The Future of Slide Film

Roger Cole · Feb 24, 2016

Alan Klein said:
I like HDTV over digital projection. The latter reflects light so there's less "punch", colors, contrast, etc. HDTV has back lit and I'm looking forward to UHDTV. You can also create slide shows with music, narration, titles and credits, etc that makes the shows more interesting. It's also more convenient for guests who use to cringe when I pulled out my projector. Now I just start a slide show on the TV and they don't have time to make excuses to leave early.

For still images, sure. I don't plan to make a habit of using my digital projector for shows of still images, I just pressed it into service. OTOH for watching movies, I'll take my 11 foot wide screen at 1080p, 3D if shot in 3D or I want to watch simulated, over any 4k size screen I could actually afford any day. I don't pull out the Carousel for any guests who cringe. I am always asked for the year end recap slide show.

Well one other usage (though admittedly we are getting far afield from topic) for still images - 3D stills. Polyglot here posted about shooting stereo pairs using a regular film camera, in his case and RB or RZ67, using a macro rail for precisely separating right and left images. Of course you could view them as transparencies with an appropriate viewer (which you'd probably have to make for 6x7 frames) but today's 3D capable TVs and projectors provide another possibility. I was interested and he kindly sent me some 3D files. Using my 3D projector on that wall sized screen it was like I was standing there where he shot those photos in Sydney. Of course this method is limited to static subjects. I do plan to get a macro rail and play with that. It was very cool IMHO, but inherently hybrid (or pure *ital of course, as they could be shot that way) so even more OT.

trondsi · Mar 23, 2016

Poisson Du Jour said:
Not with Provia 100, but certainly, Provia 400X can be pushed to 1600.
We can still get this film, but it is coming directly from Japan rather than local sellers.

So they are still producing Provia 400??

Anyway, folks. I suggest that we all keep buying slide film while we still have it. You will miss it when it's gone. But maybe if enough people are into it, it won't disappear. If you ask me, Provia 100f is one of the best films that has ever existed (although I do miss Astia and Kodachrome from time to time, I have never seen a film or sensor that can capture a sunset like Provia can, and I can do portraits with it too), while others prefer Velvia. What is for sure is that Velvia and Provia are top notch quality. Buy Provia and Velvia while they are still around.

Roger Cole · Mar 23, 2016

trondsi said:
So they are still producing Provia 400??

Anyway, folks. I suggest that we all keep buying slide film while we still have it. You will miss it when it's gone. But maybe if enough people are into it, it won't disappear. If you ask me, Provia 100f is one of the best films that has ever existed (although I do miss Astia and Kodachrome from time to time, I have never seen a film or sensor that can capture a sunset like Provia can, and I can do portraits with it too), while others prefer Velvia. What is for sure is that Velvia and Provia are top notch quality. Buy Provia and Velvia while they are still around.

No. It was discontinued some time ago. But apparently it was discontinued here before in Japan and some existing stock is still available from Japan.

I love that film, the more so since I shoot slides for projection. I stocked up on and froze as much as I could afford.

ericdan · Mar 23, 2016

No, Provia 400X has been discontinued in Japan as well as of November last year.
I have the freezer full with the first batch expiring this September. 400 speed probably won't last as long even in the freezer.

amellice · Mar 23, 2016

you guys are freaking me out, but I think you are right. I can imagine this day when Fuji will say no more Velvia 50 or Provia 100. Gotta start stocking

Roger Cole · Mar 23, 2016

ericdan said:
No, Provia 400X has been discontinued in Japan as well as of November last year.
I have the freezer full with the first batch expiring this September. 400 speed probably won't last as long even in the freezer.

It will last pretty well. I last year shot some with 2013 expiration date that was perfect. I wouldn't count on it still being perfect in 2020 or anything though, where 100 probably would be. Mine won't last that long. I need to sort it by expiration date so I use it up oldest first. I might use it all this year but if not I need the newest next year. I pretty much only shoot it spring through fall.

skorpiius · Mar 23, 2016

Here's hoping for a long life to transparencies, once I got hooked on using a TLR last year, I only put Provia through it. I know neg film would give me more leeway, but there's something magic about seeing those large true colour 6x6 transparencies.

ericdan · Mar 24, 2016

skorpiius said:
Here's hoping for a long life to transparencies, once I got hooked on using a TLR last year, I only put Provia through it. I know neg film would give me more leeway, but there's something magic about seeing those large true colour 6x6 transparencies.

