware that Fuji are considering bringing back some axed films but I too doubt this is one of them.

Would it be too difficult to do a run op Superia 1600 every now and then? They could do the same for Reala, Superia 200, 800Z and maybe even Provia 400x or Astia if it goes on the same machinery.

But let them first reintroduced 160NS in Europe/outside Japan.

 

[Chan Tran]

I used it but I don't miss it. I now only use low speed film. For high ISO I would use digital.

 

[Agulliver]

I don't know if it is feasible to do short runs of various different films. That is what Film Ferrania eventually hope to do but their machinery is on a much smaller scale than Fuji's. I understand that Kodak have modified their production to achieve something like this. Fuji haven't yet, as far as we are aware....though they are quite secretive regarding their operations as is the way in Japan. Any new or resurrected product is welcome. I don't think 1600ISO C41 film is likely to be one of the first lines they consider reintroducing. But I'd certainly welcome it. While digital can certainly be used, it's not the same. The photos I still shoot at gigs to this day on 800ISO colour film look distinctive and very different to those shot on digital. I like having the option to use film. I do often shoot gigs with both and the film certainly looks distinctive.

Not that I am shooting gigs right now....my local club has closed and big events are being cancelled.