More GOOD news from Fuji

[digiconvert]

I've not seen this mentioned elsewhere (forgive me if it has been) but Fuji are launching a new Provia as well as the much vaunted return of Velvia 50.
See http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/professional/e-news/2007.02.htm for details.

:

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Bad news in the sheep's clothing, perhaps? That says that the more saturated Provia 400X, which I think is already available in some markets, will replace the more neutral 400F, which I happen to like just fine thank you.

 

[digiconvert]

Bad news in the sheep's clothing, perhaps? That says that the more saturated Provia 400X, which I think is already available in some markets, will replace the more neutral 400F, which I happen to like just fine thank you.

Have you tried Astia ? It makes provia look a bit like 'real' velvia.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Yes, I quite like Astia, but it's a 100 speed film, and sometimes I need a 400 speed film. 400F is good stuff.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Bad news in the sheep's clothing, perhaps? That says that the more saturated Provia 400X, which I think is already available in some markets, will replace the more neutral 400F, which I happen to like just fine thank you.

Dear David,

On a related point, I always loathed the original Velvia 50 because it replaced my all-time favourite colour film, RF/RFP.

Cheers,

R.

 

[PatTrent]

Dear David,

On a related point, I always loathed the original Velvia 50 because it replaced my all-time favourite colour film, RF/RFP.

Cheers,

R.

Yes, I absolutely LOVED the old Fujichrome 50. It lured me away from Kodachrome which I had been using exclusively in those days. (Now I'm back to Kodachrome64 while it lasts--full circle.)

 

[braxus]

Funny as I still have some rolls of 50D and 100D film. I haven't tried them lately to see if they are still good or not. I'd be interested to see if anything has changed with the new version of Velvia 50.

 

[ajuk]

Old news although its about time 400x was mentioned on the UK site, Provia 400x sounds awesome, I cant wait to try it in what I think film has the biggest advantage over digital and that is tiny pocket cameras, I might try it in my Stylus Epic (re dX coded to 800) next time I am in London, as well as maybe the new Portra films, see if the bar really has been raised.

 

[Matt5791]

Fuji really seems like a company that listens to their customers (like another one we know, Ilford)

There has been another example recently: Fuji Single 8mm film.

A few months ago it was announced that they would be discontinuing the production of R25N (daylight reversal) and RT200N (tungsten reversal) and the processing service.

In January they announce that due to the feedback they will not be discontinuing the production of the film or shutting the lab, but will be moderninsing the lab and getting the main engineer in the production of the film to train up younger apprentices in its manufacture, before he retires.

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

Knew there was a good reason I always tried to buy Ilford for Black and White and Fuji for color
It sounds good to me, I've only recently even set foot into the real of slide film, so I'm interested to what the new Velvia 50 (I managed to come across a few rolls) will be like as well as this film.

 

[r-s]

Fuji really seems like a company that listens to their customers (like another one we know, Ilford)

There has been another example recently: Fuji Single 8mm film.

A few months ago it was announced that they would be discontinuing the production of R25N (daylight reversal) and RT200N (tungsten reversal) and the processing service.

In January they announce that due to the feedback they will not be discontinuing the production of the film or shutting the lab, but will be moderninsing the lab and getting the main engineer in the production of the film to train up younger apprentices in its manufacture, before he retires.

Am I reading you correctly?

They are bringing back Fujichrome 25?

For real????

If this is for real, what are the chances of also talking them into NOT slitting it all into "Single-8" width, but making some of it as 35mm film?

I think there'd be a real market for a new ASA 25 slide film!

 

[George Papantoniou]

Dear David,

On a related point, I always loathed the original Velvia 50 because it replaced my all-time favourite colour film, RF/RFP.

Cheers,

R.

Dear Roger,

In fact I always loathed FILM because it replaced my beloved glass plates that I was using back in the '80s (I mean, 1880's). :confused:

 

[Doug Knutsen]

Velvia II ?

A friend of mine called me the other day, quite excited about the return of Velvia 50. This got me temporarily excited, too, until I tracked down the following press release from Fuji (I underlined my concerns):

Press release:
Fujifilm Professional is delighted to announce that the company is planning to re-launch Fujichrome Velvia 50 into the UK market.

Production of Velvia 50 was halted at the beginning of 2005 when vital raw materials used in the production of the emulsion became unavailable. The re-launch of Velvia 50 is a further illustration of Fujifilm's continued commitment to the production and promotion of professional film.

Russ Gunn, Fujifilm Professional Product Manager, made this comment: "We have received many requests from photographers to restart manufacturing, as they had used Velvia 50 for many years and consider it unmatched in terms of quality and character. One of Fujifilm's main priorities is to nurture the culture of photography, so we have been reviewing the possibility of restarting production."

Gunn continued: "In response to these requests our research and development teams have been working hard to develop substitute raw materials and new manufacturing technologies that enable us to restart production of this famous emulsion. We are planning to re-introduce the new Velvia 50 in the spring of 2007. The characteristics of the new emulsion will mirror that of the previous product. Many photographers were understandably upset when we were forced to withdraw Velvia 50, and we are delighted to be able to announce its re-introduction."

The only other information I've been able to find is that the new film will most likely be labeled "Velvia II." Will this be film, with new "raw materials", be the same as the original Velvia 50?

(And, Roger, I agree with you 100%. I'd give almost anything for a freezer full of Fuji 50.)

Doug

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

It's been pretty well established in other threads that you just can't reboot an emulsion and have it exactly the same, even with all the original materials, so the best we can do is hope it serves your needs and is as similar as we can get. You never know, it might be better, worse, or it might just be "different", but time will tell. Also, I'm pretty sure it's not just for the UK market.

 

[braxus]

Since when was Fuji making 8mm film recently? And since when was there a 25 ASA film from Fuji? Man I really missed those ones! I would be happy if they just put Velvia 50 II into Super 8mm cassettes so I can use them in my camera with its in-camera meter sans filter.

 

[Thanasis]

Also, I'm pretty sure it's not just for the UK market.

True enough. I contacted the Australian Fuji offiice back in December when I first read about Velvia II. Their professional film rep confirmed that once their backlog of Velvia 50 is gone they will be selling Velvia II into the Australian market.

I'll post their exact response later on today as I cannot access my hotmail from work.

regards,
Thanasis.

 

[Thanasis]

True enough. I contacted the Australian Fuji offiice back in December when I first read about Velvia II. Their professional film rep confirmed that once their backlog of Velvia 50 is gone they will be selling Velvia II into the Australian market.

I'll post their exact response later on today as I cannot access my hotmail from work.

regards,
Thanasis.

Here is the email as promised sans names of Fuji reps...

Dear Arthur

I've been told by our Professional Film, Product Mangaer that Velvia II will be available when our Velvia 50 runs out. I haven't been given an exact time frame but i would expect in a few months. We should have some more information on when, in early 2007.
Regards


Customer Service Representative
FUJIFILM Australia Pty Ltd

114 Old Pittwater Road
Brookvale NSW 2100
Australia
Phone: 61 2 9466 2900
Fax: 61 2 9938 4954

 

[Matt5791]

Since when was Fuji making 8mm film recently? And since when was there a 25 ASA film from Fuji? Man I really missed those ones! I would be happy if they just put Velvia 50 II into Super 8mm cassettes so I can use them in my camera with its in-camera meter sans filter.

Fuji actually never stopped making 8mm film - Single 8mm - exactly the same size and perforations as Super8, just Fuji's own system with different film cartrdges (which are superior to Super8 cart's in that the pressure plate is incorporated into the camera not the cart.)

We all thought it was the end when they announced the discontinuation of production last year - but in January the U-turn - also for the lab - the 8mm film is not an E6 process film but something else (not quite sure what) a bit like Kodachrome in that sense, but I don't think as complicated.

Matt

 

[dickie vaara]

K 64

Yes, I absolutely LOVED the old Fujichrome 50. It lured me away from Kodachrome which I had been using exclusively in those days. (Now I'm back to Kodachrome64 while it lasts--full circle.)

K64 is spectacular, in my opinion... I wish I could still get K25. I last shot K25 in So. Cal about 10 years ago. Wow!! I haven't paid too much attention to availability, though....is K64 on the way out?..

Richard
Everett, WA