Yes, there is. Going to shoot 4x5 Provia for the first time this weekend. Can't wait to see what that's gonna look like.

timparkin · Mar 24, 2016

From what I have heard from various sources, Fuji relocated there transparency production to a smaller line to cope with the reduced throughput. This allows them a bit more flexibility (and the confidence to rebrand even the sheet film stock - why do that if you don't intend to keep it).

I talked to a few people at the Photography Show in the UK (both this year and last year) and they report film sales on the up (>15% year on year) and that included sales of colour chemicals by one of the main supplier (probably the best indication of film 'usage').

I have a feeling colour slide film is here for a the forseeable.

As for storage, I have about 4,000 sheets of velvia 50 in my freezers and some of that is 2004 expiry. Surprisingly, apart from a pinky feel, it works fine. If you're scanning, no problem at all.

BMbikerider · Mar 24, 2016

I have not use slide film for a good few years simply because it was priced so high that it was not viable for me to continue using it. Sadly I have had to go down the projected digital image route with a consequetial lack of quality. There simply nothing that can compete with a transparency which has been correctly exposed and focussed and then projected onto a screen. DI images just don't compete. Rather than a lot of 'modern' photographers I like to look at my pictures, not just stored away on the computer or memory stick so I am prepared to put up with what I can get, at a price I can afford

AgX · Mar 24, 2016

If you only would use that beamer for still photography, and seen that you could get a high-end 35mm projector for next to nothing, there would be quite a saving to then spend on slide film.

Prest_400 · Mar 24, 2016

ericdan said:
Yes, there is. Going to shoot 4x5 Provia for the first time this weekend. Can't wait to see what that's gonna look like.

Must be gorgeous. I do 6x9 and took a couple night exposures yesterday. AFAIK, Fuji has Provia and Acros which have really good reciprocity. It would be quite bad to lose their options. Anyhow they seem to have stabilized a bit.

timparkin said:
From what I have heard from various sources, Fuji relocated there transparency production to a smaller line to cope with the reduced throughput. This allows them a bit more flexibility (and the confidence to rebrand even the sheet film stock - why do that if you don't intend to keep it).

I talked to a few people at the Photography Show in the UK (both this year and last year) and they report film sales on the up (>15% year on year) and that included sales of colour chemicals by one of the main supplier (probably the best indication of film 'usage').

I have a feeling colour slide film is here for a the forseeable.

That is good to hear. Production wise, taking the impressions around and with the recent kerfuffle with FP100c and Kaps project, Fuji does seem to be a "black box". Kodak we did get some insights, plus we have PE around.
It's interesting that Velvia 100 is offered, as inbetween of RVP50 and Provia. Too bad to have Astia and 400X gone. (OT) 160NS is a special case... Not imported into the US, no box redesign, one of the last to be offered in 220 and still in production!
Then there's Ferrania coming down the line, which can only be good.

gzhuang · Mar 24, 2016

ericdan said:
Yes, there is. Going to shoot 4x5 Provia for the first time this weekend. Can't wait to see what that's gonna look like.

Thanks TS must be the 4x5 sheet film deal of the millennium.

skorpiius · Mar 24, 2016

timparkin said:
From what I have heard from various sources, Fuji relocated there transparency production to a smaller line to cope with the reduced throughput. This allows them a bit more flexibility (and the confidence to rebrand even the sheet film stock - why do that if you don't intend to keep it).

This is great news, that's what Fuji has to do and I wasn't confident they would.

DREW WILEY · Mar 24, 2016

Just depends who is atop a big corporation at any given time. Decisions can be made quite arbitrarily, and it's seldom wise to challenge someone's ego in a highly hierarchical environment. Never say never.

RattyMouse · Mar 25, 2016

Prest_400 said:
It's interesting that Velvia 100 is offered, as inbetween of RVP50 and Provia. Too bad to have Astia and 400X gone. (OT) 160NS is a special case... Not imported into the US, no box redesign, one of the last to be offered in 220 and still in production!
Then there's Ferrania coming down the line, which can only be good.

Last time in Japan I could not find 160NS *anywhere*.

Prest_400 · Mar 25, 2016

RattyMouse said:
Last time in Japan I could not find 160NS *anywhere*.

Interesting, now I recall that you said so a while ago in some topic. I buy film online nowadays and in Europe some big retailers have it.
Japanexposures has 160NS in 220 (discontinued and last stocks) and in ebay from miscellaneous sellers I've seen listings of 160NS in 220 with late 2017 expiration dates and I even recall one with a 1/2018 (makes sense if last batch was made January)*.

*EDIT: I assume color film carries a 2 year date between production and expiration. Also, some of those 220 sellers are from HK, curiously.

mooseontheloose · Mar 25, 2016

RattyMouse said:
Last time in Japan I could not find 160NS *anywhere*.

It's still around - Yodobashi has 120, 200, 4x5 and 8x10 (as does Bic Camera).

RattyMouse · Mar 25, 2016

mooseontheloose said:
It's still around - Yodobashi has 120, 200, 4x5 and 8x10 (as does Bic Camera).

That's good to hear! I dont see how Fujifilm expects to keep this film alive restricting it just to Japan.

RattyMouse · Mar 25, 2016

Prest_400 said:
Interesting, now I recall that you said so a while ago in some topic. I buy film online nowadays and in Europe some big retailers have it.
Japanexposures has 160NS in 220 (discontinued and last stocks) and in ebay from miscellaneous sellers I've seen listings of 160NS in 220 with late 2017 expiration dates and I even recall one with a 1/2018 (makes sense if last batch was made January)*.

*EDIT: I assume color film carries a 2 year date between production and expiration. Also, some of those 220 sellers are from HK, curiously.

I guess there was a drought of 160NS my last time in Japan. Good to hear it's still around but honestly, with Portra 160, I dont see much need for 160NS. I wish Reala were still alive.

DREW WILEY · Mar 25, 2016

I think the problem is more at our end. FujifilmUSA has always been reluctant to bringing in film from Japan. I'd rather see both Fuji and Portra 160 alive and well, and not all our eggs risked in one basket.

Prest_400 · Mar 25, 2016

RattyMouse said:
I guess there was a drought of 160NS my last time in Japan. Good to hear it's still around but honestly, with Portra 160, I dont see much need for 160NS. I wish Reala were still alive.

Quite probably, as production is done in batches and it could run out and have to wait till the next run. Recenty happened with 400H being backordered for quite a while and even more recently Portra 400. For the latter there was a thread around here and I saw it (non available) in some dealers.

DREW WILEY said:
I think the problem is more at our end. FujifilmUSA has always been reluctant to bringing in film from Japan. I'd rather see both Fuji and Portra 160 alive and well, and not all our eggs risked in one basket.

+1. More options is better of course.
I have a fuzzy memory of Reala being withdrawn, being a quite appreciated film, more so than 160NS perhaps. Perhaps more notable appreciation due to it being discontinued.
There's the wedding crowd which has quite some traction and influence too. E6 is not that much into their emphasis nowadays.

mooseontheloose · Mar 25, 2016

RattyMouse said:
I guess there was a drought of 160NS my last time in Japan.

DREW WILEY said:
I think the problem is more at our end. FujifilmUSA has always been reluctant to bringing in film from Japan.

I have never seen Fujifilm products unavailable in Japan (save for those being discontinued), unlike foreign brands. That said, the shops that carry film (even big ones like Yodobashi) don't always have a full selection of available film products, and even worse, there can be a difference between what is on the shelf and what is behind the counter. For example, here in Kyoto, the film shelf/cooler often looks pretty bare (it's worse now that they just put "cards" with the film names on them out there, rather than the film boxes themselves) but they almost always have everything I want behind the counter. They are pretty used to me scanning their film stock before going through with my purchases. For anyone coming to Japan and wanting to buy film (especially stuff not available anywhere else) it's very easy to ask at a major chain like Yodobashi to get you some (usually in the next day), or to order online (same or next day shipping, you can choose the time) to get it sent to your hotel or wherever you are staying.

I really wish Fuji would sell all of their products globally, instead of restricting certain items (film, chemistry, paper) to only the Japanese market. Doing so I think only hastens the demise of many of their film products.

Roger Cole · Mar 25, 2016

ericdan said:
Yes, there is. Going to shoot 4x5 Provia for the first time this weekend. Can't wait to see what that's gonna look like.

They look about like five dollar bills (or equivalent local currency) only prettier.

Actually a bit more if you pay $2 per sheet for processing which doesn't seem too uncommon.

Roger Cole · Mar 25, 2016

mooseontheloose said:
It's still around - Yodobashi has 120, 200, 4x5 and 8x10 (as does Bic Camera).

Wow, and the 220 is less than twice the price of the 120 too!

The Future of Slide Film

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency